Ali Muhammad (Colman Domingo) plays a key role in helping Rue Bennett (Zendaya) sober up euphoria Season 2. Accepting Rue’s apology in the sixth episode of the HBO series was a profound moment in season two. Behind the scenes, Domingo and Zendaya used unconventional tactics to capture the emotion required for such a scene. Find out what the actors did differently and learn how Domingo could play his role euphoria season 3.
Rue’s apology to Ali in Season 2 of Euphoria.
In the sixth episode of season 2, Rue calls Ali to apologize for the things she said to him in episode three. “What do you want Rue?” Ali asks questions at the beginning of the call.
Rue hesitates, then says, “I just wanted to call you to say that uh… I’m sorry about what I said and I really regret it. I should never have said that and I’m sorry.”
Previously, Rue showed up for her Narcotics Anonymous meeting with a Suitcase full of drugs. Aware of her actions, Ali confronted her. “I’m not a parent that you can just treat like a prick,” he told her.
“Yeah, good thing nobody sees you as a parent,” Rue replied. Shocked that she’s using his past against him, Ali yells, “If you cross that line again, we’re done.”
In episode six, Ali forgives Rue almost immediately and she bursts into tears. “They do?” she asks shocked. “How do you know I’m serious?”
“Because the hour will come when you must graciously forgive,” Ali reminds her. “Thank you,” she says repeatedly through tears, finally being able to open the Jolly Rancher she struggled with earlier in the episode.
Zendaya and Colman Domingo filmed Rue’s apology to Ali in the same room
Typically, scenes involving phone calls are shot with one of the actors off-camera. “Usually… you do [the call] with a script supervisor,” Domingo explained vulture. “But [showrunner] Sam Levinson can feel every detail and wanted it to be as honest. He wanted to give us this space because he knows the connection between Ali and Rue is so important.”
Being in the same room helped Zendaya and Domingo pass on Ali’s forgiveness in the scene. “Zendaya and I sat and looked at each other and we acted out the scene,” he explained, adding:
“I wanted to make sure there’s a nice long pause before he says, ‘I forgive you.’ He has to let her live in this room of uncertainty to see if she really thinks it’s worth it. Does she really want that? He tests forgiveness and says, ‘Be in your truth and I honor that truth, and I can forgive you too.’”
Ali could have more screen time in Season 3 of Euphoria
Ali helped save Rue’s life in euphoria season 2 with minimal screen time. Domingo hopes his character will be more involved in Season 3 of the HBO series.
“I think Ali serves his purpose if he’s useful to the show,” he said Digital Spy in March 2022. “The show is a huge amalgamation of many traumas, experiences, manners and trigger warnings. I think if you need a grounding force in some way to unpack this, Ali is the guy to call; take a breath of lightness for a moment…Sam [Levinson] is masterful at how he uses Ali.”
The actor predicts Ali will continue to “have his moments,” some of which will be “more polished” in the future. HBO has confirmed Season 3 but hasn’t announced a release date yet. Watch seasons 1 and 2 of euphoria on HBO.
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https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/euphoria-zendaya-colman-domingo-used-unconventional-tactic-shooting-rues-apology.html/ Zendaya and Colman Domingo used an unconventional tactic to shoot Rue’s apology
