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TYLER BURKHARDT Editor-In-Chief

would have the possibility of working out in the fresh air, an excellent alternative to the crowded gym. Busy students could even complete a few sets to stay active between classes. The environment of the park would allow for people to train together and motivate each other. There is even potential for unofficial competitions organized by students.

Building a calisthenics park does not cost millions of dollars and takes far less time to build than a new recreation facility. If UTD were to have a top-tier calisthenics park, the best of the best quality, it would probably cost at about $10,000.

If UTD built a calisthenics park, students

Lights, Camera, Play!

'Last of Us' TV show must learn from second game's plot issues and controversies

ANDRE AVERION

Mercury Staff

HBO’s highly anticipated “The Last Of Us” TV show is leaking details like spores in a zombie outbreak. With its all-star cast, legendary source material and ludicrous budget, it could easily be the show to revitalize the series, but I believe only if it takes notes from the backlash to “The Last of Us: Part 2,” which divided the fanbase.

Starring impressive talents such as “The Mandalorian'' actor Pedro Pascal as the gruff Texan Joel Miller and “Game of Thrones” actress Bella Ramsey as the LGBTQ icon Ellie Williams, this 2023 adaptation promises to invite fans back to a lush apocalypse of cordyceps zombies in the footsteps of the initial game. Personally, I couldn’t be more excited. The 2011 Naughty Dog game was a universally acclaimed staple of legendary storytelling that masterfully executed the human elements of each character. Seeing the many leaks of the environment and costume designs, it looks like HBO will deliver on bringing that to small screen. However, the controversy of its 2020 videogame sequel still haunts the series, and if HBO wants any future success beyond the initial wave of novelty-driven interest, they need to start dealing with aspects of the sequel in the show’s plotline immediately.

“The Last of Us: Part 2” switched genres from a beloved thriller about a father-daughter relationship during the apocalypse to a teeth-gritting story about revenge, and its execution divided fans. Despite a review embargo, critics praised the game for a world of stunning visuals and revolutionary gameplay that I personally did enjoy. However, the loudest fans delivered a year-long tirade of criticism over the plot that I could also agree with. As a member of the fandom , my expectations were frustratingly subverted when well-established characters acted completely out of character to drive the plot. Some argue

SEE LOU PAGE 8

It would not be too difficult for the UTD campus to accommodate a workout park. You simply need a nice, open area, ideally already with grass (setting up turf would add expenses and be tedious). The location must also be able to tolerate noise, and should be in a recognizable spot for students to find: the courtyards outside the new Sciences building or the residence halls and spaces near the Classroom Buildings and Activity Center, for example.

Building a calisthenics park does not cost millions of dollars and takes far less time to build than a new recreation facility. If UTD were to have a top-tier calisthenics park, the best of the best quality, it would probably cost at about $10,000. That is how much a custom setup by BarManiaPro, a company that builds custom workout parks in Europe, costs. A pre-designed park would be cheaper— Fit-Trail, for example, offers sets ranging between $6,000 to $9,000. There are dozens of YouTube videos of people constructing DIY calisthenics parks in their yards using basic hardware supplies, as well; that has the potential for student involvement. Regardless, even the most expensive workout stations are still far cheaper than a new gym. The cost could add up if various spots are built on campus, but one park alone can make a difference.

Ultimately, a calisthenic park is viable alternative to expanding the gym and would provide students with more options in the short-term. An outdoor park can be a place for students to stay healthy, challenge each other, learn skills, share passion, have fun, and make connections. UTD should explore opportunities for incorporating such a structure into well-situated places on campus.

Where did the year go? The pages of our academic calendars have flown by at a breakneck pace, propelled as if by an occult hand, and now we’re within a month of summer. It’s a good reminder to those of us who aren’t graduating this semester (they’ve already learned this lesson): your time in college goes by quick. So, Comets, take advantage of your time on campus and get involved as frequently as you can. College presents a rare opportunity to be surrounded by 25,000 other precisely agebased peers. And yes, while schoolwork is both challenging and a primary priority—we’re students, after all–it is not all-consuming. We tend to have time for the things we choose to make space for. Plus, some Department of Education research indicates that teenage students regularly participating in extracurriculars may be up to three times as likely to have a 3.0 or better!

The benefits don’t stop there. Extra-curricular activities have been shown to facilitate problem-solving abilities, enable better adaptability and expression of emotion, enhance students’ general wellbeing and contribute to the development of improved interpersonal skills. But most importantly, they create an outlet for you to plug into different aspects of the Comet community. Extracurriculars aren’t just transactional chores to complete in order to improve your GPA, mental wellbeing, and career prospects—they’re also meant to be fun, as strictly voluntary associations.

So, join a weekly trivia group, play intramural sports, or if you’re looking to improve your written communication, perhaps apply to write for The Mercury. Find your niche here, and if it doesn’t exist yet, leave your own mark on the constantly growing list of more than 400 student organizations. UTD provides countless opportunities to connect with peers and bond around common interests, hobbies, or professions before you move into the comparative isolation of adulthood. Don’t miss it.