Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
(The performance earned Mohammed his first Emmy nomination.)
Mohammed talked to Vulture about Nates surprising-yet-inevitable flirtation with the dark side.
Its another roast, in a way, but more of a genuine heel turn.
I think its challenging for the viewers, because this is not the Nate we grew to love.
Hes making quite a few bad decisions.
Hes growing an ego.
The thing with Nate is that he is the same guy as season one.
He doesnt really know what to do with it.
He sort of feels lost.
I think before, Nate had a leader in Ted, this catalyst for good.
But now he feels this sense of abandonment.
Hes never been able to do good in his dads eyes.
So I think that Nate is certainly on a downward spiral.
Were sad for it, as an audience, because we were meant to love Nate.
And hopefully well still love Nate!
We see that not just in Nate.
There are other darker moments in the show that we get to.
Lets try it out.
Now they almostexpectit of him, so he doesnt get the praise he wants anymore.
He just cant deal with it.
Hes not ever been in this position before.
Were seeing him break down in real time.
Rebecca even says to him at one point, Dont back down.
You deserve whatever you want.
you’re free to see how he could perceive that the wrong way and become a little entitled.Completely.
Im glad you mentioned that.
This line is really, really important for whats going to happen in two episodes time.
We all attempt to communicate as much as possible.
I hope that by episode 12, well be able to go back and join all the dots.
Actually, theres a lot of stuff seeded in season one, too.
That roast in episode seven Nates got it in him.
He has the ability to be quite cruel.
And he turns on Rebecca, in episode ten of season one, and says, Youshrew.
He has some anger in him, and its always been there.
And yeah, if that means, dont walk on the grass, and him screaming what an introduction.
Its all there, isnt it?
What was your reaction to hearing Nate was headed in this direction as a character?
When we were filming season one, Jason had outlined potentially what journey Nate was going on.
I remember talking to him when we were filming the gala episode, episode four.
Theres a bit at the very end of that episode when everyone gets up and starts dancing.
And you assume thats because hes too shy to engage.
Hes taking all this in and essentially making mental notes for whenhistime comes.
Obviously, thats incredibly silent you wouldnt get it at that point in the show.
Thats a testament to the writers, absolutely.
So from a story point of view, I knew where it was all going.
Then I got some more information stuff I cant give away right now and it was kind of crazy.
and there was no explanation for it.
Hes getting a lot of attention from social media, and thats going to his head.
But Ted actually laughs at him.
Theres a series of those little things.
There hasnt yet been a scene between Ted and Nate.
What makes these guys so clever at writing is that they know that.
Its certainly a challenge episode 12 is very challenging.
Im nervously anticipating the audiences reaction once the season ends.
Well see what they think.
