The Weekender: A ‘Severance’ star, a seal rescue story and confessions from a thief

February 22, 2025

Welcome back to The Weekender. Times editors have handpicked some of the week’s best stories about culture and the way we live.

In this edition, dive into the tale of an art adviser who was stealing millions of dollars, see photos of the dreamy Las Vegas ranch that landed a role in “The Last Showgirl,” and meet baby seal SYHg2506, who was found wandering New Haven, Conn. (He will be given a real name by aquarium workers once they assess his personality.)

Runny fried eggs next to one egg shell on an orange backdrop.

Bobbi Lin for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Allison Fellion

SUNNY SIDE

It’s hard to beat a yolk-soaked breakfast sandwich. But are undercooked eggs safe to eat? →

Jenny Boyter poses behind a small bar with a case of Tab, holding a can in her left hand.

David Walter Banks for The New York Times

FAVORITE THINGS

Shoppers are paying dearly for discontinued items, from the perfect lip pencil to a 36-pack of Tab. →

An illustration showing three wilted pink flowers set in a yellow jar of honey. A few small bees gather on the flowers and at the base of the jar, among some fallen petals.

Isabella Cotier

CLOSE READ

A.O. Scott would follow this poem to hell and back. Read along with him. →

Andre D. Wagner for The New York Times

PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Is Mr. Milchick good or bad? Tramell Tillman of “Severance” shared his character’s motivations. →

Rattan chairs and tables with white tablecloths on a sandy beach are welcoming spots to catch a sunset.

ESCAPE

Forget Cancún, Cabo and Tulum. Here’s why one writer returns to Puerto Vallarta, again and again. →

A woman wearing a long pink dress sits on a green sofa cradling a small dog.

Gaby Jeter for The New York Times

HOME TOUR

This cabaret artist’s dreamy ranch house landed a role in “The Last Showgirl.” Take a look. →

A seal on the asphalt in a parking spot next to a police vehicle.

New Haven Police Department

SEAL OF APPROVAL

Why did the seal cross the road? To get to Connecticut’s pizza haven, of course. →

A woman in a winter coat, red glasses perched on her forehead, stands outside in the snow.

Karsten Moran for The New York Times

CONFESSIONS

Lisa Schiff became the country’s leading art consultant. Then she stole millions from her clients. →

Gabriella Angotti-Jones for The New York Times

GLOW-UP

Man-child learns to dress like a man. All it took was a little inspiration from Ted Danson. →

A black-and-white photograph of a World War I trench full of ducking soldiers.

Popperfoto, via Getty Images

WHAT TO READ

This 50-year-old book on World War I changed how our critic thinks of nonfiction entirely. →

Two bowls of white chicken chili with sliced avocado, corn, red onions, jalapeños and lime slices.

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

WHAT TO COOK

Check out 10 ways to turn store-bought rotisserie chicken into an easy, delicious and even healthy dinner. →

Thanks for reading. For more culture and lifestyle stories from The Times, click here.

This edition of The Weekender was edited by Farah Miller.

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