George Stroumboulopoulos & The Young Pope Discuss “Symphony of Destruction”
Setting: A grand, dimly lit Vatican chamber. The Young Pope (Jude Law) reclines on a golden throne, smoking a cigarette. George Stroumboulopoulos, dressed in his signature leather jacket, sits opposite him, sipping espresso.
George: (“Symphony of Destruction” plays softly in the background.) You ever listen to Megadeth, Your Holiness?
Young Pope: (exhales smoke, smirks) I have heard their lamentations. Dave Mustaine—fiery, apocalyptic, a prophet of thrash.
George: Their song Symphony of Destruction—pretty on-the-nose, huh? “Just like the Pied Piper, led rats through the streets…” They basically called it decades ago. Power corrupts, the masses follow, and the leader? Just a puppet.
Young Pope: A leader who, by the song’s own admission, “dances like a marionette.” The resemblance to Joe Biden is… unsettling.
George: (laughs) So you’re saying Megadeth predicted Biden?
Young Pope: The song speaks of a frail figurehead, manipulated by unseen hands. A man barely conscious, yet somehow the face of an empire. Is this not the image of your American president?
George: (smirks) Mustaine should be the next Nostradamus.
Young Pope: Perhaps. But I wonder—when Megadeth wrote this, did they know that every empire, every administration, dances to the same Symphony?
George: So, if the system’s broken, what’s the alternative?
Young Pope: (leans in, whispers) A sovereign leader. One who does not answer to hidden puppeteers.
George: You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?
Young Pope: (smirks, takes a drag from his cigarette) Only God knows.
(“Symphony of Destruction” swells as the scene fades to black.)