Following a four-year hiatus, the HBO show “Euphoria” is back for a third and potentially final season. The first season of “Euphoria” was released back in 2019 and caught fans’ attention through its dynamic visuals, makeup and famous – or, infamous – actors.
However, there have been many changes both on and off screen during the long gap. Most notably, Angus Cloud, who played fan favorite character Fezco, passed away in 2023. Also, some actors have left the show, which has caused rumors of tense working environments as well as feuds. Overall, the show’s recurring and past weird and disturbing storylines have made fans wonder if the show has lost the plot entirely.
After graduating from the rather unrealistic Euphoria High, the show is set five years later and follows the adult lives of Rue, Jules, Cassie, Nate, Lexi and Maddy. Rue, played by Zendaya, is the main protagonist, and her storyline is centered around her drug use, relapses and relationship with Jules.
Season three picks up from a huge unresolved plot point in season two, which is Rue’s massive debt to her drug dealer, Laurie. To pay back her debt, Rue becomes a drug mule and eventually gets Faye, who was introduced in season two, to become an addict.
In particular, there is a rather disturbing and degrading scene where the two swallow and purge on fentanyl balloons. I don’t want to go into more detail than that, but it’s a hard watch both for your stomach and your mentality.
However, in her journey, Rue comes across a Christian farming family that gives her a new perspective on life. She becomes more intrigued with the religion and considers joining the church for a new sense of belonging and meaning to her life.
As for the other main characters, Lexi is now working as a production assistant, Maddy is a talent manager, Jules is a sugar baby, Nate is running his father’s construction company and Cassie starts up an OnlyFans.
If you are chronically online, you might have seen the various photos of Cassie, who is played by Sydney Sweeney, dressed like a puppy and a baby. In the show, the reason why Cassie joins OnlyFans is so that she can make money to afford a luxurious, expensive, floral-filled wedding to Nate. I guess she has still never ever been happier, but also it’s like, girl, just hire a local florist to get your flowers.
Another key aspect of the controversy that surrounds the show is the creator himself, Sam Levinson. Honestly, I still really don’t know how to feel about him; however, as a fellow Sam I do feel that he is misrepresenting the Sam brand I have curated.
Specifically, Levinson has pushed for excessive nudity in “Euphoria.” While the cast of the show has said that he accepted their decision if they didn’t feel comfortable, there have also been times where they had to rein him in.
Similarly, Levinson’s portrayal of women in his shows like “Euphoria” has been criticized. This has been the case even more so in the release of season three, as the majority of the leading female characters are in some form of sex work. This makes it seem like Levinson is projecting the idea that women can only truly be successful and recognized by doing sex work.
As for fans’ distaste for the latest season, I think what is challenging for the show is that the original audience has lost its patience and can only wait for so long. While it’s one thing to make a project too soon, when you let something sit out for a while, it’s going to get spoiled.
With all the insanity that is “Euphoria,” one thing that you can’t call it is unoriginal. The show is the equivalent of those fan fictions where “y/n” is sold to One Direction. ChatGPT could not even come close to making these storylines up.
“Euphoria” may seem crazy to some, but it’s very creative and different. Plus, people are talking about the ridiculousness of it, whether or not they love or hate it. Also, isn’t originality what audiences have been yearning for in a world of sequels, remakes and adaptations?
The last episode airs on May 31, but it’s unclear if this will be the final episode of the series. Until then, there will most likely be plenty of updates on social media, so in the meantime, we can just hope that this play isn’t about us.
