Euphoria Is Back in Full Force: My Thoughts on the Premiere and What is Yet to Come
*Spoilers Below
After an excruciatingly long wait, viewers around the world have been reintroduced to the intense thrill of a world ridden with social media and high expectations through Sam Levinson’s Euphoria. A show that instantly grasped the attention of young viewers as they empathize with each character Levinson has curated. Euphoria's protagonist, Rue (Zendaya), captivates those watching with her dreary voice and intense storyline. Rue fills her father’s death with drugs leading her to live a life filled with addiction and trauma. She is not the only one struggling, as her peers are navigating femininity, objectification, identity, and other themes that resonate with teenagers today.
I think it is important to note the audience range of Euphoria. In 2019, the standard viewers tended to be older as many parents saw the show as too explicit for younger audiences. As someone who was about to enter high school when the show was released, I was intrigued by how Euphoria depicts teenage matters, so I begged my Mom to let me watch. That plea inevitably ended with a hard no as she works on the show and said the content would increase my curiosity about drugs (it didn’t). So I watched it behind her back. Despite the guiltiness I felt each time I would press play on my cousin’s HBO account, I can confidently say watching it was worth the rebellion. Seeing characters battle the same problems as me is validating, and creator Sam Levinson completes that in such a flawless fashion.
When I turned on the premiere of Season 2, I had no idea what to expect; I am a sucker for surprises, and this episode threw many at me. The majority of the time, my phone was nowhere in sight, my eyes glued to the perfection of the screen and my jaw open projecting an occasional gasp or “Oh my God.” The episode follows Fezco (Angus Cloud), Euphoria's sacred drug dealer whose ginger hair and slurring voice tie together the mischief across this town. Understanding Fez’s background explains why responsibility is his strongest virtue, along with his need to protect Ashtray and Rue, just as his grandma did for him.
The next part of the episode sets the intensity level for the rest of the season–– Fez, Ashtray, and Rue take part in a drug deal. The first time I watched this scene (yes, I have watched the episode more than once), I was stunned at the complexity of the drug dealing industry. However, the second time I watched it, I realized how hilarious the dialogue was during that scene. Starting with the ditzy character Rue meets in the car, to the elusive drug dealer who was previously a teacher, Levinson takes a serious scene and adds some comedy. Nevertheless, the importance of this scene is how it impacts Rue, as she leaves the trade idolizing the female drug dealer. Now, I would hate for Rue to be a drug dealer this season, but seeing how addiction has overtaken her life, this path is inevitable. How will this affect her relationship with Jules, as she is an avid protestor for Rue to get clean?
Nevertheless, we are now at a typical Euphoria New Year's Eve house party where the gang reunites, and a lot goes down. Beginning with Rue, who finds Elliot (Dominic Fike) doing drugs in the laundry room, and shortly after saves Rue from a possible overdose. At this moment, I was furious because of Rue’s carelessness and her ability to act out without Jules to ground her. After growing so attached to Rue and seeing how Jules positively impacted her sobriety, the last thing I want is for Rue to be poorly influenced. So this left me at a crossroads; Rue is not allowed a happy ending after all.
However, the real show stopper during this episode is Nate and Cassie! Although breaking Girl Code, I support Cassie and Nate’s budding flirtation. I also believe Cassie needs to focus on herself. Cassie tends to be taken advantage of because of her body and inherently carefree personality, so finding authentic love is challenging. Like many high schoolers, Cassie feels lost without having a male companion, impacting her sense of self. While recovering from her abortion trauma and built-up challenges, Sydney Sweeny does an impeccable job portraying Cassie’s struggles, especially with mental health later on. Out of all of the characters, I am most excited to see where Cassie goes this season as her character exemplifies many relatable struggles.
The episode ends with Jules and Rue’s reconnection and Fez beating up Nate, both satisfying the viewers. Although I am a strong “Rules” advocate and was squealing with excitement when they shared the perfect kiss at midnight, I worry this relationship will lead to more problems. But most importantly, Fez passionately beating up Nate sets the tone for the violence that comes with this season. These two moments represent the impulsivity of high school, along with the necessary redemption for Fez.
Viewing the premiere of Season 2 reminded me of the love I have toward each character and how relatable the show tends to be for high schoolers (minus the whole intense lets-get-naked drug deal scene). It exceeded my expectations; everything from the lighting, the soundtrack, the acting, the writing, and the design was superb. If I were to predict what is yet to come, I would say Rue attempts to sell drugs, plus, the suitcase in the trailer is a dead giveaway. Already I can sense some jealousy between Jules, Rue, and Elliot, and I hope they do not diminish Jules’ character this season. Another trio that should stir some drama is Nate, Cassie, and Maddy as they figure out their relationship. We know I am an avid Nate and Cassie supporter, but Maddy is a force, and if she wants Nate back, she will have to try harder this time. Hopefully, this season we will see more of Lexi and Cassie’s bond, or possibly a deep dive into Lexi’s background, especially if she is going to pursue a relationship with Fez.
My final takeaways are how validating this show is, especially for a teenager navigating our uncontrollable world. It makes me reflect on how our parents said that high school would be the best four years of our lives; unlike other shows, Euphoria shines a light on reality. If I have learned anything from my years in high school (avoiding the years filled with COVID), we face challenges out of our control. Especially regarding mental health, the stresses of school paired with media impact our well-being. So seeing other teenagers relate to these feelings is validating and there is a certain feeling of authenticity that this show provides. It is a sense of confrontation as the lives in Euphoria mirror our own. I feel seen. Viewers are attached to the extreme characters Levinson has created, and are looking forward to the rest of Season 2 to see where their stories go while they watch their own unfold.