Though last week was stress-filled for Rue (Zendaya), this week on Euphoria seems to have Rue in one of the least stress-inducing situations.
Last week on Euphoria, Rue was running from the cops, was seemingly trafficked at Laurie (Martha Kelly)’s and still somehow made it home.
This week, Rue is dealing with the ugly effects of detox, while the rest of the cast deals with the ugly effects of Rue’s truth-telling – namely Rue’s personal struggle to reach out to Ali (Coleman Domingo) and get him to forgive her for the ugly things she said and Maddy (Alexa Demie) finding out that Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) had been having sex behind her back.
There are a few key things to take away from this episode. Rather than bog you down with a summary, go watch the episode and come back for these takeaways.
First, while the audience was all expecting a huge blowout fight between Maddy and Cassie, all we got was Nate being even more unhinged than normal. His gun act with Maddy was one of the most mentally, physically abusive and jarring things we’ve seen him do on the show, and it definitely left the audience scared. Now that Cassie is living with him, it’ll be interesting to see if the past repeats itself or if something even more sinister will happen.
The best part of the episode was undoubtedly the Lexie (Maude Apatow) and Fezco (Angus Cloud) content. The two of them are so sweet together and genuinely need each other in a time where Fez is stressed about drugs, Lexie is stressed about Cassie and they’re both stressed about Rue. Their movie date and hand-holding were some of the most wholesome content Euphoria has given us, and we definitely need more of it.
However, things aren’t looking good for Fez judging by Faye (Chloe Cherry)’s conversation with Custer (Tyler Chase). He told her the cops are looking at Fez for drug deals and the murder of one of the drug cartel members, and that Faye needs to make sure she stays out of it because he is cooperating with the police. I’ve been saying since the end of season one that I thought Fez would die in season two, so there could be something grim in his future. Not to mention how shady Faye has been looking lately, with the theories that she could’ve been the person behind the door at Laurie’s scratching, or that she’s an undercover trying to nail Fez. We’ll see how that plays out.
All in all, I’m getting frustrated because I’ve been seeing a lot of people complaining about the intensity of Rue’s drug addiction content and the lack of drama between the high school relationships. To that I frustratedly say, that’s the point of the show. Rue’s addiction has always been the focus. Rue is the main character, and her ongoing struggle with addiction is always the main idea to get across. Euphoria isn’t glorifying drug addiction; the creators are working to show the ugly realities and how drugs can start off fun, but will most likely ruin your life and the lives of those around you.
It’s an ugly truth, but it’s necessary. If you want relationship drama, go watch Vampire Diaries or One Tree Hill. This is a show about abuse and addiction, and it will remain as such.
I’m just looking forward to Lexie’s play – I need the drama now.
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Euphoria airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO MAX and HBO.
