Maybe it's so chaotic because Rue is falling into her addiction again!
We can dream, right?
In this episode, we delve into the chaos of the Maddie/Cassie/Nate dynamic. We also see the further unraveling of the forever ill-fated Rules relationship and Rue's parallel descent into relapse. Cal gets an unnecessary amount of screentime, Kat and the vape girl sit in the background, and Lexi is the Nick to everyone else's Jay Gatbsy. And that's what you missed on Glee.
Somebody's reading of Euphoria as a glittery, profane version of Riverdale informed my viewing of this week's episode. I allowed myself to enjoy Cassie's psychotic break over a boy who probably uses a MAGA flag as a bedsheet. Though, if writer Sam Levinson truly wants her to be the psycho queen she has become, it's time for her to draw some blood. The dialogue left something to be desired but Sydney Sweeney's performance has once again cemented her future career as the final girl in a new wave of teen slashers.
As usual, the highlight of the episode was the styling. Maddy in her predictably perfect get-ups and Cassie floundering to replicate them. We see Cassie's internal struggle through her confused fashion sense; a blend of season one's innocent rousing and ruffles infused with Maddy's more self-possessed styles.
During a particularly intense scene known pop "the hot tub scene", Maddy wears a black Marc Jacobs mini-dress that asserts her as a central figure. A simple statement that conveys a sleek maturity and self-assurance, it's perfectly suited for her. On the other hand, Cassie changes from a poofy pink dress to an uncharacteristically revealing swimsuit to impress the t-shirt wearing Nate Jacobs. While I have yet to see an outfit to make Sydney Sweeney look bad, the swimsuit conveys a fitting sense of artifice. It's out of character and awkward, a perfect reflection of her subsequent outburst.
Although this episode failed to follow a coherent narrative, its moments of humor (mostly thanks to the actors) shone through. The cast and crew agree that the show is beginning to head in a different direction––though what that direction is, I'm not sure we would agree. Levinson suggests that the show has taken a darker tone while I believe that Euphoria is verging on soap opera level plotlines. With the comically morbid twists and turns and abandoned season one plotlines, the show (unknowingly) embraces the idea of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Of course, we can't forget the Rue and Jules (and Elliot) of it all. Perhaps the romance that initially drew so many to the show, I've been waiting with bated breath for the inevitable breakup. It's wise to approach a soap with limited sympathy for the characters. This isn't to say that you should hate the characters for their actions, just that it's probably wise to buckle up for some serious trauma. So that's how I see Rue and Jules. Through season one, we see the two of them stab each other in the back and twist the knife. Following a linear (and perhaps sensical) plotline, the two would've been over in season two. Maybe they would exchange some words, date other people, drama ensues. To the creators' credit, I certainly didn't predict that they would be seamlessly back together in season two like none of the events from the previous season ever happened.
The worst part of their relationship is the brand new third party, Elliot. Dominic Fike is undeniably charming but there's little depth to his character beyond the actor's charisma. It seems like Elliot's sole function is to tear Rue and Jules apart––though they're completely capable on their own. In his efforts to tear the couple apart, he feeds his own addition as well as fueling Rue's. Jules has been heavily criticized for the same thing but this widespread backlash has not spread to Elliot.
Though Cal's (Nate's father) storyline fills the rest of the episode, there's not much worth saying there. Both an abuser and a pedophile, the man has proven to be utterly unredeemable, no matter how gay he is.
This week, I want to see a return to season one plotlines. Specifically, the relationship between Jules and Nate which has largely been unexplored this season. No more Cal and more Kat this week!
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