A Euphoric State
Back in 2019, writer and director, Sam Levinson left viewers wanting more after releasing season 1 of his American teen drama series Euphoria. As the season came to an abrupt end, so did Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) turbulent relationship after a hasty decision to run away from their life in California goes awry.
The two rapidly make their way through the train station, bags in hand, hopefulness in heart, when Rue begins to question her plan for escape. Meanwhile Jules, so high off the idea of starting fresh, that not even the tears swelling in Rue’s eyes or her constant plea for reconsideration can help her come down. As the train departs from the station, a heartbroken Rue is revealed standing alone on the platform. Scorned by her lover, Rue falls back into her narcotized ways to numb the pain, but she wasn’t the only one saddened by this dramatic ending.
On the night of Euphoria’s season 1 finale 1.2 million viewers were left wondering, is this really the end of Jules and Rue? Will Maddy expose the tape? Is Cassie, okay? Will Fezco go after Nate? Are Ethan and Kat in it for the long haul? Has Nate and Maddy’s twisted love story finally reached its last chapter?
Euphoria fans were briefly teased with a two-part special back in 2021, giving us an inside look into Rue and Jules life after their desolating break up; but it wasn’t until recently that Levinson ultimately gave viewers what they’ve been missing. The East Highlander High Schoolers are back, navigating their way through the world of love, drugs, sex, identity, trauma, and friendship. As this season begins to unravel, our questions are answered.
Some critics weren’t as pleased with the shows return to HBO/HBO Max. D.A.R.E., a substance abuse education program felt concerned about the amount of drug usage, sex, and violent content among teens that the series produces. They believe the show is aiming to glamorize this behavior, and feel a conversation with HBO reps to address these concerns is a possibility in the near future, according to NBC News.
When the show originally aired in 2019, Levinson did an interview with Vulture to respond to similar criticism. He stated that the goal of the show is not to make teens think drugs are “cool”, but to make them dig deeper and ask themselves if “those two seconds of nothingness” is worth the mental destruction that follows. Although the interview took place in 2019, Levinson’s words still hold weight to this day.
Despite the negative backlash, the return of the hit drama series has received in total 8.2 million views since its season 2 debut. This season’s premiere set a record for HBO Max viewership. To stay up to date on all things Euphoria tune into HBO and HBO Max every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST.