Euphoria's Excessive and Provocative Journey

I remember when HBO aired the first episode of Euphoria. It was unexpected and shocking. Up until I wrote about it in season. It showed Rue’s (Zendaya) journey with drugs and her relationship with others at her school. The series did well, so much so that it was renewed for a second season. It gave the Emmy to Zendaya, the youngest actress to win it in the drama actress category. still yielded two special episodes, a way to continue with content even at the height of the pandemic. But it was with the premiere of the second season this year on HBO Max that Euphoria discovered your audience.

Euphoria officially became HBO’s second most-watched series since 2004. It is second only to Game of Thrones. The second season averaged 16.3 million viewers. It is only lower than the average of the second season of GOT, which totaled 19 million viewers. It was HBO Max’s most popular series for seven straight weeks. The final episode made the series the main title in Europe and Latin America.

the second season

In a series as different as Euphoria, it’s impossible not to have ups and downs. I confess that I liked the second season more than the first. It was more excessive, but always provocative. The almost manic vision of Sam Levinson, the creator, who directed all episodes, becomes clearer here. And that works for better and for worse. In this second season the main focus is Rue, of course. Her return to drugs and the literal descent into hell, which make Zendaya shine even brighter than the first. There’s also a highlight on the Maddie-Nate-Cassie love triangle. Although sometimes tiresome at her insistence not to be called a villain, Cassie gave Sydney Sweeney a great opportunity. Totally freaked out at various times, she displayed great talent.

Some characters who had great prominence in the first season, however, practically disappear. This is the case of Barbie Ferrera. Her Kat was one of the highlights, and in this second phase she became a supporting character without major lines most of the time. But, on the other hand, supporting actors from the first had great moments in this second one. This is the case of the unlikely couple Lexi and Fezco (Maude Apatow and Angus Cloud). Their romance was very cute. And the entire arc of the play written by Lexi was one of the highlights of the season. Still the soundtrack and photography were spectacular.

Final

Euphoria has already been renewed for a third season. And the final episode ends in an almost positive light – from the point of view of Euphoria. And it leaves several loose ends that could have been resolved. That’s because there are several unnecessary moments. Elliott’s song, for example, despite the beautiful lyrics, lasts four minutes. I would rather have seen an “after-happen” meeting between Lexi and Fezco, where she finds out what happened, for example. Or even, questions that were the reason for several theories on the internet. What happened to Nate’s other brother, who’s in the picture on the wall? Or even what was behind Laurie’s locked door. In fact, will she come after Rue to recoup her investment? But, maybe that’s something to resolve in season three.