Why Euphoria Season 2 Is So Disappointing

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[@Chuuzus]

there were so many plot holes this season. like they would’ve done more with cassie’s abortion story, Mckay’s assault, Rue owing Laurie 10k, Kat literally had zero screen time this season which was completely absurd

[@trinaq]

Precisely, Kat was lucky if she even got to say ANYTHING at all, she had about ten lines of dialogue overall. It's likely due to Barbie objecting to some of Kat's proposed racy storylines.

[@MrZxcvbnm22]

1) What Cassie abortion?? 2) Whos is Mckay? 3) Kat is boring AF. For me, Euphoria should focus on Rue and his friends. Thats it. Yeah, seeing Cassies boobs every 30 minutos of the show is nice, but we have porn for that... Also, she is 17. We dont need that. The first episode of this seasonwas so trash that I really thought about not wtaching more episodes. Then it came the second, and the third, and fourth! All disappointing... But from the 5th it begins to be he very good show Euphoria is.

[@nationalcoasternews5798]

@@MrZxcvbnm22 did you even watch the first season

[@Chuuzus]

@@nationalcoasternews5798 like i lost some braincells reading that!

[@elasticdancer]

@@MrZxcvbnm22 well cassie is 18 and it’s rlly clear u didn’t even watch the first season

[@Chuuzus]

the problem with this season is that it was way too focused on cassie and nate and their story got boring way too quick! Sam Levinson really needs to hire other writers next season

[@anmolkirtunia9065]

No. The prime problem here was that they depended too much on shock values and unnecessary plots that go absolutely nowhere.

[@trinaq]

Agreed, it got really boring quickly, and wasn't as interesting as the writers probably thought.

[@athenajaxon2397]

hopefully some female ones

[@Tomow20]

Cassie and Nate love story has been done so many times before it’s boring. But Rue and Jules was so unique it made the show different or as Levinson likes to call it ‘dangerous’

[@mikakick7180]

exactly! like he's not cut out for a series this longitudinal ... it's one of his first big projects EVER and season two reeked of overwhelm. Someone get this man a helping hand 😫

[@RukiyaReacts]

I find it so odd how Cassie probably has the most screen time this season but has the least character development. The whole time she just cried and whined about how she was not in the wrong. I loved Cassie in S1 and was hoping that in S2 they would go more into how her breakup with McKay and ab*rti*n affected her. But sadly, Sam only focused on the boy crazy trope.

[@josephine2321]

i agree and also one of the weak points of this season for me was just like erasing Mckay from the story completely?? like i hated that

[@Reriren]

this comment made me realize i completely forgot about the abo rtion thing its kinda insane they never talked about it after that

[@alexarias5717]

@@josephine2321 brooo yeah wtf

[@yumilixi8801]

Cassie situation in season one was very harmful to her mental health. She’s an abortion, her boyfriend almost left her, she got publicly humiliated, and an Incel told her that she was useless and only good for sex. I love this thing saved into her head and once Nate finally gave her attention she lost her mind because she is BPD and she wants affection. she’s obviously dealing with mental health issues that is portrayed in this season well. The fact that you only see it as a trope just means you don’t understand her character at all.

[@josephine2321]

@@alexarias5717 like nate and mckay were close too right i feel like there should’ve been a scene were he gets mad at nate for fucking cassie or something but we had like two scenes with him the whole season

[@poppyameiIa]

cassie howard *desperately* needs a female writer behind her.

[@ratman202]

How about just a good male or female writer that has even the *slightest* idea what to do with her

[@aman-sl5dr]

@@ratman202 no, we need a female writer

[@ratman202]

@@aman-sl5dr Bullet proof response

[@karinasprmanager1832]

absolutely bc she is clearly written from the perspective of man who is weirdly and sexually obsessed with woman who have daddy issues.

[@glee69]

Same with Maddy and Kat there’s no way Maddy brushed off that gun scene trauma that easily. We randomly see her laughing at the play how is she not scared of Nate lmao I would’ve been terrified to even leave the house

[@zarieescamilla2766]

“your art isn’t dangerous it’s boring” ACTUALLY MADE ME LOL😭😭

[@tomasschiappacassi2401]

Omg it made me crack too when did he say that?

[@tomasschiappacassi2401]

I mean levinson not Kristen

[@jeanke9826]

@@tomasschiappacassi2401 the black chick who orchestrated the technical side of the play said it to Lexi when she was crying on stage after the fight had just happened. Such a cringe line ffs

[@draganastojanovic5835]

So boring. Its a basic bitch of a show masquerading as something more. The “edginess” is lame and uanessacry

[@juanmelo4150]

@@draganastojanovic5835 true

[@adam-ll1yf]

Cassie's over sexualization this season was really hard to watch. For a character whose trauma stems from men only seeing her as a sex object it's really odd that Sam Levinson felt the need to show off Cassie's naked body so frequently. That and the fact that she turned into such a horrible person so quickly?? What saved it for me was Sydney Sweeney's performance, she gave Cassie the nuance that was clearly missing from the writing.

[@marshmallowlover97]

Hey thanks for writing this comment because I was saying the exact same thing when watching this season! It was particularly sad for me, since Cassie was one of the characters I liked and related to the most. I was genuinely interested and excited as to where her storyline was going, especially considering that prom finale where she went for a more natural, almost angelic look and wanted to take a break from dating. I don't want to use too strong of a word for this, but for me the fact that her body literally got more screentime than some of the other characters (and there was supposed to be even more nudity??) was almost disturbing and on the verge of a fetish - even without the sex scenes she was constantly shown in situations were she was either moving or wearing quite revealing outfits (which I know is normal for the show but doesn't help this particular case). Also making her almost an antagonist, a person we're supposed to be excited to see fall and literally get beat up by her best friend? What the hell happened. Sydney Sweeney was absolutely glorious, her performance was one of the very few highlights of the season, but the what happenned to her character was one of the most dissapointing things I've seen in tv recently.

[@motjon]

Sam Levinson is a perv.

[@theimplications635]

EXACTLY it was so gross even when she got beat up she still looked pretty and it felt male gazey and porny all of her trauma gets sexualized and it makes me feel sick

[@angelinebena9675]

Exactly cassie’s depiction this season is just hard to watch

[@tarakennedy707]

She didn't turn into a horrible person though. That's the perception.

[@darceyeagle]

It’s obvious that Cassie’s character arc this season was written from a man’s external observation of a woman with daddy issues not the internal struggle of what it’s like to have that life

[@darceyeagle]

@Leslie it’s written by Sam Levinson so it is from a man’s perspective. I have an absent father and have struggled with the same issues you’re describing that the show documents through Cassie’s character so definitely not something I don’t “get”. The actions of her character aren’t unrealistic for someone with a paternal wound but it seemed more important to Levinson this season that she act as a foil character to Rue with her addiction being male validation which meant she became so one track minded that we lost the nuance of her character motivations. You’d think because she was a large part of one or the main plot points this season we’d get to see her interior struggle taken seriously like we do with Rue’s addiction (something Levinson has a person relationship to which I believe by the way he writes and shows it) but instead I felt her character was exploited as a source of drama this season, which I found disappointing as I had been interested to see where they would take her character arc after last season.

[@coatimundi69]

@@darceyeagle yeah i think the problem is that hes definitely writing it in a way that makes her the "crazy ex girlfriend". i dont see how anyone, *especially* someone with that sort of trauma, could look at cassie's characterization and arc and not think its an offensive stereotype of traumatized women. im not saying that its unrealistic, sure there are real life crazy ex girlfriends and bitches who sleep with their besties man, but she was definitely portrayed as the villain in their storyline when the obvious problem is nate (who is abusive in general and taking advantage of cassie's hypersexuality). her story wasnt given the sympathy or nuance that it needed this season. and i dont count sydney sweeney crying in a mirror and dancing in a bikini "nuanced" or "sympathetic".

[@soniaiboyako4023]

i think the fact that "daddy issues" always comes up when talking about her character and not rue for instance is very interesting. getting sexualized from an early age, repeatedly sexually and emotionally abused, only getting validation (validation makes it sound positive but you get it) for your appearance including from your own family etc. won't do that to you i guess it just has to be that the dad isn't around? alright then..

[@darceyeagle]

@@soniaiboyako4023 Interesting point! I liked in Cassie’s season 1 intro that they showed how it was a combination of her Dad’s promiscuity that lead to her parents divorce and his addiction as well as her Mum’s internalised male gaze and focus on Cassie’s youth and beauty/living vicariously through it that created so many of Cassies issues. But by season 2 there was a definite focus on hyper sexuality and seeking male validation that falls into the tropes more commonly associated with “Daddy Issues” (my critic being that they were shown in a more superficial way by season 2). I agree that Rue has a paternal wound but very different bc her relationship with her Dad was shown to be a healthy and validating dynamic but it was the fact that she had to deal with his mortality/death and subsequently fell into a pattern of drug use to numb that pain. Both of their issues are in reaction to their fathers but Cassie’s has always had ties to patriarchy and misogyny in a way Rue’s hasn’t.

[@darceyeagle]

@@coatimundi69 Agree with so many of your points! I also think this is why Sydney Sweeney’s nudity felt so gratuitous this season bc it didn’t feel like there was any real commentary on Nate or others taking advantage of Cassie’s hyper sexuality, more just showing it in a way that felt sexuality exploitative in and of itself! The fact that the only way Levinson was able to convey that she was being sexualised was to sexualise her himself feels at best unimaginative and reductive and at worst damaging and antithetical to the point he claims to be making

[@LLusion]

you nailed it right on the head. it’s rare to get a show this special. so for them to start giving Riverdale vibes in some scenes, was extremely disappointing.

[@Bandstand]

you’re actually everywhere

[@vrovro6418]

@@Bandstand no yourever where

[@iluvtonyhawk]

Yo guys tell me if you agree or not but the “your hair reminds me of Kurt Cobain & that’s hot as fuck” line was extremely cringe to me or am I just being weird

[@nonon8952]

@@iluvtonyhawk when was it?

[@inyrui]

@@nonon8952 the same scene where he called her "extroverted and cool but introverted and weird" which made no sense lmao

[@princessjellyfish98]

its a shame they sort of...stopped writing jules. the scene where she helps stage the intervention for rue is really heartbreaking to see because we know she's doing the right thing and is being emotionally punished for it, but then we never get to see her recover from that??? we see rue recover which is good but the show just used jules as a plot device for rue and not as a character who would have her own reaction to being treated so horribly while trying to do the right thing for her friend/girlfriend

[@eee9266]

It was very shocking to me because I remember Jules being an INSANELY popular character, probably the most popular character on the show. And of course this doesn’t give her immunity to the focus being taken off her, but she was underutilized in this season heavily

[@princessjellyfish98]

@@eee9266 right??? It's a shame they underwrote Maddie and kat this season but the lack of Jules development was just strange, it felt inconsistent. I mean she had a whole special episode all to herself and now she's just a side character? Relegated to rue's plot device? I know there's behind the scenes stuff that we're not fully privy to that may have changed around Jules' story, but it's a shame that turned out to mean less story instead of just something different

[@raquellawlitet2992]

Man Jules literally started plot in season 1 now she's background character

[@futurehofer1564]

you do know that Rue is the main character and that the show is built around her perspective of things right? Rue distanced herself from Jules (for good reasons) and thats why Jules was more left out in a way

[@amariahxo450]

@@futurehofer1564 Excuses , because Rue wasn’t close to maddy or kat and cassie but they still were main characters in season 1 . Literally everybody besides rue , cassie and nate was sidelined and became background characters

[@gleewhoseline198]

It's interesting how much depth Maddy got this season considering how she had a lot less screen time than Cassie, who has stayed in the same place mentally since episode 2

[@fionamarcotte2810]

She definitely seemed way more mature in this season

[@tarakennedy707]

But like... what depth? She was a terrible person in season 1, idc what anyone says. She screamed at everyone, threw stuff, cheated on her boyfriend, lied about being r@p3d, etc. and then suddenly she's this victim. Mmmm no.

[@loserlesbutch]

@@tarakennedy707 Cassie literally did the same thing your critiquing Maddy for except for the lying about rape part. Also your not cheating if you and the other person arent together.

[@juliag6126]

@@tarakennedy707 You clearly missed the part where they said "this season". Yes, Maddy wasn't the best person in season 1. but tbh, were any of these characters? The thing with Tyler was definitely her lowest point, but i think it is worth pointing out that all of that happened while she was on that on and off trainwreck of a relationship with Nate. She's a lot kinder and understanding to those around her this season, which may be a direct reflex of her separation from Nate and his toxic tendencies: he brought out the worst in her. And btw, she never cheated on Nate. Rue's narrations made it clear all those one night stands were during their "off" periods

[@clover-vq2rt]

Not really. Sam oscillates between making her trauma from Nate self-altering and causing her to mature-- I mean she was in an extremely abusive relationship with an extremely narcissistic person. Her maturity in season 2 seems to suggests that she realises this, especially after the gun scene. But then we get scenes like Maddie saying that Hailie slept with Jake(?) when marta wanted to get back together with him, as if the whole situation is just petty high school drama. That scene mid-play suggests that Maddy still has feelings for him, and is hurt because the betrayal, but given his other behaviours, Nate getting with Cassie is a form of abuse. Nate wants to get her back so his cheating with her best friend is a tactic for him to isolate Maddie, and destroy her sense of security so much that she gets back together with him. I could write about this for ages, but essentially Sam switches between emphasizing how Maddie went through an abusive relationship and playin the situation for laughs (like during the intervention). He doesn't know how to write abuse victims so he pretends that everything he wrote about it didn't happen and it was all just one big pot of gossip. Maddie lied to the police for this man. She excused his physical abuse. By no means is their relationship normal.

[@victoriah4648]

As a woman, I'm super uncomfortable with how sexualized Cassie was this season. She's always been a sexual character, but this time around it felt like she was a pair of naive walking boobs with, like Karsten said, zero nuance. And that's only one example of the extremely uneven characterization/ writing of this season.

[@livlmao508]

the only thing i dont get about this take is that people act like cassie was more nuanced in season one or dont notice any changes besides being oversexualized, but cassie was less sexualized in season 2 than in season 1

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@livlmao508 she was much more nuanced in s1 there's no questions about that. but yeah in s1 most sexual situations still allowed for her characterization to shine - be it through details or more obviously. it felt like she was written w a somewhat similar amount of empathy as the others, independently of how men in the show viewed and treated her. whereas this season felt like it wanted us to feel the same way daniel did for instance: she's a tease, she's self-obsessed, she's got nothing else to offer other than her physique and she cries too much which just makes her more pathetic, so really no matter what happens don't feel too sorry for her... and given the reactions to this season i'd say it did that very efficiently

[@user-cm5ut6dy2m]

@@soniaiboyako4023 cassie was honestly my favorite character from s1. she did a lot of questionable things but we got to see from her side why she was doing it. this season it just made her out to be the crazy ex gf, and it was so sudden. i get that she wants validation and attention but it felt so forced and tacky and very "riverdale" as opposed to the party scene in s1 and the carnival scene. i think he's right, part of it is due to execution and part of it is how her character was written this season

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@user-cm5ut6dy2m oh all of it is due to how her character was written this season, even talking about how "she" was written doesn't feel right bc nothing about the season really had to do with her in any substantial way. she was there for the sole purpose of elevating the other characters, the way the audience looks at them in comparison and to desensitize the viewers. *all* her genuinely vulnerable scenes were played for laughs and we weren't expected to sympathize with her at all which was imo really gross given the topic. even some of the parallels felt cruel instead of insightful bc of the (intentional imo) poor execution, but most ppl don't even seem to remember s1 so it's not like it matters i guess. she's still my favorite character even if sam has very little regard for what he does w her, like as far as i'm concerned she's still easily the most interesting - if not complex - character

[@user-cm5ut6dy2m]

@@soniaiboyako4023 also i think they can make her a bitch and everything but it was so forced. there was no natural progression at all and even though the outfits were cute in general and the show focuses a lot on personal style, this season felt someway disappointing in that aspect too

[@elizabeththompson8511]

the way cassie was just reduced to a laughing stock was just hurtful. i didn't feel happy watching her downfall, it was fucking sad man

[@MaeArt725]

Yeah, it really was sad. Maybe they’ll try working to a better ending for her in season 3.

[@myronus]

I agree, but that's also kinda Euphoria. No one is happy, no one is having a good life.

[@toxoplasmagondi]

@@myronus that doesn't matter. there are ways to make a character fall to their lowest without turning them into a caricature to leer and laugh at (see rue in episode 5 for reference). cassie's arc this season was very poorly written and i might even call it misogynistic in the way it reduced her to a stupid pair of boobs who betrays her best friend for an abusive man.

[@hellofuckingkitty5971]

She was a villain not rlly the victim they purposely tried to paint her to be. The Lexis play scene... she was such a c*nt

[@MaeArt725]

@@hellofuckingkitty5971 definitely. I’m sure Cassie would’ve slapped her if she stayed on stage when the carousel scene went on.

[@lilyphilia3954]

Shots like the cassie one also felt superficial and empty to me, sam levinson did what i do when i try using big elegant words on my essays to trick my teachers into thinking its brilliant

[@missbloomxx]

and the fact that in the original scene, Cassie was supposed to be topless, but the actress thought that it was unnecessary so she got to wear a shirt🤨

[@fionamarcotte2810]

Exactly almost pretentuous

[@fionamarcotte2810]

@@missbloomxx wow wtf

[@iwakeupandboomimarat]

@@missbloomxx didnt cassies actress say she wanted to be known for more than always being naked on euphoria too??? wtf

[@lead6186]

@@missbloomxx the hell???

[@cazzenova9286]

3rd season being set in their Senior year should be the last AND Sam really REALLY should consider a writers room. I mean the special episode about Jules, Hunter actually helped co-write and it shows. Sam should allow more voices to shift the story.

[@OceanIgs]

Yes! I loved Jules special episode because it felt authentic to her character. The reason why I also loved Rue is because she's based off from Sam as an addict. So knowing this, I think it makes sense for Sam to be open to his cast members about what they think and FEEL about their characters.

[@TheFreshTrumpet]

the emotional pain i experienced when the season ended and I realized ppl might as well have not even watched Jules’ ep given how little any of it got used in S2. How they let “I’m traumatized by my addict mom” go unacknowledged in the Jules/Rue arc this season, I will never fkn understand lol

[@iwantamaste7277]

Not everyone is in the same grade. Maddy and Nate are graduating this year so

[@OceanIgs]

@@iwantamaste7277 Maddy, Cassie and Nate are graduating

[@iwantamaste7277]

@@OceanIgs I didn't know if Cassie was a senior but it starts for Rue's senior year than Nate, Maddy and Cassie are not going to be in school

[@thefinalfilmbro122]

I’m still confused about why we had to see the funeral of Rue’s dad 76 different times

[@Demi.d3mi]

Prolly cuz what she was saying paralleled to the fez ash moment

[@jordanthelioness2225]

and most likely bc that was a defining moment in Rue's life. that's .. how grief works

[@brishawnaford1459]

LIKE!!!! I litteraly screemed at my labtop - "WE GET IT your dads dead"

[@plaplaks]

Or that 5 minute long scene of Elliot playing the guitar and singing a full song for no reason at all💀

[@Lucy-pn6ly]

One part that really annoyed me was how Jules’ character was reduced into nothing. For a show that is praised for its character writing and depth, Jules in this season was so disappointing. Especially so when you remember the depth she was given in her special episode. I went into the season with her comments surrounding her flaws, sexuality and aspirations from the special in mind, only to find that these were completely ignored. It felt like she was only in scenes to be a plot point for other characters, to make mistakes, to cause a reaction, without any room for her own growth. They had set up a wonderfully complex character with so much potential, only to completely miss the mark. One example I can think of from the top of my head is the ending, where Rue distances herself from Jules to overcome her codependency issues and focus on herself. While I totally agree with this development and believe they did need to break them apart, it was incredibly underwhelming because of how shallow of a character they had made Jules. The reason why the conflict between Rue and Jules in season one was so emotional was because of how well their relationship and characters were developed, so by throwing away Jules development and characteristics the ending was not the emotional punch it had set out to be. There’s a lot more I’d like to say but overall season two did Jules dirty, I think they need to allow Hunter to co-write her character like in the special.

[@schoolhookeygirl]

My thoughts EXACTLY. We were robbed of a proper arc for her and a reasonable end to the relationship. Introducing Elliot and having Jules’ entire character and decisions revolve around him was probably the worst thing they could’ve done. There was plenty we could’ve worked with from the previous season to address the flaws in their relationship so to see them take this direction and pretend it was earned was really baffling.

[@Lucy-pn6ly]

@@schoolhookeygirl Yesss, you're absolutely right! Elliot totally slipped my mind when writing this, what you said is so true. I feel like the whole of her 'arc' was just Elliot's arc, like the only reason why she had screentime was to provide development for Elliot, not for herself. It's so weird because Elliot felt like such a useless introduction into the series, all he did was villainise Jules further? I feel like they wanted to provide justification for Rue cutting off Jules, but the absurd thing is the justification was already there?? They already had a flawed relationship, both of them needed to work on their codependency issues especially. Just so infuriating considering how important their relationship was and how it's just been swept to the side like it was nothing. Elliot's whole 'arc' could've been dedicated to Rue and Jules' relationship which would make a much larger impact on the story, and give justice to Jules' character.

[@chocokat97]

same!! she was one of my favorite characters in season 1 and I loved how they unpacked her mind in the special episode, bc I relate to her in some ways. It felt like this episode we hardly saw inside her head. We just saw an ugly side of her, and an ugly side of Cassie. I hope they revisit her storyline in season 3 possibly with Nate?

[@itzrezo8621]

ngl out of alot of opinions this is one of the only ones I felt while watching the show. even if she had a bad ending she deserved more screen time and to be fleshed out more

[@emmahattie7822]

And Jules’ whole storyline with the Jacobs was such a good factor of season 1, that I feel really created a balance amongst the show’s storylines and characters by intertwining them even more. I know it was still explored in season 2, but it was explored without Jules or any development for her at all.

[@aadkinsl3095]

My biggest gripe with Cassie's story is that it basically amounted to her being depicted as insane and unhinged for no real reason beyond needing validation. At the beginning of the season it felt like it was hinting to her having some kind of personality disorder (especially with the sudden and wild mood changes), but by the end she's just... a bitch? When it really felt to me like there was something very wrong going on with her, like, psychologically. Usually this show asks us to empathize with this morally grey characters, but Levinson seemed content to just make her a laughing stock.

[@hMusic-tb8hl]

I didn't see her that way. It felt frustrating because I didn't really understand all of her decisions. But it felt like a "rock bottom" arc that gives space for redemption in season 3. I mean, she's a kid, she has heavy abandonment issues and trauma from her childhood, she JUST had an abortion and has really deep psychological issues. The tragic thing for me (and I think it was intentional), is that everyone including her sister and mother (and we as the audience) treat her as a simple "hot mess" and a laughing stock. She needs help, she's just a kid. Like Rue's arc, I feel like it is a test on empathy: how do we see people that make really bad decisions, how do we acknowledge their trauma, how can we help them and where do we drew the line ?

[@timesup2812]

@@hMusic-tb8hl Yes, I agree with you, I think the reason she lashed out so much is that she genuinly feels nobody validates her trauma and that she's also coping, in parallel to rue, just that male love is her drug. She is just made out to be a crazy sl*t by everyone around her. Hence it makes sense why she said "if that makes me a villian then so be it" because after losing her sister, mother, friend and now Nate, she feels like she has nothing to lose and has hit her lowest.

[@ladyblubel]

With all the parallels between her and Rue, I thought Sam was trying to write out a love addiction with her drug of choice being Nate. Her abortion triggered her “relapse” just like how Jules leaving Rue caused hers and all the justification was in line with what Rue’s mom said about Rue’s addiction making her a bad person, especially when she’s desperate for her next hit

[@turtlesaremylife4238]

I mean she's going through a lot mentally, especially after having to give the baby up. I think it could have been done a lot better but I really believe that sent her spiraling downhill mentally

[@wofaieloma3358]

So true

[@skymarie2501]

I was SO ready for this season to be SO good. The first episode alone was just so quintessentially ‘Euphoria’. The suitcase plot should have been the focus of the season. I remember watching that shot of Rue peddling down the street from Laurie’s house on her bicycle, towing ten thousand dollars behind her, and feeling like the real story was about to begin. When the season reached a lull by the fourth episode, I thought it was supposed to signify the ‘calm before the storm’ because of how eerily un-euphoria it was acting. But it wasn’t acting, the entire rest of the season was just like that. Why set up so much only to forget about it later? What I thought were pieces of a great slow burn ended up just being for cheap suspense. Like ummm that one minute long scene where he just zoomed in on that door?????

[@jeans.doesstuff]

Zoomed up on the door in Laurie's house?

[@skymarie2501]

@@jeans.doesstuff yup

[@jeans.doesstuff]

@@skymarie2501 not disagreeing with you but i thought it was just implementing how Laurie is planning to sex traffic rue. And knew she wouldn't pay back the drugs. And that there might be someone in that door. I only knew this after reading about it. But the first time I saw it I was confused too. And I though she was actually helping her. But I was so so wrong

[@jeans.doesstuff]

But ig they are just planning to revist that plot in season 3. Wish they could've fit more episodes in this season instead

[@skymarie2501]

@@jeans.doesstuff I understood the point of the shot as “someone / something is behind the door and this is going to be important later” but that makes sense too

[@luisavilela271]

A thing that bothered me was that Rue literally broke into a house and stole that money and jewelry without facing any consequences. Also, Laurie's suitcase, is she ever going to tell anyone about the money/cost? About Cassie, I found it really hard to keep watching when there was apparently no chance of her getting "better"/happy. Every episode was the same thing, Cassie crying her eyes out and being miserable while nobody did a thing. The girls didn't even seem like friends anymore. Lexi, for me, was kinda wrong? She put all of Rue's trauma in a play for everybody to see (with the exact words!) and Cassie's carousel fiasco! Also, other scenes were just there to put her sister in a bad light. Kat was *awful*, what was that with Ethan?? And wih Cassie too, bitch wtf!

[@ana_d_73]

100% agree with Lexi. The play was essentially her bragging about her 'specialness' being overlooked because Cassie was 'prettier' and had more of a social life. It felt like a desperate attention grab wrapped up in her airing everyone's dirty laundry under the pretense of trying to help by showing everyone involved her version of their true selves. She should have never have done that, especially the carousel scene. It feels like she did it just to get back at her sister. Also Kat went through character assassination this season. Her breakup with Ethan was disgusting. I hope next season doesn't have them getting back together in any way, that would be awful.

[@abirami9481]

All i know is that if my sister wrote a play with me as a charecter.....i would defo disown her

[@nony2115]

Rue did read the play before it was performed iirc, so she probably gave her approval for the scenes about her. But Lexi did cross a line including the carousel scene.

[@windenfalls]

@@ana_d_73 I agree, I really didn't like the carousel part there. It felt like it just was there for shock value or something. I don't even remember if Lexi at all saw this moment of Cassie's.

[@avdm1098]

@@windenfalls fr also the locker room gym was pretty awkward and weird. it felt like I was watching an episode of sex education or something.

[@JustoBlondo]

Euphoria is a good entertaining show until you think about “too much.” I liked it a lot up until the finale and I started seeing everyone’s takes and then I started to gather up my own takes… and THEN I realized how much of a mess it was. Best way to describe it is this: Sam Levinson cooked his “critically acclaimed pizza,” served it to us, the reception was mixed but still good… but more importantly, the kitchen is a mess and something is BURNING!

[@hello.1847]

I'm sorry but I'm loving these metaphors ppl r coming up with 🤚💀 yall be poets or smthn pleaseee😭😭🤚

[@soniaiboyako4023]

Cassie's character being dealt with "without nuance" is probably the best way I've heard it described without being vile, because it's really what it was and it was plain weird. This just felt like a parody to me, and a very distasteful one to say the least

[@JD-fz3hy]

This 1000%, I honesty feel as though Cassie was done dirty twice, once by Sam and then by discourse surrounding her character arc. There is so much potential in the character and Sweeney gave a great performance but the script, presentation and subsequent discussion just made everything happening seem so superficial and black and white. There will be a long form article written about her arc this season one day and I will be first in line to read it.

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@JD-fz3hy I think in s1 every character had their story told with a base level of empathy, there was literally no empathy for Cassie this season and the whole thing revolved into making her the butt of the joke; to make Maddy shine more in comparison (Team Maddy vs Team Cassie), to justify most of Lexi's screen time, to set up Nate's redemption arc etc. and the whole time we were obviously supposed to point and laugh, no questions about that. Hopefully that article can resist the urge to mention "daddy issues" in a "fatherless behavior" type of way bc it's getting pretty old and is a *very* simplistic way of looking at her whole arc

[@meganleia]

it really does suck. i loved cassie's story in the first season because they did write it empathetically imo and she seemed like a real person to me. maybe i lacked some understanding this time around, but i really didn't buy most of what she did this season.

[@soniaiboyako4023]

​@@meganleia i can promise you you're not off for not buying any of it, ep1 had some weird set ups (lexi ditching her etc. was lazy at best) but ep2 just straight up didn't make sense even in relation to the previous one and then it was downhill from there. like you said it sucks and i'm still confused as to what the intentions were... and the foul shit we had to see ppl say?? wretched really, we need compensation actually 😭

[@Lucylu644]

Exactly. While I’m not a huge fan of the whole Cassie/Nate/Maddie mess of a storyline, I do believe that it has a lot of potential and that they could’ve explored Cassie’s need for male validation and dealing with her trauma from past season and basically explaining and expanding her thought process. But they don’t???? It felt like all the scenes with her were just “Cassie is pathetic and a horrible friend and sister”. They never really go deep with the concept. You can understand her actions only by discussing it with yourself instead of the show itself explaining it like they did with the rest of the characters. It had a lot of potential but they just ruined it.

[@dayton_king]

Honestly I agree to a certain extent. I luckily feel like I was never disappointed while watching but looking back at it I'm starting to realize how messy this season was, I still think it's a good season of television but it had the potential to be incredible like the first season. Hopefully for the third season, Euphoria and specifically Sam Levinson can address their issues/short comings and produce a much better third season because I do think that they are in a good position for a third season

[@AxxLAfriku]

I am thinking about dropping out of school to focus on my career as a star on KZbin. I already make a lot of money on KZbin. School bores me so much. I need more opinions and since I don't have any friends, I gotta ask you, day

[@ranchitas]

@@AxxLAfriku don't do it. Keep studying

[@jimmybopped1154]

I’m on the same boat as you. I was talking to one of my coworkers about it, and even while watching it; I did feel the ending was chaotic and messy. Like, grounded and impactful season 1 was, I felt like it dropped the ball on most of the characters; only redeeming character was rue’s.

[@UrbanDecayLova247]

Agreed! I think the first episode in season 2 was PHENOMENAL, but no other episode this season lived up to that. (I know people like Rue’s episode but I thought the pacing of the 1st episode was perfect.) There were moments I loved…but other things that weakened storylines and certain characters (*cough* Kat *cough*). This felt more like a season of moments that I loved and filler rather than a cohesive 2nd season.

[@damian-lk6dh]

It's not a bit good tho

[@user-ux3vw6mb4k]

The biggest disappointment for me this season was the fact that I saw more of that dumb love triangle than I saw of Rue. It barely even felt like Rue was the main character outside of episode 5 which was evidently the best episode of the season.

[@himesilva]

If Rue wasn't the narrator I would have NO idea that she was supposed to be a main character in season 2

[@karinasprmanager1832]

this!!

[@deerheart87]

Oh I saw enough of Rue too much at times

[@lorenzo1425]

In the show’s defense, episode 5 wouldn’t have been nearly as good if the show didn’t spend all that time focusing on everyone else. The episode has such a big impact imo cause of the way Rue speedruns Euphoria, sprinting around the city and ruining everyone else’s plotlines cause it’s convenient to her (calling out Jules and Elliot, exposing Cassie and Nate, etc)

[@user-ux3vw6mb4k]

@@lorenzo1425 I see your point but I'm still disappointed with season 2 overall. That was literally the only episode where we saw alot of her. The other ones after this, she's barely in it.

[@supersucks]

the male gaze got to Cassie. the over sexualization is disturbing. and it’s kinda ironic how a show about literal teenagers are portrayed in a way that only mature audiences can watch. I get it with the drugs and stuff but still, these characters are supposed to be minors, yet it’s only viewed through a mature lens

[@Videosuser]

'' these characters are supposed to be minors, yet it’s only viewed through a mature lens' that's a quality, not a flaw.

[@supersucks]

@@Videosuser mature lens meaning in a sexualized way. What’s montage after montage of sexualized scenes without a forward moving plot? why is the story about minors but only mature audiences can watch? (even zendaya put out a warning on her Instagram that it’s intended for mature audiences, why is a story about teenagers lives only for them to view?) Why does Sam Levinson resort to put more shock value scenes in season 2? So many things to unpack

[@j.r.765]

@@supersucks hit the nail on the head. Oversexualisation of teens is prevalent in media and its for voyeuristic purposes.

[@deadartist8827]

Art should disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.

[@deadartist8827]

You're too soft for this show.

[@bethchills]

I’m gonna say it. I did not like Lexis play. I think it could have great to get Lexis perspective. BUT, we really didn’t get that. We didn’t learn anything new or profound and it was so messy and hard to follow. Nor did it evolve the story, or development of the character. Loved holding out for a hero, but there wasn’t a reason for it.

[@toxoplasmagondi]

I feel like Lexi's play kind of ruined her character. It made her come off as a shallow and envious person, what with her basically saying how she's more interesting and better in general than cassie but people like cassie more just because she's hot. Idk it felt like super whiny and disrespectful and immature, i didn't like it either and i can't get the hype. it was a bit a cringy for me to watch too tbh.

[@isamenezes1843]

@@toxoplasmagondi yes! she was worried if she was going to hurt Cassie, and she really did. I mean, Cassie is taking very bad decisions, but she doesn't need to be exposed to the whole school because of her traumas. When she sees everyone judging her, it will make her think Nate is her only safe place.

[@Jomirecc]

@@toxoplasmagondi YESSSS the way she tried to insult cassie and say she didnt want to be known for her body. Lexi isnt as good as shes portrayed to be

[@liz2668]

Yeah, found Lexi so annoying after the play. She says she doesn't want to hurt Cassie but then puts the carousel scene. There was no need for that to be there yet she still did it for the giggles. Plus, idk, her play kinda lacks creativity (outside of the production). Like she doesn't even try to hide who the characters are, and most of the scenes are exact same to her real life, word for word. Like you said, we didn't learn anything new or important. She was just venting. Edit: Just realized, she has "not like other girls" syndrome.

[@xodr91]

Adding the carousel scene was dirty. I can't fucking stand Cassie but she was write to be mad about that.

[@RicoPointer]

You can tell Sam Levinson has Ideas but isnt a talented enough writer to fully realize them he definitely needs a stronger writing team or writing team in general.

[@kieranarmstrongproductions4743]

season one of this show and episode five of season two prove Sam is a more talented writer than anyone in this comments' section is qualified to negate as an overall artist.

[@dessmi9184]

@@kieranarmstrongproductions4743 and assassination nation, Malcom and Marie, and every episode beside episode 5 of season 2 shows his bad writing. What was your point? This is a comment section on the internet. Do you throw fits at critics, the same critics that have positive reviews for season 1? If you don’t like a song should I tell you to go make a better song even though that has nothing to do with your critique? You know how easy it is to shit on any of your options on entertainment with the stupid “this person is more talented” stuff. Did you account to Levinson being 40 and the son of a famous director. As of right now Levinson has more critical failures then he has successes.

[@madisoncontroversial7348]

Sam Levinson reminds me of Ryan Murphy. Great start in the beginning but just goes down hill from there

[@juanmelo4150]

@@kieranarmstrongproductions4743 least smartest euphoria fan you guy's are pathetic

[@cheechee6473]

@@kieranarmstrongproductions4743 if you think he’s a great writer then you clearly don’t read a lot of books or watch good television series tbh

[@nitely2345]

I just don’t get why this was the “Cassie show” all season. We signed up for diversity and teens who live life’s like you don’t see every day but all we got was the basic teen drama love triangle relationship that we’ve seen a million times in a million teen shows. The whole thing with the dude being wrongfully sent to jail was just dropped, McKay disappeared, the Laurie and Rue arc was as if it never happened and Rue got clean with seemingly no problem, Maddie was just there to provide tension for more Cassie and Nate drama, Kat? What was this Kat? Jules? Where was anybody? I feel like the writer just knows Cassie is a fan favorite cause she’s the only one who will go fully nude and so he wants to sexualize her more in order to bring in a bigger audience. The Cassie arc dragged on so much and she only became more un likable and irredeemable with each episode like I started fully understanding her now I couldn’t care less and think she’s just selfish and stupid. The whole season really felt like it was written the day it was filmed having to account for all the actors that dropped out due to the writers ego. Idk felt like we were promised original writing and a diverse cast and all we got is “white girl cries for herself the series”

[@basakozdamar3722]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@isamenezes1843]

seeing Cassie crying all the episodes was so annoying. And next season we will have even more of that, because it for sure will show her shitty relationship with Nate. I would rather both of them just disappear next season than having to see Cassie crying all the time

[@xodr91]

Thank you! I don't have an issue with Sydney Sweeney but she was really being shoved down our throats this season. It's especially annoying because of so many plots that were just completely neglected.

[@pinkchip7953]

The main character is a biracial woman? I get not wanting the same storylines but Sydney Sweeney like most actors on the show aren’t established, so this is their shot

[@arianagarcia732]

@@pinkchip7953 girl that's diversity to you a token "diverse" character... I'm pretty sure the OP didn't mean diversity like that and if they did 2 ethnic characters and another disposable ethnic character to help a white girls story

[@bascal133]

The fact that they had not one but two love triangles is unforgivable 🙄🙄

[@trinaq]

I only watched this season for Rue, Lexi and Fez's storylines. I liked that the latter two got more of a chance to shine, but the fixation on Nate and Cassie's affair got boring quickly. At least Lexi's play got a few chuckles out of me.

[@fionamarcotte2810]

I feel like Lexi and Fez's Fez's relationship was pointless tho. They didn't take it anywhere. They should just focus on certain caracters instead of starting storylines that aren't going anywhere like Kat's insecurities, Maddie's babysitting and Lexi and Fez's relationship.

[@hannahturner4466]

same, i watched for maddy too because she’s a really interesting character. the play should only have been one ep tho, it feels like they dragged it out because sam ran out of ideas. i love fexi, but damn that relationship was so underdeveloped, it felt meaningless in the end

[@palmedor7707]

Last 2 episodes about Lexi's play kinda ruined the season tho

[@hannahturner4466]

@@palmedor7707 they should’ve done 1 ep for the play, and make it less extravagant. it seemed like a good play, but there was too much going on imo

[@zenafied]

Yeah, same

[@joselocalau123]

also a good show that uses the "one main character per episode" is skins. The first season they introduce the gang, then they fully explore their psyche in such a raw and emotional way, season 2 is great. (i'm only talking about the first generation, the Superior One i Don't Make The Rules). Euphoria could have used this great formula, even use other characters (like Ethan and Lexi) to star in their own episodes, but they drop it!!! It pissed me off

[@kikigarcia4174]

that show was def a hugeee inspo for euphoria but that show glamorized most of its issues. euphoria shows you the consequences or at least tries to do that.

[@vaginaspecialist]

@@kikigarcia4174 it’s the opposite

[@joselocalau123]

@@kikigarcia4174 i mostly disagree. There’s a lot of issues it sensationalizes for aesthetic and comedic purposes (drugs, sex) but you can’t say Euphoria doesn’t do the same

[@pranav2169]

@@kikigarcia4174 this might be the goofiest take I've heard from a euphoria fan, and that's saying something💀

[@loen1z]

@@kikigarcia4174 uhh skins is even more bleak and dark and depressing than euphoria. not to mention it's straight up grimy a lot of the time while euphoria has it's 24 year old supermodel teenage characters wearing vintage designer clothes to random magical parties where no realistic consequences ever seem to happen lmao

[@ImyazAl]

The way Cassie is being humiliated in this season is so sick, I really don't like how Sam write Cassie character this season

[@juxe411]

one thing that annoyed the life out of me this season is the fans and their complete lack of understanding on sympathising with characters and empathising with characters and what makes a character good. Yeah sure Lexi and Fez are cute and likeable but they’re no way near as interesting or complex as other characters. Nate is the most unlikeable character in the show but he’s also the most interesting and has the most going on under the surface, the minute they delved into his or Cals backstories twitter would go into a frenzy because they didn’t want to sympathise with them and wanted more Fez and Lexi or Maddy screentime , the point wasn’t to sympathise with them it was to empathise with them, the most important part of a character in a story isn’t whether the audience like them it’s whether the audience understand them. They also seem to be unable to differentiate good storytelling and what’s good for the characters, sure we’d all love for the characters to be great people and do the right thing but it would be boring as hell… there’d be 0 drama…

[@jacksgapy]

This!!

[@schoolhookeygirl]

Let’s wake this up. Twitter has a hard time understanding that portraying something in media is not necessarily an endorsement of said thing. Idk why everyone on there gravitates to the weakest characters narratively.

[@RamboQuellz]

I mean I understand people for not sympathizing with someone who brutally beat a man and then got the same innocent man put in prison behind a rape he didn't even do. And as far as we know he's still in prison.

[@juxe411]

@@RamboQuellz did u even read my comment, the point isn’t to sympathise with him the point is to empathise with him, his actions are absolutely not justified of course but we do understand why he does what he does

[@coopermakescasksandbarrelsP]

dude mostly teenagers and kids watch this show. they don't have the intellectual capability or maturity to not take everything shown at face value

[@janitamarianne409]

Euphoria is literally just vibes. It looks great and the most of characters are unique and interesting. It literally need better writing

[@seth5143]

Seriously. Both seasons had huge problems in the writing department. I pretty much watch Euphoria episodes as if they're music videos and I liked season 2 better. Wasn't a fan of the stuff with the stupid play though; would've much rather seen the Sword of Damocles drug dealer debt situation addressed further. The gritty junkie stuff is so much more fascinating than the weird-ass high school drama made to appeal to 'slay, kween' Twitter/Tumblr users.

[@hello.1847]

They better get some more writers bro, this shi ain't on. Sam literally be scrapping scripts a day before filming and replacing characters deaths 💀☝️

[@theboricuaboy]

@@hello.1847 I mean how the characters talk is very gen z

[@seth5143]

@@hello.1847 Don't tell Sam that. He thinks he's show-running The Sopranos rather than a style-over-substance series which will be completely forgotten five years from now. Dude seriously talks about himself and his work like he's a fucking genius meanwhile this is the only project of his anyone even cares about and only because the current TV landscape is open territory at the moment (I struggle to think of any other big current series coming out weekly).

[@hello.1847]

@@theboricuaboy tru tru, no doubt. They probs hv some of the most realistic dialogue out there, aside from top boy lol but the writing still needs work, as in, the storylines. And where the stories are going. Cause you can really tell that hes thrown way too many plots in there, and cant fit all them into 8 episodes.

[@JordanNMusic]

Karsten went from Euphoria “Deserves the hype” to “Season 2 is disappointing” 😭 hate to see it

[@Kita-zj9zi]

his criticism makes no sense tho, but hes getting the bag so it's fine

[@gregoriomassa8529]

@@Kita-zj9zi it makes perfect sense , this season sucks + ratio

[@urbuns4843]

@@gregoriomassa8529 It doesn't suck, but it is still very disappointing because it could have been much better.

[@earthangel90210]

Maybe if half the show wasn’t cassies boobs lbs

[@earthangel90210]

And rues dad funeral 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@naomm8832]

i always thought of euphoria as a limited series. i thought after s1 it would be finished. the special episodes were stellar and i was so excited for s2. s2 feels like a completely different show. the actors killed their performances but as a whole it doesn't hold up against s1. personally i'm confused that there will be a s3. s3 will be a complete disaster or a fucking masterpiece.

[@thatonegirlyouprobablyhate]

I’m leaning towards complete disaster for season 3. Sam clearly does not know what he’s doing (and I say that with full offense)

[@Jimin-km9qx]

SAME unpopular opinion I was kinda weird when I saw season 2 being announced I was like WHAT??? Season 1 was a enough also the specials

[@arontamas5639]

Pro: -the Lexie and Fez's storyline was the highlight of the season and they've been given so much depth for the character, the actors could finally shine, their chemistry is spot on! - the cinematography -Zendaya's award worthy acting in episode 5 - Sidney Sweeney is just outstanding - Maddie's character development, she literally stole the show, iconic Contra: -they fckd up Cassie's character, if it wasn't Sidney playing this trainwreck her character became then it would have been cringey because she was a loveable on season 1, so much more depth. Sometimes it felt like a parody but Sidney acted so well, hope she will get awarded for her performance because she had such moments. -Kat -Jules and Rue's storyline, plain boring.

[@cheechee6473]

Also Jules and Nate’s relationship was completely ignored. Like they have some unresolved history and it’s annoyinggggg me 😡 also why does every single television lesbian relationship have to have some guy in between them like sthap oml

[@lau313]

idk i don’t really like lexi and fez tbh

[@cherryle5660]

I didn’t love the whole Nate Cassie Maddie love triangle. It felt done (gossip girl also fighting over Nate) and I would like to think my friends and I have evolved to deal with our traumas in more nuanced way than just the nearest cute boy. It felt like this season Sam Levinson was asking himself ‘what do girls fight about’

[@UrbanDecayLova247]

I can see that, but I do think they tried to curve that with Maddie acknowledging it was less about Nate and more about her confiding in Cassie, trusting her and then betraying her with someone that hurt her. Cassie may have been fighting over Nate, but Maddie wasn’t.

[@iwakeupandboomimarat]

this was kinda acknowledged when maddy said 'this isnt about nate this is about you and me' but even then that feels like the only mention of it clearly being a bigger issue than breaking girl code

[@raquellawlitet2992]

It wasn't a love triangle when Nate is abusing both girls 💀 it was about Cassie going on a mental spiral while Maddie moving on loving herself

[@Mareewashere]

@@iwakeupandboomimarat !!

[@ThePopTartKids]

It’s 100% what many high school kids fight about. It also was deeper than “what do girls fight about”. The dynamic between Cassie and Nate served to underscore her unhealthy relationship with men (specifically her desire for male affection) due to the affection she never properly received from her father as a child. We now have to hope that Cassie understands her autonomy and learns to take responsibility for her actions. I’m excited to see whether she learns next season that her childhood trauma may be a reason for her actions, but does not excuse them.

[@francescodemicheli4179]

It lacked the “high school/ teenage fantasy” first season had, but it’s still a promising and outstanding piece of television. Can’t wait to see how they will handle season 3, hoping they aknowledge what is missing.

[@inyrui]

I mean honestly, they don't even feel like high schoolers

[@poobruh69]

they won’t

[@Videosuser]

that's why I liked this season better.

[@ebonymaw_2448]

I thought the point of this season was that it was supposed to be the withdrawal the characters face after running from their problems in season 1

[@francescodemicheli4179]

@@ebonymaw_2448 and it certainly was

[@erinliebig4893]

So true on maddys arc! Makes me feel like Alexa and Levinson were leaning out of maddys anger for the first part of the season, and then levinson added the fight last second because everyone was begging to see maddy beat Cassie up. Could’ve been really impactful if they completely ignored demand and had maddy deal with Cassie peacefully.

[@ahnjaleeca]

I went back and rewatched S1 and Cassie's character was completely assassinated in S2. She ends S1 with this new sense of confidence, she doesn't go to the dance with a ton of make up on, and she sets this goal to not fall in love with the next guy she meets. It was a really nice end to the season for her, especially between her struggling relationship with McKay, the situation with Daniel when he degrades her after she doesn't sleep with him, and the ab0rtion. Comparing that to Cassie's character in S2 is so disappointing. All of that development is thrown away and she becomes so one-dimensional and acts out of character. Between all the rumors about what went on behind the scenes, it's clear that her arc with Nate was not their intention from the start. It's just upsetting to see a character who had an interesting and real backstory as to why she was the "slut" of the school-subverting the stereotypical "blonde popular cheerleader" stereotype-be turned into this crazed caricature of a woman obsessed with men. I hope S3 can redeem her character because I really want to root for Cassie

[@Devananta-Rafiq]

The problem with season 2 was Sam tried to say too many things at once. The Nate confrontation with his dad in the last episode is not necessary for example, that could be the opening of the season 3. My pitch for next season is Nate broke up with Cassie to pursue his "real" love which is Jules. While Maddy trying to befriend with Jules after what she already know about the Nate's Dad video. Rue should get consequences after running off from the that drug dealer, maybe Elliot come in handy after Fez jailed.

[@novelretrotown91]

So you want Nate to have a happy ending after what he has put people through???? Typical male chauvinist mentality

[@pratyakshamishra3802]

@@novelretrotown91 tf? that’s not what they said at all, they said nate pursuing jules could be a good idea since he seems to think about her even when he is with cassie. what it leads to, we will find out

[@surfinsocal100]

@@pratyakshamishra3802 right

[@juanmelo4150]

@@novelretrotown91 typical man hater

[@GrahamNificent]

Love these ideas !!

[@yoshilover4202]

this season was a fever dream honestly. just random scenes sewed together with no consequences on each other, plot lines were started and never finished, the chronology was confusing af and it felt like nothing and everything was happening. it was painful

[@simsamurai333]

exactly how I feel

[@Jordan-mq4wj]

I Couldn't agree more

[@kidcoma1340]

Funny, that‘s what I liked about it.

[@mica7286]

It's kind of creepy how Sam Levinson stopped writing Jules and Kat, almost as if they're not sexualized they're unworthy of watching. Also the show relies so heavily on visuals therefore the lack of story was very evident this season.

[@user-pg9hq1hn4f]

It’s feels as if Sam is projecting his fantasies onto Sydney

[@kwaaajohn9432]

I mean she’s a man in a woman’s body and she’s a fat person so it makes sense I don’t want to see them either

[@yuenmienyu]

@@kwaaajohn9432 huh?

[@Spinelsofficalwife]

@@kwaaajohn9432 🤡🤡🤡

[@Dm34421]

Sam Levinson is a pretentious writer and egomaniac. He gives Ryan Murphy energy. He needs to hire more writers.

[@NorthRoyalton]

no😊

[@astridf4490]

@Northern Signal omg I thought the same thing! Sam levinson is such an egomaniac. Maybe if he hired more writers the show wouldn’t be the absolute cringey, incomprehensible mess that it has become. Getting major Riverdale vibes, especially with Cassie’s “villain” moment.

[@hazelsingh3887]

He needs to hire writers period.

[@blueboxjuggler]

I was really disappointed when I heard that the script was changed due to the actors' private affairs. It is clear that the first season was on to buildup with jules-nate relationship and I was so eager to see how their dynamic is going to unfold but no, it was changed to feature cassie, a character I was least interested in. This change really shows and it completely ruined the experience for me.

[@Camila-wr2gm]

Although many found Jules and Nate problematic, this was the highlight of season 1, luckily, sydney sweeney held the performance well, otherwise it would be much more complicated to watch, I agree with you

[@blueboxjuggler]

@@Camila-wr2gm yes, sydney sweeney's performance was definitely up to par (I generally have little complaints when it comes to acting in euphoria, except maybe for dominic fike and maude apatow) so it salvaged cassie's plotline. Still, I rewatched season 1 before the s2 finale and all the foreshadowing with nate developing his feelings for jules seems pretty much unsolicited now. That deus ex machina with being beaten up and finally understanding his feelings... oh boy. The fact that euphoria is such an eyecandy is both a blessing and a curse because a lot of people ignore the obvious inconsistencies in plot development. I vented and I'm free (sorry for tl;dr)

[@Camila-wr2gm]

@@blueboxjuggler yes, I really agree with you, and if the series has only one more, or even two seasons to go, I can understand, although I also find it interesting. I agree about Dominic and I confess that I also found his development a bit thrown into the story. There were certain things that were forgotten from the first season, like Cassie's abort, Mckay, although at the end of season 2 the story had a logic and it was understandable, Sam focused only in new stories and deeper episodes. Some loose ends were left for the next season, as well as there were many loose ends from 1 to 2. The impression it gave is that some events of the first seemed isolated facts in the second. It's a series that pumps a lot and the hype, despite these flaws, remains huge. I have a great appreciation for Rue's story and I want to see how it ends. (sorry for english,)

[@blueboxjuggler]

@@Camila-wr2gm definitely that. I was hooked up on rue's journey since the very beginning so I'm obviously waiting for season 3, hoping to get laurie back into picture. I guess we'll have to wait a really long time now... I'm just a bit bitter because I thought sam would avoid the obvious cliches like a bestie love triangle but I guess he had to make a fast call. And your english is really great, btw english is not my first language either haha

[@Camila-wr2gm]

@@blueboxjuggler That's it! thanks, I feel that some words may lose their meaning. By the way I'm from Brazil

[@alyssalucero6850]

They really stick to the “remember the feeling” tagline because it really feels more like a vibes show than a plot show.

[@Sophie_Pea]

honestly, there's just so much going on at once and no real sort of conclusions to anything

[@OceanIgs]

@@Sophie_Pea it kinda feels like a show said a whole lotta nothing but you feel something at least lol

[@toxoplasmagondi]

@@OceanIgs anger and disappointment in my case

[@emiliamcgrath1799]

I agree with the vast majority of this, great vid! I have to ask: i know everyone’s crazy about the crying Cassie with flowers shot, but why? What does it mean? What did it add to the show? It felt like SL was shoving a pretty shot of a weeping woman with floral imagery into our faces for about 10 straight seconds when the shot had zero story to tell. There was nothing there but aesthetics. Honestly though…thats how the entirety of season 2 felt.

[@woozisgremlinlaugh9569]

I think it’s a reference to a painting but i’m not sure

[@emiliamcgrath1799]

@@woozisgremlinlaugh9569 sure, but even then what purpose does the shot serve? Just to reference another sad woman?

[@katrina3641]

@@emiliamcgrath1799 i saw someone else say that they interpreted that scene as "the death of cassie" as basically after that scene cassie changes and we no longer see the old s1 cassie

[@mads597]

NATE LEFT THE FLOWERS

[@whatalsaid]

I really don't like how they handled Cassie in season 2. In season 1, she starts off always wanting to be in a relationship, even though the boys she picks are kinda shitty, and in the finale, she decides she wants to try being single a go, which I really liked. I wanted to see this character grow past always being in a relationship, and then quite literally starts season 2 by getting into a relationship with Nate. But on the other hand, Sydney Sweeney gave one HELL of a performance this season.

[@idontevenknow2717]

yes yes yes!!! i agree with all of this and made a lot of the same points when talking to others about it. sam needs to get over himself, put his ego aside and hire writers, this man cannot write an entire show by himself, it's obviously too much to juggle. i hate how so many major things happened and were just never brought up again, they just moved onto another plot point. like jules saying she was no longer attracted to men and now identified as a lesbian, but then cut to her fully making out with eliott (for some reason??) for an entire episode... and then they just never brought it up again. same thing with nate holding a gun to maddies head? no one wanted to maybe expand on what the hell that was? also side note: i think sam genuinely just has a weird obsession with sydney sweeney, like she's the most naked person on scene by far, and the fact that she requested to be naked less is so shocking because what other scenes was she naked in that she wasn't already? did she have her tits out in math class? it explains why she was on screen so much even though her character did not need to be...

[@raquellawlitet2992]

Jules never said she was a lesbian....she said she doesn't need make validation and not longer attracted to stereotypical hetero bs. She is pansexual it's already proved in season 1

[@broskin8644]

@@raquellawlitet2992 Hunter Schafer actually said in an interview that jules was a lesbian, but I'm pretty sure it was before they started season 2. I feel like sam levinson might have changed his mind about her character later on while writing season 2 to insert elliot

[@theimplications635]

she was supposed to be topless in that scene this guy said was the best in the show

[@hello.1847]

The thing with jules tho is I think shes a bit confused with her sexuality but like.. not rlly. Its just a thing? Ig.. it's not labelled , its j kinda a mess. She can like women, but she can like men aswell, and it ain't a big deal. That's how I saw it anyways. I also agree with everything u said. It really b like "here have this scene then move on. Like.. the thing with Nate pointing the gun at Maddy 🤚😟?? We ain't gon see anythn after that? Like bro, cmon, that happened in ep6. There must've been somewhere sam couldve put in a scene for some sort of... Explanation IDK. like for example, that elliot scene :/ they could've started of the scene, him singing for like 15 seconds, then they couldve switched to other scenes while his song played in the background. It just felt like he had no idea what he could put in so he put THat, and he needed to fill the time cause it was the last ep so he had to make it longer or smthn.

[@raquellawlitet2992]

@@broskin8644 oh I made my assumption by watching the show rather interviews

[@AlexisBii]

I feel like people confuse “I feel seen” with “this is a good and realistic show”

[@starylize]

please say this louder!

[@AlexisBii]

@@starylize I'm sayinggg and if you say "this show is not realistic" people will tell you "but addiction is a real problem! teen sexualization is a real problem!" Like obviously, but do they realize this is just a TV show???? It's a TV *show* sexualizing characters that are supposed to look like teens. That's totally being lost on the audience

[@laurenj6771]

Can you elaborate more on why they’re different to you?

[@AlexisBii]

@@laurenj6771 take Cassie’s character for an example. It is absolutely true teenage girls, especially with big boobs, are over sexualized. However, Sam Levinson is a middle aged man who has decided to sexualize Cassie himself - he directs the actress to undress, pose provocatively, perform sex scenes in a way that’s intended not to be realistic, but erotic for the audience, etc. To the point where Sydney Sweeney asked him to cut back on the nude scenes because she felt it was too much. Minka Kelly has also said he made her uncomfortable by trying to push hyper-sexual content. It’s just the difference between the reality of lived experiences and a director acting out what he thinks is “sexy” for teens

[@hello.1847]

@@AlexisBii tru, tru, apparently she was supposed to b topless in that argument scene with nate, when she was lke "I'm crazier n all that shi" but I think she requested that not to happen, so yh. Pretty odd.

[@petrauhrakova931]

I feel like the first season was a lot darker, heavier and more focused on the characters individually. In this one, it’s like they tried to bring more of “typical highschool drama” and that’s why it kinda lost it’s spark. On the other hand, we got so much extreme, dark scenes, but it seems like they were there only for the shock value, not to make the plot complex. When I was watching the fist 2 episodes, I felt like so much was happening that I couldn’t even remember most of the things right after it ended. I’ve seen the first season multiple times ever since it came out, cuz Euphoria has a special place in my heart, but the second season was just all over the place and somehow too simple yet confusing.

[@colinmitchell1276]

The issue with this season was that the showrunners realized they're primary audience is teenagers so in an attempt to appeal more to them, they kind of started falling into the pits of cheap entertainment.

[@sofiasaysso5122]

I agree, with the first season they were aiming for more of an adult-ish audience, like 18-25. But this season, it felt like they were trying to be so many things, and it felt all over the place

[@littlesparrow303]

@@sofiasaysso5122 yeah & I have rewatched S1 so many times cause it was way interesting

[@YourBlackLocal]

Yeah that last episode sucked itself off so hard. Lexi did something shitty and the show painted it as this revelatory moment for the characters and overall a good thing that will “make people uncomfortable”. When in reality is was just shitty. Even painting Cassie public breakdown as entirely related to Nate and not the fact her sister is shaming her publicly.

[@MaeArt725]

Yeah, the carousel scene was definitely not the greatest thing to put into the play. Like Cassie’s scream when that started, damn.

[@TheFreshTrumpet]

Thank you. The play bothered me in principle from the jump. I was surprised that the gay lockerroom scene didn’t get more fan or in-show criticism even if Nate was the one who got “owned,” but seeing so many fans justify the carousel scene made me realize how bad the show fkd up there. “Sometimes ppl need to get their feelings hurt” + standing ovation, like come ooooon that corny thesis felt like an insult to the viewer’s intelligence. Either the audience was supposed to come up with the nuanced criticism on our own or the show had no self-aware criticism to dish out itself, but either way it left way too many ppl buying into a horrible message

[@MaeArt725]

@@TheFreshTrumpet yeah, hurting someone’s feelings and actually humiliating them, ie the carousel scene, is two different things. I get what Lexi was trying to do, be empowering and use her pain in her work, but something like that is not just something you show casually.

[@TheFreshTrumpet]

@@MaeArt725 agreed 100%, “it’s good to hurt people’s feelings sometimes” applies to a number of things but this play is not one of em, especially not as the thesis of the play ffs

[@schoolhookeygirl]

This is an unpopular opinion I agree with too, I appreciated that Rue gained some introspection with the play but they really could’ve addressed even more how hurtful it was to Cassie. Obviously Cassie was very much in the wrong this season but she wasn’t completely wrong about what Lexi was doing during the finale. It would’ve been more interesting if we saw more genuine social repercussions for her actions.

[@JordanNMusic]

I think that’s the general consensus among viewers. Euphoria season 1 was lightning in a bottle. A series that showed the real brutal trials and tribulations of teens dealing with addiction, abuse, trauma, mental illness and more.. Season 2? Some of it was good (Episode 5 in particular) but after analyzing it, this season was a mess. So many arcs are borderline unnecessary, Kat was underutilized as hell, and I feel like a season 3 is unnecessary but that’s me.

[@Tomow20]

The amount of story arcs created in season 1. This show doesn’t need a season 3, it needs multiple spin off shows for every character!

[@AozoraUltra2006]

@@Tomow20 idk about multiple spinoffs yet, just make season 3 neater.

[@JordanNMusic]

@@Tomow20 if they did any spin-offs…I’d hope, wish and pray Sam Levinson would get a writer’s room

[@Doggybudder]

I have no reason to return to it tbh. Ash & fez are wrapped up, cal is in jail, rue is okay, the cassy vs maddie thing blew up. The storylines i cared about were dropped completely so whats left ?

[@JordanNMusic]

@@Doggybudder I feel the same way. In 2 years who knows what we’ll see and how S3 turns out. Mind you, there’s a list of shows I’ve never finished, but I don’t think I want Euphoria on that list. I was a fan the moment it came out. Kinda feels like I should still with it till the end.

[@paigebenjamin1021]

From what I’ve heard, a lot of this season was re-written (with the exception of most of episode 5), which shows. Season 1 was new and fresh and you can tell Sam took his time because he HAD time as it was a pilot show. I’m actually pleased that it will take some time for us to get season 3. We need Sam to take his time again.

[@reemtaha5398]

Agree season 2 was a mess, u hope season 3 will be good like season 1

[@reemtaha5398]

I*

[@christinexy2516]

no euphoria isn’t actually good show. It’s a remake of a jewish show i think that got canceled after one season. i think Sam just didn’t know what to do because of the lack of source material

[@s.w.d4010]

The most frustrating thing is that Ruth NEVER suffers any consequences!! What was the point of Lori???? How can Rue steal $10,000 worth of drugs and not face any consequences??? They set Lori up to be this terrifying drug dealer but she never does anything. She should’ve just gave Rue the suitcase if she wasn’t going to follow through with her threat or if the writers were just going to write her off the show. And what was Cal arrested for? Nate gave Jules the tape and he said that he didn’t know if there were copies. So were there other underage people on those tapes? And if so how would Nate even know that they were underage? He only knew Jules was underage because they go to school together. It just seemed very random.

[@rayidagurbatli1769]

there is a theory that lori is also in human tr@ficking

[@Air.keccc1]

I completely agree about the maddy part. Like the whole nate getting back the disk scene left me feeling so bad for maddy. I feel like they could of expanded on her perspectives. I really hope we get that in s3

[@realcamiam]

Personally feel like Maude Apatow did a phenomenal job in her role and I always felt like we needed more Lexi and her inclusion into the main plot was a good decision imo

[@nghtfall]

Making Lexi more of an actual character was one of my favourite things they did this season

[@adolfoocadizc]

EXACTLY! Lexi is the best.

[@jessharkness5534]

yeah i thought she did great as well. i'm not very critical when it comes to acting but she certainly got me emotional lol so good enough for me! and i also thought one of the best decisions this season was including Lexi more. for me, she is the character i relate to the most by far. i love the wallflower representation

[@fionamarcotte2810]

@@nghtfall They ruined her character for me. Cassie's whole family is just messy

[@ilovemyseLf345]

exactly he said that out of no where like-?

[@GrahamNificent]

The lack of intertwining of the different characters' stories is such a massive point. I noticed that as well. Also the lack of seeing two characters in the chemical rush of love was such a detriment. Rue and Jules last season, and Jules and "Tyler" even, gave the show that euphoric momentum that opened our hearts even though we knew there would always be some sort of crash. This season, Rue and Jules were so emotionally unattuned to each other that the chemistry was gone. The one precious scene of Jules and Nate in his car had me on the edge of my seat- what a waste to not explore that dynamic further. There was an emotional innertness to most of the stories this season that just didn't spark the same compelling sense of highs and lows, empathy and disdain, cheering someone on even though they are imperfect, etc. This season really made me appreciate how incredible season one was.

[@CopyAndConversations]

I agree with you on Maude Apatow being an unexciting actor. She couldn't do justice to a charcter written for her. Her acting felt like cardboard, you know what I mean? Like she was the Gunther of the show, you just want to skip her parts. Her casting is just all nepotism and no skill. I know people are rooting for Lexi but I was like, dude, her scene feels like hanging on the set rather than doing the actual job. Blah! Just blah! Idk why I am so mad at her, god bless Maude Apatow but please, not on Euphoria.

[@himaniarora4069]

Same! I hate the way she delivers her dialogues especially.

[@vietnamconghoarvn]

Oh my god THIS!

[@trinaq]

While I understand that the show is an ensemble piece, it's inevitable that some characters can get lost in the hustle. Jules and Kat had very little plot relevance in particular, after having strong storylines last season. They acknowledged this with Kat, which is probably due to her actress' objections to proposed storylines.

[@fionamarcotte2810]

I mean I get it. Fat girls finally get depicted as hot only for the writer to propose that Kat hates her body and develops and eating disorder. It's so stereotypical and disapointing. More could have been done with her caracter than just being the fat girl that hates herself for not being skinny.

[@kieranarmstrongproductions4743]

@@fionamarcotte2810 except that was only a skin deep portrayal in the first place which I'm not sure how everyone misunderstood. She felt 'hot' and 'empowered' by outwardly portraying her sexuality for the validation of others, not a genuine love of self. Not sure how we allow Rue to experience setbacks and trip ups in her journey to self realization but then start virtue signaling whenever things like this come up. Dysmorphia and fatphobia don't just disappear because you felt hot a few times. This is supposed to be a real and jarring depiction of the volatile teenage psyche, not a letter in a bottle to the world.

[@username_creates6991]

@@fionamarcotte2810 no I liked that she has setbacks. You don't love yourself after one realization. That was a very real portrayal and I wish she got more screen time and her journey was shown more. Especially her lying on the spot because she wants to be someone else and not herself. They could have explored that more. She had a breakup scene with Ethan and a good scene where she talks about her self love journey and how toxic positivity and self love messages on social media dont get you the growth, only the superficial confidence.

[@dragvrallass1658]

yeah the character that links the main protagonist of the show to the one that is the most antagonistic (nate isn't a "vilain" but his motivation definitely goes in conflict with most of the other mains characters) has very little plot relevance. Rue's story could be completely unrelated to the rest of the cast if it wasn't for jules.

[@uraharasenpai8852]

Cassie is such an interesting character but they gave her a really weird and FUCKING LONG storyline, I genuinely think they only did that storyline just for stan twitter to talk about it and make memes.

[@rehanpoonawalla7406]

I like how Sam just forgot about rue owning Leslie $10k- Where did that go? How about Katherine literally being a cam girl in season 1 and I guess she's not doing that anymore? Don't forget how McKay just disappeared, yeah he's a senior and has graduated but IT FELT SUPER jarring how he only served one purpose, to break up with Cassie and that's it. After that he literally disappears as if he never existed?? What about the whole "friendship/flirting(?)" Thing between Maddy and Theo's mom? I wanted to see more of that but after Maddy got the dress, I hated how they just forgot about their dynamic. This season had a lot of loose ends it needed to tie up I swear. Other than those plot points, the whole season felt so much more slow. Yeah I don't mind that but the thing between cassie and Nate got stale so quick. After episode 3 I felt so done with them. The only things that left me glued to the season was Fez, Lexi, Ash, Maddy and Rue. Other than that, everything was meh "Your art isn't dangerous, it's just boring." YIKES-

[@sp-sn9pg]

The thing that bothered me this season was how Sam Levinson portrayed Cassie’s storyline. Her and Nate’s story became one of the biggest plots of this season, but instead of using it to address Cassie’s issues, they sort of turned her into a laughing stock? Considering the fact that Nate is a manipulative abuser and Cassie seeks male validation; you’d think the writers would have emphasized that Nate fed into this by telling her exactly what she wanted to hear. Maybe addressing her poor mental health and the negative impacts of over-sexualization. But, instead, they made her character come off as a heartless bitch that sleeps with her best friend’s ex. And then they just randomly made Maddy beat Cassie up in the last episode. I was actually kind of impressed that Maddy was choosing peace, but I know they threw in that fight scene because the Twitter stans would post about it.

[@megankoeller1554]

I really love Rue’s story in Euphoria. All of the other characters fall flat to me which I guess means I don’t like 75% of the show 😂

[@trinaq]

True, it's an ensemble cast, which means that you're lucky if your favourite character gets to speak at all, or have any plot relevance.

[@luks303]

Fez is cool too but it feels like he doesnt get enough screen time, his scenes were the best thing in the season finale

[@fionamarcotte2810]

@@luks303 idk to me his storyline never fit with that show? It's nowhere realistic and feels like something that would be written in Riverdale pr something. Like they could have made it its own story

[@iwantamaste7277]

The only reason why I'm watching season 3

[@schoolhookeygirl]

This too, Rue (and during season 1, Jules), have always been the most compelling characters. Nate is stronger of a character too when he is involved with their stories as well

[@fionamarcotte2810]

Huh the best cinematography was when Rue was talking to her dad in the church. I cried when that happened. The scene with Cassie was aesthetically pleasing, but far from being anywhere as moving as the church scene. Even Cal's scene imagining Derek when he was drinking was more moving. Or the scene where Nate imagined his dad on top of him.

[@OceanIgs]

The problems I had with this show is how the storylines from the previous season just kinda get sidelined. For example, Jules, McKay, and Kat got some interesting development that there's potential story arcs to tell their characters, however, this season tend to focus more on Cassie and Nate which gets annoying and exhausting at best. Jules special episode made me think she got a bigger role next season because she realized she doesn't want to be with men and be idolized anymore but she got ignored for the rest of it. Kat realized that camming is becoming dangerous and seek love but lack happiness and got ignored for Maddy and Cassie. McKay... He got assaulted and that's that. No aftermath and progression of his character whatsoever. I do hope Sam can be more open with his cast and hire better writers cause he got bigger shoes to fill for the final season. Either way, I did enjoy season 2 but I wasn't feeling as much as the first season as it's more messy and did lack structure that the previous season had. Overall, this season needs more emphasis on Jules, Fez, and Maddy as I felt like these characters got some depth to them but got overshadowed by the major characters this season.

[@garfieldbrooks]

i hated this season so much i gave up on episode 4. none of the characters seemed to be acting like themselves and the drama felt more manufactured than believable. season 2 ruined the show for me and i cant even look back on season 1 without feeling disappointed.

[@ronavirus8113]

My biggest problem with this season was the editing, it felt like all the storyline were just slapped together for no reason

[@_Alimm]

The acting and cinematography SAVED this season and the fact the best episode was #5 shows that the format of character-based episodes gave the show a structure that audiences enjoyed. The editing/storytelling felt sloppy and shallow leaving more loose ends then it tied up. It was essentially a wallpaper episode, pretty to look at but that's about it.

[@Zimuahaha]

Omg, thank you. Everyone is saying how much they love Lexi, and how happy they are that she finally got a ton of screentime this season, and I just...don't. care. She is a great side/supporting character, but I would much rather have seen more of Kat, Maddie, Jules...

[@onesweetangel1017]

Felt like once it got to the final episode it was incredibly rushed because they had to wrap up all 300 plot lines into an hour episode. Season one was way more structured and had that cliffhanger with Rue and Jules parting ways and Rue immediately relapsing after that which had everyone highly anticipating the second season. This season ended sort of weirdly with a lot of stuff still not solved and almost felt like the big finale with everything else just being left up for debate. But they got a third season coming so I guess we’ll see.

[@firsttimeisawjupiter1031]

They still got time for Elliott's insufferable song 🙄

[@doritosauce]

I feel like they included a lot of movie references, and drama to hide Sam Levinson's lack of creativity in some parts of the show, the Rue scenes are the most emotionally satisfying because it's is based on the very story of Sam. It is true that the appearance of the show, the colors, the atmosphere of the serie is really well done but season 2 is sorely lacking in structure, it is still a good fun series to watch for our generation but it had the potential to be even better exploited, remains to be seen.

[@Camila-wr2gm]

yes, that part seemed like a treat to the cultural industry

[@Matthew_Robert_Vincini]

I actually loved the finale because now it’s over and people can finally talk about something else

[@sofiasaysso5122]

LMAO

[@toxoplasmagondi]

"i'm clapping because it's over"

[@SingingCoyotes]

The addiction plotline with Rue was so well written from my perspective I just wish they focused on that more since it seemed like it was written from a place of actual experience with something to say. I feel like the first season had a good grasp on realism mixed with the hyper emotional lens teenagers see the world through then this season had moments of amazing realism (again, Rue's addiction plotline and her full episode were so good) but then other moments were so outlandishly ridiculous it stopped meshing well. I got so tired of Cassie and Nate's story because it felt like it wasn't saying anything worth spending so much time on and turned into a parody of itself like any other teenage drama show. The last episode, Fez's story and Ashtray's death just stopped seeming realistic and seemed like they stopped knowing what they wanted to write about or say other than having this big dramatic shootout. And I liked those characters until that point so that actually left me a little bothered, like really you were leading up to this sort of ending for these two? Fez will be back I'm sure but I wish they spent more time crafting what his story was leading up to and meant. The opening backstory with his Grandma in episode 1 was so well done, compare that to his ending it just had 0 emotional resonance to me and felt completely hollow. Honestly I hadn't felt that bothered by season 2 the same way other people seemed to be until the finale and I thought everything over. It was entertaining to watch and I still feel strongly that the addiction plotline was important to show and true to how a teenage addict's life can feel. (like I am hardly ever "triggered" by addiction in media as a former addict, stuff like Requiem for a Dream and Trainspotting don't do anything for me I can watch them fine. That Rue episode hit a place I have never had media hit for me before and actually made me need to take breaks to finish it because of the headspace it put me back in) A lot of other things were not handled well at all and just turned into meaningless well shot scenes.

[@hang1iderswing]

I think part of the reason the Cassie thing didn't work is that the audience knows the problem with Cassie dating Nate is that he's a psycho, but the show tries to convince us the reason it's bad is just that Maddie got there first. We're told she's being condemned, by literally everyone, including her own mother who basically calls her a slut, because she's dating her friend's ex before her friend was emotionally over it. Sure, it's not good to date a friend's ex so soon. But in high school, that's not necessarily so abnormal, and we see Maddie herself doing it season 1. It's just relationship drama. The show ignores the domestic violence and abuse aspects. We as the audience are happy to condemn Cassie for dating Maddie's ex-ABUSER, but the show doesn't really care about this aspect. It's just two girls fighting over a boy, and we're told Cassie is in the wrong because Maddie got their first. In the last episode, when Maddie wants to get the audience on her side and Cassie's saying "they were broken up" Maddie's response is, "and we were talking about getting back together." We're willing to condemn Cassie because we don't want her to date a psychopath, but the show doesn't at all care about this. The show only cares about the comedic bitchy cat fight aspect. It's like a bate and switch. Also, the show manipulated us into thinking Cassie's actions of dating a friend's ex are extremely evil, by having all of the characters condemn her, giving her a bad ending with Nate leaving her, and making her go crazy on stage in the finale. But these events seem unearned in the world of the show.

[@JL_Lux]

That’s kind of the audiences fault. We watched the abuse between Nate and Maddie. Cassie technically wasn’t there. So why are we more upset?

[@stooplights2192]

The cassie nate plotline was wayyyy too long

[@soniaiboyako4023]

and honestly very useless like they rewrote cassie and some other characters for it, sidelined almost every other character's progression or story for it... and for what? sam needs to focus on rue or whatever it is that he's decent at writing

[@ILikeTheIvy]

Its an interesting and messed up situation too especially with how horrible the character nate is, yet they made it boring.

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@ILikeTheIvy bc they made it into a team maddy vs. team cassie thing which is lazy at best

[@ana_d_73]

I also feel that it would have been way more believable if Cassie and Nate went from being mortal enemies (because of Maddy) to hate fucking to breakdown Cassie. More entertaining too, especially if they cut out the earlier scenes of Cassie crying all the time and putting some humor in their hookups prior to episode 5.

[@schoolhookeygirl]

I just hate how much of it was wrapped up in the “violating girl code” mess where we were waiting for Maddy to beat up Cassie rather than Cassie disregarding her friend’s abuse

[@YallahHabib1]

your first Euphoria video was what made me watch euphoria in the first place!! ty

[@vincentli1214]

Same here!

[@daniellek5238]

I feel so bad for how Sam is doing Cassie and Kat…. He has all this love for rue and maddy to let them be there character but when it comes to the other two…. He’s just dropped the ball so bad. This season he definitely sidelined Jules too… this season was so much filler that i honestly feel the whole season could’ve been done in 3 maybe 4 episodes top.. idk maybe I’m just being to harsh :/

[@xodr91]

I couldn't agree more with this review! I swear Cassie got as much screen time as Rue when they could've used that to focus on other characters it's like they took whatever screen time Kat was supposed to have and just focus on yet another love triangle trope.

[@kenm.4132]

In my opinion this show should be a limited series. It would be much better if it had a clear beginning, middle and end.

[@rexgeorgerodriguez7620]

I'm sure they gonna milk this show popularity until it runs out of it. Quite dissappointing

[@JordanNMusic]

I honestly think this show could just end after 2 seasons. I would’ve been more than happy if this was done. Aside from the loose ends of Laurie + Rue, Cassie + Nate, Lex + Fez…there’s enough ambiguity for me to be ok w/some arcs not being complete. To wait 2 years for another season, I don’t know how they can really continue & make the show stronger. This is why I’m usually ok with some shows ending after 1 or 2 seasons. And y’all really gonna have late-20s/early-30 somethings playing teenagers still?

[@Eduardo-ew5dl]

Rue says on the last episode that she managed to stay clean for the rest of the year. Since they are in senior year, the show might do a time jump of some sort.

[@loganhurley4764]

My take: they should just do a final season set around graduation. Tie everything up, and let the characters get on with their miserable lives. There was just too much momentum dropped in that finale. And honestly, Ash’s death felt like one big nail in the coffin, at least for me (it was well-shot but hugely unnecessary).

[@juliabarrosmachado47]

@@Eduardo-ew5dl Rue and Lexi aren't in the senior year they are younger then Cassie Maddy and the others

[@JordanNMusic]

@@Eduardo-ew5dl I hope it time jumps a year or 2 at least. Makeup does wonders but you can only play a high schooler for so long.

[@JordanNMusic]

@@loganhurley4764 you know what I’m not mad at this…personally, I’d want the 3rd season to be the final one. It would be a nice trilogy of tv while at the same time a relief to see where the characters ended up at.

[@FiragaXIII]

Sam Levinson really needs to get over himself and hire co-writers. This season was really messy and can't keep up with everything Sam wants to convey. Also, Elliot's character is really insignificant. He's just a plot device to put uneccesary conflict between Rue and Jules. His screentime should've been given to Kat, Maddy or Jules. (Also, that never-ending acoustic solo in the finale is unforgivable.)

[@trash5709]

few problems i had with the show: - had harmful stereotypes - show oversimplified complex issues like addiction and trauma - contradicts itself and loses plotlines - very painfully obvious that its written by a middle aged white man - glorifies what it's trying to criticize

[@Scrapegoat]

I believe any story can be told, but I really couldn't stand the depiction of h addiction. Teenagers romanticize problems. They did glamorize it. Rue is supposed to look like and be a badass. They could never honestly depict what Rue would have gone through when kicking. I don't tend to care if kids want to emulate stupid characters. This is a bit different. They should have Rue relapse and immediately drop dead from whatever the new 4x strength fent-analog is in the h.

[@20000dino]

Season 2 of Euphoria suffers from a recent recurrent phenomena that I like to call "Stranger-Things-3-Syndrome". Like the last Season of Stranger Things (as of March of 2022), the second Season of Euphoria seems to be a step-up to the already incredibly beautiful visuals of the 1st Season, while substantially sacrificing the emotional weight which gave so much meaning and intensity to such visuals. It feels oversaturated, like seeing Season 1 through a funhouse mirror (an analogy which makes even more sense considering the whole theme of Stranger Things 3). At least Stranger Things 3 felt less jarring (considering the whole setting and tone of the show, and having Season 2 as an intermediate) and fully committed to its new direction. Season 2 of Euphoria just feels like a mess that doesn't know what it wants to be.

[@juliabarrosmachado47]

I agree with pretty much everything you said except for the Lexi and Maude part, she's definitely one of the more likeable characters in the series, almost feels like a breath of fresh air in comparison to all the other teenagers in the show, I also think Maude does a pretty good job and in ep. 7 she definitely shows that

[@oriannaisabella7041]

I agree I liked watching her arch the most this season.

[@palmedor7707]

he says he don't think Maude has the acting range to carry a show

[@OceanIgs]

@@palmedor7707 you could blame that on the writing. If I'm being nice, we haven't seen Maude acted as much as Cassie because her character isn't meant to portray a huge range of emotions until the final episode when she's with Rue and Fez. I do want Sam to write her character more especially with Fez

[@iwantamaste7277]

@@OceanIgs I feel like he wouldn't be saying that if he liked her acting this season.

[@rafifariq8527]

@@iwantamaste7277 maude is fine. No better actors could elevate that role if we're being honest

[@di9749]

Personally for me it hurts how they did Jules. She was so intresting and cool in s1 but in s2?? What did she do? Where is her development? I literally didnt care for anything this season except for Rue's storyline. I absolutely hated Nate's and Cassies relationship. Elliot is such a boring character while Kat is just nonexistant.

[@zoeybennett8859]

thank god you said something I was so disappointed in this season, actually angry after almost every episode, and I thought I was crazy for not liking it since so many people were talking about how much they were enjoying it

[@carsachi]

I liked having Lexi this season, but... I am sorry for saying this, but she isn't that hurt as I would expect? Being the one who is taking care of others, being the nurse has several effects that are actually interesting, and we need to talk about that, but Lexi is too confident, Lexi is always positive about it, Lexi doesn't feel that jealous, doesn't act like a teen, she is a full grown woman who has been going to therapy for years. It's stupid to hear her saying she hates guns while we see her getting closer to the character who fucking hit Nate with a bottle and then punched him on the ground. It's convenient for Rue to have that kind of friend who is actually more like a mom than her actual mom. Why isn't that a problem? The thing with euphoria is that it doesn't focus on the actual problems, it creates weird problems like... Nate now owns a gun and threaten Maddy to get the CD? WHAT THE FUCK? and then she was fine about having that dude around her during the play? It is so much that you can never tell the story, and they forget so many details that it's obnoxious like... c'mon!!!!

[@mikaberry-5126]

Definitely agree especially the « I hate gun »thing is such a stupid thing for her to say like to all people she could have told that she told it to Fez 💀 And yes she basically only talked about how others lived their life not about how she feels in her own life or anything

[@ugh5281]

"lexi is too confident", i'm sorry since when? the whole thing about her is that she never has the courage to stand up for herself and say what she actually has to say. i think her character arc this season was that after meeting fez and feeling "seen" by someone made her feel more confident but even when she gained courage and met fez at the store, after seeing faye she backed down again and didn't say what she wanted to say initially; also "lexi doesn't feel that jealous"... in season 1 when rue starting hanging out with jules, lexi kept giving them looks and when gia said that rue was in love with jules, lexi looked uncomfortable and she was definetly jealous about rue "replacing" her in a way. they never expanded on her too much in season 1, but those moments are there and obivous. that being said, i also do get some criticisms to her character, mine are mostly related to stuff that happened during her play but she's the most relatable teenager in that show for me personally. i could relate to her using escapism and dissociating as a coping mechanism.. i just feel like the overall writing in season 2 took a major falldown, a lot of things were left unexplained and i could definetly feel the "improvisions" they did. season 1 was definetly stronger in terms of writing.

[@schoolhookeygirl]

I agree. I also wish Lexi had more than a one dimensional relationship with Rue who really is the only person established to be her friend. I think it would have been interesting to pick up from season 1 hints of Rue wearing the pants in the relationship and controlling everything/constantly asking for favors like Lexi using her urine while she gets nothing in return - and maybe this unbalanced dynamic would’ve led to them drifting further apart by the time we get to the point we do in season 2. That could’ve made their conversation in the finale even more impactful.

[@RajaMCool]

Lexi had a very big role this season! I think it’s weird that she was given second billing last season despite having a very small role. She was billed towards the end of the cast list this season despite being the co-lead.

[@mikaberry-5126]

@@schoolhookeygirl exactly

[@bbmsara4893]

I don't like how they wrote jules' character this season. i hope she gets the character development she deserves in the next season. i'm also kinda curious how her and nate are gonna end up.

[@samrvideos30]

The highlight this season for me was Lexi and Fezco, their relationship this season is so simple that they stand out from the chaos in the show. With Fezco’s ending this season, The dynamic between Fez and Lexi next season is going to be more complicated and interesting.

[@MsNobody092]

I agree. There was a lot of unanswered questions from season one. A couple examples: who was the creepy guy on Kat’s computer? What was the point of McKay’s character? Cassie was the most boring character after McKay in season one. I think season two was a improvement here. They didn’t have to drag out the Cassie/Maddie/Nate thing

[@athenajaxon2397]

The first season did a good job balancing a lot of characters and their storylines. It also had a clear storyline and villain with Nate. In s2 what was the driving force? S1 was clear it was Nate and his storyline he was a villain to not just Jules but to multiple characters and the finale dealt with Jules and Rue as well as multiple other characters and their arcs. This season went all over the place like what was the catalyst? The play? Who cares about this play? Why not have Cal become the main villain this season they already kinda did that but Cal really only affects Nate but it'd be way more interesting if he turned into the main antagonist

[@MSFGALLAGHER]

Yo not everything needs heroes and villains

[@OceanIgs]

I don't think the show is meant to have a clear cut villain and hero. More about having morally grey characters and how far you can empathize these characters.

[@athenajaxon2397]

@@OceanIgs I get that but I'm saying Nate being a villain in s1 helped tie everything together and since they already went down that route with the dad why not continue it

[@OceanIgs]

@@athenajaxon2397 Yeah but it seems like the "villain" of season 2 would be Cassie but Cal seems like a better choice. You also got Laurie which maybe she'll be one in season 3?

[@TheFullNEWS]

completely agree honestly the final last episode really lost me on the show. I think the ‘great show in there somewhere’ is done now, because for a show that takes itself so soo super seriously you definitely have to turn off your brain in the finale when it comes to lack of staff and teachers during inappropriate play scenes or an actual confrontation between two students with intervention from one parent .The play was super unethical and weird and it’s odd to me that nobody puts themselves in any of the other characters shoes, if a girl at your school SOMEHOW got away with THIS shit and outted her sister, multiple friends’ intimate moments, you’d think it was weird as hell …yet this really got Twitter to root for an actual child to expose her classmates lmao. Like really think… IN -universe … what… exactly is the point of this fuckin play and why was it approved lmao I don’t mean narratively so Lexi‘s character can get some sort of come-uppance or something i mean … why is any of this happening and don’t give me that heightened-reality or unreliable narrator BS. We got a very real- emotional scene of Rue arguing with her mom and then this.. smh like there’s literally no way I could tell season one was going to eventually lead to this … Jerry Springer ass exposé finale lmao. We definitely wonder what is going to happen to Rue bc of the suitcase situation and other characters & while it was fun to see a character in the background like Lexi be a sort of audience POV , and even genius in someways, I did not know it would eventually lead to this narcissistic random play she’d put on and it doesn’t work for me, and if it was written in someway where she would get critiqued for doing this weird shit it would be fine… But the universe turns realism off so we can watch highschoolers fight on stage in front of more high schoolers , One mom intervening ( The mom of the daughter who put on the play to publicly humiliate her OTHER daughter ) bc fuck being a parent i guess , wacky ass Cassie villain shots, every obvious good character we root for conveniently approving of this and the villain characters having a problem with it only; but mostly confusion leaving the second season. like come on this is right in front of you… Why are any of you buying this shit? I totally agree with everything this guy has to say about season one it felt really cool… But everything is out the window now it’s getting Riverdale ridiculous.

[@psq6214]

you literally just verbalised the way i feel. I do not understand how people can look at this play and think “omg what a girlboss slay moment for her” like?? Cassie was more than reasonable for screaming that “it just isn’t fair” bc it isn’t and it also makes 0 sense

[@presidentofbimbotown610]

you’re 100% right and i actually felt this way during season 1 but it was still not too evident for me to dislike it. i feel like season 2 just made the problems with euphoria even more obvious. the show has very questionable morals and sloppy writing. sam levinson is very talented but he’s definitely a style over substance kind of creator. it’s crazy to me that people still think of this show as a masterpiece. if riverdale had a plot like the nate/maddy/cassie one or even the dumb play you bet people would be making fun of it. insane that people get so distracted by the pretty colors and shiny outfits.

[@DainDenham]

Well said, I started to see the shows storytelling as a extreme high school story that blurs fanasty and reality.

[@fishandnoodles3288]

i agree with you about the play, but honestly that's exactly why i liked it. it makes you wonder why would lexi, the "angel" character of the show, would do all that. and once again, because she's the sweetest character, most people wouldn't even question her and her actions. but if you look at it from a more objective perspective, the play is actually very weird and messed up. it even makes you sort of sympathize with the antagonists of the show, because cassie had every right to get on stage and do what she did. however, because she's the bad girl, most people would just be like "oh stop ruining your sister's moment" or "you're just being annoying". but yeah, i guess i liked that little layer of complexity

[@sowmyak7626]

My thoughts exactly! I was uncomfortable and just weirded out the entire time...then I went to Twitter and everyone seemed to love it. Her writing rues speech at her dad's funeral VERBATIM for a play in front OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL without her consent is just wrong. Also, Writing about Maddie's parents problems!? Weird ah. Cassie had every right to be upset imo. She's not a great person, but she's still human and having your personal problems that she still struggles with put on full display is dehumanising. It also just didn't make any sense to me. Lexi was never around for the carousel incident and how on earth does she know any of Nate's struggle with sexuality? I know a lot of people loved the Nate jabs, so I feel like I'm missing something, but it still felt like the entire joke was "Nate gay lol". He's never shown to be homophobic to anyone so I don't get how he "deserves it". Sorry for this unnecessary rant. But i was just really weirded out for the most part. It wasn't even about Lexi anymore.

[@spacedjace57]

a problem i saw was that twitter always said "why does this feel like a crossover episode". where the first season it felt like these characters lived in the same world but it felt like completely different shows this season to the point people had to even make that thought.

[@lucybickerton4573]

Excellent video, completely agree. For me, the most interesting tension of the whole show (besides Rue’s recovery) is between Jules and Nate. They spent maybe 30 seconds on this dynamic this season.

[@sarvcsm7208]

like you said the editing was definitely one of the biggest problems about this season. during the most tense or emotional scenes it would just randomly cut away to another storyline or to a flashback and then the whole episode would come to a grinding halt. it was so frustrating to watch

[@maurice8284]

I binged watched all of euphoria for the first time in about 5 days just before the last 2 episodes of season 2 and immediately as I started season 2 I noticed a massive drop off in quality,characters were making dumb decisions which contradicted their arc's in season 1,the camerawork/cinematography was a downgrade in comparison to season 1's It just felt like nothing had actually happened in season 2 that was critical to the story. It was definitely not a bad season at all I would probably give it a 6 or maybe 7 but to me it felt like a season 1.5 over season 2 EDIT:Sam levingson is a piece of shit behind the scenes of season 2 as well which damaged my image of the entire season and I truly hope HBO keep him a lead while he's writing and making the next season because some of the things he did while making this new season was disgusting

[@bwidge8073]

i keep trying to find what he did behind the scenes, all i know is the Sydney thing but was there more?

[@maurice8284]

@@bwidge8073 Him and kat's actress had a big falling out over kat's character decisions in season 2 so he cut down her screen time for questioning his decisions,He also made his crew do 15 hour work days because he couldn't be bothered turning up to set sometimes

[@alicepaesleme313]

​@@bwidge8073 he would rarely bring a shot list to set, which means that filming would usually get hellish for both cast and crew and have 12+ hours... Jacob Elordi spoke briefly abou that in an interview

[@eurekamreum5458]

@@maurice8284 what did he do to Sydney?

[@dollz4ever]

I feel like this season should have dealt with the consequences or results of actions in season 1, for instance jules father should have figured out she was sleeping with older men and help her realize how wrong that is that she was being taken advantage of. As for Cassie it should have dealt with how having an abortion might have affected her, also Mckays assault, and Kat being a webcam girl and how what she is doing is illegal bc she is just a child. Felt like it also should have gone more into how Elliot is as a character, his like backstory bc all the other characters got a backstory, and his relationship with Jules (how they both betrayed Rue) and how that relationship might have been toxic.

[@kasapbandy1776]

They can’t be bothered to show active stable parents… I agree though. I wish Jules’s father was on to her habits. Can be as dangerous as Rues addiction problem. The whole show feels like I’m watching 20 some year olds but they’re high schoolers. Very unsettling

[@charlotte96ify]

1st season felt meaningful, its characters were interesting and the plot seem to lead somewhere 2nd season felt inconsistent in all the aspects above, ruining most of the characters in the process