Euphoria returned with a vengeance on Sunday night, capturing the imagination of fans who have been clamoring for a new season since the second the 1st season ended. For anyone who was worried that somehow the show would lose momentum, rest assured the 2nd season rocketed with intensity from the first frame. Here are five takeaways from this past Sunday’s episode.
5. Is Lexi about to take a turn –
Most of Sunday’s episode takes place at a New Year’s party where the expected amount of debauchery is front and center. What stood out to me wasn’t the fact that Rue was doing tons of drugs (that’s to be expected); it was Lexi (Maude Apatow) and Fez (Agnus Cloud). Amid the madness unfolding around them, it appears that these two have made quite a connection. How is this possible? Lexi is the cleanest teen out of the entire crew. What could these two possibly have in common with one another? Maybe opposite attracts? Perhaps she’s slightly intrigued by Fez’s dark side. When he exacts revenge on Nate towards the end of the 1st episode, she’s seemingly the only one who isn’t outraged by what he did. The two who were the least likely to cross paths are now the most intriguing pairing this show has ever had. I can’t wait to see where the show takes this.
4. Rue is Rue and Jules is Jules –
Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) cross paths at the party and are messed up as ever… well .. at least Rue is. They seemingly realize that their relationship is toxic for one another, but neither cares. Jules appears to feel some guilt about how she ended things. Rue uses the void Jules left to venture deep down that dark drug-filled rabbit hole once more. Could these two make it? Could their love conquer the toxicity of their relationship? Based on what we have seen so far, not likely.
3. Fez and Ashtray’s origin –
In the first episode, we glimpse what shaped Fez and Ashtray (Javon Walton) into who they are now. Fans get to meet Kitty, their Grandmother, played by the brilliant Kathrine Narducci, and she owns that role. This answers those questions for anyone who was wondering how some as seemingly dark as Fez could possess the amount of humanity he does. Kitty took care of Fez and Ashtray (even though he was a stripper’s collateral at first) as if she were their mother. No matter what illegal acts she committed, it was always driven by providing for her family. Fez learned from that, and when she fell ill, he stepped into that role. That’s why he protects Ashtray (because he’s a brother to him) and Rue because she’s family to him. Most dealers would have taken advantage of her, but he won’t. That’s why he jumps Nate at that party; he’s protecting his family.
2. Spiraling –
It’s already started to happen, but Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) has begun to spiral out of control. Of course, broken women excite Nate (Jacob Elordi). He immediately begins taking advantage of her both on the way to the party and in the bathroom as well. After breaking up with Chris, she has no self-esteem or self-worth (Algee Smith). To complicate matters, it seems Nate is hooking up with Cassie to get back at Maddy (Alexa Demie). Of course, with all of this unfolding at the party, he manages to be beaten within an inch of his life. I wonder who shows up with him at the hospital. My money is on Nate.
1. Nate –
While our favorite psychopath gets what’s coming to him in the first episode, it’s hard not to think that this will only make him worse. I mean, he already was getting overtly dirty with Chris at the party and threatened to end Jules. Mix this in with an overbearing father, and he is bound to break. The question is what occurs when that does happen. In my opinion, someone might die. Who that is, remains to be seen.
Dewey Singleton has been reviewing new releases in television and film for many years. Dewey's reviews have been heard in multiple markets (Houston Atlanta, Tampa). Dewey's past work has been with awardswatch.com, awardsradar.com, and bleeding cool. Dewey is a proud member of the CCA.