After more than four years, “‘Euphoria’ Sundays” are back. If you’re a fan of the show, 9 p.m. Sundays are sacred. When Season 2 came out, it was a must to check Twitter after each episode drop (it’s been so long it was still called Twitter at the time.) There’s too much to discuss, and this is only the beginning, but here’s a recap of the show’s return, noting its change in aesthetic, criticism and controversies (without major spoilers, of course.)
The Passing of Eric Dane and Angus Cloud
The show returns after two of the cast members, Angus Cloud and Eric Dane, passed away. While Dane passed after the season was filmed, the script had to be changed to account for Cloud’s tragic death. Fans were hoping for a “Fexi” endgame, lovingly named after Cloud’s character Fez, and Maude Apatow’s character Lexi, but worry this won’t be possible.
In the first episode of Season 3, it is confirmed that Fez is alive. Some fans believed that it was disrespectful to not pay tribute to Cloud in some way, but creator Sam Levinson told The Hollywood Reporter that he wanted to keep the character alive in the show and that there is an arc that he thinks Cloud would have been proud of. Hopefully, as more episodes roll out, Fez will play a bigger part in the storyline.
Glitter is Gone
Known for its unique aesthetic of glitter and gems, “Euphoria” created a whole fashion and makeup movement when it was released in 2019. Bold prints and bright colors dominated Gen Z fashion around the pandemic. However, much like the demise of the trend in real life, the show is lacking the sparkle that caught the public’s eye. Cassie and Nate’s house is an outdated eyesore, and while it adds to the storytelling, the show feels so far removed from what it once was. Many of Rue’s scenes are in the desert, and even the “Euphoria” logo has changed from simple text to blocky, stretched lettering. Frankly, the show feels less “Euphoria” and more “Breaking Bad.”
The original aesthetic is so iconic that it is still a popular party theme. However, an article by BuzzFeed outlines Petra Collins claims that she invented the style for the show after being hired for five months and then dropped for being too young. This controversy has resurfaced since the release of Season 3, furthering discussions about how cast and crew are being treated on the set.
Another example of this is Labrinth’s departure from the show. The show’s iconic score, created by Labrinth, was essential to the show’s worldbuilding. However, he publicly pulled his support for the show and did not contribute to the Season 3 score after claims he was treated poorly, contributing to the differences between the first two seasons and the third.
While the show was never a “feel-good” comforting couch watch, this season’s dull colors and depressing plotlines add to the doom and despair. The shift from checking Twitter to scrolling through Elon Musk’s X feels the same way. The time jump a few years into the future didn’t help with this either. Entertainment can be a form of escape, and while it was important to establish how the characters got to 2026, the montage of how everyone spent COVID felt like a reminder of the reasons why we try to escape and consequently have an HBO subscription.
Despite the changes, fans use the show to create memes relating to real-life struggles.
Sick of Shock Value
“Euphoria” is like “Skins” in the way it handles heavy topics with teens as the focus. Although both were groundbreaking in their uniqueness, “Euphoria” is known for showing a lot of “skin.” Specifically for Season 3 of “Euphoria,” many fans are upset that it seems like every character is involved or in proximity to sex work this season. For example: Cassie is an OF girl, Jules is a sugar baby, Maddy is managing girls who post provocative pictures and Rue is helping run a strip club.
The creator, Sam Levinson, has been at the center of controversy over the years, particularly over how his female characters are portrayed on screen. Between “Euphoria” and “The Idol,” Levinson has come under fire in the past for writing in excessive nudity that feels exploitative.
While it makes sense that some of these characters would naturally end up in these situations, it can still be jarring and uncomfortable for viewers especially with the disturbing nature of the sex work. Cassie dresses up as a dog and as a baby for content and doesn’t see a problem with it, going as far as to show the pictures to the wife of a potential investor in Nate’s company. Her sole purpose for creating this content is to be able to afford $50,000 flowers for her wedding, which she is hell-bent on having. Chloe Cherry, who plays Faye, spoke about Cassie and the change in online sex work landscape.
A-List Acting
Despite the criticism surrounding the show, one element that continues to stand out is its acting. The cast returns with a few more awards, notably Zendaya, with two Emmys for her role as Rue Bennett in “Euphoria.” With films like “‘Wuthering Heights,’” “Priscilla,” “Saltburn” and “Frankenstein,” Jacob Elordi has also made a name for himself through critically acclaimed films.
This season, his character Nate Jacobs is the polar opposite of the violent and cunning person seen in previous seasons. The New York Post called the season a disaster and said,
“Sure, people change, but he’d need years of therapy for this personality transplant to make sense (and there’s no indication that happened). Why bother revisiting Nate if he doesn’t feel like Nate?”
This has led to online discourse claiming that Elordi has mailed it in or doesn’t care about the series now that he has had bigger and more prestigious projects. Others have pointed out that the new calm nature of his character is similar to his father, played by Eric Dane.
Other notable new characters and actors are Angel and Alama played by Priscilla Delgado and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, respectively. Viewers were especially surprised by how well Delgado performed in her role as a stripper at The Silver Slipper. Rosalía’s cameo as the character Magick was slightly humorous but also reflective of the harsh conditions that Alamo creates at the strip club.
Regardless of years of controversy and a lackluster style, fans continue tuning in for each new episode every week. While there may not be the same level of cultural moments that came from Season 2, longtime viewers are excited to get closure on the series.
What are your thoughts on Season 3 of “Euphoria”? Let us know @VALLEYMag on Instagram or X!
