Episode Guide
Pilot – 3.5/5 Stuntin’ Like My Daddy – 4/5 Made You Look – 3.5/5 Shook One: Pt II – 4/5 ’03 Bonnie and Clyde – 4/5 The Next Episode – 4/5 Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Pee While Depressed – 4.5/5 And Salt the Earth Behind You – 3.5/5 ..
Euphoria is a stylish, well written and oftentimes chaotic series that is often Engrossing. The show uses nudity and drug use through to its dizzying array of aesthetically pleasing scenes, but it does value style over substance. The finale of the season was especially interesting as it showed how Euphoria can be used to tell a story with a high level of quality while still being entertaining.
Rue’s story is the centerpiece of this season, as she spirals out of control and becomes a victim of her own addictions. Her family drama and addiction are the driving forces that cause her to spiral out of control, and in the end, it all comes to a head. Jock Nate plays a dangerous game with Rue while wildchild Jules mellows Rue out as the season progresses. Kat goes through a pretty dramatic transformation as the episodes tick by too while McKay and Cassie find out the hard way that teen romance isn’t all it’s shaped up to be.
Despite how tumultuous the children are, it’s ironically the parents that cause more damage than their children. Seeing Nate’s Dad losing control or seeing Cassie’s Mum reaching for “one more glass” really hammers home how much of an influence the parents have over their own kids. Ultimately though it’s Rue’s drug addiction that takes centre stage here and although some of the later episodes do soften the impact of this, the angst is well written and develops well over the episodes.
Euphoria is a stylish and impressive series that dips and peaks throughout its 8 episode run. The overall style and tone is consistent, with numerous slick camera movements and smart edits peppered throughout the show. From sharp cuts back and forth through time to rotating camera movements that work harmoniously with the deliberate choice of hedonistic color, Euphoria is a beautiful series from start to finish.
Euphoria is a show with plenty of thought-provoking imagery and it also has a strong narrative that feels like it hits its peaks. However, the show does lose some of its impact because it doesn’t quite hit its stride as much as it perhaps should.
Euphoria is a flawed but compelling teen drama that HBO should be proud of. Despite some unresolved plot points and a chaotic finale, the series is worth watching for its well-developed characters and unique storytelling. ..
