Euphoria is finally back – but is it any good?
Sam Levinson’s Euphoria is one of the most famous high school dramas of our time. Known for its stunning visuals, eye-catching costumes and make up, and strong performances, the show explores the lives and struggles of a group of teenagers in the U.S:, featuring big names such as Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney.
The last season premiered in January 2022 and received love from both critics and fans. The newest season, however, leaves the fanbase divided, causing mixed – mostly negative – reactions. Season 2 was “Certified Fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, but the pilot of season 3 only scored 42% on the Tomatometer.
So… What Is Even Going On?
The third season follows the characters as they transition into adult life. What sounds like an exciting premise, at least for the fans, quickly becomes disappointing – because why is Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) on all fours barking like a dog?
The story once again centers on Rue, who is trying to pay off her debt from the previous season by smuggling drugs across the Mexican border. Meanwhile, the other characters seem to be doing slightly better. Lexi (Maude Apatow) is working in the creative industry as an assistant at a film set, and Maddy (Alexa Demie) has found a job in celebrity management. So yes, some progress – kind of.
On the other hand, Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie are now living in a “right-wing suburban bubble”. Sweeney's got to take some jokes outside the show here, given her scandals related to conservatism and alleged white supremacy. Their relationship still feels very unhealthy. Cassie wants to spend $50,000 on floral arrangements or cancel the wedding – she refuses to have a “ghetto wedding”. Because Nate doesn’t want to spend that much on flowers, she wants to earn the money herself – by building a massive following on TikTok and a certain adult platform. Her content? Acting like a dog in a sexy outfit. Nate is not a fan.
Maybe it’s these kinds of shocking moments that have divided the viewers. Because watching Sydney Sweeney act like a dog isn’t the only thing in the first episode that nobody wanted to see.
On one of her trips, Rue and her friend Faye (Chloe Cherry) smuggle drugs by swallowing small packets to get them across the border undetected. They make it to the other side safely, but there is only one way for the drugs to leave their bodies again – through their backsides. While Rue manages to wait until they arrive at their destination, Faye has a little... accident. That accident makes at least the dog happy, and it licks it off Faye's thighs.
But Is The Show Still Any Good?
Overall, the show’s visuals manage to maintain their high quality. (Well, except for a few certain scenes…) The soundtrack – even without Labrinth this time – underlines the scenery, and Zendaya proves again why she‘s an Emmy winner. Her acting helps the character to keep her authenticity and relatability. Cassie’s writing, on the other hand, is being criticised, with many claiming that the character feels shallow now.
While the pilot might have disappointed many, there is still hope for the rest of the season. New episodes will be released weekly on HBO Max.
