BE WARNED: Spoilers for seasons one and two. TW: mentions of SA and drug use.
Over winter break this year I watched all of Euphoria season one in three days, and am now only barely recovered from season two. Here’s my list of the worst to most tolerable of the character cast, with reasons why I hate each one (because let’s be honest here, most of these characters suck).
Cal
I think we can all agree that Cal is probably the most terrifying and awful character on this show, second only to his own son. I have sympathy for him due to his repressed sexuality; however, that does not excuse him for the heinous things he’s said and done in this show. A prime example of what can happen if you let toxic masculinity and homophobia stew and fester inside of a person for 45 years.
Nate
Speak of the devil! I don’t really think I have to say anything more than this: Nate is literal human garbage. He’s done unforgivable things and he desperately needs to seek help. Nate is probably the most mentally unwell character on the entire show, and he’s also an example of what happens when toxic masculinity is left to grow and fester, in his case passed down from one generation to the next. He destroys peoples’ lives and doesn’t feel any remorse. He makes Joe Goldberg from You look like a puppy dog.
Cassie
I used to have a lot of sympathy for Cassie. It’s clear she has gone through a lot, and I’ve always wanted to like her. However, during season two Cassie makes some really terrible decisions that destroy the lives of those around her. She’s extremely impulsive and dependent on other peoples’ validation which leads her into bad situations. She is selfish, and she’s becoming a monster before the viewer’s eyes…all for some scummy abusive asshole. Gross.
Jules
I know, I know, I know. I really wanted to be in love with Jules too. This is the most disappointing one for me. I don’t think she’s a bad person, however, the way she has been treating Rue is really hard to watch for me. She does so many things a partner should never do: leaving Rue on the train was when she knows how vulnerable Rue is, getting upset at Rue for making a new friend (Elliot) when she herself slept with another girl and told Rue she was in love with someone else right at the beginning of their relationship in season one…and then cheating on her with said friend! Make it make sense.
Elliot
I’m not going to lie, I felt like something was off about Elliot from the moment he showed up on the screen. I understand that a lot of people love him but I can’t relate. He’s been probably the worst influence on Rue of the entire show and only starts feeling bad about giving Rue access to drugs once she’s fallen so far back down the rabbit hole she might never dig herself out. He also sleeps with Jules while she’s with Rue. And his terrible five-minute long apology song during the finale? Can we talk about that, please??
Maddy
My views on Maddy have changed a lot since season one. I think in the first season we got to see the surface level Maddy; vindictive, spiteful, glamorous. The “mean girl” we all love to hate. However, in season two we see that Maddy has always been a good and loyal friend and that she has brightened the lives of those around her. It’s true that she may be a little hot-headed, but honestly, she’s been wronged so many times that I think her anger is pretty justified. She’s done some bad things, but she’s definitely one of the more forgivable characters on this show.
Kat
Okay, I don’t hate Kat. I honestly think she gets more hate than she deserves sometimes. Even so, the way she treated my boy Ethan was simply immature and uncalled for. And I love Ethan to death, so that really soured my views on her character. Other than that, they haven’t done much with her character this season, which is a shame. I don’t feel any type of way towards Kat at this point.
Rue
I’m a big fan of a good old unreliable, sometimes unlikable narrator. For starters, Rue is just as bad for Jules as Jules is for Rue. She’s clearly very codependent and I don’t think Jules can handle that type of relationship (nor should she have to). Watching Rue struggle with drugs can be really frustrating sometimes, and I find myself screaming at her to just stop even though it’s obviously not that easy. Ultimately, I worry for her character, I don’t “hate” her. Seeing her smile and laugh during Lexi’s play was one of my favorite parts of season two. Rexi for the win!
Fez
I love Fez. Everyone loves Fez. His one major pitfall is of course that he’s a drug dealer, but after watching the season two episode that reflects on his past I could see that he really didn’t have any other choice. He seems to care a lot about Rue and I wish he would have never provided drugs for her in the first place. Ultimately his sweet personality is what has won him over with a lot of fans, even though he’s definitely not the most morally upright person. The note though—will Lexi ever get it? The Euphoria writers are really tearing my heart out here.
Lexi
Lexi is easily the most likable main character on the show. She’s often the voice of reason; a kind background character that gets a lot more agency in season two. She loves her sister and Rue unconditionally, forgiving them and giving them the chance to do better. She’s not afraid to be herself. She’s smart and kind, and the play was the best episode in all of Euphoria by far. A whole queen who deserved better.
Drumroll, for the only person I don’t hate on Euphoria…………(not really, but you know, for the drama)
Lexi and Cassie’s Mom!
This woman. A whole icon. I literally love her and she can do no wrong.