Say whatever you want about Euphoria season 2, but it is the best thing that happened to internet culture in a long time.
From Angus Cloud’s hilarious live tweets to the onslaught of in-depth analyses flooding my FYP on Tik Tok, the experience of Euphoria season 2 extends so much deeper than just the show itself. Simply watching the new episode each Sunday night is only one part of a week-long entertainment experience.
In the age of streaming, audiences have become used to getting entire seasons in one quick dump. I know I am guilty of having finished an entire season of a show in just one sitting – more times than I would wish to admit. And then, having finished my binge, I simply move on to the next thing, swiftly forgetting all about the show I had just watched before. Euphoria season 2, however, is being released one episode at a time, every Sunday at 9 p.m. Therefore, having to wait between each subsequent episode, I am left to ruminate on what I had previously watched as I anticipate new content. With a week to wait, I am given ample time to reflect on what I had watched and make predictions about what might happen next before moving on.
Therefore, with a scheduled time each week, this season of Euphoria is ritualistic in nature. I have to commit myself to watching it every Sunday night when it comes out. Now, of course I don’t need to actually watch it exactly when it comes out, but doing so seems to be the only way to avoid the inevitable spoilers which I know I will see the second I go on social media. So, I plan my Sunday evenings accordingly.
However, avoiding spoilers is not the only benefit of watching in real time. Because so many others also share in that same ritual of watching each episode as it comes out Sunday night, watching Euphoria is a communal experience. Streaming, social media, and algorithms have all made media consumption hyper-individualized. And while it is nice being able to consume media that appeals to my niche interests on my own time schedule, there is a certain rush that comes with partaking in a widespread shared experience in real-time, just as everyone else does.
Each individual is going to have their own take on each scene, each line, each episode. Social media exposes me to perspectives I would not have considered while going in to watch the show. I have also at times found myself having less popular opinions than the majority (yes, I am a proud Jules defender.)
This broader online experience also translates into the real world. After watching each episode, I talk about the show with my friends, we send each other videos, and we make jokes about it. A part of my personal Euphoria ritual is that I have weekly facetime calls with my friend across the country after we finish watching each episode. Clearly, the experience is far deeper than just watching a TV show.
So, like or hate it, this season of Euphoria has made its impact on culture both online and off, and therefore, the show will have a much more lasting cultural impact than many others.