Article by Freelancer Nina Branwell
HBO Max’s Euphoria wrapped up its second season with an impressive finale on Feb. 27.
The twitter feeds bustled with Ashtray tweets and Instagram quotes mirroring Zendaya’s character, Rue, saying, “I don’t know if this feeling will last forever.” A social media frenzy isn’t new for the show and has remained a staple throughout the last week, even after the finale.
The show offers a lot to its audience — known for its unique film practices, artistry and story. The content spans drug use and sexual content in a place of teen angst with real adult ramifications and students at UMD have something to say about it.
Relatability
Euphoria’s characters are praised by audiences for their realistic portrayals of tough situations.
“It showcases either sexual abuse or toxicity in a relationship. I think those are the moments for me where I’m most apprehensive about it,” said sophomore Paula Zigethi.
One focus in season two was Cassie’s new love triangle; and it gets a little problematic for her.
“Cassie is an important character to have because I feel like it’s so easy for girls sometimes to fall into this trap of like when they really like a guy, they want to just do literally anything to please them,” said senior Katie Vincler.
Lexi Howard, Cassie’s younger sister, seems to be the most relatable to audiences.
Lexi considers herself an observer and often feels like a burden to those around her.
“A character I can relate to is someone like Lexi, who just feels like she’s watching all the great stuff happen to like other people,” said freshman Yohana Jirata.
Lexi has “always been so passive” in her life, according to Rue.
“Watching it makes me feel like how situations felt to me when I was in high school,” said Vincler.
Jail time, fights, sexual situations and broken hearts lead to a climatic season finale.
“If I were to make a rating, I think, I don’t think anyone below the age of 15 should watch this because it’s very, like gritty,” said Jirata.
#Trending
Social media is a platform for the fandom of the “Euphoria Girls.”
Maddie, played by Alexa Demie, is a fashion staple for Euphoria; much of the makeup and fashion trends come from her and her risqué outfits.
“The message they’re trying to show… it’s just like confidence, so like wearing whatever you want to wear,” said Zigethi.
This is not always the case, according to Jirata.
Toxicity is spread via social media by the people who watch the show.
“People don’t know how to differentiate reality from fiction…like talking about Faye and her big lips on social media…and then not realizing that a lot of comments are made about her body. That’s very problematic.”
Jules, played by Hunter Schafer, is a transgender woman and Rue’s love interest in the show; Schafer is a transgender woman in real-life as well.
Jules’ gender identity is a part of her storyline, that’s not all audiences see depicted by the show.
“Jules’ plotline isn’t like strictly boiled down to the fact that she was transgender. I feel like they just made her a person like any other. Like that’s something I’ve been wishing Hollywood would do for so long,” said Jirata.
Cautionary Tales
The use of social media heavily impacts the social sphere people engage in daily.
“I use social media, literally every day, as I’m sure most people do. I really like what Fez said about, you know, people share too much on there like that definitely made me sit back and think like, ‘Oh, like, I definitely need to be more like aware of that,’” said Vincler.
Some heartfelt and introspective conversations in the show are impressionable for audiences.
The most pivotal moments found themselves coming from the core plot line: Rue’s drug addiction.
“I think that they did, like a really, really good job with Rue and her drug addiction and really like depicting the reality of her hurting herself and the people around her,” said Jirata.
The content on the show and Euphoria’s depictions of drugs are based on a “deeply, deeply personal” experience from writer and director Sam Levinson, who dealt with his own addiction.
“I think it clearly depicts how bad drugs are, so I don’t think it’s a bad influence if you actually watched the show,” said Zigethi.
In season one, Rue can be seen walking a rotating hallway, or in a moment with Jules sharing colorful, glitter faces after taking drugs.
This season, Rue is going through withdrawal, destroying relationships and making bad decisions.
The significance of drug addiction and its effects, not only on the person addicted but those around them is a theme throughout the series.
“You thought she was on her way to getting better. But then you see that like, it’s not that easy. I was impacted by that scene a lot. Watching Rue break down in tears over like, needing drugs.” said Jirata.
“Art should be dangerous…It should make you feel something,” said Vincler.
HBO renewed Euphoria for Season 3, so catch up while there is time.