'Euphoria' Delves Deep Into Psyche Of Complex Characters & That's Probably Why It Stands Out!
Now that the WGA and SAG- AFTRA strike has reached a conculsion, updates about new seasons of our favourite shows have started to make rounds. While HBO's hit show House Of The Dragon season 2 is all set to release in 'early summer' next year, Euphoria fans might have to wait much longer.?
HBO Chief Casey Bloys revealed that both Euphoria and The White Lotus season 3 have been postponed until 2025. This hasn't gone down too well with the audience. Many on the internet, have appealed to the makers to cancel Euphoria altogether!?Euphoria?enjoys a cult following and it is only growing bigger with each passing year.
Why Is Euphoria So Loved By Viewers?
The beauty of this show lies in the fact that every character is deeply flawed. Despite an unrealistic high school culture, the issues that these characters deal with are somewhat relatable. It is almost like an assurance that we aren¡¯t the only ones dealing with such unforeseen situations. Characters of different skin colors, social and financial backgrounds, sexual orientations and body shapes bring vastness and much needed inclusivity and diversity.?
Interestingly, by the end of both season one and two, most of the characters didn¡¯t turn out to be very likeable. However, they still evoke a high value of interest as the viewers¡¯ are left wanting to know whether these characters ultimately get on to the path of redemption or not. After all they are just kids who are living under bad circumstances.?
We took it upon ourselves to compile a list of characters that stood out to us regardless of their good/bad qualities. Scroll!
1. Cal Jacobs played by Eric Dane
Wasn¡¯t it a big surprise to see McSteamy play dad to a grown up teenager at first? Unlike his Grey¡¯s Anatomy character, Cal has many many shades of gray. Some that are so immoral that they will make you loathe him. He¡¯s probably one of the worst characters on the show. He plays a seedy guy who is married but still hooks up with gay men and trans women. As if this wasn¡¯t enough, he even films the deed and leads a parallel secret life unknown to his wife and sons.
2.? Nate Jacobs played by Jacob Elordi
The adage like father, like son fits perfectly here. He¡¯s a hooligan who had been the center of all the conflicts in season 1. Nate broke into a home and beat up a guy, constantly threatened Jules and Rue and was a horrible boyfriend to Maddy. He was well aware of his actions and showed no repentance whatsoever. His shenanigans continue to be in evil space even in season 2. From the cute boy in Kissing Booth to an evil incarnate in Euphoria, Elordi has showcased impeccable acting prowess.
3. Kat Hernandez played by Barbie Ferreira
Kat is a girl that you genuinely feel bad for. She not only had to deal with body-shaming and bullies but even her first sexual encounter is filmed without her consent and leaked for the entire school¡¯s benefit. She was mortified at first but she then put her foot down by fighting for body positivity and owning her sexuality. While posting sexual content online by a minor strays into a gray area, it did empower her in the said situation.
4. Cassie Howard played by Syndey Sweeney
Cassie might not be the worst of the lot but she has made her fair share of mistakes. Her decision of hooking up with her best friend¡¯s Maddy¡¯s ex-boyfriend Nate is beyond awful. It¡¯s more pathetic because she had been a witness to how poorly Nate treated Maddy in the past. She is a sweet and sensitive girl but she has deep-seated abandonment issues that has made her into a people pleaser.
5. Jules Vaughn played by Hunter Schafer
Playing a trans woman on screen isn¡¯t a piece of cake. To display a wide array of emotions can be quite exhausting. Jules is one character that has to deal with the most complexities. From her transition to relationship issues with Rue, she has a lot on her plate. Her tryst with Nate¡¯s dad and him finding out adds a heavy load to her woes.
6. Maddy Perez played by Alexa Demie
She is a handful but her biggest mistake is that she fell for the wrong guy (Nate). It¡¯s a toxic relationship which makes her do absurd things. The usual ¡®making the man jealous¡¯ to hiding his secrets, she is loyal to a fault. If you look at it from a wide angle, her only real drama is Nate and his shindigs.
7. Ashtray played by Javon Walton
An innocent kid who had to deal with a lot of hardships from early on, Ashtray is perhaps the one that evokes a large amount of empathy from the audience. His relationship with Fez has been beautifully explained in season 2 as it has a flashback sequence which is moving beyond words. They might not be brothers by blood but their bond is nothing short of real. Even though he is younger, he¡¯s fierce and protective of Fez. He¡¯s intelligent and it¡¯s heartbreaking to see him live a life of crime.
8. Rue Bennet played by Zendaya
Playing the protagonist and the most screwed up of the lot, Rue is a troubled soul. She lost her father at a young age and has been battling mental health issues including anxiety, depression and drug abuse. She becomes so unmanageable for her own family that despite several trips to the rehab, she keeps falling off the wagon. Her story track is somewhat an accurate depiction of how troublesome it gets for an addict¡¯s family to handle abuse. It¡¯s not like she isn¡¯t loved by friends and family, Rue remains unhinged. She acts on her whims and fancies. More than the others, she is at war with her own demons.
9. Lexi Howard played by Maude Apatow
She is probably the only person who does all the right things but still has to deal with her former best friend Rue and her sister Cassie¡¯s problems. Even though, Rue ignores Lexi except when she needs her and Cassie treats her like garbage, she still does her best to be there for them. She is? intelligent, well-read, charming, and someone who stands out from the screwed up crowd. Her interest in Fez, a known drug dealer, is an indicator that she might be self-destructive.?
10. Fez played by Angus Cloud
He might play a drug dealer but after watching his backstory in season 2, it pretty much explains his choices. He is Rue¡¯s friend and is always looking out for her. Even though he is a part of her problem, he is worried about her addiction. His overall kindness and caring attitude might be his salvation. We get to see a different side of him in the latest season and it makes for an interesting watch. One moment he shares an uber sweet conversation with Lexi and the very next minute he beats the shit out of Nate. Unfortunately, the actor who plays Fez, Angus Cloud passed away in July 2023 due to accidental overdose of drugs.
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