While Euphoria season 2 wasted characters like Kat, Jules, Elliot, and even Maddy to an extent, Euphoria season 3 can rectify this issue by bringing them back to the forefront once again. Returning after an over two-year hiatus, the HBO show shifted gears in its second season, with Euphoria choosing to focus on characters like Nate Jacobs, his father Cal, Cassie, and Rue. The focus on Rue is a given – not only does Zendaya’s character serve as the narrator of the show but she is also its emotional anchor, as Euphoria primarily explores the effects of addiction and the toll it takes on a teenager’s life and the lives of those around them.
The decision to focus on Cal, Nate, and the Jacobs family in Euphoria season 2, was confounding, to say the least, as the show attempted to redeem Nate and make Cal a sympathetic figure. This also led to an extended plot involving Nate’s affair with Cassie, the best friend of his ex-girlfriend Maddy. All of this led to some major characters receiving very little screen time. Jules, who was the girlfriend of Rue, is hardly featured in the back half of the season, while Kat is relegated to a storyline that undermines all of the character development she received in season 1. Similarly, Elliot, a new and controversial character, barely had time to make a dent save for his involvement in Rue’s intervention.
The hit HBO series has always had an expansive ensemble and Euphoria season 1’s flashback formula really helped to highlight each individual member of the cast in a way that gave them their own time in the spotlight. Euphoria season 2 began with one of these flashbacks, diving deep into the story of Fez. However, other than that, the flashback-opening formula of season 1 was left by the wayside. Regardless of whether or not Euphoria revisits this format, there are numerous other ways in which the show can fix the storylines of the characters that have been sidelined.
When it comes to a show with an ensemble as large as Euphoria‘s (especially when each character is so distinct and strong on their own), it’s important to spread the wealth. One of the strongest aspects of season 2 is when it brought all of the characters together for group scenes. From the exposure of Cassie and Nate’s affair in front of Maddy to a scene early on in the season where all the girls are interacting in a bathroom, it’s clear that the group dynamic is one of the show’s biggest strengths.
Euphoria season 3 should seek to bring the group together more often, allowing them to bounce off of each other and advance their character’s plotlines in ways that both feel organic to the show and allow for each person to get more time with audiences. Season 2 already made it clear it’s not hard to do that, from the New Year’s Eve party in the season premiere 2 to Lexi’s play in the Euphoria finale. After criticisms were leveled at Euphoria season 2 for these very reasons, bringing the ensemble together more often could do a lot to bolster the perception of the show.
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