Content Warning: This list contains mentions of drug addiction, violence, and self-harm.
Flashbacks have become a common trope used in TV shows on an almost weekly basis. Series like Euphoria has also somewhat mastered the concept.
Although they were much more prominent in season 1 than season 2, flashbacks have played a major part in the success of Euphoria. They have explained what makes these complex characters who they are and have been used to cement relationships. Some flashbacks have been truly memorable whether due to importance, comedy, tragedy, or any number of reasons.
Cal & Derek
There's certainly a case to be made that Cal is a bigger villain than Nate. While Nate is a more prominent character on the show, his father feels rotten to the core given how much he messed Nate up and especially how he has sexual relations with underage teens.
Season 2 did shine a light on Cal's past in a surprising fashion. It was rather sweet to see him bond with his friend Derek, which eventually became something sexual. The following morning he got the call that his girlfriend was pregnant and it sent him down a path of secrecy and leading a double life.
Maddy Beats People Up
Sometimes, a flashback doesn't have to be used to convey something emotional. There are times when it can just be plain funny and that's what happened with this early season 2 flashback about Maddy. It comes after Cassie realizes the potential consequences of hooking up with Nate.
Cassie knows that her best friend Maddy will obviously be upset with her for sleeping with her ex and Cassie thinks back to Maddy's history of violence. That sets up a montage of Maddy beating up several girls at school over the years. What makes this work so well is that it's a quick montage but it gets the point across expertly. Maddy isn't someone to mess with.
Nate Finds The Videos
Nate Jacobs is a pretty horrible human being. He has beaten Tyler to a pulp, framed him for a crime, blackmailed Jules, manipulated girls, and held Maddy at gunpoint, to name a few of Nate's worst acts. As noted though, his father is a big reason why he's as messed up as he is.
An early episode of the series reveals the moment that changed everything for Nate. He stumbled upon his father's secret stash of sex tapes, which showed him hooking up with gay men and trans girls. It's not a fun scene at all but it's incredibly important toward who Nate becomes.
The Backstory Of Lexi's Halloween Costume
One of the most hilarious things from season 1 was watching Lexi dress as Bob Ross for Halloween. While all of her friends went to the party looking as fabulous as possible, she showed up as the famous painter with the iconic beard and afro.
Most fans enjoyed it but didn't think there was a backstory to it. During one of the flashbacks shown in season 2, it is revealed that Lexi got high with Rue and Fezco once. When she fell asleep, Rue drew a beard on her and Fezco said she reminded him of Bob Ross.
The Truth About Cassie & Lexi's Father
For most of season 1, it was just assumed by audience that Cassie and Lexi's dad had ed away. His girls missed him and he was never seen but it turns out that things are actually much sadder than that. He ultimately chose to leave both Cassie and Lexi.
After fighting often with their mother, Gus Howard ended up leaving and became addicted to painkillers. He never really returned to them except for a night when he text Cassie and instead of actually wanting to see her, he just ed her to use her. It was a heartbreaking way of helping to explain some of Cassie's actions in the present.
Kat's One Direction Fan Fiction
Kat's flashback made it clear that her life changed once she gained weight following a vacation as a child. She eventually became something of an introvert but found success as a fan fiction writer who gained notoriety on the internet.
Her most notable bit of fan fiction was about a romance between Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction. Euphoria used a rare bit of animation to show off the events of the story and it became pretty controversial with some 1D fans boycotting the show. If anything, that just made it more memorable.
Maddy Bonds With Lexi
Maddy came across as the show's resident mean girl for a lot of season 1. She had her friends but could be cruel to them with her blunt words. Season 2 has showcased more of her softer side, which was especially true when her friendship with the Howard sisters was discussed.
Everyone knew that she was close to Cassie but Lexi's play discussed a small but genuine moment. Maddy applied makeup for Lexi and they had a short heart-to-heart where the former told the latter about being confident. The scene showed that Maddy was a better big sister to Lexi in one scene than Cassie ever was.
Fezco's Childhood
After breaking out as Euphoria's most likable character, Fezco was someone who fans wanted a flashback centered around. They finally got their wish in the season 2 premiere, as it showed how Fezco was raised by his grandmother as her partner in crime.
This flashback also explained the history between Fezco and Ashtray, as Ash's mother left him as collateral for drugs that she never paid for. That meant Ash just stayed with them and became Fezco's brother. They might not be blood but the two would do anything for each other, evidenced by this scene.
Jules Gets Betrayed By Her Mother
It's easily one of the most heartbreaking scenes on a series filled with them and it comes in arguably the show's best episode, "Shook Ones Pt. II." During a look at Jules's history, audiences get to see her get brought to a psych hospital by her mother and left there.
This betrayal was crushing and while at the hospital, Jules began to self-harm, making it worse. Although she eventually was brought home, the relationship between Jules and her mother was forever ruined as she still doesn't want to see her.
Rue Loses Her Dad & Fights With Her Mom
The season 1 finale gave fans a longer flashback than usual when looking into Rue's past. It showed how she first reacted to the death of her father and when she ultimately grabbed the iconic hoodie she always wears, which used to belong to him.
While that was sad, the flashback also showed the worst side of Rue, brought out by her addiction. She threatened her mother and fought viciously with her, which gave audiences a true look at how Rue can be both sympathetic and unlikable.