The Euphoria was critically acclaimed and was nominated for multiple awards, even winning a few. Sam Levinson tried to stretch the possibilities of this genre by making it edgier, and rawer. Featuring an ensemble cast, the show while focussing mainly on Rue, also told the stories of many of her fellow schoolmates who like her, lived in the suburbs.
The performances, the visuals, and the soundtrack especially deserve special mention. They were exceptional. Euphoria enters a genre that can be said to be quite saturated, with many different versions of High School being played out in the very many different shows. While there are some things that stood out in the show, there were also some things that seemed very cliched to the genre.
GENIUS: Everything About Rue
Rue was a very well written and well performed one. Zendaya breathed life into this character, bringing the smiles, jokes, and joy that helped it become the multi-dimensional character it was. There was a high risk of Rue's depiction falling into an abyss, but she holds up even in a rewatch.
Rue's happiness and unhappiness are palpable and viewers can't help but feel for this girl. She's sensitive and delicate, yet she also has her harsher and angrier moments and they both co-exist in the show.
LOST ITS WAY: The Voiceovers
The voiceover or narration is to audio storytelling what montage is to visual storytelling. Basically, it's sort of lazy. Voiceovers are probably one of the most overused means for storytelling, especially in the Young Adult genre. For a show like Euphoria that tries to push the boundaries, it is quite disappointing that it chose to stick to such a pedestrian device.
While it makes sense in a movie like Normal People have shown how it is possible to use silences and conversation instead of monologues that explain way too much.
GENIUS: Everything About Jules
This wonderfully quirky character is portrayed with sensitivity. Euphoria does a good job of introducing Jules while ensuring that the show doesn't lockdown the entire conversation or story around her gender identity. It is important, sure, but it just one amongst the many things about the teenager that is shown.
Representation is always a positive thing and Jules is probably the most vital part of Euphoria. Hunter Schafer gives an outstanding performance as Jules.
LOST ITS WAY: The Shock Value
Some viewers felt that Euphoria relies too heavily on shock value. Similar criticisms have been made against the show for some of its content and graphic portrayals as well, with many asking how exactly these elements are relevant to the storytelling.
It seems to follow the 13 Reasons Why pattern at times, wherein some undeniably shocking content makes it difficult to pay attention to what is actually happening. The reliance on shock value can be even said to distracting on some occasions.
GENIUS: Rue & Jules' Relationship
This show deserves all the praises and accolades it has received mainly because of this couple. The relationship between Rue and Jules is showed so patiently, beautifully and delicately. It is a love story that gets the viewers deeply invested in the characters, and in this relationship.
Euphoria excels when the camera is on these two and loses its way when it moves away from them. If anything, Euphoria could do with more focus on them. A narrower focus could have made the show a lot better.
LOST ITS WAY: The Ambiguous Conclusion
The season finale of Euphoria had a very inconclusive ending. While visually aesthetic, the ending is quite ambiguous and does not really answer any questions. It seems like Rue has relapsed, Jules has left, and the incredibly toxic couple Maddy and Nate could be getting back together.
None of these seem ideal and the conscious decision to leave it ambivalent seems to also be the well-tested way to get the viewers curious about the second season.
GENIUS: It's A Relatable Coming-of-Age Story
Viewers love a good coming of age story, and the characters on Euphoria are interesting enough that their falling down and climbing up is almost cathartic to watch. Besides the wonderful Rue and Jules, other characters including Cassie, Kat, and Christopher also have some interesting arcs in the show.
Euphoria doesn't play entirely to stereotypes and instead tries to show these otherwise familiar teenage archetypes as multi-dimensional people. They are mean, they are insecure, they are incredibly affected by the media they consume, and yet they are also so hopeful.
LOST ITS WAY: Is This Really A Show For Teens?
The internet is divided as to whether this is a show for teens, or if it just a show about teens meant for an older crowd. Euphoria comes with trigger warnings, and it is made very clear that there are many graphic elements within its episodes. But in making the show the way it is, it is possible that it blocked or downright turned off many younger viewers who would have greatly appreciated viewing characters like Rue and Jules.
While there is some truth to the fact that art only reflects reality, a case can also be made that there is a possibility that art sometimes inadvertently glorifies or exaggerates certain negative things. This may, therefore, be reflected in reality as well by those who were led to believe that such things are to be normalized.
GENIUS: The Gorgeous Visuals
Euphoria is very aesthetic to the point where some scenes appear to resemble artwork. There is a shiny edge to certain scenes that allow viewers to understand that this is not real. But there is no denying the aesthetic quality of those visuals, especially when Rue and Jules are together, the visuals are breathtaking.
The beautiful shots of cycle rides, some of the drug-induced images are spectacular, to say the least. Euphoria does an outstanding job of capturing the dense party scenes as well.
LOST ITS WAY: The Jarring First Episode
The shock value, as mentioned earlier, seems to be at an incredible high in the first episode. Viewers witness first hand the brief biography of the central character Rue, a 16-year-old addict. The first episode gives a glimpse of everything "teenage" in today's world, and this collection of images is not one that seem very different from many other teenage shows out there.
Euphoria doesn't try very hard to stand out in that way, and instead looks just like every other edgy show about the nightmares of being a confused teenager. Too many shocking things happen one after the other, and the stage that is initially set feels a lot more terrifying than what actually follows in the more subdued and emotional episodes that follow.