HBO's Euphoria introduces a number of high school students, each with their own set of problems. The narrator is Rue, a girl who struggles with addiction and mental disorders. The light in her life is Jules Vaughn, a newcomer to the suburbs who instantly befriended Rue and found herself feeling more and more responsible for her well-being. Jules' troubles don't end there, though. She's also been blackmailed by Nate Jacobs who forced her to clear his name of assault allegations by lying to the police.
Jules is connected to an increasing amount of side characters. With Maddie knowing the truth about Nate's father Cal and Jules, it's only a matter of time before Jules becomes the single most important and interesting character in the entire series. She might already by the main character though.
The Show Starts With Her Arrival
If Rachel from Friends is the show's main character because the show literally starts with her walking through the door, the same logic could be applied to Jules.
In the pilot episode, a new school year begins and Rue returns from a stint in rehab. Rue sees Jules on a bike through the window, instantly mesmerized by her. Jules' arrival actually sets a lot of the show's events in motion.
She Has So Much Power Over Rue
Jules and Rue have a complex relationship that could hardly be described as friendship. Rue is not only addicted to substances, but she's also addicted to her relationship with Jules. Jules, in return, feels responsible for Rue's happiness and doesn't like the pressure that comes with it.
The audience meets Jules through Rue's eyes. To Rue, she is the most important person in the world, which means the audience also has no choice but to make her the center of their own worlds as well.
Her Past Is Unresolved, The Future Open
Many Euphoria characters have a truly tragic past. Their backstories explain why they struggle with certain issues in their lives as young adults. Some characters, like Rue and Cassie, can't do anything to change the past, yet are still haunted by it. They can't bring their fathers back even if they wanted to.
Jules' traumatic past stretches into the present moment as well as into the future. The struggles she has with her mom are clearly not completely in the past. In Jules' special episode, she came to see Jules and beg her forgiveness, but she left before Jules gave her a chance to do so. There is no way that story is finished.
She Got Her Own Special
The fact that Jules got her own special just like Rue says a lot. Not only that, one could argue that filled with insightful quotes, revealed who the authentic Jules is behind that friendly, bubbly persona.
Euphoria is just as much about Rue as it is about Jules. The special also introduced things from Jules' point of view, which will hopefully continue in season 2.
Her Aesthetic Is Everything
Jules' sense of fashion is out of this world. In season 1, she was the epitome of femininity; she wore pleated skirts, pastels, and cute chokers. She has a signature style and loves to experiment with makeup as well.
Considering the insights she had about femininity at the end of the season and in the special, season 2 Jules will probably change the way she dresses. At therapy session, she wore a more gender-neutral outfit and sat in a more masculine way. Perhaps she wants to protect herself from Nate that way. Either way, she will probably remain a fashion icon throughout.
The Feminist Of The Series
Jules is the only one who actively questioned the status quo when it comes to female friendships. In therapy, she talked extensively about how women treat each other.
Whenever she meets someone new, girls assess how close she is to "what they collectively want to be" and treat her accordingly. Jules is the feminist voice of the series and therefore a great role model.
She's In More Trouble Than Rue
One of the biggest questions that season 2 has to answer is what happens next with Jules, Maddie, Nate, and Tyler. Jules currently feels trapped; to protect herself from Nate's threats, she had to lie about Tyler attacking Maddie.
Rue is also not making things easier for Jules; unbeknownst to Jules, Rue took matters into her own hands and played detective. Confronting Nate at the dance only made it seem as if Jules had told her everything.
Her Involvement With Cal And Nate
Jules slept with Nate's dad Cal and the secret is pretty much out. It's not just Nate that knows, it's also Maddie. It's just a matter of time before Maddie tells Kat or Cassie. Jules is interconnected with more main characters than anybody else.
Jules has the power to disrupt the whole community in which Cal Jacobs is one of the most respected .
Creative, Dreamy, And Intelligent: Just Like The Show Itself
Jules is creative, intelligent, and ambitious - that's why Nate likes her. She belongs to New York City, a place where people exchange progressive ideas.
Jules' character resembles the personality of the series itself. Jules lends herself to many of the show's signature dreamy sequences and astounding visuals.
Jules Has The Most Interesting Arc
From her traumatic past to the complex situation she found herself in with Nate, Jules' story arc is definitely the most interesting one. There's also the relationship she has with her parents and Rue who is an addict just like her mother was.
And last but not least, Jules is a beacon of light in the world of trans representation. She is not defined solely by her gender identity and others don't treat her as if she was either.