Written and produced by Sam Levinson, HBO's Euphoria has cemented itself among the best teen shows of our time. In addition to its visual appeal, heavenly soundtrack, and overall aesthetics, what makes this teen drama resonant with its religious fandom is its relatable group of young adults. Although the show is centered on Rue Bennett's (played by Zendaya) struggle with addiction and mental health, Euphoria allows every character to take the spotlight. And one of these characters who has received admiration and resentment is the series' main villain, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi).

Despite the stereotypes Nate exemplifies, is that all to his character? In fans' quest to see him as the villain who deserved to get his face broken by Fez, we have yet to look deeper at the underlying causes for his thought process, actions, and morality over the last two seasons. In doing so, Euphoria's audience is still yet to have a definite idea of who Nate truly is beneath the dominating aura he radiates whenever he steps into a scene and his signature soundtrack comes on. Here is a character analysis of Euphoria's Nate Jacobs and an explanation of his dark and twisted psychology we hope will be further explored in the upcoming third season.

Nate Jacob's Background

nate jacobs euphoria
HBO

Nate made his first appearance in Euphoria's pilot, where he harassed and attempted to intimidate Jules (Hunter Schafer) for being a newcomer and, of course, trans, s he bellows in a derogatory tone, "I know what you are." With this, the premise for Nate's character is set in stone. Already it seems he will follow the stereotypical jock bully typical in high school dramas. However, in Episode 2, "stuntin like my daddy," Nate's childhood is narrated in an engaging exposition. We get glimpses of a version of him that compliments his character in the pilot yet simultaneously contradicts it.

In the second episode, we see Nate as the guy that has it all: a guy who became a gym rat at the age of six, who leads his football team to multiple victories, enjoys the chants and cheers of crowds; a guy with a specific taste in girls would get his attention. But we soon realize all of this is a facade and an attempt to repress the childhood trauma he experienced from accidentally stumbling upon his Dad's sex tapes when he was a child. Discovering his father, who raised him to be strong and masculine, had a life completely different from what and whom he projected himself to be, completely upended Nate's childhood innocence and distorted his worldview.

Related: Euphoria: Here's Why Barbie Ferreira Isn't Returning for Season 3

All of Nate's obsession for control of everything and everyone around him — his effort into building his physique, being a quarterback, and having specific taste in only women — stems from his fear of becoming an untraditional man like his father. Nonetheless, Nate's efforts come to nothing when he begins texting Jules, who, according to Elordi in an interview, "is a threat to masculinity and to the order, and to everything that is conventional and straight."

Nate Jacobs and Shyguy118

Nate Jacobs from Euphoria
HBO

Nate projects confidence, but, at the same time, he is very insecure. A scene where his insecurity comes to the surface, subtly yet profoundly, is in the dialogue between him and Maddy (Alexa Damie) while they make out in the rain. Nate asks if the manhood of another guy Maddy hooked up with is bigger than his. First of all, for a guy who claims to be an alpha, that is a beta statement to make. Secondly, although this exchange may seem irrelevant, it portrays the extent of Nate's internal conflict. Whereby depending on the situation he is thrust into, he must toe the line between two polar personas, never finding balance nor solace. In one moment, Nate is something. In the next, he is the complete opposite. And this unpredictability is one of the reasons he earned the villain title in Euphoria.

A great example of his irrational moments and double personality phenomenon is Season 1, Episode 4, "Shook Ones Pt. II." Away from the town carnival, Nate meets up with Jules and reveals he is ShyGuy118. Nate sweet-talks Jules to the point of almost kissing her, revealing he has never been vulnerable with anyone as he has been during their texts. For a moment, Jules and the audience hold breaths awaiting a spark about to be ignited. Suddenly, the flickering bulbs of romance surrounding both characters turn to terror for Jules: Nate switches from the sweet Shyguy118 back to the loathsome bully who intimidated her in their first scene and took a step further to blackmail her. All in a matter of seconds.

euphoria Nate Jacobs and jules
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

This repeats itself in Season 2, Episode 6, when he visits Maddy to retrieve the tape. Understanding Maddy will not easily hand it over, Nate morphs into his abusive persona, manipulating her affection for him by threatening to shoot himself in the head if she does not give him the tape. When she breaks down and surrenders the tape to him, Nate reverts to "the protective boyfriend role" he prides himself on upholding in Season 1, Episode 2.

This raises the question: which of these personas is Nate's default setting, and which are an act? It is obvious. The aggressive exterior he puts on when he needs a specific situation or person in his control is his persona. But the normal teenage boy — ShyGuy118, who wants his heart to be free of the burden of living up to a standard of masculinity his Dad's secret life has forced him to live up to — is the real personality and psychology of Nate Jacobs. One which, if we must admit, isn't so dark. He is just a human who needs help navigating the world.

Related: Zendaya Shares Hopes for Season 3 of Euphoria

How Nate Jacobs Can Be a Better Man

nate jacobs and Jules car scene
HBO

It is only possible to analyze Nate's character by involving his Dad and Jules. Not because of who they are, but what they represent to him. Nate's father, Cal Jacobs, represents the baggage of suppressing one's true identity. On the other hand, Jules represents the liberty of living unapologetically, defying societal and traditional norms. Nate's interaction with these two characters in the following season goes a long way in influencing his character arc, providing any shot at redemption, healing, and closure.

In the season 2 finale, after being the object of mockery in Lexi's play, Nate puts his Dad behind bars. Regardless, that is not enough — Nate must forgive his father for being the cause of his distorted worldview, cheating on his mother, and wrecking their family with his secret affairs. That is where his healing lies. Furthermore, he must be candid with his feelings for Jules and any love interest that comes his way in the third season. And this honesty demands more than a quick line, "Everything I shared with you was true."

Nate needs to find someone he can be openly vulnerable with and form an emotional connection with, as he has proven he can be with ShyGuy118. HE just needs to adopt Jule's free spirit and let himself be more humane. Nate has been deservingly vilified due to his abusive and manipulative impulses. However, one must look at the bigger picture. There are many takes on his character, but none are as valid as Elordi's view: "He just needs someone to tell him it's okay."