Euphoria Season 2 left fans shocked. Sam Levinson's creation included a wide array of topics that definitely require a spot at every discussion. What makes this particular show phenomenal (and the most tweeted about show of the decade) is its ability to tackle topics that are often handled poorly or cast aside due to them being "taboo." Thus, Euphoria has become an absolute favorite amongst TV show lovers.
From the cinematography to the storylines and some of the best songs on TV, Euphoria is a show that has reached the highest ranks in every arena. The delivery of the cast, whether it be the main characters or the supporting characters, is one of the biggest reasons why Euphoria has gain so much popularity. It is obvious that tackling characters with complex backgrounds and much depth is no easy task, especially when they have intricate emotional character arcs. Given that many characters took an unexpected turn in season two of Euphoria, fans have a lot to unpack. Here are some character arcs that left viewers shocked and received so much discussion on the internet.
Rue Bennett
Rue's character arc has definitely taken the audience on a roller coaster ride from the beginning of the show. Being both the narrator and the protagonist of the show is definitely no easy task. However, Zendaya's spectacular performance has made Rue one of audience's favorite characters on TV, and her shocking character arc in season two only expands on this.
The "intervention" episode, episode 5, is not only a cinematic masterpiece but it is also one that was both "emotionally... and physically taxing" according to Zendaya. The biggest shock comes at the end of the season when Rue finally gives the audience hope. Rue's character takes a massive turn as she connects with Lexi and attempts to "try" to redeem herself.
Kat Hernandez
Barbie Ferreira's Kat might not have had much screen time but she did leave the fans shocked with her character's shift from a fan favorite to a character who received much dislike. The biggest shock would've been her breakup with Ethan, where she pretended to have a "terminal brain disorder" and gaslight him. For a character who once emitted body positivity and confidence, and shed much light on mental health, such a choice was a definite shock. However, given that Euphoria has developed its characters in elaborate ways, there is hope for Kat.
Nate Jacobs
Nate is definitely not the best character of the show, but he did end the season with a surprising decision. Nate's decision to hand over his father to the police as well as his attempt at "redeeming" himself by giving Jules the disc did come off as a shock. However, the question is whether he can be trusted. According to Jacob Elordi, "It’s just his only option other than literally dying." Obviously, Nate's past acts could never be forgiven, but the ending of the season was undeniably a massive turn.
Cassie Howard
Season 1 Cassie won the hearts of Euphoria fans. However, that cannot be said of Season 2 Cassie. Even though Cassie started off the season making a massive mistake, she could've redeemed herself. Yet, the character went downhill and definitely deserved the much discussed slap from Maddie. Cassie's character is no longer receiving positive feedback from the fans.
Ethan Daley
Ethan might not be a character with a great amount of screen time, nor is he a character who gets spoken about a lot, but season 2 changed the character's path in surprising ways. Ethan was not only loved by the fans for being so calm throughout Kat's horrible break-up attempt, but the character definitely outshone everyone at Lexi's play. Austin Abrams' talents fired up as he played Ethan's multiple roles during the play. Ethan's brilliant performance paved the way for much social media feedback as fans were gobsmacked at the character's brilliance.
Fezco
Fezco's character won everyone's heart in season two. Of course, he was a fan favorite from the beginning. Nevertheless, season two brought out a side of Fezco's character that no one would have expected. Fezco's budding relationship with Lexi became an instant fan favorite to the extent that viewers were rooting for these two from the very first episode. Moreover, we also saw the very kind-hearted, caring, and also the romantic parts of Fezco. The season finale definitely broke his character, though, and in turn, broke the hearts of the massive fan base.
Lexi Howard
It is safe to say that Lexi Howard stole the show in Euphoria Season 2. Lexi's role as an observer finally paid off as she pulled off one of the biggest elements of the season, her play "Our Life." Not only was it an eye-opener for the other characters of the show, but it also gave the stage (literally) for the biggest slap of the season. Lexi exposed Nate and his toxic nature, Maddie's lovable nature, the trauma Rue had to go through, and many more elements of these characters in a self-reflexive analysis of the show's own character arcs. Whilst the play itself is debatable due to its portrayal of certain topics, Lexi's character finally come out of her shell in one striking factor of the season. Euphoria, renewed for season three at HBO, will hopefully explore Lexi's bond with Rue, which is something the audience has expected since season one.