Warning: Euphoria Season 1 & 2 SpoilersIt's been a little over a week since the season 2 finale of Euphoria aired, and fans are feeling very hopeful for Rue's future. While a few of the characters' fates were left on major cliffhangers during the finale, Rue's journey to recovery was the central focus of the finale episode. Since the beginning, fans have always wanted the best for Rue and for her to overcome her addiction. Everything about her story, from dealing with her mental health, losing her father, and falling into substance abuse, is something that many people can relate to.
After the tumultuous events in episode 5, Rue (Zendaya) was seen sober in the finale, looking healthy and upbeat as she made amends with her friends and family. She was also even able to say goodbye to someone who she believed to be the love of her life. For the first time, Rue seems to believe in herself, and we just might see a new side to Rue in season 3. However, there is still much to explore on how season 2's finale presents a bright outcome for Rue.
Rekindling an Old Friendship
A part of Rue's road to sobriety involves coming to terms with who she really is, and thanks to Lexi (Maude Apatow), she can do that. Since they were little, Lexi and Rue have been best friends but have drifted apart after Rue's dad died. Rue fell into drugs and pushed Lexi away when all she ever wanted was to just be there for her. However, this season, Lexi was able to break out of her shell and put on a play that showed that she would no longer be the fly on the wall. The highly teased tell-all play that fans have been waiting for all season was not only entertaining but also a reflection of her and everyone else's lives, including Rue. For once, Rue was able to see herself through someone else's eyes and come to terms with the ugly parts of herself that she hates. Including coming to terms with how out of touch she has been in her close relationships.
The finale delivered an emotionally tear-filled scene between Lexi and Rue and proved how this friendship is important to Rue's recovery. Lexi has always been able to see what others don't, as she has always been a wallflower. She realizes that she could have been more involved and supportive in her friend's life. Be the shoulder for her to cry on because Lexi has had it just as hard. Pain is relative, and by connecting with one another, they can build back their friendship into something more special and long-lasting. And Rue telling her that her dad loves her while hugging her as she cries shows just how much she's dedicated to amending this friendship.
Lexi's play meant a lot to Rue because it allowed her to look back on her life without a level of judgment. She needed to look within from someone else's perspective. She tells Lexi how much she wishes she could do what she did out of the trauma and pain from her life. "I don't know how to get to where you are," she tells her. She further explains how she hated when people said to her that "You have to give it a reason." when her dad died. It wasn't until Lexi's play that she could fully grasp that meaning. Lexi used writing as an outlet and gave her pain "a reason." Rue's way of grappling with her pain has been pills, and she now understands that she also needs to "give it a reason" and find a healthier way to cope.
Where Jules Stands in Her Life
Season 2 ends on a hopeful note for Rue, but not when it comes to her and Jules. She ends the episode sitting in the auditorium with Jules and gives her a sweet kiss on her forehead as a formal end to their relationship. While this confirms the end of "RULES," they both accept that for now, they need to part ways. "Jules was my first love. I like to remember it that way." Rue was high for the majority of their relationship in season 2, so how does she know for a fact that she was truly in love with Jules? She seems to understand now that she won't be her last love. Separation is what these two need, and as Jules mentioned in her special episode, she always felt that the weight of Rue's sobriety was on her shoulders. Living without each other is what they both need, and Rue needs to learn not to depend on Jules to move forward with her recovery.
This notion is reinstated during the after-credit interviews where Zendaya beautifully interpreted Rue's goodbye as taking steps to make the necessary changes in her life. "Having a sweet moment and walking away from Jules, not in a place of anger or resentment, but in of like respect and love, shows that she's choosing herself, choosing to take the steps that she needs to get better," Relationships change and people's needs change. There's no saying if Rue and Jules will ever reunite in the future, but their individual lives seem to have a lot of promise in getting better.
Hey Lord, I'm Tired
Labrinth's music has been a major staple in this show and is such an integral part of setting the tone for Euphoria. The visually stunning cinematography paired with his ethereal music eloquently ties in the different characters' many moods, specifically Rue. Similar to last season's "All For Us," Labrinth and Zendaya deliver another beautifully written song, "I'm Tired," illustrates Rue's current state in the finale. Season 1 ended with Rue relapsing while singing "All For Us" high and losing sight of herself again. This time though, Rue's future looks bright.
The song kicks off with, "Hey Lord, you know I'm tired." suggesting that the hardship Rue has endured in life has exhausted and drained her of having the spirit to live. She's essentially done with living, but when Zendaya sings, "you know I'm trying." she still has hope. On the one hand, she's reaching out to God to take her, but on the other, she's begging him to help her. In the end, the thought of being a good person is what motivates her to try to stay clean. She reveals that she remained sober for the rest of the school year, and while she (nor do we) doesn't know how long she'll stay sober, she knows that she'll keep trying.