WARNING: This post contains spoilers and Euphoria touches on sensitive topics. Here’s a heads up from the show’s star, Zendaya, as well as the note shown before the episode.
HBO’s Euphoria made its debut and the series premiere drew a lot of attention, some many responses focusing on the sex, drugs, and nudity, while others labeled the show “upsetting” or “disturbing.”
HBO / @scotth19, @edwebhead, @Sophia_Loren89
Here’s how HBO describes the pilot episode:
HBO
“Seventeen-year-old Rue returns home from rehab with no plans to stay clean. She meets Jules, who’s new in town, at a party at McKay’s house. Nate gets in McKay’s head when McKay takes an interest in Cassie. Nate and Maddy, who have broken up once again, attempt to make each other jealous. Meanwhile, Kat is pressured to lose something.”
The early scenes in this episode offer a look into Rue’s life leading up to rehab. From her very early childhood she’s diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and ADHD. She’s heavily medicated and says she doesn’t remember much from ages 8-12.
We also see Rue habitually sneaking Xanax and then cut to her finishing rehab. Within the first 10 minutes, you’ll feel like you know the character or at least know a good deal about her.
I’m pleasantly surprised by the format of this series, which features a lot of really cool, unique shots that make you feel like you’re in a dream. It’s also narrated by Rue, who admits she’s not the most reliable.
We meet other characters, like McKay (left), who is interested in a girl named Cassie and seems like a decent guy and Nate (right) who doesn’t. Nate proves to be a douche throughout the episode.
We also meet Jules, who is new in town. Her storyline is focused on her skipping a party at McKay’s house to meet up with someone from an app named “DominantDaddy.”
There’s also Kat who, as the episode description says, is being pressured to lose something.
As the party begins and Jules links up with DominantDaddy, hookups happen and a little bit of chaos ensues amongst various characters.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
HBO
MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE: There are some incredibly dope visuals and the music selection is SO GOOD/FITTING.
HOW VULGAR/GRAPHIC IS IT?: There’s a lot of sex and drug talk. The dialogue in the screenshot above is a good example of the type of stuff you’ll hear, which isn’t any more excessive than things seen/heard in other R-rated teen stuff, like Superbad or American Pie. There’s also quite a bit of nudity, but it’s HBO so that’s par for the course.
RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-10: 8.
WILL I WATCH NEXT WEEK: Absolutely.
PREVIOUSLY WATCHED:
The Perfection on Netflix
The Wandering Earth on Netflix
The Silence on Netflix
Black Summer on Netflix
How It Ends on Netflix
Set It Up on Netflix
The Kissing Booth on Netflix
Hell House LLC. on Amazon Prime
Veronica on Netflix
Dude on Netflix
Irreplaceable You on Netflix