Euphoria (2022 - Season 2)

 

Rating: ★★★ 

I held skepticism for this show going forward after season 1, which I really liked. I just couldn't see how they would progress the plotlines and overall narrative and momentum of the show. And for the most part, I believe I was proven right with this season. Like for instance, though I'm probably wrong on this because surely not even showrunner Sam Levinson would make such a plot inconsistency, but wasn't season 1 portraying their final year in high school, so why were they still in high school for this season? 

Irregardless of that, the 2nd season starts off with a solid episode where it maintains its best attribute of caring for all of its main characters by trying to lay the foundations for their development throughout the season. But then the next few episodes don't build any good momentum for these narrative threads, instead it just panders to the show's style-over-substance gimmick. The newly-formed love triangle between newcomer Elliot, Rue and Jules is dramatically flat and mostly unbelievable (PS: I've never been high on Jules as a strong character). For most of these episodes, Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Maddy's (Alexa Demie) strong dynamic and characterisations, as well as the two actors' acting abilities carry the show, along with Cal's character arc and Eric Dane's similar strong acting skills. The show picks up again in the episode that focuses on Rue's addiction issues as Zendaya brings out the entire acting repertoire and reminds us again why season 1 was so successful with her at the centre of everything. The penultimate episode which is the beginning of Lexi's play is my second favourite episode of the season, but then the final episode is mostly disappointing again as the show just ends in a heap of emotional mess and its hallmark off-tone stylistic choices. 

Again, I maintain, this show shouldn't continue because I am not a believer in Sam Levinson's ability to: (a) narratively revive it, and/or, (b) pull off a successful resolution for all of the characters... but of course they're going to milk the show's popularity.

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