I finished the first season of Euphoria. This was my 4th? attempt at watching it, and I’m glad I did. The first few times I found the characters strange and stuckup. This time I found them extremely relatable, with everyday problems and an utter lack of healthy coping skills. A good year or two of therapy would set almost every character straight.
It makes me so sad that none of the characters (except for Jules) can see a long term future for themselves.
Characters Synopsis
- Rue has "mental conditions" and hasn’t processed the grief of losing her father. She turns to drugs to cope.
- Jules is treated poorly by everyone (every man). She’s good enough to fuck, but not to date. She embraces casual sex to get thrills, the feel of being wanted, and a feeling of control over who she spends her time with. Unfortunately, she also is exposed to risky situations (Nate and Cal jacobs).
- Kat is treated poorly by everyone (every man) because of her body. She embraces casual sex and sex work to get thrills, the feel of being wanted, and a feeling of control over who she spends her time with (sound familiar). Unfortunately, she doesn’t leave herself vulnerable enough for more emotionally fulfilling relationships (like with ethan).
- Maddy is poor and she knows it. She desires to move up in life, and correctly identifies "finding a rich man" as one of the best ways to do it (hey, starting a business or career is hard). She plays the necessary part to get Nate Jacobs, and ignores his abuse because she has no healthy relationships to model.
- Cassie witnesses her beautiful parents be treated well due to their appearance. She is sexualized from a young age and so believes she needs her appearance to find love. Since no men have appreciated her for her personality, she can’t (can’t?) identify those who do.
- Nate Jacobs is toxic masc. He is aggressive, entitled (sexually and otherwise), unable to express his emotions or desires, and measures himself against a masculine ideal. He is unable to even think about his sexuality, instead choosing to fit the stereotype and pursue Maddy. He isn’t vulnerable with anyone.
- McKay is similar to Nate, just a lot more disciplined.