In addition to continuing with the high-school play that seemingly wouldn’t end, the episode opened with a murder, found time for a discussion of “Little House on the Prairie” and segued to Nate (Jacob Elordi) turning in his father (Eric Dane) to the police.
It was, as usual, a lot, though the episode did close on a quieter note, with Zendaya’s Rue exchanging an embrace with Jules (Hunter Schafer), before seemingly leaving that relationship behind. At least for now.
Yet it’s possible to admire the artistry at work here — from how the program is shot to the quality of the performances — and still come away feeling unmoved by it, mostly because Levinson’s vision is so bleak and nihilistic, so provocative, often, seemingly for its own sake.
Edgy teen-based shows have proliferated along with every other genre, and this series has distinguished itself in part by being edgier than most, principally in terms of sexuality and nudity, but as the finale demonstrated, violence as well.
The tendency, or at least the temptation, with a show like “Euphoria” is to accentuate the positive, to heap praise on it to justify the attention, especially because you’re likely writing for people who are passionate about it.
“I think I’ve been through a lot, and I don’t know what to do with it,” Rue said near the end of the finale.
Everyone in “Euphoria” has been through a lot, which is surely part of its strange appeal. But as a critic, frankly, “I don’t know what to do with it” pretty well sums things up.
