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Euphoria Season 2 Episode 1 review: The psychedelic teen drama returns with a bang

HBO’s edgy teen-drama starring Zendeya returns for a second season focusing on the escapades of the high-school students of East Highland High School

Euphoria Season 2 Episode 1 review: The psychedelic teen drama returns with a bang

Last Updated: 11.18 AM, Jan 11, 2022

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Rating: 4/5

Story:
A heartbroken Rue relapsed after Jules left her at the train station at the end of season one. The episode opens with a brief history of Fezco. It is followed by a New Year’s Eve party where all the primary characters go through a roller-coaster of emotions as their arcs develop for season two.

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Review:

Despite being universally acclaimed, Euphoria did struggle with its pacing in season one, and several of the storylines felt underdeveloped or lacked a pay-off towards the end. Of course, there could be no criticism levelled at the vibrant visuals, captivating sound design, or the excellent performances by the cast. But the ending of season one left a void in the story that took away some of its charm.

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However, season two has opened with arguably its best episode to date. One of the few reasons why the episode worked could be attributed to the fact that two of the series’ most intriguing, yet under-utilised, characters, Fezco (Angus Cloud) and Lexi (Maude Apatow), get their time to shine. In fact, Lexi and Fezco could be regarded as the most empathic characters of the show. The narrative also hints at them being romantically involved. If it does come to fruition, a drug dealer and a highly intelligent introvert would make for one of the oddest couples in the show, despite their natural chemistry.

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The fallout from Jules abandoning Rue at the train station leads Rue down a dangerous path, yet again. A path that she worked so hard in season one to avoid. The details regarding the events between the train station and the party are yet to be revealed, as Jules was back at the party ready to reconcile with Rue. Elsewhere Cassie dives into another one of her mistakes as she gets involved with Nate.

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Before Cassie, McKay, Nate, or even Maddy could come to terms with what has transpired around them, Fezco decides to do something violent - something everyone hoped he would do since season one. 

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Fezco gets his revenge on Nate, and not one tear was shed by most of the primary characters, nor by any of the viewers, as Fezco beat Nate half to death. There is something so wrong yet so right about the scene and is almost similar to Jon Snow beating Ramsay Bolton to a pulp in Game of Thrones. The only person that looked visibly shaken was Lexi, as she was just getting to know Fezco.

Verdict:

The show continues to excel in terms of a technically well-executed production. The first episode for season two has certainly upped the ante by delivering one of the best episodes of the series so far.

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