Zendaya in Season 3 of “Euphoria.”
HBO/TNS
On Sunday, April 12 HBO Max’s hit show “Euphoria” returned for its third season. Fans have been waiting for a continuation of the story since 2022, when the show was left on a cliffhanger.
The story continues to follow main character Rue Bennett as she goes through life being an addict and trying to take the easy way out. The main difference being that the show is no longer in a high school setting.
Not everyone was excited about the show’s return, though. With so much bad press going around about “Euphoria“ the past four years, the comeback of the show felt underwhelming and awkward. This raises the question: should “Euphoria” have even come back?
There’s no denying that “Euphoria” is an extremely popular show. With its talented actors and stunning visuals, it was bound to succeed—especially since it was first released during a time when all everyone had time to do was watch TV.
However, the show did more than succeed; it began to affect and change people’s lives.
As mentioned before, “Euphoria” is a story about a teenage addict who has no intentions of staying clean. It is also a story of mental health, trauma, sexuality, and identity. In certain online spaces such as Reddit, fans have talked about how triggering and real the show can get.
Zendaya herself has said that playing the role of Rue has affected her in a 2022 interview with Elle.
Another problem viewers had with the show is the portrayal of its young female characters. Most of the characters in “Euphoria” are teenagers in high school, but the show often puts them in graphic sexual scenes. Despite this story exploring and talking about sexuality, many of these scenes feel pornographic.
My relationship with “Euphoria” is complicated. I’ve watched and enjoyed “Euphoria” since I was 14, and I am currently keeping up with the third season. But I can’t deny I was part of the many viewers who felt emotionally affected by “Euphoria.”
From the ages of 14 and 16, I was already struggling with my mental health and watching “Euphoria” did not help. I felt understood at times, but I also couldn’t help but feel like an empty black hole after watching every episode.
It also doesn’t help that every episode practically sprinkles glitter, pretty makeup, and a popular song on every scene before handing it to its viewers. This makes it impossible to distinguish between relatability or glamorization.
Now, none of this is to say that Euphoria shouldn’t exist or that people shouldn’t watch it. I agree that it’s a really good show, but viewers should watch with caution. What I will say is that a story should know when enough is enough.
With the four year gap, constant negative backlash, and actors leaving the show, I think “Euphoria” should’ve been put to rest a long time ago.
Nonetheless, the show moves forward and fans, myself included, sit eagerly to see where the story will go.
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