In case you forgot, which I did, “Euphoria” returns for a third season this Sunday (April 12). HBO’s popular teen drama about the experiences of high school students has been off the air since February 2022. Over four years. What the show may lack in episode count, it makes up for in star power; Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney have become Hollywood sensations since the show's debut in 2019.
Because of the long hiatus, “Euphoria” season 3 is ditching high school and skipping ahead years into the future. Rewatching the entire show may not be that beneficial because of the time jump, so you don’t necessarily have to piece together every detail from the past.
However, a quick refresh about some of the characters could explain some of their motivations in the new episodes. Here’s a list of five episodes to watch before the season 3 premiere.
‘Pilot’ (season 1, episode 1)
“Euphoria” wasted no time establishing its provocative nature and polarizing storylines in the pilot episode. The pilot introduces the important players and their stereotypes: Rue (Zendaya), the drug addict; Jules (Hunter Schafer), the confident outcast; Nate (Eloridi), the jock; Maddy (Alexis Demie), the femme fatale; and Cassie (Sweeney), the pretty girl.
The first episode resembles a chaotic game of “Mad Libs.” Name a difficult issue — drug use, rehab, illegal hookups, revenge sex, violence and abuse — and the pilot addresses it. What immediately stood out was the cinematic quality of the filmmaking. The dreamlike lighting and frenetic camerawork allowed “Euphoria” to stand out in the modern era of television.
Watch "Euphoria" season 1, episode 1 on HBO Max
‘Made You Look’ (season 1, episode 3)
“Euphoria” is a show about complex relationships, and the best one is between Jules and Rue. It’s an intriguing depiction of young love between two outsiders. The two high school students have a suitcase worth of problems. Jules struggles with gender dysphoria and a complicated home life. Rue battles drug addiction and survivor's guilt, both of which stem from the death of her father.
After a small fight, Rue and Jules make up and share their first kiss. This tender moment of bliss is interrupted when Rue, a self-saboteur who believes she can’t sustain happiness, tries and fails to buy drugs from Fez (Angus Cloud). Rue’s breakdown at the end of the episode won Zendaya her first Emmy.
Watch "Euphoria" season 1, episode 3 on HBO Max
‘And Salt the Earth Behind You’ (season 1, episode 8)
Considering that the show will experience a time jump in the third season, I cherished the moments in “Euphoria” that resembled a typical high school experience. In the season 1 finale, the cast heads to the winter formal in what should be a normal night. Kidding. Rue and Nate get into an argument about Jules, while Maddy tries to make Nate jealous.
The season finale is best remembered for the musical number following Rue’s relapse. Dancers prop Rue up while Zendaya and Labrinth’s “All for Us” blasts throughout the scene. It’s a jaw-dropping final act, though I’m still mixed as to whether it worked as a whole. However, it’s an ambitious ending to a progressive season of television.
Watch "Euphoria" season 1, episode 8 on HBO Max
‘Trying to Get to Heaven Before They Close the Door’ (season 2, episode 1)
I’m not as high on season 2 as most fans. The show is at its best when focused on high school drama, not FBI drug raids and illicit affairs. However, season 2's opening episode was right up my alley, mainly due to the primary setting, a house party. The episode’s crowning achievement might be the meme of Cassie in the bathtub, fighting to keep quiet after having sex with Nate.
We finally received some details on Fez and his interesting background as to why he became a drug dealer. He even had a sweet moment with Lexie on the couch before violently beating Nate to a bloody pulp. The pulse-pounding feeling—like something will inevitably go wrong—is the energy I missed in the show’s absence.
Watch "Euphoria" season 2, episode 1 on HBO Max
‘Stand Still Like the Hummingbird’ (season 2, episode 5)
Remember when I said the best parts of “Euphoria” involve high school? This episode is the lone exception. This entire episode belongs to Rue, who goes scorched earth on her friends and family after they stage an intervention. After losing Laurie’s (Martha Kelly) suitcase of drugs, Rue spends the majority of the episode searching for money to pay her back. Several gripping chase sequences transform the episode into a heist movie. It all culminates with Rue finding solace with Laurie, who preys upon the drug-addicted teen’s vulnerability.
“Stand Still Like the Hummingbird” remains Zendaya’s crowning achievement, which resulted in a second Emmy win. The episode also provided the iconic fight between Cassie and Maddy after finding out the former’s relationship with Nate. Another Hall of Fame meme moment from this addictive HBO drama.
Watch "Euphoria" season 2, episode 5 on HBO Max
