Critics Divided on Euphoria Season 3

What’s Rue been up to since high school? Honestly, nothing good.

“Euphoria” has sparked much conversation regarding its new season, with some praising its campy, dark, comedic style and others criticizing its change in writing and plot sequences. With a time jump taking place five years after the events of season two, many fans wondered if the show’s compelling storytelling and aesthetic would still hold up. Moreover, the absence of singer Labrinth in the show’s score and the passing of fan favorite cast members Angus Cloud and Eric Dane made the show’s return all the more uncertain. So, how does it compare to its previous two seasons?

Well, Euphoria season three at times feels like a whole new show. The story follows protagonist Rue as she navigates through difficult situations to pay off her debt. Storylines of the show’s side characters include Cassie and Nate planning their extravagant wedding, Maddy working at a talent agency, Lexi serving as a TV assistant, and Jules attending art school. The show attempts to convey the themes of uncertainty and adventure in one’s early twenties, and while certain plotlines contain depth and excitement, others feel shallow and lazy. For instance, the show constantly shifts focus towards Rue and Cassie at the expense of other characters, lacking the balance it had in earlier seasons. Furthermore, the constant conflict between the background score and plot results in a more disjointed season when compared to its predecessors. Yet, as hinted by the show’s high viewership, season three has continued to provide an entertaining plot that keeps the audience coming back each week despite its apparent flaws.

However, other conversations surrounding the show have emerged discussing whether this is the end of “Euphoria” or if there is more story to tell. Fans noticed that HBO has promoted the season three finale as a season finale rather than a “series finale” unlike other HBO shows wrapping up for good. Does this mean a season four is in the works? Well, both director Sam Levinson and actress Zendaya have made it clear that season three is meant to be the end, but fans believe these sentiments may change in the future as the show’s viewership is extremely strong. Thus, this new season of “Euphoria” has created much conversation about both the current state and future possibilities of this show. Since the season has three more episodes to release, there is still a lot of story left to tell and questions to answer before season three concludes. No matter how this season ends, “Euphoria” has already cemented its cultural legacy and will always remain an unforgettable teen drama, with the wait for its finale May 31st only growing more exciting!