Zendaya's performance really stands out amongst a sea of impressive ensemble actors, and her 2020 Emmy win is proof. I love how Rue's addiction isn't glamourised, with attention being given to how much she both directly and indirectly hurts her loved ones in the process.
i mean season 1? sure. Z was very good in season 2 as well but Sydney STOLE the show. While she was given a poor storyline, she acted the hell out of it. The mirror scene where she composes herself but we see her falling apart is Oscar-worthy. She doesn't even say anything but you can literally hear her heart break. I hope Sydney wins this Emmy, I see so many people saying that all she does is take her clothes off but that's not true, she's an amazing actress and show outshine everyone this season
@@nini-qc1qd I mean yeah she "stole the show" because a lot of the season featured her but it sucked so hard 😭 it's Sam's fault of course but writing can affect acting and I think her acting suffered a lot in season 2 Nothing surpassed the subdued impact of her character in s1 and I don't think she acts hysterical (all of s2) well enough to have deserved that Emmy.
As someone who has been to rehab countless times, the show is accurate in that addicts are such people pleasers that it brings out the best and worst in us.
Hello there, I am a student journalist and I would love to talk more about your personal experience with rehab if that is something you’re okay talking about☺️ let me know if you would be interested
Please cover Fesco, and how he subverts the classic "Agressive Drug Dealer" stereotype by being gentle, looking out for Rue, only getting into the business for family reasons, and his sweet dynamic with Lexi.
Yes. YES. YESSSS!!! Fez is my favorite character and there is so much to talk about with him. I think deep dive on him would be amazing. His relationship with Rue is honestly one of the deepest and interesting friendships in the show. Also, his backstory is probably the best one.
@@dhaliajonson6101 I think that would actually be an interesting thing to bring up in a Fez deep dive. Fez’s whiteness does bring up some fascinating implications. I actually know white guys like Fez, but there’s definitely something to be said about how he embodies certain stereotypes…but also doesn’t? A lot of people say that Fez wouldn’t be as popular if he was played by a black man, but I disagree. There’s a certain compassion and lightheartedness to Fez that makes him unique. Angus Cloud may be an amateur actor, but he does still have a lot of charisma.
I have a theory about euphoria. Whenever she is on drugs the plot line centers on others and their issues, but when she is off drugs the plot line does not have a background character to focus on. She is forced to focus on herself
Simply put, Zendaya as Rue Bennett *makes* Euphoria. She’s not my favorite character-nor is she the funniest or the most likable. However, she is the best character. She is complex, tragic, sympathetic, and creative. She’s done really bad things, but she never feels irredeemable. I love that the show allowed us to see her at her worst, but I’m really ready to see her at her best. The Rue we closed Season 2 out with was the best version and I want to know more of who that is. Sobriety is a lifelong journey, but I think Rue’s character deserves some form of real non-toxic happiness for once.
@@trinaq Agreed. I think Zendaya's the only one who could pull it off too. In the hands of another actress, Rue probably would be unlikable and irredeemable to people.
I loved the way you compared Rue's and Cassie's addiction. That's how I see Cassie, a love addict with codependency. I can't see her as a villain. I see her as someone who is really struggling and needs to numb and comfort herself with something external. She will pursue that even if it hurts her family and friends. She feels guilt and shame but she's sick. Sometimes we see addiction as only drugs or alcohol. But every addiction is destructive, gambling, love, etc
I hate how some people say that Euphoria isn’t realistic. Yes, many things didn’t happen to YOU specifically but it’s just so dumb to say that these things don’t happen and often. Where I come from- highschoolers do do drugs, smoke, drink, have sex, get into toxic relationships, etc. I get that most people get to the “adult stuff” in college but IMO and experience, many people start in highschool
@@Canev821 you never know what someone is secretly going through rue was amazing at hiding what she was doing at points because you learn how to put up a mask (i was too my parents had no idea about any of my issues i was having at the time)
@@Canev821 I mean sure, if this show was realistic, they'd include the stress around assignments and how many of our crushes go nowhere, but then this show would be boring. This show is about feeling real, we look back at our high school and remember the intense moments and you can't honestly tell me you never knew a drug addict or have just skipped the rebellious years that are very normal and even necessary for developing teenagers. Maybe it's also worth considering that this show was written by a person that went to high school in a different culture in a different time with different laws and different technology. To me, I never ran from the cops, but I had a friend who did because they were fooling around with a motorcycle without a licensenplate because they didn't have a license at the time. I was shocked when my childhood best friend told me about her regulae coke using, and I knew people who had abortions done and others that have switched schools because they came out of rehab. This show is kinda accurate to me, but whatever happened, happened in the time span of 5-7 years. There is some realism there.
Rue is a fascinating character. She really embodies good people who do bad things. For all her good, her self loathing and sadness creates a wake of destruction for both those and the people she loves. What’s most fascinating is her narration. She comes across as wisecracking and confident, but in person she is riddled with anxiety. She distorts how things are happening in reality and can be in denial about the consequences of her actions especially when she is on drugs. I absolutely love this show for it’s complexity and willingness to tackle hard subjects. While it hyper-stylizes many risky acts it really captures how it truly to be on a high, whether when in love, on drugs or having sex. What grounds it is it shows the afternath of those highs and the consequences which comes from using a substance to escape their feelings.
As someone who has a younger brother that struggles with addition, Euphoria’s portrayal was accurate. It hurt to see my youngest brother suffer like that. 😔
I think the people saying that have just seen like the glitter eyeshadow clips bc they definitely haven't watched the whole show. Heck I've only seen clips and I know that's not true
This is why I love Rue and I love Cassie too. They have been through so much and I can relate to both of them. It’s true lots of people will vilify these characters, but I think those people are the people who are lucky enough to not understand trauma. I hope Season 3 explores Cassie’s trauma more because I’m sick of hearing people have compassion for Rue (and pretty much all the characters who do bad things in Euphoria) but not for Cassie. People almost get a sick pleasure out of hating Cassie. But they forget they both have suffered painful trauma and they both deserve respect and understanding for that. Thank you for continuing to make these videos to explain this to those lucky enough not to understand trauma. 💗
I was hoping to find a comment like this. So many of the characters on this show have done some truly heinous things in Season one, (The Maddy/Nate framing & blackmailing comes to mind) and yet all is overlooked the moment Cassie enters this toxic, equally addictive relationship to Nate. From the moment we see her in the season two opening; something is clearly wrong. Last we left off, she was still in a fragile & vulnerable state (did we all forget her abortion in season one?), and now she is sitting outside a liquor store, alone on New Years Eve, and even after learning of this sudden fight her and Lexi had just before the nights events unfold, we watch as she grabs hostess donuts in a daze, while only her sister appears concerned about her absence from the party; until she strikes a conversation with Fez! Then it's Cassie who? Her supposed bestie Maddy, seems least of all concerned, but she's such a magnetic and confident personality, the audience just gets lost in her presence and always just glorifys every moment her fashionable form envelopes our screen. Nobody wants any of these girls to end up with Nate Jacob's and yet, I've never heard anyone fault Jules for knowing shyguy was Maddy's bf, or Maddy for using a copy of Jules video of her having sex with Nate's dad as literal blackmail, (when they're supposed to all be friends) but Cassie develops an intense physical & emotional relationship with her best friends ex, and everyone not only loses their mind, but all her previous trauma and slut shaming from season one, is just completely forgotten and she is now public enemy #1. Plus, how many people reveled in seeing her get physically hit by Maddy during a play that was literally putting her most embarrassing traumas on stage in front of the whole damn school, by her sister who's been watching her break down firsthand in their home, because "it's what she deserves?" And yeah, as a Latina, kinda tired of seeing my culture being played up like that, ngl. My point is, they're supposed to be teenagers and I like that they're flawed, but I get no enjoyment from watching a broken person going through the motions that are equal, if not similar to another character, but only seeing one more vilified, while also seeing people taking enjoyment, in watching their crushing downfall.
My favorite part was when she was running from the cops... That was so insane and unbelievably over the top, but hilarious and appropriate for the tone of the whole show. It's like a drama that doesn't take it's too seriously
I wonder if Rue will become Cassie’s “sponsor”at some point, considering Cassie is an addict for love rather than drugs. The whole show is about exploring different types of addictions through teenagers. Cassie and Jules: Love Kat and Nate: Power Maddie: Drama Rue: Actual drugs
I love how Rue suddenly has a sober happy ending without mentioning all the damage she caused around the neighborhood running from the cops and not paying Laurie for the drugs with no consequences
You really think that’s not gonna fuck her over eventually? This show will end in Rues death. In fact, I think that her name is a clue to her ending. She will get hers, she will RUE THE DAY.
i do think it feels kind of rushed but i think maybe it’s a temporary happy ending, a conclusion of her internal conflict ( being clean, being away from jules, being a better friend) and then season three will focus on those external conflicts ( cops, laurie, tons of property damage ) now that rue knows that she can stay clean for long period of time
Junkies are mostly viewed as scum when honestly, and I say it as a sober individual who never did drugs, several addicts that I've known were among the smartest, most kindhearted and most sensitive people I've ever known.
Zendaya slayed. Period.🙏🏽 as someone who’s struggled it’s hard to find a good portrayal of addiction in media and I felt genuinely connected to Rue an her thought process. (For anyone struggling hang in there ok? You. Matter.)
You should cover how Rue is the only female main character who’s relevance to the show isn’t hinged on the man she’s dating/ sleeping with. You might be thinking “but Lexi-“ wasn’t relevant until Fes showed interest in her. Really most of them have no storylines or purpose to their characters outside of who they’re dating. What is Maddie’s purpose to the show outside of Nate? What do we actually know about Kat that doesn’t involve sex?
as someone who grew up in Gia’s position, the show does a flawless job at portraying the harrowing instances involved with addicts. it’s the most heartbreaking thing to watch, and in my experience, it’s always the most kind hearted people who have fallen victim to addiction. it’s true that the drugs bring out otherwise foreign behaviors, it’s unfortunate that some viewers talk about her and the things she does in such a vile manner, hope you never have to learn that feeling the hard way.
As a child of drug addicts who is now an addict in my own right (alcohol), it hurts to see some of the reactions to Rue. Identifying somebody as an addict immediately destroys any and all empathy for some people. People forget that behaviors don’t exist in a vacuum; most addicts have been exposed to something they can’t handle, and as a result will slowly become willing to do anything for a moment of respite. Also, can we talk about how Cassie and Lexi’s mom is a total alcoholic and nobody really cares? But because Rue is actively at risk of OD’ing, and younger, she becomes the focus of everyone’s concern. I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, but it perfectly mirrors how much we overlook alcoholism in our society. As long as (googles the mom’s name) Alanna stays relatively tame, it’s as though she’s “earned” the right to her addiction. Nobody really cares about the underlying issues as long as the behavior is just subtle enough to be ignored.
@@eileensnow6153 agreed about your point on Cassie’s mom, alcoholism is definitely overlooked in terms of addictions by the general public, especially when the person is or appears to be ‘high functioning’.
If you haven't seen the special episode for Rue where she and Ali have a deep conversation in a diner, I'd think you'd really appreciate it. There's conversations on addiction, religion, and performative activism. I think it's my favorite episode out of entire the show. Here's just a small quote that really sealed the episode for me, as someone who suffers from addictive tendencies. "But the hardest part of having the disease of addiction, aside from having the disease, is that no one in the world sees it as a disease. They see you as selfish. They see you as weak. They see you as cruel. They see you as destructive. They think ‘why should I give a fuck about her if she doesn’t give a fuck about herself or anybody else?" It's a simple yet heavy episode and I cried a lot, but it feels like you've finished a somewhat productive therapy session once the episode ends lol
@@KristinaEspinoza Ugh, my heart. That’s exactly how I feel about myself: why should I expect anyone to love me when I can’t figure out how to love myself? And ironically, the moments when you’re acting the least lovable are when you need love the most.
I feel like Rue is also backed up by being in a line of poetic and intelligent addicts such as Jim Carol and William Burroughs. Euphoria has long reminded me of the basketball dairies, even down to the self aware addict lead and the black humor.
I think the when you "blame" yourself you put the ball back in your court. When you blame someone else, some chemical imbalance, then you give away the power.
I only have 2 criticisms of the whole video. One, I don't think that Euphoria glorifies drug addiction at all. It shows how good it makes you feel and the impact of your addiction on your life and loved ones. Second, I think Rue does selfishly destroy her relationships, but as far as Jules goes, Jules destroyed that relationship. It wasn't about her telling her mother, it was more about how she wanted to be loved. She wants to be loved by everyone, even if she hurts the ones that love her. She cheated on Rue and had the audacity to show up at Rues house, with the dude she cheated with, in his clothes, to tell Rues mother about her using. They are toxic to each other. It wasn't all on Rue. Not to mention leaving Rue in season one. Rue needed her and she left. It's not Jules responsibility to help Rue keep sober, but it damn sure didn't help the situation.
Exactly, Rue really flips when she realizes she got cheated on. The "you are dead to me" scene is clearly a reaction to that and the sentiment pretty justified
@@miri6600 It was very obvious to someone who is observant. She looked at Jules, looked at him and the face she made said it all. She even laughed a bit at the realization. Jules couldn't look her in the eyes. Rue is a lot of things but stupid isn't one of them.
jules is in a way an addict herself. she is addicted to love and connection due to past traumas. her mother abandoned her to alcohol and put her in a psych ward for men. rue can't see how her addictions hurt jules just like jules' mom.. rue lied to jules about her drug use which is a betrayal. jules wasn't getting any connection from rue bc rue was not on this planet nor this dimension in season 2. so jules sought solace in elliot which yes was cheating and it was wrong but it's more complex than fans of the show make it out to be. jules told rue's mom bc she doesn't want rue to die. that is a fact and how hunter schafer and sam levinson explained it. there is also no evidence that jules was wearing elliot's sweater. he wasn't wearing it before and it's technically a woman's sweater with slits under the armpits. anyway neither jules or rue are bad people they are young girls... children practically with deep seated issues and trauma. i think they are both no good for each right now with everything they r going through
Stop justifying Rue. Your comment just proves the take's view that the show glorifies and makes us sympathize that it leads to us justifying Rue and people like Rue. I have suffered around addicts like Rue and we don't need ppl excusing their behaviour please open your eyes.
@@shrutiwayne7440 I am not justifying Rues behavior AT ALL. She's destroying herself and the lives of all the ppl that love her. I sympathize with her as an ex addict who knows what it's like to want to stop but can't. I however, do not condone Rues actions in any shape or form. She's wrong. My point, was more based on her relationship with Jules. I think they both have many issues and are toxic as a couple. I however did imply that it was Jules that originally and finally broke what was their relationship. Rue loves Jules. She is immature and doesn't understand how to express that love in a healthy way, but she does. Jules, cares for Rue, but ultimately cares more for herself. I'm not saying she's selfish, because no one signs up to be you're partners only reason to stay sober. When Rue had a panic attack at the train station, Jules left her. I wouldn't of done that to anyone I cared about. Jules ultimately picked herself, which started the crack in the relationship. She ended it when she slept with Rues pretty much best friend. Rue needed someone to intervene. I admit that. The way it was done was a selfish move on Jules part, regardless of her feelings for Rue, both can be the truth at the same time. Rue lied about her drug habits to not lose Jules. Jules was already moving on to Rues friend. I am sorry you have been hurt by an addict. It's not a cool place to be in. I promise you, it's not a fun ride on the other side of it.
AAA finally thank you for this video, I love you guy's analysis on my favourite shows, but the way you explained it it's even more satisfying, and sometimes I couldn't put my passion into but you guys explained it beautifully and perfectly accurate thank you 😍😍😍
every opioid user i knew who did not stop using within a couple years of them first getting addicted, died before they reached age 28. if you start using them you better already have the knowledge and willpower to be able to quit once you feel it taking over your life. best to not start at all obviously but the real world doesnt afford that to many people who are vulnerable to addiction. you will die way before you really want to. but at least its a hell of a lot less painful than dying from labor induced starvation. which will also definitely happen to you if you arent born into financial comfort. at around the same age too..
It all comes down to a question of chances: why Trainspotting? For the odds of getting killed is too high, just like doing drugs, which ofc. Can bring you huge joy,or euphoria but at what X cost? Gee everything in life comes w/ a price, ofc including the “magical” drugs, which makes one so happy at first but later addiction, huge misery for those who care abt. U, dead babies to name a few terrible consequences.
Rue's story is an honest look at addiction and the life of a teen addict and the show does glamourize and sensationalize the high octane teen life we're used to seeing in high school shows like Gossip Girl or 90210. It's sort of like a two for one deal- the typical teen drama and a raw look at addiction, and it honestly succeeds at both despite its flaws.
For those who have seen Requiem for a Dream, Ru'se travel is Marion Silver's journey. She is looking for a creative life in which she doesn't have any obligations towards her family, or to earn a living. She is looking for an eternal holiday summer with human connection.
I oddly feel a great similarity between Rue and Peter Parker from Spider-Man 3. Both of then became addicts as a result of loss. Rue started using as a response to the traumatic death of her father. Peter became addicted to having Venom attached to his suit to help relax him from the trauma of Uncle Ben's death after finding out Flint Marko killed him, and make him feel powerful. They also have a lit of humor when they're addicted. Rue and Peter both become funny in their behavior when the effects of the drugs helps them fight against the bad parts of life. But it is selfish. Rue does selfish things when she uses, just like Peter. They both hurt people they care about, and become kind of awful and abusive people. Peter does eventually get clean and removes Venom from his life, but that still doesn't help at first. In No Way Home, he said it took a long time, but eventually he and MJ were able to heal from his actions. And I imagine that like Peter, it will take a LONG time for Rue to atone with her family. Of course it isn't a perfect comparison, but I just think it's worth mentioning.
Euphoria's campiness and dropped storylines overshadows the honest portrayal of rue's addiction. It's a bit unrealistic that they don't mention rue's debt to Laurie
As someone who graduated this year the idea that drug usage among teens isn't common anymore is naïve and flat out wrong, especially for low income areas
The show is good but its really hard to watch Rue struggle being because she is a kid and a kid of color from a tragic background. Honestly, its really hard!
The deepest episode in television took place in a diner and told act one two three in one episode it was probably the best written episode I’ve seen in a long time
Hopefully we see the actual problem next season which is drug addiction coexisting with poverty, which most tomes destroy people's lives completely, many end up in jail or having to sell other things (stolen things, sex, etc) to be able to survive and keep using. We know rues family is a low class family, her mom worked 2 jobs for her husband's treatment. Where does rue actually get the money from. Fez might gift some but not enough to get her going for years. We need to know what she goes through to get the fix. How her family is impacted even more. They wouldn't even be able to keep their home if rue pays through mom's pocket. So where does she find the money? Does she steal? We need to find more about how drug addiction changed her life
I’m bipolar and I’m not a loser drug addict. Addiction is always a choice, I don’t care what anyone says, when it comes down to it we ALL have a choice to take it or not when it’s right in front of us. I’ve had it offered to me and I have said no every time, and I have more trauma than those kids. Just saying no is really THAT fucking easy.
I get what you’re saying and I agree to an extent but you’re not addicted… that’s different. The brain chemistry actually gets altered, it’s more than just a “desire” for drugs. Search up withdrawal symptoms from drugs. Some people get shortness of breath. Only thing some can do is have divine intervention tbh. Just thank God you never tried it to get addicted.
You're all fucking mad if you think this portrays an honest picture of drug addiction! LoL! I get it, it's got that Hollywood sheen on it... But please...
Because the audience, mainly Gen Z, supports the "my bad mental health excuses me of being held accountable for my shiitty behavior" - trope, which irl is very toxic, but very popular
This is a very stupid perspective,whole point of the show is that she still deals with the consequences of her addiction,she literally never gets a pass
That’s a pretty massive assumption about a whole generation. Also “holding someone accountable” is the whole point of acknowledging mental health, and isn’t the same as eagerly punishing them (which irl is very toxic, but very popular)
Actually I think most gen Zers say the opposite, or at the very least most. In Bojack horseman, bojack constantly made excuses and never took responsibility, and everyone in the audience shit on him. Most gen Z understand trauma and mental illness doesn't give you a pass, cause most of them have delt with parents or other family members giving them that excuse. "They can't apologize for trauma they inflict cause they suffered through trauma as well."
You say this, but older generations are the ones who actively encouraged their characters in the media to do anything as long as they were "in the right". Gen Z is ready to cancel toxic characters. Talking about mental health also means to acknowledge when you're hurting others and when you're hurting yourself.
I don't hate her, but I just dislike her because she reminds me so much of my mom who's a junkie too. I'm so glad Rue got clean at the end of season 2 and hopefully for stay sober for season 3 but it's just wow...I wish she would knowledge how much pain she really really caused on everyone including her sister Gia. She really got clean for Jules (a random ass white girl she met at party and stand up against Nate abusive ass) but not for Gia. Then got mad when Jules wasn't the 'manic pixie dream girl' love interest that Rue wanted. She's a human being with problems/mistakes not a love robot nor rehab center. And by the show being in Rue's POV she literally admitted she's an 'unreliable narrator' in season 1 episode 1 at the party and the fandom just forgotten all about that. She's manipulating the audience and also because Zendaya is playing her.
Rue may be real, but her mom was not written like she should have been. I have several black moms in my life & NONE of them would act like she did when Rue tried to fight her. I was so confused, I googled the writers then I was like “oh” they don’t have black moms. Otherwise, yes, Rue, at least, is a very real character.
Couldn't finish the first season seems like the show trys to hard and is blunt most of the time but really average at best still she got an Emmy for crying I guess which is how Hollywood women get awards. 4.5/10
