Euphoria: My top five characters in season 2
After eight gripping weeks, season two of Euphoria has come to an end. The finale was underwhelming after a sensational penultimate episode, I have a ton of questions and there are plot holes galore, but I cannot wait for more teen drama in 2024.
As a whole, season two has been way better than the first. I felt more invested in the characters and their storylines – I was hooked and watched it as soon as I could every Monday. And I’m clearly not alone as Euphoria has become HBO’s most-watched show after Game of Thrones!
Instead of doing a general series review, I’ve decided to list the MVPs of this season. The performances have been excellent across the board so my picks are the characters who brought the most value to the show this season – who I liked to watch, who I cared about, who entertained me, etc.
THE BEST: Fezco (Angus Cloud)
At the end of season one, I would never have expected Fez to be at the top of my list, yet here we are. I liked him immediately this season thanks to his sweet, considered conservation with Lexi at the party and him beating the crap out of Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi). I became more invested in him as the season progressed. He’s a sweetheart and I want him and Lexi to get together. It’s just a shame he’s a drug dealer in big trouble.
2. Maddy (Alexa Demie)
Maddy has been given the best, most meme-able lines this season, with “Bitch, you better be joking” and “I’m literally gonna get violent” being instant classics. She has made me laugh a ton too and her facial expressions are amazing. She would absolutely terrify me in real life! It was nice to see a softer side to her as a babysitter and I would like to see her have more to do outside of Nate next season.
3. Lexi (Maude Apatow)
Another character I wouldn’t have expected to place so highly on this list before. As Cassie screams in the finale, Lexi is an observer who quietly judges other people instead of living her own life. She certainly was like that in season one but she stepped out of her co-stars’ shadows in season two and came into her own with the play, which was fearless and genius. Episode seven was my favourite and that brings her position up this high. Her friendship/maybe relationship with Fez is cute too and I liked learning more about her friendship with Rue.
4. Rue (Zendaya)
I certainly enjoy the bitchy high school drama side of Euphoria instead of the heavy, bleak drug addiction side – but I know it’s super important. Zendaya gives an absolutely sensational performance in episodes 5 and 6, where we see the disturbing effects of drug withdrawal up close. It’s a tough but impactful watch and the intervention sequence made me feel so stressed. There are some fun Rue moments too – I loved her reactions to the play, her reconciliations with Lexi and Ali (Colman Domingo) and when she did the fakest orgasm you’ve ever heard.
5. Cassie (Sydney Sweeney)
I think Sydney did terrific work this season but damn, Cassie became such a tragic mess. Her drama was entertaining at first but it got quite embarrassing, especially in the finale! It was so cringe to watch and I hope she can put all this Nate BS behind her and become her own person, instead of letting him shape who she is.
Honourable mentions
I think Austin Abrams deserves a shout out for playing four different characters in Lexi’s play and that spectacular Holding Out for a Hero number. I love that Ethan got some limelight! Also, another standout for me was Alanna Ubach as Lexi and Cassie’s mum Suze – she has been amazing. Her reactions to the play and her going on stage to save it are top examples. Eric Dane‘s Cal Jacobs is a douchebag of the highest order (a paedo is probably more accurate) but his meltdown where he peed all over the floor and let his dick hang out was memorable!
Other notes
I’m not OK with how Kat (Barbie Ferrera) has been sidelined this season. She had sweet FA to do and was just there as Maddy’s BFF. Equally, I thought Jules (Hunter Schafer) got shafted quite a bit – she didn’t have anything of her own to do outside of Rue and was mostly sidelined after the intervention episode.