Move over Hamilton, Lexi has arrived. 😎 This episode was a whirlwind, let me know in the comments what your impressions were of the play so far, what you think may happen next week, and any questions you may have for me about what we watched. P.S. I can’t wait for the upcoming live on Tuesday March 8th at 3pm PST.
@@the.truth.doctor it's a cheep plot devise (like the russian-roulette was also). The British "Sex Education" ended it's 2nd to last season with Tanya's play about Alien Sex which got the dean fired and harsh new rules. Euphoria's play in a play was much better.
Cassie looks like Mariah Carey in "Heartbreak" video with Jay Z check it out. Jules dressing feminine again with skirts. What Rue Mom Leslie said to Rue was messed up, 18 is legal but she still a child. Cassie is seen as a dumb blonde like Marilyn Monroe .Lexie is seen as clever smart brunette like Audrey Hepburn. Thanks so much for explaining Nate dream ppl were saying he got molested by Cal. Love your channel ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I JUST realized at the carnival episode Cal compliments Cassie as the ideal woman. He says ‘you need to be a real man to keep a woman like that’ or something along those lines while Nate is around. I think this had an impact on why he went after her too. That’s the same episode where nages family kind of low key deemed her trashy
I don’t know if I’m remembering this right but Nate’s first scene in the show was him berating Cassie to McKay and their jock friends and then we see this season he’s crazy jealous of McKay at the party at the thought he might of touched Cassie. It’s like Maddy is who he thought he should be with, Cassie is who his father would like him to be with and Jules is who his father chose for himself so he’s obsessing over her but can’t let himself act on it. It doesn’t seem like he sees them as real people, just what he can get out of them/what void they can help him fill.
Can we talk about how Suze was finally seeing Lexie for the first time??? Like she obviously loves her daughters, but Lexie was always unseen by her family and friends. For her to be in the crowd, totally engaged with the play, being proud of her daughter IS SOO HUGE. Also connects to what Leslie was saying about choosing one daughter to uplift because the other was too far gone. Cassie is off the rails so maybe Suze is finally stepping back, removing Cassie from that pedestal, and FINALLY celebrating Lexie
Nates dream … not being able too see himself… all the interactions within the dream show being powerless… even the interaction with Cassie shows her on top and the move of putting her thumb in his mouth is a power move
I REALLY liked seeing Rue and Maddy through Lexi's eyes/perspective. There was so much love and appreciation for both of them and the episode really painted a fuller picture of both. The makeup scene for example really showed the way that Maddy was able to give advice & build Lexi up while Cassie only sought to push her away and down Also, the scene with Maddy's boss was really nice too
my brother and I got stoned to watch this episode and then had a discussion about Nate's response to the end of the play. my brother had pointed out that it seemed like an out of character thing for Nate to say, and what I had concluded was essentially that it was the only response Nate could have had to it. on the surface to casual viewers watching the play, it's obviously just satirizing the homoeroticism of jock/bro culture, but to the main characters who obviously know that the play and characters are based on all of them, they would know that Ethan's character was meant to portray Nate, and Nate was obviously offended by it. not because it was homophobic, but because it called him out on things that he didn't want to deal with, it was obviously humiliating to him and he was too angry to pretend it wasn't, so calling the scene homophobic allowed him to express his outrage at what had happened without having to acknowledge (mainly to Cassie) his involvement in it and how he recognises that that is supposed to be him, because if he were to get angry about Lexi portraying him in a gay way, he would have to acknowledge that he's being defensive about being called gay, and the only reason he would do that is if he actually was. (maybe not gay outright, but on the LGBT spectrum) maybe I'm digging too deep into this, it is just one line of dialogue from a TV show, but I thought it was an interesting thing to dissect about his character.
Love this! There’s a lot of intense speculation about Nate being abused thus explaining the dream. I agree with you, I think Euphoria is much more surreal in its approach and I think this is more a representation of his confusing sexual formative years and his power dynamic with his father.
I thought the workout number was incredible. Pointing at the latent homoeroticism of team sports/gym culture in the most satirical way possible and slaying it. What a wild play 🤯 Ethan skyrocketed out of bland land straight to my top 5! We need more of this Ethan next season. I am also scared for Fez and Ash. I don't think they would kill off Ashtray (who spent this episode looking like a little Russian gangster 🤣🤣🤣), but he might be going to juvie for a while after this season.
I have honestly never related to a character more in a series than Lexi. Anywhere from living inside my own head, to not wanting to lose control of my own brain if I were to use substances. For people like me and her, our minds are our most powerful tool for survival and escapism and losing control of that is like losing our greatest refuge in this world and a fundamental part of who we are. Just the thought of not having access to that anymore terrifies me. I don't wanna have to face reality and the world head on. Instead of participating in self destructive behaviors, we just retreat to our imagination (which can sometimes also be negative).
I honestly feel like it would have made sense for Kat and Lexi to be closer than they are. They both have vivid and strong imaginations, they both tend to blend into the background (except when Kat decided to go all dom last season) and they both find comfort in words. I feel like Kat would be the type to write fanfiction and Lexi writes plays and probably other things. Its just interesting they never got closer despite being around each other a lot.
@@mariya_tortilla Yeah but there's also dissociation and forms of escapism where you are more in control so drugs aren't necessarily something ppl will lean on. There's also maladaptive daydreaming which I felt like OP was hinting at.
honestly Rue saying “sup” and nothing else before walking away from jules kind of hurts more than if she just ignored her. she probably has started to feel bad about some of the stuff she said but she’s clearly still mad at her
I’ve been reflecting the past few weeks that I can’t remember a lot of the things I liked to do/ was interested in as a child and it was making me feel really upset and sad. The segment on making memories sequential and making it into a story was very comforting to me and I think its worth writing what I do remember down, thank you :)
@@the.truth.doctor I would also like to thank you for the exact same reason. Since my mother passed away unexpectedly four years ago, I have been feeling the need to write down a sort of memoir of my life and I couldn’t understand why, because I wouldn’t like it to be published. Your explanation has enlightened me and I have now decided to pursue this activity FOR ME. So thank you so much! PS: I am certain that you are changing many lives for the better with your channel and I feel so lucky to have discovered it!
I think one of the reasons rue was enjoying the play so much is because 1) it was a rush for her. All the chaos and drama of people being exposed would have gave her some of the excitement that she so dearly craves. 2) as it was other people being exposed it took the limelight off of rue for a bit which can be useful for her to manipulate the situation. I also think lexi holding her accountable for her actions is what she needed as it’s rare people do that to rue a lot of people pander to her. But lexi says it for what it is but still holds rue as her best friend which gives rue some stability and love.
I think for Rue, also, it was a good insight to how much Lexi empathises with her. It might have made her feel like someone really understood why she ended up taking drugs and how she ended up where she was at. Of course, Lexi probably isn't the only one who understands Rue that way but for Rue to see it from another perspective in a way where she doesn't feel pressured or attacked and put on the defensive might have been really enlightening for her. And like you said, Lexi isn't pandering to her but she is also treating her with empathy and basically letting Rue know that she and her life is more than her addiction and that her sickness doesn't make her a bad person. I can see Lexi and Rue's friendship strengthening a lot after the play.
@@dani-ell-ah I think this is a really important take. Rue’s been hearing how much of a disappointment she is and how much she’s hurt people, and here’s Lexi saying in front of everyone that she understands and just misses her best friend. She hasn’t given up on her, she isn’t angry, she hasn’t discarded her. She’s portraying poignant memories from their shared history and saying, “hey these moments mean a lot and this person is important.” She absolutely could have painted Rue in a negative light if she wanted to, that’s obvious by how everyone else looks- this is a VERY honest production. So Rue knows that these are Lexi’s honest feelings and memories about her. At dinner in the last episode, they were talking about Rue needing to find her own hope to be able to get clean. And while it obviously takes more than one person or one theatrical production to give someone that level of hope, I think this could be the start of that glimmer of hope for Rue. The camera showed it on her face for a couple of seconds. She needed that reminder that there’s a bigger world outside of the one she built for herself, full of people who love her unconditionally, and who remember good things about her. And who feel so strongly about that love that that’s the story they choose to tell the world- not the story of how much pain she’s caused. That said, we haven’t seen the rest of the play yet. So it’s possible that Lexi could still take things with Rue/Jade in a much harsher direction, but I really hope not.
I'm so scared for Fez and Lexi. For Fez, I just know he's gonna get caught for the murder of Mouse and someone is gonna rat him out. I do think Ashtray may get hurt since he's always protecting Fez so taking out Ashtray would make Fez vulnerable. As for Lexi, I think Cassie is just gonna ruin her play and perhaps go against her since Lexi is destroying everything Cassie works hard for like love and attention. Overall, Fez and Lexi destroyed Nate this season. They're a power couple lol
I think all we saw in the preview, is just another fake scene. Is probably Cassie using her imagination, at least I really hope so, it would be really sad to se Cassie fuck up, all the hard work Lexi has put in her play.
I think fez will get arrested bc of Custer, but since Rue is in debt to Laurie, fez may wire up to help his family aka rue by turning on Laurie. That’s the best case scenario my anxiety settled on for now 😅
Am I the only one who doesn't lose control when I am drunk? I feel the rush of euphoria and I'm super aware of how fake that happiness is, but I don't do dumb stuff cuz even alcohol can't shut off my overthink and hyperawareness maybe just for dumb things like overthinking the length of which I should hold eye contact when interacting, but I'll litteraly fall asleep before losing control.
My analysis on Nate’s line about the play being homophobic was that he felt so out of control in this portrayal of a character that clearly resembled him, he felt like he was being called out or being outed as gay (or on the lgbtq+ spectrum) when he hasn’t really had the chance to come to terms with that himself. I feel like he feels as though Lexi outed him when he wasn’t ready to come out to the high school or the world as queer. Edit: I’m in no way saying he’s forgiven for his abuse against Maddie or being abusive in general. I’m just saying that the play felt like Lexi was forcing Nate out of the closet. That’s literally it.
Exactly. I don't know why people clown him for that. The way he felt was valid to me. Plus maybe my memory is bad but I don't remember him being homophobic, just very misogynistic.
boo fucking hoo. this character ABUSES people. who cares if he didn’t get the “chance” to find himself? to sympathize with him is to spit in the face of every abused person who doesn’t choose to continue that cycle of abuse.
@@chadstchad i don't sympathize with him, I sympathize with the experience. I hate nate as much as the next person and I want to see him either six feet under or in a jail cell for the rest of his life. I enjoyed seeing him humiliated and I don't feel bad for him at all, but if it was another person? as someone who's biggest fear is being outed, I would absolutely dislike lexi for that.
@@celestinoclemente1954 Yeah. I'm not gonna say I hate Nate and want him dead like you did (this seems actually pretty silly to me considering the whole context and how a lot of people including Maddy have been abusive towards him too) but I know that watching people mock the jocks only makes it harder for closeted people to feel comfortable coming out. People keep saying they were laughing at Nate specifically and not at "being gay" or "homo-eroticism" but I disagree, they were cheering and laughing their asses off at man "acting gay". At the end of the day, that's what it was, and as someone not fully out yet I felt terrible the whole time.
She was only exposing and making fun of locker room culture. Him storming out just made it seem like it was more than that because he was offended by it. Where I’m from there’s a saying which I’ll translate to English as best I can…”I threw corn but I didn’t call the chickens” basically meaning she said what she said but if it feels like a personal attack to you, then that’s on you.
they explain at the end of the show but the part with the dad shows how cassie remembers memories with her dad (in season 1) that ice cream memory was happy for cassie but we see that wasn’t the case, for lexi she remembers him being (drunk or high not sure)
it's been such a fun ride this season, I was very skeptical about whether this season would be good based on the first 2-3 episodes but it's just gotten better and better, and there's only one left to go!
I relate to Lexi SO much! In high school, I would create these fake scenarios from my real life and act them out in my room. It’s a great way of escapism, she killed it with such elegance.
This was episode for the underdogs, Lexi and Ethan totally got to shine. You could see how much he enjoyed himself making fun of Nate while everyone cheered. As someone who was bullied while I was a kid and who was in acting group, it was like watching a former revenge dream
Nate's "homophobic" comment was so strange. I feel like it had a double meaning of sorts: 1) The play depicted the football team as being gay, when they are not (but knowing himself, he's trying to feel included) 2) Nate knows he's not completely straight and was insulted at being embarrassed in public Either way, I think the play is gonna make him go home and lose his shit.
I was so like…wow about that comment too. I feel the same way u do! Definitely felt like he took that personally, but it’s strange to hear him say it was homophobic because outwardly that’s how he is lol
Definitely struck him close to heart because he knows that out of everyone in the team, he's the one that's so terrified of even looking down in the locker room because he's terrified of anyone picking up on his sexuality. Plus the fact being a football player is a huge part of his masculinity, it directly attacked that.
I want to point out that Cassie’s monologue toward nate is a part of Lexi’s play and is an expression of how she sees her older sister (as shown by the camera panning to reveal the audience at the end). Lexi sees her sister through a lense of desperation almost, where as long as she’s “loved” she can deal with the humiliation and suspect treatment. A lot of what Cassie has said to nate throughout the season and this episode specifically mirrors a lot of what Cassie has said in regard to her father (needing him to believe she trusts in him, believing in him despite his inability to give the love she craves, waiting around for him only to be disappointed in the end, THE ABANDONMENT). I’m really interested in seeing how cassie/nate’s relationship effects cassie and how she comes to terms with her self esteem, IF she does. And also Kat’s scene in the middle of that monologue wasn’t random, as nothing really is random in film/television. I saw it as a comparison between the girls, and how despite their taboo paths (kat camming and cassie dating her bff’s ex) they are both trying to feel desirable and access a sort of attention they’ve never truly experienced before. Idk I feel like I have so many thoughts but explaining them can be hard lol But yeah I love this in depth analysis and how you notice things and connect dots most ppl ignore with this show. Not everything is at face value, it’s an abstract and almost surreal take on this complex group characters hehe. Love it.
Absolutely loved all of your commentary, as usual. Especially with this episode because the play, and execution of the episode in general, brought a lot of depth to the characters, what really goes on inside of them, and why they behave in the way that they do. I definitely think the reason why Nate was so upset is because he felt exposed. Everyone in the audience knew who this was about and was looking at him. For Nate, being a strong, masculine and powerful person is equal to being heterosexual. So he’s actually the one that’s being homophobic. Because Lexi wasn’t making fun of anyone‘s sexuality but the circumstances in which sexuality, heterosexuality and masculinity are being perceived. She was having a go at this entire gym and football culture and the way it’s covering up a lot of things regarding sexuality and being oneself. Saying it’s homophobic is just a desperate attempt of trying to deflect from what’s really going on. Because when has Nate ever cared about anyone who wasn’t heterosexual? Oh that’s right, NEVER. I mean why else would he feel so personally offended. He’s like a wounded child with a fragile male ego. And because there’s nothing he can do about this situation, he immediately does what he always does to establish his dominance and feel in control. Hurting someone, because that’s the only thing he can control while also feeling powerful. And since Cassie is literally the only person close to him at this point, it’s going to be her. Never mind the fact that she’s not responsible for her sister’s actions but Nate’s too blind with anger to see that. Didn’t think their relationship would go to pieces this quickly though. But hey, I’m all for it because they’re toxic af.
People keep saying they were laughing at Nate specifically and not at "being gay" or "homo-eroticism" but I disagree, they were cheering and laughing their asses off at man "acting gay". At the end of the day, that's what it was, and as someone not fully out yet I felt terrible the whole time. People making a mockery of jocks being closeted gays still seems homophobic but people think it's valid because jocks are "assholes", except redirecting homophobia towards closeted people doesn't only affect jocks, but anyone who for whatever reasons don't feel safe coming out.
When Nate said that the reason he gave Jules the disc had a "simple and stupid" reason I thought it was because he was in love with her which has been hinted towards several times. Why are Jules nudes popping up whenever he fantasized about Cassie in season 2 episode 2? Things like that and the fact that Jules still feels that the relationship she had with Nate aka Tyler aka Shyguy118 was real even though it was fake, right? Nate was spending way too many hours every day and night texting Jules for it to have been completely fake. He didn't have to kiss her at the lake either but he did anyway. Lastly, Fez said that Nate was in love with Jules to Cal, which made Cal change his tune completely.
as a gay man nate is right it is like a little homophobic… but i still loved the scene and thought it was great. kat is missing out ethan ATE! but as a gay kid who got outed in high school watching nate’s reaction did make me feel a feeling… a single feeling
@@joshuarobertson8866 Regarding Lexi not knowing about Nate's possible queerness, I thought so too at first, but then I remembered how in the carnival episode in season 1, when Maddy and Cassie were on molly, Maddy told Cassie who then told Lexi about the dick pics of other guys in Nate's phone. I'm not sure if that means Lexi intended to low key out Nate with that dance number (personally I would tend to agree that probably not), but it is something to keep in mind at least.
@@joshuarobertson8866 no i know that but also the overt femininity of the “gay” characters was a bit… like iffy yknow. i don’t care i liked it mostly and i know it wasn’t lexi’s intention. but also she knew about the dick pics on his phone from cassie. and even if she didn’t it’s still now Nate’s reality that people at least kind of know about now. and that’s a scary feeling
Yea I agree, it was funny and really well done, but it’s hard to ignore how homophobic the whole situation is. Because what she did specifically ends up targeting gay men in the process and not just Nate for his actions. It makes me think about the people writing this show and what narrative they end up pushing
Just wanted to thank you for touching on what Lexi said about using substances and losing control. It threw me off when I heard her say that because I’m the same but I had never seen anyone else reflect it and then you said the thing about being the parentified child and it clicked for me as to why. So just wanted to say thank you for opening my eyes 💓
The actress who plays Leslie got a backlash for that scene with Rue but what no one understands is that she was showing tough love because sometimes that’s really what a person needs.
There's so much to unpack regarding the toxic masculinity and trauma Nate grew up with. His discovery of his father's affairs immediately put a negative connotation to queerness because not only was it was a betrayal of Nate and his mom and brothers, but it also forced him to be distanced, unhappy, and dishonest when Nate's mom said he was always such a sweet and kind child. The pressure to be the most masculine he could be also ties with the way he strives for the "perfect girl". At first it was Maddy, but we see from his description that he sees that in Jules. With his conflicting negative feelings towards queerness, masculinity, gender identity, etc. he struggles with the fact he has feelings for Jules and settled for Cassie, who's given him complete control over her almost like a doll. A lot of people think she looks like Maddy now, but if you look at the pin-straight hair, pastel clothing and makeup, bows and dainty accessories, he's dressing her like Jules in the first season. There was that weird fantasy where Nate kept describing Cassie as sweet, thoughtful, and the perfect girl while clips of Jules would cut into clips of Cassie. He also fixated on getting her pregnant, which seems like a representation of being the "manliest man" he could be.
i think all of fez’ scenes were a flashback, there’s no way that someone that he promised he’d go, bought ROSES for and cared about his appearance would show up late. and got caught up by something just before it started
On the topic of memory: adding to the storytelling hack, something else you can do is writing everything you can think of about what you want to remember down in a journal, and adding other sources of recalling a moment, like a photograph, the scent of the person (like his cologne), and other mementos. All of these make great tools for the brain to reach out to those neuron paths that may not be used in a long time, by recalling the specifics that accompany the emotions. Would you agree Dr?
Great commentary! I really enjoyed your reaction to Lexi and Cassie’s trauma. What do you think of the scene with Maddie genuinely upset in inquiring of Cassie why she did what she did? Why don’t you think Cassie could respond? How do you think Maddie is being affected by all of this? Do you think she will unleash some rage or is that gun scene her last straw?
When I saw the scene between Rue and Gia regarding keeping memories alive, I thought you could write them down, too. Journaling or diary-keeping for reference. Jussayin’. 🙂
That's so true, I've been keeping a diary on and off since I was like 7! It's so eerie and interesting to then read stories about your own life written by your younger self to your future self
I love your analyses of this show! It was nice to see Lexi's perspective on a lot of things. Nate's dream sequence was so eery! I interpreted it as Nate fearing that his dad will always have power over his life.
Everything you talk about memories resonates with me. In a logical way, I understand how people can forget some memories or have them distorted, but I've always, always been an overthinker. I have had social anxiety since I was a kid, it was almost cripling, and this often led me to overthink every interaction to an unhealthy degree. Although they are few, I have memories from the time I was a toddler. I remember being 2 or 3 years old, in daycare, and the teacher scolding me for spilling milk. I don't know why is this, I always feel like my brain is too full from everything I've lived, good and bad, and I don't know how it's supossed to keep holding memories for years. Everything is so clear, and I don't really know how to forget.
I think it says a lot about the power dynamic between Nate and Cassie that Cassie has spent like ALL SEASON in emotional turmoil trying to be with him and impress him and keep their relationship a secret and the cognitive dissonance btwn betraying Maddy and “actually it’s okay bc they were broken up also they were terrible together” at LEAST partly bc she wanted him for herself…and then Nate dumps her in like two seconds flat after probably less than a week of living together. Yikes.
What’s your opinion on what Leslie said to rue? People were saying it was too harsh, but I disagree. I lived in a house with sick people and the situation was kind of similar. It gets to a point where you know your responsibilities to keep yourself healthy, and if you’re not doing it, there is only so much a parent can do. Especially when you’re the parent of an adult.
I love how extensive your knowledge is, it’s very inspiring. I’ve always wanted to be a therapist or psychologist but I’m not cut out for being in school for a long time haha
Maddy rest room scene with Cassie. She really hurt there..and the way Maddy bond with Lexi is my new fav thing ❤️. I wanna hug her so much!! She deserves better 💓
What did you think of Leslie telling Rue that when she turns 18, she is on her own (I may be misquoting) to focus on Gia? Also great channel Dr. Tracy! I binge watched Euphoria and then I binge watched your reaction vids!
I'm just really surprised how nobody is talking about how messed up it is for Lexi to put really intimate information about the people closest to her, who are teenagers...to their highschool! Like the scene with Rue not coping with her father's death well, and beginning to become addicted to drugs. Now her whole school saw that. I mean WTF
during the scene where Gia asks Rue how to stop the memories from going away, I was yelling "JUST WRITE THEM DOWN-' lolll. your response was great too, I hadn't thought of storytelling.
i was expecting to feel satisfied after seeing nate's part in the play, but honestly i just felt pity. he's done terrible things, yes, but seeing something that reminds you of bad memories in a mockerised way has got to be traumatic, and i don't think anyone deserves that.
We can now digitally capture with 4K cameras what are eyes and brain would normally have had to deal with. So memory decay becomes irrelevant so long as people capture their moments with technology.
You have to remember Rue was narrating Nate‘s background story and the Director confirmed that she is not a reliable narrator she makes up things like the time she says she had a matching tattoo with Jules but it came out to be not true at all so I don’t believe that he found videos when he was 11 I believe he found the videos of cal when he was nine or eight and that nightmare that he had with him being afraid of his father dominating him like he did those people in the video when you are something traumatizing when you were at a young age it will affect you in your adult life
Woo! Was stoked to see your reaction was up after I finished clinical notes tonight! I am curious your thoughts on how looked physically and her expressions while watching the play. She seemed healthier/brighter. I’m also v terrified for fez
Yay! Love that you watched after doing your notes. Who are you asking about that was looking healthier/brighter? The name is missing. And, I am too for Fez 😭 I think I’m for sure going to cry.
@@the.truth.doctor oops, I was trying to say Rue looks healthier/brighter. I’m hopeful that Leslie’s boundary + the play showing sober-Rue what a good friend Lexi is/hearing lexi’s memorial poem while sober help give rue the strength to find that hope
New subbie here!!! I'm so glad Nate broke up with Cassie, its for her own good but of course shes not gonna see it that way 😔 poor girl, she needs a MH referral STAT lol I'm an RN but have always loved studying mental health and psych analysis. You're definitely spot on with this episode breakdown! Will be binging on your other Euphoria episode breakdowns now ☺☺
there was this very interesting shot by shot between Jules experiences with Nate's dad, then him going through the experience essentially he put himself in Jule's place. The moment before that sequence just like Cal did to Jules by putting his thumb in her mouth, when Cassie was on top of him, she did the exact same thing.
I said this in my reaction but it didn’t stay in because I worded something wrong so it didn’t make sense. I think this is why Nate is nice to Jules. Nate feels they both have been ruined/attacked by Cal!
Everyone is making very good points and this is more to do with the response of the episode than the episode itself. But I am just really disappointed in how people are responding to Nate's nightmare and The locker room seen in Lexi's play. A lot of people are making jokes about Nate and Cal and Nate "being gay" and as someone with CPTSD it's really disappointing that the audience thinks that it's fine to joke about someone experiencing sexual trauma at such a young age just because they don't like them. Then for the locker room scene to be so targeted at night for once I actually felt pretty bad for him from what we see from the nightmare that could have been very triggering it was so vulgar and sexual and it went on for so long I just I don't know why I found it in very poor taste.
I agree with you. In my reaction I said it’s a great play (it is - in terms of production) but then I immediately felt like I needed to make it clear that it was so sad what was happening to Nate :(
@@the.truth.doctor It definitely is and it's hard because obviously people don't like me and they are very right to not like him but I think they lose empathy because of it.
Some people say that she’s trying to use reverse psychology to maybe get to Rue or that after listening to Ali she’s finally realized she can’t help Rue so she’s going to focus more on Gia
Also since she was told she couldn’t get a place for Rue in the rehab she’s definitely just done. She’s exhausted all avenues for Rue and as she said she would much rather lose one daughter than two. The effort she’s put in hasn’t worked and if her sponsor is saying to just focus on her other daughter she’s going to listen, there’s been too much loss for one family
I wouldn't call it giving up on her really. Its just up to Rue really and she sees that she needs to focus more on Gia. If Rue showed some progress for an extended period of time I think she would still be there to help. It is just all in Rues hand she cant force her to get out of this hole.
she even said to rue herself she’s done and once she turns 18 Rue is off her plate. It’s definitely reverse psychology she’s using. Rue has already lost one parent why would she want to lose another. I don’t think Lesley would completely turn her back on Rue but I do think she’s mentally exhausted and given up in that sense
I don't know Nate's dream was really troubling. In season 1, when Cal was restraining him, he started to bang his head against the floor and now that dream... and the fact that his mom said that he started to darken at 8 or 9 years old,. which was before the tape (he was 11 years old). I don't think that Cal sexually abused him, but I think, maybe, someone did abuse him when he was 8 or 9 and then seeing his dad doing the same thing that his aggressor which may be why he hates Cal. I don't know, Nate clearly has more damage that we know loool
Your Euphoria reaction/ review is so great. Your reaction to what we see is so like me and others (👀) but then you provide a professional narrative that is easy to follow.
I do not like Nate’s character however if he might be feeling confused about his sexuality isn’t that scene in the play publicly outing him without his permission. Not sure how I feel about that regardless of how horrible the character is in the show.
That's what I kept thinking too. It seemed like she was outing him since the audience is aware of Nate still finding his truth in his sexuality but I guess Lexi was going more for "gym bros are gay" which can still be seen as homophobic as Nate says
@@Chasityolaf his dad's tapes he has been watching his whole life and his attraction to Jules has him confused if he really isn't straight I think he is bi. Or pan since he does really seem to genuinely be into Women but he is terrified about the part of himself that might be into something other than women.
The scene was a critique on the homoerotic frat boy culture, but since the character was supposed to be Nate and Nate is struggling with his sexuality, it must have felt like he was getting outted. I don't get how people dismiss the way he's feeling
I think Nate felt exposed and was trying real hard to hold it in and act stoic. He knew all eyes were on him. He could feel everyone laughing. He had no control over this situation. So the only thing he could control was his reaction, which he did his best to bury inside. He would not allow them to 'win', to see him break down or confirm that what is being portrayed is his real self. He held on until he had to leave, using anger to patch his feelings of vulnerability and shame.
I found it incredibly interesting how the nightmare Nate had didn't show who was the person in the mirror. But the scene implied that the person in the mirror was young cal. Because when Nate turns around with a Champagne Flute in his hand, it was like a flashback to the first season. And it was all but confirmed by Jules walking up to Nate in her attire from season 1 episode 1 and hugging him. What makes the scene so much more interesting is how Nate is both Jules and Cal in his nightmare. He's an abusive person who wants to have control, but he can never escape the conditioning that Cal put on him and feels trapped under his father's tyrannical worldview. I also wanted to say that there is some validity to the "I need a hero" scene being homophobic. Lexi narrates how Nate and Maddie were in love, but their relationship fell apart because of the cracks between them. That was said RIGHT BEFORE this scene. The implication through the language of film and theater is that the thing that broke their relationship was Nate's queerness. EVEN though we know it was not ALL that: Nate domestically abused Maddie, Nate catfished someone and did not give attention to Maddie, Nate's family having a disapproving stance against their relationship, etc. His undeniable queerness was a thing that made Nate lash out at Maddie no doubt, but I wouldn't say that IT was the reason they broke up. It was a multitude of traumatic factors. HOWEVER, the audience in the play is told basically: "Nate and Maddie loved each other, but they broke up because Nate was gay". And that is a very reductionist way to explain their relationship. And it forces Nate out of the closet since it's obvious "Jake" is the dude in the audience with a scar on his head who looks uncomfortable. I as a queer person would not have liked my conflicting sexuality to have been brought up against my will for the amusement of others. HOWEVER, I still think Nate deserves it. "Some people need to have their feelings hurt": Fezco. And that was running through my mind as Nate said that. Yeah logically he's right but I know it's a defense to help his wounded ego, and emotionally he's an abusive piece of garbage who deserves to have his feelings hurt because of all that he did to Jules, Cassie, and Maddie. I guess in my mind when I weigh the costs and benefits I would have told Lexi to do it anyway, IN FACT just tell the audience "Nate is gay" at the end. I know that is a bad thing and incoherent thing to say after doing all this work to explain why Nate was true about that section of the play, but I don't care. He's an asshole ... sue me.
Did you forget why Nate choked Maddy? It was literally after she found the pics of naked guys on his phone...I personally don't think it's reductive to say their relationship essentially ended because of it, at the very least it was the beginning of the end (hence the cracks between them). Even when Maddy tries to be with Nate again she knows the past trauma and his secrets put a new toll on their relationship that it would not be able to survive.
@@sabyinah I really agree with the point you made. When I recall that scene I remember that before that Nate was upset that Maddy looked like “a hooker”. She called his mom a “cunt” later in the episode and was upset that Nate even gave a shit what his family thought about their relationship. However, when looking at previous episodes and some scenes in that episode there is clear evidence that Maddy is concerned about Nate’s sexuality since he’s talking to someone else and has dick pics on his phone. And to my understanding Maddy was completely fine with Nate being Bi, pan, or whatever label of the queer umbrella he wanted which she stated near the end of season one when Nate couldn’t get an erection. She wanted him to acknowledge that there is this aspect to his sexuality that needed to be addressed. The problem is that Cal’s disgust while also hiding any form of vulnerability and acknowledgment of queerness ruined Nate’s ability to emotionally express “uncomfortable/deviant” feelings. I think that your right. That was the thing that ruined their relationship. I just wanted to point out that the reason why Nate can’t accept his queerness is that he has been conditioned to not accept it because of Cal’s behavior. That’s all.
@@yourannoyinggoose you make very valid points yourself about his dad's relationships and the impact that's had on his own. I really did appreciate everything you shared in your original post too, I only wanted to point out that I personally didn't think Nate and Maddy's story was reduced in the play since (at least in a linear sort of way) it's kind of how it happened but I totally agree that's Nate suppression was not only their demise but also his own. I'm curious what you may think is going to happen with him this weekend?? A lot of focus on the Fezco situation but as you pointed out being outed in such a public way is mortifying, especially for someone who is normally a very private person. I wonder how unhinged this is making him and am truly afraid of what he's willing to do now to regain some sense of control...
@@sabyinah I think that there are one of two ways this can go either Nate somehow uses some technicality to his advantage to deflect this accusation like how he used Tyler to take the fall for his domestic abuse charges by holding over his head the statutory rape he committed … or Nate goes full breakdown and lashes out violently against everyone, not just Lexi and Cassie. It was pointed out that in Season 1 in Nate’s episode that he knows how to use a guns and he lives in a house with guns to my knowledge. AmandaBB pointed out that them showing Nate being proficient in firearms while being abusive is the perfect recipe for a school shooter. I agree with Amanda’s observation on that small scene. So if Sam Levinson was going to go full drama he would probably use that plot line. If not either of those I can assume that it would either be another Kat situation where something is set up and there is no payoff or SURPRISINGLY Nate comes out.
I was really wondering about what was going on in Leslie's head when she said if she had to choose between losing one daughter or two she'd choose gia bc she was acting so unbothered & was saying that so casually
Question for you (and comment): Regarding Cassie - For "love", she seems to only know how to do blind total commitment to it as a cause; all gas, no brakes. I've often heard that humiliation is the #1 emotion that precipitates violence. Now having been basically humiliated in public by her own kin, lost all her friends, and seemingly lost Nate (who she had sacrificed all that for), how close do you think Cassie is to A) suicide, B) murder, or C) murder-suicide? Cassie already has the personality if a kamikaze pilot. Where do you think this episode leads her?
**Edit** I'm really glad you came back to this subject during the scene with Lexi. Another comment about the scene between Nate and Maddy and the way she reacted... I wanna remind everyone that a freezing/fainting stress response is absolutely valid. You don't have to fight back or scream for help or whatever for the situation to have been traumatic to you. If you have been through something like this and you froze up, please don't feel invalidated or frustrated with your reaction because it is completely normal and understandable. You did exactly what you felt like you had to do to survive in that moment.
I think the play,, particularly the ending performance was about the forces that tear friends apart. These characters have known each other there whole lives. Lexi knows that Nate is a toxic, misogynistic, controlling jerk. She's seen him emotionally abuse Maddie and her sister Cassie. This is a giant poke at him. That he and toxic jocks like him are clearly repressing something. And from what we know about his character and his reaction to the play, Lexi was spot on 👏
I think that people are missing alot when it comes to cassie and jumping to judgement. Cassie has a deeply rooted desire to please. I think she was assaulted as a child, and than boys posted videos of her, and than people were very cruel and this whole time all she wanted was to please people and be liked and loved. I think that she is going to get hurt to a point where she fully disassociates and says “fuck everyone”
I would say Maddy and Cassie parallel each other they both desire to please men. But The difference is their upbringing, Cassie was being told she was going to be amazing just for have big boobs and also obviously her blonde hair, while Maddy built her confidence simply on who she was and therefore able to think more for herself then Cassie. I think Cassie just feels entitled and Lexi showed them when she was literally shown as an angel yet complaining about how she looks. She lacks confidence Bc she never tried to look outside of all the attention she got. And in the last season she was turned down tragically by two guys which must of been out of the norm for her so she jumped on the next very hot and rich guy she found
@@tizzbabe4386 i wouldnt call it entitled, afterall she is still a child. She was groomed and than has child pornography out there of her from a time where she was 14 and too young to consent and was slut shamed while none of the boys got in trouble yet she suffered. As a result of being told all her life that her value was found just in sec appeal and than child porn release she feels like she is disgusting and like she is the problem and that she needs to settle for that life because thats what she has been dealt
cassie also has two addicts for parents where as Maddie has both her parents. Maddie built her confidence on sex appeal and her only goal in life was to marry a rich man. And she Grew up in pageants and what not so her confidence is based solely in her looks and ability to get with a rich man.
One thing that I REALLY want some thoughtful answer on is, alongside my friends and girlfriend I've been thinking a lot about characters and life and all that deep thing, but I'm a person tht tries so hard to really think about reasons, pasts and all that stuff about people before judging or really hating them but I get everyone's point that Cassie, Nate and Cal for example did bad/criminal stuff and deserve to be """"punished"""" but i can't hate on them and i feel really sad for them... How can we as humans come across that common ground when dealing with damaged but dangerous, toxic, really bad people and stuff? Pls answer i rlly need that for myself lol. And sorry, I'm from Brazil so don't speak English that fluently. Xoxo, rlly love your job and channel, help out a lot as a aspiring psychologist
That's not a secret tho? They were sexting constantly in season 1 and then he finds out that his dad had sex with Jules and he's dealing with confusing feelings with his sexual orientation. He was offering the tape to her to say sorry for his behavior at the park and to give her the control back, since it's been held over her head for so long.
I was wondering about Nate and Cassie, how nate suddenly brought back Cassie into the picture. Like I´d like to know where his head was at this moment. Was it because he loved Cassie or because she made him feel good? That is something that also happened in the last episode
Can we just talk about this play would never be allowed in any high school?! Heads would roll at the next school board meeting 🤣☠️ the play was the shit though
As much as I hate it because nate is abusive and terrifying, I really think he's the best written character in the show. Idk if they did it on purpose or not, adding the most complexity to the antagonist of the series, but I can't help but feel bad for him. It's a very good portrayal of toxic masculinity in our society among other things. In the behind the episode the writer said that he isn't sure what parts of the play lexi was actually putting on, and what was just the audiences interpretation of it. Them mentioning memory a couple times during the episode was interesting because it seems like different characters are experiencing different memories while watching the play. Also if Fez dies or goes to jail I'll be so sad 😞
This episode was so intense, to put it mildly. Omg I'm so worried about Fez too! After seeing the preview for next week, I don't think Fez himself is physically injured, I think Ash goes in to stab Custer, he cries out & which alerts the police, which I think is right outside. They come in & shoot at Ash cuz he just sliced Custer & they hold down Fez who's screaming about Ash. I don't think Ash will die but I think it'll be very close & he ends up in the hospital. I honestly, in all seriousness believe Cassie is having a personal mental breakdown. I believe she really needs to be institutionalized for some serious help. The play was amazing! So impressed with Lexi!! She's one of my favs anyway. I do have a question about Nate for you...yes, he's having a major identity crisis but at the same time don't you think that maybe he is gay or bi and has been fighting it for years and I also wonder if Cal molested him sometime after Nate found the tapes & that's why he changed so much. I wouldn't want to think Cal is capable of that but you never know.
Move over Hamilton, Lexi has arrived. 😎
This episode was a whirlwind, let me know in the comments what your impressions were of the play so far, what you think may happen next week, and any questions you may have for me about what we watched.
P.S. I can’t wait for the upcoming live on Tuesday March 8th at 3pm PST.
Lexi's play had me conflicted. I don't liked it when she called out nate' insercurity or the fact that he maybe likes men, feel like she's outing him
you must mean Lin-Manuel Miranda...
@@jonathanwobesky9507 Haha yeah, I just mean as Hamilton is one of the most well known modern plays right now. :)
@@the.truth.doctor it's a cheep plot devise (like the russian-roulette was also). The British "Sex Education" ended it's 2nd to last season with Tanya's play about Alien Sex which got the dean fired and harsh new rules. Euphoria's play in a play was much better.
Cassie looks like Mariah Carey in "Heartbreak" video with Jay Z check it out. Jules dressing feminine again with skirts. What Rue Mom Leslie said to Rue was messed up, 18 is legal but she still a child. Cassie is seen as a dumb blonde like Marilyn Monroe .Lexie is seen as clever smart brunette like Audrey Hepburn. Thanks so much for explaining Nate dream ppl were saying he got molested by Cal. Love your channel ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I JUST realized at the carnival episode Cal compliments Cassie as the ideal woman. He says ‘you need to be a real man to keep a woman like that’ or something along those lines while Nate is around. I think this had an impact on why he went after her too. That’s the same episode where nages family kind of low key deemed her trashy
And that's probably why every dream sequence we see Nate has with Cassie cal is always there too
You know what.. im calling it now, cassies going to end up with cal
I don’t know if I’m remembering this right but Nate’s first scene in the show was him berating Cassie to McKay and their jock friends and then we see this season he’s crazy jealous of McKay at the party at the thought he might of touched Cassie.
It’s like Maddy is who he thought he should be with, Cassie is who his father would like him to be with and Jules is who his father chose for himself so he’s obsessing over her but can’t let himself act on it. It doesn’t seem like he sees them as real people, just what he can get out of them/what void they can help him fill.
@@magrathea23 well they kinda spell this out
@@pancakepancake2239 Do not give the euphoria writers ideas .
Can we talk about how Suze was finally seeing Lexie for the first time??? Like she obviously loves her daughters, but Lexie was always unseen by her family and friends. For her to be in the crowd, totally engaged with the play, being proud of her daughter IS SOO HUGE. Also connects to what Leslie was saying about choosing one daughter to uplift because the other was too far gone. Cassie is off the rails so maybe Suze is finally stepping back, removing Cassie from that pedestal, and FINALLY celebrating Lexie
Nates dream … not being able too see himself… all the interactions within the dream show being powerless… even the interaction with Cassie shows her on top and the move of putting her thumb in his mouth is a power move
I REALLY liked seeing Rue and Maddy through Lexi's eyes/perspective. There was so much love and appreciation for both of them and the episode really painted a fuller picture of both. The makeup scene for example really showed the way that Maddy was able to give advice & build Lexi up while Cassie only sought to push her away and down
Also, the scene with Maddy's boss was really nice too
my brother and I got stoned to watch this episode and then had a discussion about Nate's response to the end of the play. my brother had pointed out that it seemed like an out of character thing for Nate to say, and what I had concluded was essentially that it was the only response Nate could have had to it.
on the surface to casual viewers watching the play, it's obviously just satirizing the homoeroticism of jock/bro culture, but to the main characters who obviously know that the play and characters are based on all of them, they would know that Ethan's character was meant to portray Nate, and Nate was obviously offended by it. not because it was homophobic, but because it called him out on things that he didn't want to deal with, it was obviously humiliating to him and he was too angry to pretend it wasn't, so calling the scene homophobic allowed him to express his outrage at what had happened without having to acknowledge (mainly to Cassie) his involvement in it and how he recognises that that is supposed to be him, because if he were to get angry about Lexi portraying him in a gay way, he would have to acknowledge that he's being defensive about being called gay, and the only reason he would do that is if he actually was. (maybe not gay outright, but on the LGBT spectrum)
maybe I'm digging too deep into this, it is just one line of dialogue from a TV show, but I thought it was an interesting thing to dissect about his character.
Omg I loooove this angle so much. This is completely possible.
!!!!
100000% valid and a very interesting point
I was having similar thoughts.
Yesss I was thinking the same thing! Good thinking seriously!
Love this! There’s a lot of intense speculation about Nate being abused thus explaining the dream. I agree with you, I think Euphoria is much more surreal in its approach and I think this is more a representation of his confusing sexual formative years and his power dynamic with his father.
I thought the workout number was incredible. Pointing at the latent homoeroticism of team sports/gym culture in the most satirical way possible and slaying it. What a wild play 🤯
Ethan skyrocketed out of bland land straight to my top 5! We need more of this Ethan next season.
I am also scared for Fez and Ash. I don't think they would kill off Ashtray (who spent this episode looking like a little Russian gangster 🤣🤣🤣), but he might be going to juvie for a while after this season.
I’m so scared Ashtray dies and Fez is arrested. 😭😭😭
Imagine if Mckay saw that. He was litteraly victim of that homoerotic frat boy culture.
I have honestly never related to a character more in a series than Lexi.
Anywhere from living inside my own head, to not wanting to lose control of my own brain if I were to use substances.
For people like me and her, our minds are our most powerful tool for survival and escapism and losing control of that is like losing our greatest refuge in this world and a fundamental part of who we are.
Just the thought of not having access to that anymore terrifies me. I don't wanna have to face reality and the world head on.
Instead of participating in self destructive behaviors, we just retreat to our imagination (which can sometimes also be negative).
when your pain becomes great enough, you dont want to be alive and drugs making you lose control is the next best thing
I honestly feel like it would have made sense for Kat and Lexi to be closer than they are. They both have vivid and strong imaginations, they both tend to blend into the background (except when Kat decided to go all dom last season) and they both find comfort in words. I feel like Kat would be the type to write fanfiction and Lexi writes plays and probably other things. Its just interesting they never got closer despite being around each other a lot.
@@mariya_tortilla Yeah but there's also dissociation and forms of escapism where you are more in control so drugs aren't necessarily something ppl will lean on. There's also maladaptive daydreaming which I felt like OP was hinting at.
honestly Rue saying “sup” and nothing else before walking away from jules kind of hurts more than if she just ignored her. she probably has started to feel bad about some of the stuff she said but she’s clearly still mad at her
I’ve been reflecting the past few weeks that I can’t remember a lot of the things I liked to do/ was interested in as a child and it was making me feel really upset and sad. The segment on making memories sequential and making it into a story was very comforting to me and I think its worth writing what I do remember down, thank you :)
You’re welcome! ❤️
@@the.truth.doctor I would also like to thank you for the exact same reason. Since my mother passed away unexpectedly four years ago, I have been feeling the need to write down a sort of memoir of my life and I couldn’t understand why, because I wouldn’t like it to be published. Your explanation has enlightened me and I have now decided to pursue this activity FOR ME. So thank you so much! PS: I am certain that you are changing many lives for the better with your channel and I feel so lucky to have discovered it!
I think one of the reasons rue was enjoying the play so much is because
1) it was a rush for her. All the chaos and drama of people being exposed would have gave her some of the excitement that she so dearly craves.
2) as it was other people being exposed it took the limelight off of rue for a bit which can be useful for her to manipulate the situation. I also think lexi holding her accountable for her actions is what she needed as it’s rare people do that to rue a lot of people pander to her. But lexi says it for what it is but still holds rue as her best friend which gives rue some stability and love.
I think for Rue, also, it was a good insight to how much Lexi empathises with her. It might have made her feel like someone really understood why she ended up taking drugs and how she ended up where she was at.
Of course, Lexi probably isn't the only one who understands Rue that way but for Rue to see it from another perspective in a way where she doesn't feel pressured or attacked and put on the defensive might have been really enlightening for her.
And like you said, Lexi isn't pandering to her but she is also treating her with empathy and basically letting Rue know that she and her life is more than her addiction and that her sickness doesn't make her a bad person.
I can see Lexi and Rue's friendship strengthening a lot after the play.
I agree with this. I also think she may have been overall happy for Lexi shining bright because she knows she deserves it.
@@dani-ell-ah I think this is a really important take. Rue’s been hearing how much of a disappointment she is and how much she’s hurt people, and here’s Lexi saying in front of everyone that she understands and just misses her best friend. She hasn’t given up on her, she isn’t angry, she hasn’t discarded her. She’s portraying poignant memories from their shared history and saying, “hey these moments mean a lot and this person is important.” She absolutely could have painted Rue in a negative light if she wanted to, that’s obvious by how everyone else looks- this is a VERY honest production. So Rue knows that these are Lexi’s honest feelings and memories about her.
At dinner in the last episode, they were talking about Rue needing to find her own hope to be able to get clean. And while it obviously takes more than one person or one theatrical production to give someone that level of hope, I think this could be the start of that glimmer of hope for Rue. The camera showed it on her face for a couple of seconds. She needed that reminder that there’s a bigger world outside of the one she built for herself, full of people who love her unconditionally, and who remember good things about her. And who feel so strongly about that love that that’s the story they choose to tell the world- not the story of how much pain she’s caused.
That said, we haven’t seen the rest of the play yet. So it’s possible that Lexi could still take things with Rue/Jade in a much harsher direction, but I really hope not.
I think it's not really that deep for Rue . She's just laid back and was here for the tea and the entertainment
I'm so scared for Fez and Lexi. For Fez, I just know he's gonna get caught for the murder of Mouse and someone is gonna rat him out. I do think Ashtray may get hurt since he's always protecting Fez so taking out Ashtray would make Fez vulnerable. As for Lexi, I think Cassie is just gonna ruin her play and perhaps go against her since Lexi is destroying everything Cassie works hard for like love and attention.
Overall, Fez and Lexi destroyed Nate this season. They're a power couple lol
I'm actually kinda worred Cassie will attempt to physically hurt her sister... She seemed so unhinged. And she WANTS to be seen as crazy.
I definitely see her messing the play up
@@madisoncrum9212 if she attacks Lexi and that’s why maddy jumps at cassie in the promo I will cry
I think all we saw in the preview, is just another fake scene. Is probably Cassie using her imagination, at least I really hope so, it would be really sad to se Cassie fuck up, all the hard work Lexi has put in her play.
I think fez will get arrested bc of Custer, but since Rue is in debt to Laurie, fez may wire up to help his family aka rue by turning on Laurie. That’s the best case scenario my anxiety settled on for now 😅
I've never related to something as hard as when Lexi says she doesn't like the feeling of being out of control with drugs. Same girl, same.
Am I the only one who doesn't lose control when I am drunk? I feel the rush of euphoria and I'm super aware of how fake that happiness is, but I don't do dumb stuff cuz even alcohol can't shut off my overthink and hyperawareness maybe just for dumb things like overthinking the length of which I should hold eye contact when interacting, but I'll litteraly fall asleep before losing control.
My analysis on Nate’s line about the play being homophobic was that he felt so out of control in this portrayal of a character that clearly resembled him, he felt like he was being called out or being outed as gay (or on the lgbtq+ spectrum) when he hasn’t really had the chance to come to terms with that himself. I feel like he feels as though Lexi outed him when he wasn’t ready to come out to the high school or the world as queer. Edit: I’m in no way saying he’s forgiven for his abuse against Maddie or being abusive in general. I’m just saying that the play felt like Lexi was forcing Nate out of the closet. That’s literally it.
Exactly. I don't know why people clown him for that. The way he felt was valid to me. Plus maybe my memory is bad but I don't remember him being homophobic, just very misogynistic.
boo fucking hoo. this character ABUSES people. who cares if he didn’t get the “chance” to find himself? to sympathize with him is to spit in the face of every abused person who doesn’t choose to continue that cycle of abuse.
@@chadstchad i don't sympathize with him, I sympathize with the experience. I hate nate as much as the next person and I want to see him either six feet under or in a jail cell for the rest of his life. I enjoyed seeing him humiliated and I don't feel bad for him at all, but if it was another person? as someone who's biggest fear is being outed, I would absolutely dislike lexi for that.
@@celestinoclemente1954 Yeah. I'm not gonna say I hate Nate and want him dead like you did (this seems actually pretty silly to me considering the whole context and how a lot of people including Maddy have been abusive towards him too) but I know that watching people mock the jocks only makes it harder for closeted people to feel comfortable coming out. People keep saying they were laughing at Nate specifically and not at "being gay" or "homo-eroticism" but I disagree, they were cheering and laughing their asses off at man "acting gay". At the end of the day, that's what it was, and as someone not fully out yet I felt terrible the whole time.
She was only exposing and making fun of locker room culture. Him storming out just made it seem like it was more than that because he was offended by it. Where I’m from there’s a saying which I’ll translate to English as best I can…”I threw corn but I didn’t call the chickens” basically meaning she said what she said but if it feels like a personal attack to you, then that’s on you.
they explain at the end of the show but the part with the dad shows how cassie remembers memories with her dad (in season 1) that ice cream memory was happy for cassie but we see that wasn’t the case, for lexi she remembers him being (drunk or high not sure)
it's been such a fun ride this season, I was very skeptical about whether this season would be good based on the first 2-3 episodes but it's just gotten better and better, and there's only one left to go!
Yes totally agree!
I relate to Lexi SO much! In high school, I would create these fake scenarios from my real life and act them out in my room. It’s a great way of escapism, she killed it with such elegance.
This was episode for the underdogs, Lexi and Ethan totally got to shine. You could see how much he enjoyed himself making fun of Nate while everyone cheered. As someone who was bullied while I was a kid and who was in acting group, it was like watching a former revenge dream
Nate's "homophobic" comment was so strange. I feel like it had a double meaning of sorts:
1) The play depicted the football team as being gay, when they are not (but knowing himself, he's trying to feel included)
2) Nate knows he's not completely straight and was insulted at being embarrassed in public
Either way, I think the play is gonna make him go home and lose his shit.
I was so like…wow about that comment too. I feel the same way u do! Definitely felt like he took that personally, but it’s strange to hear him say it was homophobic because outwardly that’s how he is lol
I got the feeling that the use of ‘homophobic’ was Nate projecting how he is supposed to act as a manly man vs his connection to his untold desires
When has he been with a man?
Definitely struck him close to heart because he knows that out of everyone in the team, he's the one that's so terrified of even looking down in the locker room because he's terrified of anyone picking up on his sexuality. Plus the fact being a football player is a huge part of his masculinity, it directly attacked that.
I want to point out that Cassie’s monologue toward nate is a part of Lexi’s play and is an expression of how she sees her older sister (as shown by the camera panning to reveal the audience at the end). Lexi sees her sister through a lense of desperation almost, where as long as she’s “loved” she can deal with the humiliation and suspect treatment. A lot of what Cassie has said to nate throughout the season and this episode specifically mirrors a lot of what Cassie has said in regard to her father (needing him to believe she trusts in him, believing in him despite his inability to give the love she craves, waiting around for him only to be disappointed in the end, THE ABANDONMENT). I’m really interested in seeing how cassie/nate’s relationship effects cassie and how she comes to terms with her self esteem, IF she does.
And also Kat’s scene in the middle of that monologue wasn’t random, as nothing really is random in film/television. I saw it as a comparison between the girls, and how despite their taboo paths (kat camming and cassie dating her bff’s ex) they are both trying to feel desirable and access a sort of attention they’ve never truly experienced before.
Idk I feel like I have so many thoughts but explaining them can be hard lol But yeah I love this in depth analysis and how you notice things and connect dots most ppl ignore with this show. Not everything is at face value, it’s an abstract and almost surreal take on this complex group characters hehe. Love it.
well stated
I definitely relate to Lexi character. My most comfortable way of self expression is through journaling and art because I internalize my emotions.
Absolutely loved all of your commentary, as usual. Especially with this episode because the play, and execution of the episode in general, brought a lot of depth to the characters, what really goes on inside of them, and why they behave in the way that they do.
I definitely think the reason why Nate was so upset is because he felt exposed. Everyone in the audience knew who this was about and was looking at him. For Nate, being a strong, masculine and powerful person is equal to being heterosexual. So he’s actually the one that’s being homophobic. Because Lexi wasn’t making fun of anyone‘s sexuality but the circumstances in which sexuality, heterosexuality and masculinity are being perceived. She was having a go at this entire gym and football culture and the way it’s covering up a lot of things regarding sexuality and being oneself.
Saying it’s homophobic is just a desperate attempt of trying to deflect from what’s really going on. Because when has Nate ever cared about anyone who wasn’t heterosexual? Oh that’s right, NEVER. I mean why else would he feel so personally offended.
He’s like a wounded child with a fragile male ego. And because there’s nothing he can do about this situation, he immediately does what he always does to establish his dominance and feel in control. Hurting someone, because that’s the only thing he can control while also feeling powerful. And since Cassie is literally the only person close to him at this point, it’s going to be her. Never mind the fact that she’s not responsible for her sister’s actions but Nate’s too blind with anger to see that. Didn’t think their relationship would go to pieces this quickly though. But hey, I’m all for it because they’re toxic af.
People keep saying they were laughing at Nate specifically and not at "being gay" or "homo-eroticism" but I disagree, they were cheering and laughing their asses off at man "acting gay". At the end of the day, that's what it was, and as someone not fully out yet I felt terrible the whole time. People making a mockery of jocks being closeted gays still seems homophobic but people think it's valid because jocks are "assholes", except redirecting homophobia towards closeted people doesn't only affect jocks, but anyone who for whatever reasons don't feel safe coming out.
When Nate said that the reason he gave Jules the disc had a "simple and stupid" reason I thought it was because he was in love with her which has been hinted towards several times.
Why are Jules nudes popping up whenever he fantasized about Cassie in season 2 episode 2? Things like that and the fact that Jules still feels that the relationship she had with Nate aka Tyler aka Shyguy118 was real even though it was fake, right?
Nate was spending way too many hours every day and night texting Jules for it to have been completely fake. He didn't have to kiss her at the lake either but he did anyway.
Lastly, Fez said that Nate was in love with Jules to Cal, which made Cal change his tune completely.
as a gay man nate is right it is like a little homophobic… but i still loved the scene and thought it was great. kat is missing out ethan ATE! but as a gay kid who got outed in high school watching nate’s reaction did make me feel a feeling… a single feeling
I also felt uncomfortable that he was being outed, even though he is the worst.
@@joshuarobertson8866 Regarding Lexi not knowing about Nate's possible queerness, I thought so too at first, but then I remembered how in the carnival episode in season 1, when Maddy and Cassie were on molly, Maddy told Cassie who then told Lexi about the dick pics of other guys in Nate's phone. I'm not sure if that means Lexi intended to low key out Nate with that dance number (personally I would tend to agree that probably not), but it is something to keep in mind at least.
@@joshuarobertson8866 no i know that but also the overt femininity of the “gay” characters was a bit… like iffy yknow. i don’t care i liked it mostly and i know it wasn’t lexi’s intention. but also she knew about the dick pics on his phone from cassie. and even if she didn’t it’s still now Nate’s reality that people at least kind of know about now. and that’s a scary feeling
Yea I agree, it was funny and really well done, but it’s hard to ignore how homophobic the whole situation is. Because what she did specifically ends up targeting gay men in the process and not just Nate for his actions. It makes me think about the people writing this show and what narrative they end up pushing
Just wanted to thank you for touching on what Lexi said about using substances and losing control. It threw me off when I heard her say that because I’m the same but I had never seen anyone else reflect it and then you said the thing about being the parentified child and it clicked for me as to why. So just wanted to say thank you for opening my eyes 💓
I took the scene of Nate's reflection showing his back as, Nate can't stand to look at himself.
This was your most thorough Euphoria analysis in my non-expert opinion. Loved it, thanks!
I really appreciate that, thank you 😊
The actress who plays Leslie got a backlash for that scene with Rue but what no one understands is that she was showing tough love because sometimes that’s really what a person needs.
There's so much to unpack regarding the toxic masculinity and trauma Nate grew up with. His discovery of his father's affairs immediately put a negative connotation to queerness because not only was it was a betrayal of Nate and his mom and brothers, but it also forced him to be distanced, unhappy, and dishonest when Nate's mom said he was always such a sweet and kind child.
The pressure to be the most masculine he could be also ties with the way he strives for the "perfect girl". At first it was Maddy, but we see from his description that he sees that in Jules. With his conflicting negative feelings towards queerness, masculinity, gender identity, etc. he struggles with the fact he has feelings for Jules and settled for Cassie, who's given him complete control over her almost like a doll. A lot of people think she looks like Maddy now, but if you look at the pin-straight hair, pastel clothing and makeup, bows and dainty accessories, he's dressing her like Jules in the first season. There was that weird fantasy where Nate kept describing Cassie as sweet, thoughtful, and the perfect girl while clips of Jules would cut into clips of Cassie. He also fixated on getting her pregnant, which seems like a representation of being the "manliest man" he could be.
20 mins is not enough for me. I need an hour of u therapizing me. LOL
Thank you!
I’ve been reloading yt all day for AOC to do her video for this episode
The way I screamed when I saw the scene with Nate’s nightmare my bf thought I was watching a horror movie. That was DARK
i think all of fez’ scenes were a flashback, there’s no way that someone that he promised he’d go, bought ROSES for and cared about his appearance would show up late. and got caught up by something just before it started
Next episode is going to be a full on civil war with how everything has played out so far.
On the topic of memory: adding to the storytelling hack, something else you can do is writing everything you can think of about what you want to remember down in a journal, and adding other sources of recalling a moment, like a photograph, the scent of the person (like his cologne), and other mementos. All of these make great tools for the brain to reach out to those neuron paths that may not be used in a long time, by recalling the specifics that accompany the emotions. Would you agree Dr?
Absolutely!
Great commentary! I really enjoyed your reaction to Lexi and Cassie’s trauma. What do you think of the scene with Maddie genuinely upset in inquiring of Cassie why she did what she did? Why don’t you think Cassie could respond? How do you think Maddie is being affected by all of this? Do you think she will unleash some rage or is that gun scene her last straw?
When I saw the scene between Rue and Gia regarding keeping memories alive, I thought you could write them down, too. Journaling or diary-keeping for reference. Jussayin’. 🙂
That's so true, I've been keeping a diary on and off since I was like 7! It's so eerie and interesting to then read stories about your own life written by your younger self to your future self
I love your analyses of this show! It was nice to see Lexi's perspective on a lot of things. Nate's dream sequence was so eery! I interpreted it as Nate fearing that his dad will always have power over his life.
*eerie
Everything you talk about memories resonates with me. In a logical way, I understand how people can forget some memories or have them distorted, but I've always, always been an overthinker. I have had social anxiety since I was a kid, it was almost cripling, and this often led me to overthink every interaction to an unhealthy degree. Although they are few, I have memories from the time I was a toddler. I remember being 2 or 3 years old, in daycare, and the teacher scolding me for spilling milk. I don't know why is this, I always feel like my brain is too full from everything I've lived, good and bad, and I don't know how it's supossed to keep holding memories for years. Everything is so clear, and I don't really know how to forget.
I think it says a lot about the power dynamic between Nate and Cassie that Cassie has spent like ALL SEASON in emotional turmoil trying to be with him and impress him and keep their relationship a secret and the cognitive dissonance btwn betraying Maddy and “actually it’s okay bc they were broken up also they were terrible together” at LEAST partly bc she wanted him for herself…and then Nate dumps her in like two seconds flat after probably less than a week of living together. Yikes.
What’s your opinion on what Leslie said to rue? People were saying it was too harsh, but I disagree. I lived in a house with sick people and the situation was kind of similar. It gets to a point where you know your responsibilities to keep yourself healthy, and if you’re not doing it, there is only so much a parent can do. Especially when you’re the parent of an adult.
I love how extensive your knowledge is, it’s very inspiring. I’ve always wanted to be a therapist or psychologist but I’m not cut out for being in school for a long time haha
Oh I’ve been waiting for this reaction
Maddy rest room scene with Cassie. She really hurt there..and the way Maddy bond with Lexi is my new fav thing ❤️. I wanna hug her so much!! She deserves better 💓
What did you think of Leslie telling Rue that when she turns 18, she is on her own (I may be misquoting) to focus on Gia? Also great channel Dr. Tracy! I binge watched Euphoria and then I binge watched your reaction vids!
I'm just really surprised how nobody is talking about how messed up it is for Lexi to put really intimate information about the people closest to her, who are teenagers...to their highschool! Like the scene with Rue not coping with her father's death well, and beginning to become addicted to drugs. Now her whole school saw that. I mean WTF
during the scene where Gia asks Rue how to stop the memories from going away, I was yelling "JUST WRITE THEM DOWN-' lolll. your response was great too, I hadn't thought of storytelling.
I have been so excited to see your reaction to this episode!!!
i couldn’t WAIT for u to post lol
Thank you! Hope you liked it ♥️
Wow this is one of the best mental health break downs of media. so good and accurate and educational
I had a problem that Leslie seems to know everything that’s going on with Gia but apparently had NO CLUE/was very oblivious of Rue not using any drugs
You popped up on my algorithm
Thankfully!
As traumatic as the show is
this truthfully takes the weight off of me while watching this series
Thank you!
I was waiting for this .
Great Review ... 😳
Wow! Love your reacts
The scene with Rue and Jules in the bathroom really really breaks my heart
i was expecting to feel satisfied after seeing nate's part in the play, but honestly i just felt pity. he's done terrible things, yes, but seeing something that reminds you of bad memories in a mockerised way has got to be traumatic, and i don't think anyone deserves that.
btw that Nates shot was inspired by painting "Not to Be Reproduced" by René Magritte 1937
We can now digitally capture with 4K cameras what are eyes and brain would normally have had to deal with. So memory decay becomes irrelevant so long as people capture their moments with technology.
You have to remember Rue was narrating Nate‘s background story and the Director confirmed that she is not a reliable narrator she makes up things like the time she says she had a matching tattoo with Jules but it came out to be not true at all so I don’t believe that he found videos when he was 11 I believe he found the videos of cal when he was nine or eight and that nightmare that he had with him being afraid of his father dominating him like he did those people in the video when you are something traumatizing when you were at a young age it will affect you in your adult life
11:00 11:35, such a great explanation Dr. Tracy.
Thank you!!
I love these videos! They're my fav Euphoria breakdowns 🙌
I've been waiting for your reaction ☺️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Woo! Was stoked to see your reaction was up after I finished clinical notes tonight! I am curious your thoughts on how looked physically and her expressions while watching the play. She seemed healthier/brighter. I’m also v terrified for fez
Yay! Love that you watched after doing your notes. Who are you asking about that was looking healthier/brighter? The name is missing. And, I am too for Fez 😭 I think I’m for sure going to cry.
@@the.truth.doctor oops, I was trying to say Rue looks healthier/brighter. I’m hopeful that Leslie’s boundary + the play showing sober-Rue what a good friend Lexi is/hearing lexi’s memorial poem while sober help give rue the strength to find that hope
Loved this recap, as usual!! Can’t wait for the live. Thank you!!
New subbie here!!! I'm so glad Nate broke up with Cassie, its for her own good but of course shes not gonna see it that way 😔 poor girl, she needs a MH referral STAT lol I'm an RN but have always loved studying mental health and psych analysis. You're definitely spot on with this episode breakdown! Will be binging on your other Euphoria episode breakdowns now ☺☺
Thank you so much!
You are so insightful I look forward to your reactions . Thank you so much for doing this!
there was this very interesting shot by shot between Jules experiences with Nate's dad, then him going through the experience essentially he put himself in Jule's place. The moment before that sequence just like Cal did to Jules by putting his thumb in her mouth, when Cassie was on top of him, she did the exact same thing.
I said this in my reaction but it didn’t stay in because I worded something wrong so it didn’t make sense. I think this is why Nate is nice to Jules. Nate feels they both have been ruined/attacked by Cal!
Everyone is making very good points and this is more to do with the response of the episode than the episode itself. But I am just really disappointed in how people are responding to Nate's nightmare and The locker room seen in Lexi's play. A lot of people are making jokes about Nate and Cal and Nate "being gay" and as someone with CPTSD it's really disappointing that the audience thinks that it's fine to joke about someone experiencing sexual trauma at such a young age just because they don't like them. Then for the locker room scene to be so targeted at night for once I actually felt pretty bad for him from what we see from the nightmare that could have been very triggering it was so vulgar and sexual and it went on for so long I just I don't know why I found it in very poor taste.
I agree with you. In my reaction I said it’s a great play (it is - in terms of production) but then I immediately felt like I needed to make it clear that it was so sad what was happening to Nate :(
@@the.truth.doctor It definitely is and it's hard because obviously people don't like me and they are very right to not like him but I think they lose empathy because of it.
I was really confused over Leslie giving up on Rue since she has been clean since the hell that was episode six…. Thanks for the explainion
Some people say that she’s trying to use reverse psychology to maybe get to Rue or that after listening to Ali she’s finally realized she can’t help Rue so she’s going to focus more on Gia
Also since she was told she couldn’t get a place for Rue in the rehab she’s definitely just done. She’s exhausted all avenues for Rue and as she said she would much rather lose one daughter than two.
The effort she’s put in hasn’t worked and if her sponsor is saying to just focus on her other daughter she’s going to listen, there’s been too much loss for one family
I wouldn't call it giving up on her really. Its just up to Rue really and she sees that she needs to focus more on Gia. If Rue showed some progress for an extended period of time I think she would still be there to help. It is just all in Rues hand she cant force her to get out of this hole.
she even said to rue herself she’s done and once she turns 18 Rue is off her plate. It’s definitely reverse psychology she’s using. Rue has already lost one parent why would she want to lose another. I don’t think Lesley would completely turn her back on Rue but I do think she’s mentally exhausted and given up in that sense
I mean it’s also her way of saying if she does relapse she can’t help her anymore
I discovered your channel TODAY and I've been binging, I've learned so many things I didn't notice before
I really love your reviews! i learn sooo much! thank you!
I don't know Nate's dream was really troubling. In season 1, when Cal was restraining him, he started to bang his head against the floor and now that dream... and the fact that his mom said that he started to darken at 8 or 9 years old,. which was before the tape (he was 11 years old). I don't think that Cal sexually abused him, but I think, maybe, someone did abuse him when he was 8 or 9 and then seeing his dad doing the same thing that his aggressor which may be why he hates Cal. I don't know, Nate clearly has more damage that we know loool
Maybe his older brother abused him?
Your Euphoria reaction/ review is so great. Your reaction to what we see is so like me and others (👀) but then you provide a professional narrative that is easy to follow.
Thank you!
I wanted to see your reaction to the ending credits song. That would have been amazing
Lmao I was legit gonna cry with all fezco foreshadowing then I saw ashtray catch on an I’m all “ayyyy go get em”
I do not like Nate’s character however if he might be feeling confused about his sexuality isn’t that scene in the play publicly outing him without his permission. Not sure how I feel about that regardless of how horrible the character is in the show.
Oh absolutely. If this was real, it would be completely not okay.
That's what I kept thinking too. It seemed like she was outing him since the audience is aware of Nate still finding his truth in his sexuality but I guess Lexi was going more for "gym bros are gay" which can still be seen as homophobic as Nate says
But he hasn’t been with a man?
@@Chasityolaf his dad's tapes he has been watching his whole life and his attraction to Jules has him confused if he really isn't straight I think he is bi. Or pan since he does really seem to genuinely be into Women but he is terrified about the part of himself that might be into something other than women.
The scene was a critique on the homoerotic frat boy culture, but since the character was supposed to be Nate and Nate is struggling with his sexuality, it must have felt like he was getting outted. I don't get how people dismiss the way he's feeling
I think Nate felt exposed and was trying real hard to hold it in and act stoic. He knew all eyes were on him. He could feel everyone laughing. He had no control over this situation. So the only thing he could control was his reaction, which he did his best to bury inside. He would not allow them to 'win', to see him break down or confirm that what is being portrayed is his real self. He held on until he had to leave, using anger to patch his feelings of vulnerability and shame.
been waiting for this one🥳🥳
I found it incredibly interesting how the nightmare Nate had didn't show who was the person in the mirror. But the scene implied that the person in the mirror was young cal. Because when Nate turns around with a Champagne Flute in his hand, it was like a flashback to the first season. And it was all but confirmed by Jules walking up to Nate in her attire from season 1 episode 1 and hugging him. What makes the scene so much more interesting is how Nate is both Jules and Cal in his nightmare. He's an abusive person who wants to have control, but he can never escape the conditioning that Cal put on him and feels trapped under his father's tyrannical worldview.
I also wanted to say that there is some validity to the "I need a hero" scene being homophobic. Lexi narrates how Nate and Maddie were in love, but their relationship fell apart because of the cracks between them. That was said RIGHT BEFORE this scene. The implication through the language of film and theater is that the thing that broke their relationship was Nate's queerness. EVEN though we know it was not ALL that: Nate domestically abused Maddie, Nate catfished someone and did not give attention to Maddie, Nate's family having a disapproving stance against their relationship, etc. His undeniable queerness was a thing that made Nate lash out at Maddie no doubt, but I wouldn't say that IT was the reason they broke up. It was a multitude of traumatic factors. HOWEVER, the audience in the play is told basically: "Nate and Maddie loved each other, but they broke up because Nate was gay". And that is a very reductionist way to explain their relationship. And it forces Nate out of the closet since it's obvious "Jake" is the dude in the audience with a scar on his head who looks uncomfortable. I as a queer person would not have liked my conflicting sexuality to have been brought up against my will for the amusement of others. HOWEVER, I still think Nate deserves it. "Some people need to have their feelings hurt": Fezco. And that was running through my mind as Nate said that. Yeah logically he's right but I know it's a defense to help his wounded ego, and emotionally he's an abusive piece of garbage who deserves to have his feelings hurt because of all that he did to Jules, Cassie, and Maddie. I guess in my mind when I weigh the costs and benefits I would have told Lexi to do it anyway, IN FACT just tell the audience "Nate is gay" at the end. I know that is a bad thing and incoherent thing to say after doing all this work to explain why Nate was true about that section of the play, but I don't care. He's an asshole ... sue me.
Did you forget why Nate choked Maddy? It was literally after she found the pics of naked guys on his phone...I personally don't think it's reductive to say their relationship essentially ended because of it, at the very least it was the beginning of the end (hence the cracks between them). Even when Maddy tries to be with Nate again she knows the past trauma and his secrets put a new toll on their relationship that it would not be able to survive.
@@sabyinah I really agree with the point you made. When I recall that scene I remember that before that Nate was upset that Maddy looked like “a hooker”. She called his mom a “cunt” later in the episode and was upset that Nate even gave a shit what his family thought about their relationship. However, when looking at previous episodes and some scenes in that episode there is clear evidence that Maddy is concerned about Nate’s sexuality since he’s talking to someone else and has dick pics on his phone. And to my understanding Maddy was completely fine with Nate being Bi, pan, or whatever label of the queer umbrella he wanted which she stated near the end of season one when Nate couldn’t get an erection. She wanted him to acknowledge that there is this aspect to his sexuality that needed to be addressed. The problem is that Cal’s disgust while also hiding any form of vulnerability and acknowledgment of queerness ruined Nate’s ability to emotionally express “uncomfortable/deviant” feelings. I think that your right. That was the thing that ruined their relationship. I just wanted to point out that the reason why Nate can’t accept his queerness is that he has been conditioned to not accept it because of Cal’s behavior. That’s all.
@@yourannoyinggoose you make very valid points yourself about his dad's relationships and the impact that's had on his own. I really did appreciate everything you shared in your original post too, I only wanted to point out that I personally didn't think Nate and Maddy's story was reduced in the play since (at least in a linear sort of way) it's kind of how it happened but I totally agree that's Nate suppression was not only their demise but also his own. I'm curious what you may think is going to happen with him this weekend?? A lot of focus on the Fezco situation but as you pointed out being outed in such a public way is mortifying, especially for someone who is normally a very private person. I wonder how unhinged this is making him and am truly afraid of what he's willing to do now to regain some sense of control...
@@sabyinah I think that there are one of two ways this can go either Nate somehow uses some technicality to his advantage to deflect this accusation like how he used Tyler to take the fall for his domestic abuse charges by holding over his head the statutory rape he committed … or Nate goes full breakdown and lashes out violently against everyone, not just Lexi and Cassie. It was pointed out that in Season 1 in Nate’s episode that he knows how to use a guns and he lives in a house with guns to my knowledge. AmandaBB pointed out that them showing Nate being proficient in firearms while being abusive is the perfect recipe for a school shooter. I agree with Amanda’s observation on that small scene. So if Sam Levinson was going to go full drama he would probably use that plot line. If not either of those I can assume that it would either be another Kat situation where something is set up and there is no payoff or SURPRISINGLY Nate comes out.
I was really wondering about what was going on in Leslie's head when she said if she had to choose between losing one daughter or two she'd choose gia bc she was acting so unbothered & was saying that so casually
The dance at the end killed me. I love it so much 😆
Lexie in the car is me my entire childhood
I relate to Lexi with substance use, I'm a huge control freak with my mind and emotions.
Question for you (and comment):
Regarding Cassie -
For "love", she seems to only know how to do blind total commitment to it as a cause; all gas, no brakes.
I've often heard that humiliation is the #1 emotion that precipitates violence. Now having been basically humiliated in public by her own kin, lost all her friends, and seemingly lost Nate (who she had sacrificed all that for), how close do you think Cassie is to A) suicide, B) murder, or C) murder-suicide?
Cassie already has the personality if a kamikaze pilot. Where do you think this episode leads her?
i love how consistent you are
Thank you! This means a lot.
**Edit**
I'm really glad you came back to this subject during the scene with Lexi.
Another comment about the scene between Nate and Maddy and the way she reacted...
I wanna remind everyone that a freezing/fainting stress response is absolutely valid. You don't have to fight back or scream for help or whatever for the situation to have been traumatic to you.
If you have been through something like this and you froze up, please don't feel invalidated or frustrated with your reaction because it is completely normal and understandable. You did exactly what you felt like you had to do to survive in that moment.
I think the play,, particularly the ending performance was about the forces that tear friends apart. These characters have known each other there whole lives. Lexi knows that Nate is a toxic, misogynistic, controlling jerk. She's seen him emotionally abuse Maddie and her sister Cassie. This is a giant poke at him. That he and toxic jocks like him are clearly repressing something. And from what we know about his character and his reaction to the play, Lexi was spot on 👏
Is it possible that, that dream that Nate was having, is that his father violated him? That was the first thought that came to my mind.
I’ve been waiting for this one
I think that people are missing alot when it comes to cassie and jumping to judgement. Cassie has a deeply rooted desire to please. I think she was assaulted as a child, and than boys posted videos of her, and than people were very cruel and this whole time all she wanted was to please people and be liked and loved. I think that she is going to get hurt to a point where she fully disassociates and says “fuck everyone”
I would say Maddy and Cassie parallel each other they both desire to please men. But The difference is their upbringing, Cassie was being told she was going to be amazing just for have big boobs and also obviously her blonde hair, while Maddy built her confidence simply on who she was and therefore able to think more for herself then Cassie. I think Cassie just feels entitled and Lexi showed them when she was literally shown as an angel yet complaining about how she looks. She lacks confidence Bc she never tried to look outside of all the attention she got. And in the last season she was turned down tragically by two guys which must of been out of the norm for her so she jumped on the next very hot and rich guy she found
@@tizzbabe4386 i wouldnt call it entitled, afterall she is still a child. She was groomed and than has child pornography out there of her from a time where she was 14 and too young to consent and was slut shamed while none of the boys got in trouble yet she suffered. As a result of being told all her life that her value was found just in sec appeal and than child porn release she feels like she is disgusting and like she is the problem and that she needs to settle for that life because thats what she has been dealt
cassie also has two addicts for parents where as Maddie has both her parents. Maddie built her confidence on sex appeal and her only goal in life was to marry a rich man. And she Grew up in pageants and what not so her confidence is based solely in her looks and ability to get with a rich man.
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS
I in no way defend Nates actions but the amount of trauma he went through at such a young age i wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy
Gia suffered her dad's death and now she sees Rue kill...ing... her...self... slo...w...ly...
and for Rue, all that exists is her and her dad.
One thing that I REALLY want some thoughtful answer on is, alongside my friends and girlfriend I've been thinking a lot about characters and life and all that deep thing, but I'm a person tht tries so hard to really think about reasons, pasts and all that stuff about people before judging or really hating them but I get everyone's point that Cassie, Nate and Cal for example did bad/criminal stuff and deserve to be """"punished"""" but i can't hate on them and i feel really sad for them... How can we as humans come across that common ground when dealing with damaged but dangerous, toxic, really bad people and stuff? Pls answer i rlly need that for myself lol. And sorry, I'm from Brazil so don't speak English that fluently. Xoxo, rlly love your job and channel, help out a lot as a aspiring psychologist
Nate gave the disc to Jules because he has a crush on her. I am predicting this based on TV tropes, not human behavior lol.
That's not a secret tho? They were sexting constantly in season 1 and then he finds out that his dad had sex with Jules and he's dealing with confusing feelings with his sexual orientation. He was offering the tape to her to say sorry for his behavior at the park and to give her the control back, since it's been held over her head for so long.
I was wondering about Nate and Cassie, how nate suddenly brought back Cassie into the picture. Like I´d like to know where his head was at this moment. Was it because he loved Cassie or because she made him feel good? That is something that also happened in the last episode
Ethan was going for a Tony Award.
Can we just talk about this play would never be allowed in any high school?! Heads would roll at the next school board meeting 🤣☠️ the play was the shit though
As much as I hate it because nate is abusive and terrifying, I really think he's the best written character in the show. Idk if they did it on purpose or not, adding the most complexity to the antagonist of the series, but I can't help but feel bad for him. It's a very good portrayal of toxic masculinity in our society among other things.
In the behind the episode the writer said that he isn't sure what parts of the play lexi was actually putting on, and what was just the audiences interpretation of it. Them mentioning memory a couple times during the episode was interesting because it seems like different characters are experiencing different memories while watching the play.
Also if Fez dies or goes to jail I'll be so sad 😞
This episode was so intense, to put it mildly. Omg I'm so worried about Fez too! After seeing the preview for next week, I don't think Fez himself is physically injured, I think Ash goes in to stab Custer, he cries out & which alerts the police, which I think is right outside. They come in & shoot at Ash cuz he just sliced Custer & they hold down Fez who's screaming about Ash. I don't think Ash will die but I think it'll be very close & he ends up in the hospital. I honestly, in all seriousness believe Cassie is having a personal mental breakdown. I believe she really needs to be institutionalized for some serious help. The play was amazing! So impressed with Lexi!! She's one of my favs anyway. I do have a question about Nate for you...yes, he's having a major identity crisis but at the same time don't you think that maybe he is gay or bi and has been fighting it for years and I also wonder if Cal molested him sometime after Nate found the tapes & that's why he changed so much. I wouldn't want to think Cal is capable of that but you never know.