BY KAITLIN SINCLAIR, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The fourth episode of season two of the hit show “Euphoria” aired on HBO last Sunday at 9 p.m. The episode titled “You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can” is at the midway point of the second season. Euphoria follows the main character Rue Bennett played by Zendaya, a recovering drug addict as she navigates the world around her. The cast is also comprised of people in Rue’s circle including Jules Vaughn played by Hunter Schafer, Maddy Perez played by Alexa Demie, Fezco played by Angus Cloud, Nate Jacobs played by Jacob Elordi, Cassie Howard played by Sydney Sweeney, Kat Hernandez played by Barbie Ferreira, Lexi Howard played by Maude Apatow and newly added Elliot played by Dominic Fike. In season two, we have begun to learn more about Nate’s father, Cal Jacobs played by Eric Dane.
This episode covers a few storylines. First, we have Rue, Jules, and Elliot. This platonic trio has become anything but platonic. In this episode, we see Rue kiss Elliot as part of a dare. When Rue leaves Elliot’s room to use the restroom, Jules kisses Elliot, and ends up hooking up with him by the end of the episode. For the “Rules” (Rue and Jules) fans out there, this episode was a turning point in their relationship. What is interesting is that even after Elliot confesses that he and Rue have been doing hardcore drugs, Jules still ends up sleeping with him. Up to this point, Jules did not know that Rue had not been sober, and this would play out in the next episode.
Another storyline in this episode followed Maddy’s birthday party which was hosted by Lexi and Cassie’s mom. Maddy is still unaware that her ex-boyfriend Nate is hooking up with her best friend Cassie on the side. Cassie has gone down a rabbit hole, completely obsessed with Nate and will do anything to get his attention. Little did Cassie know that Nate went to Maddy and was trying to get back together with her. Maddy refuses, saying that she never felt truly loved by Nate. He still ends up showing up at Maddy’s birthday party, and Cassie becomes jealous immediately. There is a montage scene of her just drinking and drinking and drinking. Things become particularly interesting when Kat, Maddy, Nate, and Cassie all get into the hot tub together. Maddy and Nate have some not so nice exchanges that lead to Cassie projectile vomiting in the water. We see her being dragged out of the tub by her mother and sobbing as she goes up the stairs. Sweeney’s acting this season has been the most incredible.
Lastly, we have Nate’s father, Cal Jacobs, who has suffered a beating from Fezco’s little brother, Ashtray. Jacobs has been drinking heavily even leading to him getting behind the wheel. This season we have gotten a glimpse into Cal’s adolescence, falling in love with his best friend Derek, but ultimately marrying his current wife who revealed she was pregnant with their first son. Cal has lived his life in the closet up to this point. He returns to a bar that he and Derek shared their first kiss at, only to get thrown out for trying to wrestle with other men. Cal returns home after erratically driving drunk and wakes his family up. What is memorable about this scene is not only does Cal reveal his interest in men and women, but he also calls his son, Nate, his “biggest mistake.” He leaves the house and takes a family photo with him.
Euphoria airs Sunday nights on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.
