Euphoria Special Episode: Part 2: Jules Review

For our review of the first special episode of Euphoria, click here.

Synopsis: The second special episode follows Jules over the Christmas holiday as she reflects on the year. (HBO)

Our Euphoria fix continues with this second and final special episode filmed under COVID-19 protocols. While the first episode focused on Rue, this episode focused on Jules where Hunter Schafer also served as a co-writer and executive producer while also delivering a sensational performance in her own right. While the first episode was limited in scope due to said protocols which worked in its favor, this episode surprisingly does a lot more in comparison in terms of characters and story and is arguably a fitting end to this stopgap between season 1 and 2, serving as a recap of sorts (as she recounted her perspective of things) that helped set the stage for that season 2 (whenever that may be). It’s just a shame that it couldn’t quite dive deep enough into Jules.

The premise for this episode was simple enough and felt closer to an actual Euphoria episode (with another great soundtrack). It would also get profound at times as Jules found herself recounting her crazy year during his first therapy session. This therapy session attacked the layers she had created over the kind of person she was just so she can look like the person she thought she needed to be to the world which was what men desired. Jules acknowledged how tough it was as she felt like a fraud. She was hard on herself to maintain that image and that abstract concept of femininity but instead of conquering it, it conquered her.

But Rue saw Jules differently. She saw her for the person she was which was also how her mom saw her. Her family history, specifically that with her mother, was uncomfortable for her. Those two co-dependent relationships were eerily similar as both suffered from addiction. The emotions were too much, especially that from her relationship with Rue, which was why she ran.

Meanwhile, Jules found refuge in virtual relationships to avoid being let down which led to her relationship with ShyGuy 118 (a.k.a. Nate Jacobs). The allure for her was that fantasy aspect until the realization that those relationships weren’t real. However, her relationship with Rue was different. All roads led back to her. Jules would have to face her just as she would have her mother who she wasn’t ready to forgive. Her mother’s most recent attempt to make amends was not successful as some harsh words led her to run away and subsequently go missing. Jules’ recounting ended with her leaving Rue who was passed out on a bathroom floor,

The episode ended with a scene that connects both special episodes which really showcased Zendaya and Schafer as Rue just happened to stop by at Jules’ house on her way to meet Ali at the diner from the last episode. Their talk was an emotional one as they apologized for the recent past which got unfortunately cut short by that emotion on Rue’s part and that of course set off Jules.

All I can say is that season 2 can’t come soon enough.

image courtesy of HBO

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.