“Euphoria” Weekly Review: Birthday Blues

EUPHORIA

SEASON 2, EPISODE 4: “YOU CANNOT SEE, THINK OF THOSE WHO CAN”

EDITOR’S RATING: ★☆☆☆☆

CONTENT WARNING: “Euphoria” includes graphic depictions of depression and anxiety, sexual violence, nudity, physical violence, gaslighting, suggestive domestic situations and explicit depictions of drug and alcohol abuse. 

Contains minor spoilers.

Readers, brace for impact as I take one last minute to gather my abundance of unraveling thoughts concerning this week’s ridiculous mess of an episode. Before I present my case, allow me to address the show directly for a second: “Euphoria,” it pains me to rate this episode one star. The TITULAR episode  promised to indulge us into the beauty and chaos of Maddy’s birthday party. But at the mark of the second season, I find myself banging my head against the wall repeatedly asking: why? Why? WHY? 

The problem with this week’s episode isn’t at all that it’s a bottle episode. In fact, conceptually utilizing what a bottle episode entails would’ve made it so much more enjoyable. It seems as though “You Cannot See” is more of a failed attempt at a transgressional mid-season statement than a carefully-crafted force of nature…at least in terms of storytelling. The problem with this week (and every week’s episode) is the infuriating pattern that season two religiously follows: the set-up and the let down.

Arguably, trailers and meticulously-edited promotional videos are as important as the “meat” of a series itself. And this is something Euphoria does perfectly well. These promotional videos posted both on the official Twitter account and on HBO Max are perfect baits for what is alluded to and promised the following week. The videos always make sure to show a little of the bark—but not quite a bite. 

Essentially, what marks the halfway point of “Euphoria’s” second season plays out as a scattered, underwritten…and obnoxiously crass (showrunner Sam Levinson is all about unnecessary nudity) mess reminiscent of a short film by a incompetent twenty-something, fresh off the coattails of film school. 

“You Cannot See” takes place during one night and details the events of Maddy’s birthday party, an estranged conflict between the Elliot-Jules-Rue trio, and a heavily intoxicated Cal inclined on visiting his suppressed past by examining his sexuality. 

In theory, this plot should outline a highly entertaining, and furthermore, trajectorializing episode for the course of this season. However, it did not–the best parts of the episode were so short and incomplete it felt like they weren’t even present. I’m referring to a short conversation between Maddy and Kat in which Kat questions the dynamics of her relationship with Ethan—it almost seems like in season two, Kat’s presence is used as filler content which makes little to no sense, considering her importance in season one.

Alas, I collapse in the wake of another dauntlessly shallow “Euphoria” episode. Is it my fault that I keep subjecting myself to the chaos of this show? Or does “Euphoria” really need to get its things together?