‘Euphoria’: Eric Dane Says There Will Be ‘Redemption’ for Cal Jacobs
Euphoria started out with the Jacobs family being villains. But it looks like some actors think that could change. Eric Dane talks about playing Cal Jacobs in season 2 and wanting redemption for the character.
[Spoiler alert: Euphoria Season 2 finale spoilers ahead.]
Cal Jacobs’ history was revealed in ‘Euphoria’ Season 2
Season 1 showed Cal met strangers in motels to have sex and secretly recorded them. That includes Jules (Hunter Schafer), who is underage. Cal’s son, Nate (Jacob Elordi) came across this video and was very disturbed by it.
Season 2 revisited this story and revealed Cal’s history in “You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can.” Turns out he was in love with his male best friend in high school. When they finally acted on their feelings for each other, Cal’s girlfriend got pregnant. He ended up marrying her and lost touch with his friend.
It certainly gave the audience a reason for Cal’s pain and resentment over his family life. Dane talked about what that episode meant for him.
Why Eric Dane wants ‘redemption’ for Cal Jacobs
Many fans hate Cal for his actions. But Dane explained why he can’t feel the same way to Variety. Season 2 made that a little easier with the flashback to Cal in high school.
“Well, I can’t judge the character,” Dane said. “That’s a dead end street for any actor. So I didn’t pass any judgments on Cal. But I did know that eventually there was going to be a moment of truth and some sort of redemption for him.”
The actor continued, “I couldn’t wait for that to happen. Because Cal in season 1 was so contained and so composed, and almost robotic. It was so nice to be able to kind of let them fly, for lack of a better phrase. The work last season informs the work this season. I mean, that’s what happens when somebody is living that lie and putting up that facade. You become almost mechanical in your approach to life. And it was nice to be able to put down the mechanics and just just be free.”
Where will Cal be in season 3?
The season ended with Nate calling the police on his father, and handing over a thumb drive of his father’s videos. This means Cal could be behind bars in season 3, or out in the world trying to move forward.
“There’s gonna be redemption,” Dane claimed. “I mean, that’s the trajectory he’s on. I can’t imagine Cal’s life from solitary confinement. It’s tough to work Cal into the storyline when he’s behind bars.”
Fans will have to wait to find out if the actor is right. But it sounds like Dane has a lot of hope in his character changing.
