Zendaya Reveals ‘Euphoria’ Return With 2 Interim Episodes on HBO
More than one year has passed since Euphoria had viewers sinking with Rue into pool of emotions with the season 1 finale. Though the HBO series bred controversy, it became an instant hit with viewers who found the characters relatable and the storylines too intense to ignore.
Zendaya’s Rue is at the center of the series, but fans are invested in Fezco, Kat, Cassie, Jules, Lexi, and Maddy too. What’s next for them? There isn’t a concrete release window for season 2, but HBO is dropping some new Euphoria episodes to tide fans over.
Where ‘Euphoria’ season 1 left off
By the season finale, everyone in the show was contending with the weight of their own decisions or someone else’s. Fans watched Cassie envision herself ice skating while having an abortion. Nate confronted his father and Rue confronted him about Fezco.
Fez, the fan-favorite drug dealer, had to recoup losses following the police raid to pay Mouse. He wound up robbing and assaulting a man in front of his child. Maddy left Nate, and Kat made nice with Ethan.
Rue’s kidney infection knocked her down but her feelings for Jules sustained her. But she wasn’t ready to run away with her. Heartbroken, Rue relapsed and in a beautiful, climactic end scene, collapsed into a pile of singing gospel singers. The symbolism was jarring.
What’s going on with Rue? What happened to Fez? Will Nate’s father continue his behavior? So many questions remained heading into season 2.
Zendaya and HBO announce upcoming ‘Euphoria’ episodes
Zendaya and HBO took to social media to announce two special episodes of Euphoria. The first will air on Dec. 6. According to a press release from the network, both episodes were created and shot according to COVID-19 protocols.
The logline reads:
“In the aftermath of being left by Jules at the train station and relapsing, the first special episode follows Rue (played by Emmy®-winner Zendaya) as she celebrates Christmas. Written and directed by series creator Sam Levinson, the episode, titled ‘Trouble Don’t Last Always,’ also stars Colman Domingo, who appeared in season one.”
Fans may remember Domingo’s character Ali, one of the members of Rue’s support group. Viewers should tune in at 9 p.m. EST on Dec. 6 but the show will also be available to stream on HBO Max.
What’s known about Rue’s fate and season 2
According to Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, Rue is alive, but not well. In August 2019, he told The Hollywood Reporter, “Rue’s not dead, if that’s the question. I thought it was interesting when I read a piece [about that theory] and loved the piece but I think Rue has a big journey ahead of her, and a tough one.”
Levinson continued, “It’s not something I want to cut short because of who Rue means to me as someone who has battled with addiction and come out the other side, and because I think that there’s a lot more to delve into and unpack in terms of the effects of addiction on Rue and on her family and those around her.”
He also shared that Fez and Lexi’s stories will unfold in season 2 and he has special plans for both characters. Levinson stated that viewers will get to explore all the characters’ complexities in the new chapter.
