Euphoria: what’s all the hype about?

Dissecting why USD is enthralled with Euphoria 

Anna Valaik / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista

The hit HBO drama series,“Euphoria,” is the talk of the town, and there’s no denying it. With season 2 premiering a month ago, the show and the infamous characters are everywhere: TikTok feeds, “Variety” articles, and YouTube interviews, to name a few. “Euphoria Sunday’s” have even become a crucial part of people’s weeks with everyone patiently waiting until a new episode drops.

Euphoria’s plotline revolves around Rue, a troubled high school girl who deals with a drug addiction. As she makes her way through life, she encounters multiple other characters, all dealing with their own drama, difficulties, and relationships. Slowly, each character has their own narrative, and the viewer sees just how crazy the world of high schoolers can get. Notable names such as Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, and Alexa Demie star in this drama.

However, interestingly enough, according to “Variety,” season 2 viewership is up nearly 100% from season 1; the premiere, alone, drew in 13.1 million viewers, which is an astounding number. Although Euphoria has always been highly-regarded, this dramatic increase in viewership illustrates that this show now has a “cult-like” following, made up of loyal fans who can’t get enough.

Shows with a strong fanbase have them for a reason, and that’s what the USD Vista wanted to explore more. Why is this show hyped, and what about it interests younger audiences so much? Considering Euphoria caters to audiences mostly around the age of USD students, we didn’t have to look far for some die-hard Euphoria enthusiasts.

Euphoria fans and USD students Talia Gorman (Senior), Sarah Richards (Senior), and Megan Cardiff (Junior) were asked the following questions:

What is it about Euphoria that makes it stand out/different from other shows? Why is it so hyped?

Talia Gorman:
“They actually have a show director and a photography director that really focus on the aestheticism of the scenes, which really takes it to the next level. The show goes between having somewhat normal scenes to music video type scenes with amazing music, and I think people really enjoy this aspect of it.”

Sarah Richards:
“The majority of Euphoria is carefully crafted. From colors to characters’ makeup to the soundtrack to cinematography. When watching Euphoria, every scene can be discussed for hours, as every detail has a unique purpose. Furthermore, with the age of social media, you can discuss theories and reasons with millions. After every episode, I love going online to see what everyone thinks. I think the interactive viewing experience in that aspect makes it so hyped and different from any other show I have watched.”

Do you think Euphoria accurately portrays teenagers/young adults? Yes or no, and why? Does it matter if it does or doesn’t?

Gorman:
“To a degree, yes. I think that every show tends to develop archetypes for characters that may not play out as realistically in real life, but are good for drama television. In my experience throughout high school, I see lots of similarities in the personalities and behaviors of people I grew up around that are displayed in the show.”

Richards:
“I think Euphoria does accurately portray teenagers. Regardless of if all teenagers are drug dealers or addicts (which they are not), this show encapsulates dealing with the complexity of a messed up world with an impressionable mind. It also does not matter. I think the characters in this show have drastic and intense actions and stories. However, they are relatable characters in the sense that their underlying feelings and reasons are what most young adults go through or feel.”

Euphoria explores many important topics (sex, drugs, hookup culture, family drama, etc). Why do you think this is important to showcase on TV, especially for a younger audience?

Richards:
“I think regardless of if HBO shows it or not, teenagers will find these topics online. By showcasing these important topics in TV shows, it takes away the heavy burden of teenagers thinking they are going through these things alone. The sheer hype around Euphoria allows teenagers to start a discussion around these important topics even if the discussion starts with how sick Maddy’s outfit was.”

Cardiff:
“Younger audiences may think that all of the issues they go through no one else goes through. Euphoria squashes that. The show differentiates itself from airbrushed shows because it illustrates how life is not perfect, and young people deal with hard things.”

Gorman:
“In all honesty, some of the sex and drugs content probably glorifies the experience of these things which I could see being detrimental for a younger audience. However, there are also a lot of very real identity struggles that each character goes through which I think are important to showcase because they may be relatable to their audience.”

Do you recommend watching this show? Why?

Cardiff:
“I have recommended this show to my friends but tell them it’s heavy. I’m obsessed with the story of every character, and they go into the past of each character which I can appreciate and makes me feel for them, and I think that’s the main reason why I’m so invested in the series.”  

Gorman:
“Overall I find the drama enthralling. But in addition, I also love the soundtrack of the show and the costume design. Fashion and music are things that I love and so I really enjoy seeing the artistic choices made with these mediums in each episode. On the flip side, if you aren’t into shows that deal with heavy and explicit topics I would not recommend it because it contains lots of triggers that could be harmful.”

Richards:
“I recommend watching this show because it is currently defining pop culture. Even if you do not like it, it defines the modern era of young adults and will continue to as more episodes are released.”

Due to Euphoria’s intense, heavy content, however, some people struggle to enjoy the show or see any good in it. Just as Euphoria receives good press for shedding light on life’s realities, it also receives negative press for possibly glorifying or misrepresenting a realistic teenage experience. 

For example, USD Sophomore Allie Longo gave up on Euphoria after the first episode. To Longo, watching television is about escaping and relaxing; Euphoria and its heavy subject matter didn’t necessarily allow for much relaxation. Another reason Longo may think she was turned off, too, was because she struggled with the idea that these were high schoolers being portrayed. At times, she felt it was more representative of the college experience because some of the topics and experiences being discussed seemed a bit out of the ordinary for teenagers. Longo is not alone with regards to her opinions on Euphoria—many people use TV to take a break from reality, and Euphoria does quite the opposite. It forces you to look at the world, and mostly the dark, disturbed parts of it. 

However, the question of whether Euphoria deserves the hype or not doesn’t really matter in the end. As Richards said, it’s truly defining modern culture right now, and that’s something all people should take note of. To most fans, it’s the visuals, the gorgeous cinematography, and the artistic direction that makes Euphoria stand out amongst the rest. Furthermore, it’s the way in which the show creates an open dialogue for teenagers to discuss their experiences, feelings, and tendencies with others; it’s a reminder that no one is alone through their battles, even if society may make them feel that way.

Nowadays, TV shows and movies are chock-full of cliches, and it seems as though Euphoria is, for once, getting the teenage experience right; they are truly shedding light and giving voices to those who may not always get center stage. Everyone can agree there’s something beautiful about that.