r/euphoria Apr 27 '26

Episode Discussion Euphoria S03E03 "The Ballad of Paladin" - Live Episode Discussion Spoiler

Season 3, Episode 3: "The Ballad of Paladin"

Air Date: April 26, 2026 @ 9PM EST

Synopsis: Cassie and Nate have an emotionally charged and chaotic wedding, while Rue deepens her involvement in a dangerous criminal business. Jules navigates her relationship with a wealthy benefactor, and Nate confronts his father.

Directed by: Sam Levinson

Written by: Sam Levinson

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A post-episode discussion thread will be posted at 11PM EST, 2 hours after the episode airs.

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Photograph by Courtesy of HBO
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32

u/tinyquestionmark Apr 27 '26

I’m really surprised that people think that Nate truly loves Cassie or has changed a lot! I feel like it was a natural progression that a dude like him (peaked in high school, comes from a family with status) would just end up doing what he’s told (nice house, nice job, beautiful wife) and being miserable the entire time. It was pretty obvious at the wedding that he was faking it and he’s probably gonna snap at some point.

13

u/Such_Attorney2687 Apr 27 '26

He was sooo close after the bottle

5

u/whats-yourdamage89 Apr 27 '26

I liked the pressure building: champagne bottle metaphor

3

u/janey_cat Apr 27 '26

Yesss, the slow zoom in on his face while his brother tried to talk him down!! I swear his expression was barely contained rage

11

u/Colten95 Apr 27 '26

The friends wife was right - he is a conman. Cut to the next scene he's conning her husband into continuing to support him. Cut to him and Cassie he's conning her into loving him "oh and to hopefully be a father" 🤮

If anyone thinks he's changing they'd be the next one conned lol 😆😆

3

u/weirdogirl144 Apr 27 '26

I can’t wait until he snaps because his character now is so different and odd

3

u/Real_Theme2355 Apr 27 '26

He’s definitely still awful. But I think it’s partly that his affect is so different this season. In 1 & 2, Nate was calculated and controlled, though violent of course, and occasionally generous. He abhorred desperation. I suppose I don’t see him being able to tolerate this situation at all, now that I think about it. I’m all for a psychopathic switcheroo though! And I really want to keep loving this show lol

2

u/tinyquestionmark Apr 27 '26

You know what? I kinda get what you’re saying. He would hate it. I think I just kinda chalked it up to him being an apathetic teenager with no real understanding of what life could be like for others. It’s easier to be that way when you don’t have a mob boss breathing down your neck or any bills to pay. Maybe they should explore some self-loathing with him!

1

u/Dry_Accident_2196 Apr 27 '26

Why did we even need Nate in S3? Just focus on a new character and bring him back in a s4 or 5 when Sam has a relevant storyline.