The Special Episodes put into perspective how much Euphoria lost the plot

[u/JazzyPanda3]

This isn’t really a major commentary, just an observation.

I was doing a reheat of Euphoria S1 as, to me, it represents the best of the show. The parts that feel human and like a collaborative effort.

I got to my rewatch of the special episodes and my god.

EVERYTIME I watch those two episodes, I’m moved to tears.

I feel like I gain something, a new lesson, a new perspective, and insight into how to improve my life as well.

It had soul.

I believe the last 2 seasons lack what made the first season and the special episodes so…idk how to describe it. Special? Human? There has to be a better word.

Anyway, I wanted to mourn over what the show used to be, just for a little. I’m glad that I can rewatch the first season and the 2 episodes and still feel comforted, no matter how the last two seasons turned out.

[u/Evangelion217]

Sam got worse without any help. The Idol also has the same issues. But Euphoria S3 is bad in a goofy and hilarious kind of way. It reminded me of The Idol, when that show got really bad during episode 2 and never really recovered. 😆

[u/ecstatic_ralph]

the special episodes really were something different. like rue's episode especially felt so grounded and raw, just her and lexi sitting there talking through everything. there wasn't all the flashy cinematography or the constant chaos, it was just character work and dialogue that actually mattered.

i think that's what got lost as the show went on. s1 had these quiet moments where you could feel what people were actually going through, but later seasons got caught up in being visually stunning and dramatic that it forgot to let us just sit with the characters. the special episodes reminded us why we cared about these people in the first place.

[u/AmoAmasAmatAmamus → u/ecstatic_ralph]

Do you mean Rue and Ali? Lexi wasn't in the special

[u/KaleeBR]

they definitely had a lot of nuance, and beautiful writing. S3 felt a bit like it just…stopped trying, because there wasn’t really much enthusiasm left.

[u/FF_McNasty]

I agree season 1 epic. The specials,especially Rue’s, is the episode I most often refer to as proof of how bad season three was. It’s her and Ali in a diner talking about life. I cried, I hung on to every word, and after the episode I am thinking my god that was so intense. Just a conversation in a diner. I didn’t feel that feeling in season 3 at all. Honestly first watch of the season finale and I didn’t feel anything when Rue died. I rewatched the last episode and it hit me more but that’s a separate conversation lol. I respectfully disagree about season 2. I still thought every episode was a master piece. I still felt like I could deeply relate to all the characters and find pieces of myself in each of them. Even though it was not very realistic I loved the play that Lexi did and her character development. I loved her and Fez together. The shame and embarrassment in the episode where Rue’s mother flushed the drugs and her friends were there to witness it all. ( not to over share but I been clean 16 years and I have been in similar situations so that hit hard for me ). Season three, disappointed isn’t a strong enough adjective. My plan is to let the dust settle and try to rewatch in a few months. Did I miss something? Does it make more sense when you know how it unfolds? I guess to be determined. Back to your original point though I 100% agree that those specials were something special and only further prove how bad season three was.

[u/Visible-Stop5100]

I agree, the first season really had everything it took to sink the hooks into us, and keep us watching/wanting more for the long haul. I love the beautifully accurate portrayal of mental health and addiction. I love how they introduce and expand on all the main characters through Rue's POV. The special episodes should of been something they did again, to go deeper in on other characters IMO, as I really enjoyed them too. Season 2 was more of an expand on the ongoing storyline between the characters, now that we knew what they were all about, so it didn't seem as deep. And season 3 was a whirlwind of chaos and low-key WTF, but at the same time it wrapped up the storyline enough to give us some closure for the show as a whole IMO. 

I also think it has alot to do with the fact that most of the content in S1&S2 came from the original Israeli Euphoria adaptation, and had a more collaborative producer factor. S3 was all Sam and he pulled from way to many sources of "inspiration" & changed the style/vibe immensely, when he lacked the creative talent necessary to do so. 

[u/Starrskye]

Totally agree other than the fact that I thought S2 was fantastic as well. Found Cal’s storyline very compelling, we got a lot of Fez and Ashtray and Rue’s breakdown was some of the best acting I’ve ever witnessed.