‘Euphoria’ Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Something in the Water

Either Euphoria is running out of characters to open with, or the show really, really wants to focus on Rue (Zendaya), because Episode 4 cuts out the middleman and picks up right on her storyline. Sorry to Rue, but what decision a bummer! The character-based openings are one of Euphoria‘s specialties, so why waste any time without them? Ugh. Instead of rich background, we’re force-fed a pop culture mish mosh that’s nothing but old news. Rue loves Jules (Hunter Schafer) to the moon and back. But there are a slew of road blocks — the drugs, Rue’s avoidant attachment style, her inexperience — that hold her back. We get it.

The episode opens on a failed orgasm in which the climactic moment is: Why is Euphoria avoiding Jules more than Rue is? Apart from the opening and the scene that follows, there are hardly any moments with one of the show’s best characters in this episode. It’s a dilemma Season 2 has faced again and again as we reach the midpoint. Nothing is happening to Kat (Barbie Ferreira). Maddy’s (Alexa Demie) entire arc is reliant on Cassie (Sydney Sweeney). Instead of finding ways to blend them into the main plots, Euphoria has smudged them all over the place — and it shows especially in this episode, which basically serves as an Emmy push for Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Eric Dane.

Our fourth episode also happens to take place entirely outside of the halls of Euphoria High, venturing off into the homes of the Howard sisters, of Elliot (Dominic Fike), and on car journeys ft. Cal Jacobs. Since the only party is a small one that hones in on Cassie, the whole episode feels isolated. Unlike the episode that came before it, “You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can” feels way too wonky to be enthralling in any way. Most of the episode is spent on dancing, slow-mo glances, or experimental shots, anyways, a choice that feels rather hollow.

It’s Maddy’s birthday, and I still can’t figure out how we’re supposed to feel about this character. She’s fun and sassy, so we’re meant to like that, right? But she’s also abusive, violent, and tends to be a bad friend. And yet, when a desperate Kat comes clawing her way for advice about Ethan (Austin Abrams), somehow, Maddy has exquisite advice. While she tells Kat to seek what she wants instead of what she needs, though, she throws a wrench into the mix: the R-word. Are we supposed to laugh this off — “High schoolers!” — or, as I am inclined to, let it sour our entire impression of Maddy? This is the dilemma I find myself in with her, week after week.

Also, is it just me, or is Maddy starting to really pick up on Cassie and Nate (Jacob Elordi)? I can’t tell! In that daring hot tub scene, she keeps eyeing Cassie in the corner. Maybe it’s because she’s completely WASTED, or maybe it’s because she can tell there’s something brewing between the two. Nevertheless, pour one out for Sydney Sweeney, because she absolutely demolishes her scenes once again this episode. At this point in Euphoria, the energy is come for Sydney Sweeney, stay for Sydney Sweeney. That scene where Cassie’s mother drags her up the stairs as she pleads for Nate with just her eyes? Game changer. “I’m crazier than her.” You aren’t!

We’ve got two more major points to touch on before we’re officially at the midpoint of Euphoria Season 2. Let’s just get this out of the way: Cal? Sorry, but does anyone actually care about this man? He keeps saying he “doesn’t understand” Nate, that he’ll “never understand,” but I don’t think I understand his misunderstanding. There’s nothing all that mysterious about Nate. Pulling a page from HBO kin Succession, Cal takes a piss on the floor and yells at his family with statements that’ll make you wince. That’s enough. I think we all had a teenage romance we still feel a little remorseful about.

By far the most important part of the episode is Elliot’s big confession to Rue. It seems Elliot has chosen his god (Jules, not Rue nor drugs), but the cracks in the foundation of this trio of friends cannot lead to a healthy relationship between any of them. Again, though, this all feels a little too cyclical to remain entertaining or enlightening in any way.

As a whole, Euphoria Episode 4 feels far too “style over substance” to be recognized as anything new or exciting. And I understand that I’m saying this about, uh, Euphoria, a show that constantly leans towards stylistic choices over plot time and time again, but I’m getting carsick from the amount of head-out-the-window radio-blasting car sequences. Maybe it’s time to rewatch I’m Thinking of Ending Things instead.

Hot Gossip From East Highland High

Some stray strands of tittle-tattle we’re expecting to hear more about in the episodes to come.

• More on Lexi’s Play: The only part of the episode that takes place at East Highland revolves around Lexi’s play. She’s auditioning new girls to play Cassie’s role (and apparently she left in the name “McKay”) — but wait. Didn’t Ethan already get cast? What kind of high school production releases casting news one bit at a time?
• The Future: Euphoria has never really focused on college or what’s to come after these kids all graduate high school, but with Nate’s storyline, we’ve gotten a little preview. We keep seeing him in familial situations: i.e., that weird hospital bed dream with a pregnant Cassie. In this episode, we cut to him playing with the kid Maddy babysits as she watches, entertained. Foreshadowing, maybe.
• Cassie’s Family Is Starting to Notice: We knew Lexi had her eye on Cassie’s spiral, but after Maddy’s chaotic birthday full of tears and throw up, her mom is also in on the manic habits, too. Get this girl some help, guys.
• “I Can’t Fucking Stand You”: What Rue says in the car to Jules. They’ve got a lot of kinks to work out, but this is probably the biggest red flag.

Where to watch Euphoria