Euphoria Review: A Thousand Little Trees of Blood (Season 2 Episode 6)

Euphoria Season 2 Episode 6, “A Thousand Little Trees of Blood,” sees Rue in the beginning stages of cleaning up her act.

After all the chaos in Season 2 Episode 5, “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird,” Rue makes amends. In one of her lowest moments yet, she verbally assaults Ali and uses his past to attack his character. It’s by far one of the worst moments for Rue, as she alienates herself from most of the people she loves.

Being able to pick the phone up and admit to her wrongs is a big step for Rue, so it’s terrific to see that Ali can forgive her. If anyone can understand being in a position that low, it’s him.

A family dinner is a perfect way to give the Bennett family a proper introduction to Ali. It gives them, mainly Leslie and Gia, some room to breathe and pretend for a little bit as they focus on Ali and learning about him. As someone who’s been in Rue’s shoes time and time again, there’s nobody better to help their family heal.

Leslie and Gia are a focus on the show when it pertains to Rue and her actions, but they deserve more. It’s time that Euphoria immerses itself in the life of Leslie and Gia for one episode. In season 1, Gia has a somewhat actual storyline where viewers can see her enjoy herself and even have a genuine smile. Now, she’s only used for dramatic effect in Rue’s storyline, and there could be so much more.

Gia deserves to enjoy one day, one overall great day that restores her faith in humanity and brings her peace. I get it; I’m talking about Euphoria here, but hear me out. Multiple characters in the series have been given scenes that allow them to bask in their happiness, even if it’s immediately ripped out from under them. I want that given to Gia before the end of the season, even if Rue decides to ruin it all right after.

One thing I’m grateful for is that this episode brings a small moment of closure between Gia and Rue in the end.

I feel like I don’t know anything about your life anymore – Rue

I’ll tell you when you get back – Gia

Leslie is also in dire need of a relaxing, stress-free day that includes some light meditation because, honey, she’s been going through it. Nika King deserves all the accolades for her performances in “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird” and “A Thousand Little Trees of Blood.”

Leslie’s heartbreaking plea to the hospital, in the end, is rough to hear. She knows that there isn’t much more she can do for Rue personally, and if she doesn’t get help soon, it’ll be too late. With Rue’s admission that all she thinks about is dying, Leslie is rightfully losing her mind. All she can think about is losing her daughter and not being able to do a thing to prevent it.

I can’t remember the last time I was moved to tears from a scene where I could only hear the actor.

Besides Rue, Gia, and Leslie, it’s a hot mess, and not the good kind. Kat’s erasure from the season screams of problems on set so loud that it’s deafening. She’s had almost zero screentime that focuses solely on her, and then when she finally gets it, it’s time wasted on her and Ethan.

Making Kat come up with a brain tumor and pretend she’s dying in order to gaslight Ethan is despicable. No matter how boring Ethan may be, he deserves better than being gaslit instead of given the truth. I could forgive the awkwardness of the scene IF we see Kat again, but we don’t. Ethan’s departure is the last we see or hear of the two for the rest of the episode, and it’s frustrating.

Another character who hasn’t been given a worthy storyline is Maddy. Besides the Cassie/Nate drama that she gets swept into, all she’s been seen doing is babysitting. There is nothing exciting for Maddy this season whatsoever, only life-altering trauma, thanks to Nate.

After all the traumatic events Nate has put Maddy through, it almost makes sense that it’s the only way he knows how to act towards her. It’s easy to imagine that Maddy would shut Nate down no matter what if he asked her nicely for the tape, but I think she would have helped him.

Jules and Maddy have become closer this past season, and it doesn’t seem like she would want to hurt her in any way. If Nate explained that Jules is the one on the tape and he’s doing the right thing by giving it to her, she might’ve helped him.

More than likely, Maddy would request to ride along and make sure he’s telling the truth, but it would still be cooperation. However, that’s not something that Nate would ever do because it would mean having to explain why he cares. Just like his father, Nate will live in fear for most of his life, hiding who he truly is and covering it in any way he can.

He can’t tell Maddy that he cares for Jules, and that’s why he’s going to such extreme lengths for the tape, like a semi-normal person. Instead, Maddy will be left with everlasting intensified trauma that will likely cause her to have PTSD.

Seriously, if Nate doesn’t get the karma that is so rightfully coming to him by the end of the season, I’ll be livid. As I’ve said before in my past reviews, I am not here for the Nate redemption arc. I will not rest until I see him behind bars. Or underneath Ashtray’s bloody fists.

His giving Jules the tape does not constitute forgiveness for any of his actions. He’s known about the tape and its whereabouts the entire time and has yet to say a word to Jules. I don’t want to hear or read anyone excusing Nate’s actions simply because he does the right thing. The good doesn’t outweigh the horrific acts it takes to achieve his mission.

The love Nate has for Jules is so apparent, but he’ll never be able to have that because it includes coming out. Therefore, Cassie is now the sloppy rebound that keeps him entertained when he wants it. There’s no question that he’ll push her away the second he’s done with her.

Cassie’s journey through season 1 of Euphoria is not easy as she deals with her abortion and loses McKay right after. Her being depressed and needing a little more validation than usual is something to be expected. But the blatant character assassination that’s been happening throughout season 2 is downright abysmal and will be hard to come back from. 

Season 3 of Euphoria has the potential to be great if a writer’s room is introduced. After the lackluster storylines, I fear what a season 3 looks like with Levinson solely at the helm.

Other Thoughts:

• Faye seems to be doing a lot better, thanks to Fez and Ashtray helping her out. It would be wise for her to be upfront with them about Custer working with the police if she plans on staying alive. There’s no way Ashtray lets her live after crossing them.
• Cassie saying that she and Lexi have had a more challenging life than Rue is laughable. But that could be said for all of her actions throughout Season 2.
• Why was an altercation between Cassie and Maddy implied so heavily, only for the scene to never be shown? It makes zero sense to cut one of the most anticipated scenes of the season.
• Lexi and Fez are too cute; it makes me fear that something terrible will happen in the last two episodes. It’ll be too much for Lexi to be given her play and love life; one has to go.
• The praises Nate’s mother sings for his abusive behavior towards Maddy is sick.

What did you think of this episode of Euphoria? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Euphoria airs Sundays at 10/9c on HBO.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

20 Best Sci-fi/Fantasy TV Series of 2021