It’s difficult to look back on Euphoria in hindsight and not conclude that Euphoria walked so The Idol could run. In the wrong direction. 

Unlike the easy-breezy John Hughes-style coming-of-age dramas, 'Euphoria' subverts the trope where children come into maturity at a great cost.

Lexi's much-awaited play drags all her loved ones through the truth-wringer without their permission -- but at least it's great art. She is TV's foremost bad art friend.

Rue’s and Gia's, Cassie and Lexi’s, and Nate’s and Aaron's mothers all carry the weight of absent fathers and self-blame for their children’s flaws.

Season 2, episode 5 redeemed the whole season when it found its way back to Rue’s grief.

There isn’t a single dialogue in season 2, episode 4 that doesn’t have something to do with some toxic man or the other leaving a trail of emotional ruin.

Rue is at once honest and deceptive, manipulative and vulnerable, and gives new meaning to the trope.

Season 2 crosses over from critiquing the male gaze to actively employing it in its depiction of Cassie and Kat.

We begin and end with the question: can anyone have a remotely decent time? It's new year's!