The Euphoria References
Talking about last night's episode...
This post has spoilers for Season 2, Episode 4 of Euphoria. Heed with caution!
Apologies that it’s been some time since a newsletter dropped. Life has a way of taking over.
I firmly believe that years from now when we talk about Euphoria, this will be the episode we will talk about. THE episode. Like the “Red Wedding” to Game of Thrones. “Whitecaps” to the Sopranos. “You Who Cannot See, Think of Those Who Can” for Euphoria. I think it certainly helps that they really amped the budget for this one.
Much symbolism, many a metaphor, much to discuss in this episode. Cal banging on the window of the gay bar he was thrown out of, begging to be let in? PHEW! For this week’s newsletter, I’d like to focus solely on the intro shots, which took my breath away.
The episode opens with Rue declaring her love for Jules while high, while I’ll Be Here In The Morning by Townes Van Zandt plays.
“I don’t think you understand how much I love Jules.”
Iconic moments in film, art and photography are then recreated, in an attempt to encapsulate Rue’s strong feelings for Jules. Below is each reference, apologies that the photos aren’t the clearest:
Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus
John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Rolling Stone cover
Frida Kahlo’s Self Portrait As A Tehuana
This one is particularly interesting to me. According to FriedaKahlo.org:
“This painting expresses Firda's desire to possess Diego Rivera, who continues betraying her with his affairs with other women. But she cannot stop thinking about him. She painted a miniature portrait of him on her brow which indicating the obsessive love she has for the famous Mexican artist.”
Ghost starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore
Titanic as Jack and Rose
Foreshadowing a tragic relationship demise? Certainly so based on the episode ending.
Disney’s Snow White
Brokeback Mountain
The Lovers by Rene Magritte
“Frustrated desires are a common theme in René Magritte’s work. Here, a barrier of fabric prevents the intimate embrace between two lovers, transforming an act of passion into one of isolation and frustration. Some have interpreted this work as a depiction of the inability to fully unveil the true nature of even our most intimate companions.”
We can infer this represents Rue hiding her relapse from Jules.
The above images depict what we consider to be some of the greatest romances and muses. But they also illustrate something else - the trials and tribulations that come with loving someone. Heartbreak, secrecy, death, obsession, putting someone on a pedestal. The fun, the messy, the sad, the beautiful, the bittersweet. Love indeed is a battlefield, as a one Pat Benatar once proclaimed.
I also wanted to briefly touch on one of the ending scenes, when Euphoria really went full artsy fartsy on us, so much so that even cast member Angus Cloud was confused.
Cassie is surrounded by an assortment of flowers, which I initially thought this was a reference to Midsommar as Cassie descends further into madness, perhaps seeking her revenge on Nate. However in the behind-the-episode video which aired after the episode, show creator Sam L*vinson revealed that the imagery was inspired by “Mexican murals from the turn of the century”.
Until next week…