NERD INITIATIVE

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The New Life for Jules

The third episode of season three of Euphoria begins with tension, like it’s building toward something huge and dramatic, but no one expected what it would turn into. Starting off with a character that’s been notably absent the past two episodes, Rue narrates what exactly has been going on with Jules. Jules’ friend in art school is trying to talk her into joining the life of being a sugarbaby. We go through a series of dates with Jules that show exactly what’s expected of this new life for her. After a few wildly different dates, she landed on a plastic surgeon named Ellis. Ellis seems like someone to keep in mind as the show progresses. Something about him, besides the obvious things shown in the episode, just doesn’t sit right with me.

What’s going on with Rue?

Apparently, Rue is now a weapons expert and a gun salesman. This is a drastic change from who Zendaya has portrayed in the other seasons. Her new work life with Alamo has taken her into a lifestyle that I don’t think anyone expected for Rue. Speaking of her new lifestyle, her old life pays Alamo a visit. Laurie is on a warpath after Alamo recruited Rue right out from under Laurie’s hands. As this life is tit for tat, Alamo isn’t going to take this lightly.

The Royal Wedding

The wedding is finally here and Nate is already foreshadowing that this isn’t the best idea. Vomiting in the bathroom, Nate is going through it, while Cassie isn’t pleased in the slightest bit about it. What this scene does give us is a reunion of the characters with Rue, Maddie, Jules and others all attending the royal event. Surrounded by tens of thousands of dollars worth of flowers, the tension is visible at the ceremony.

Most of the episode revolves around Nate and Cassie’s wedding. On paper, it’s supposed to be a big moment. In reality, it feels off and awkward immediately. Everyone at the event has shown up to the event with some type of chip on their shoulder, except Rue who’s just happy to have Jules by her side.

As Cassie walks down the aisle, her mother gives her probably the worst pep talk in the history of weddings. Even her mother is trying to tell Cassie that this is not a good idea.

After the I dos are exchanged, Rue gets a work call, which must be very confusing for those around her as they all think she just works for Uber.

Where the real tension is felt is during the wedding reception. Cal is drunk and clearly not used to making public appearances after his arrest. Maddie is feeling all kinds of different emotions being at her ex’s wedding. Lexie makes it clear that marriage will never be for her. Jules and Cal actually talk, and given their problematic background, it went much better than expected.

Raise a Glass

It’s time to raise a glass to the happy couple, and in what should be a very sweet time, you can feel something building. Toasts are made, and when Nate’s mom takes the mic, it’s Maddie catching every stray. This speaks volumes about Nate’s mother as she’s still nothing more than a petty woman who was proud of her son for being abusive to his girlfriend in the past seasons.

All the happiness being had by the newly married couple is stopped immediately when Naz shows up. Naz is here to collect the debt that Nate owes him, and it’s made known by the wedding party what kind of trouble Nate is in. Cassie is in no mood to enjoy her wedding when she’s confronted by one of her bridesmaids who happen to be one of the contributors to Nate’s business.

Nate steps outside for some fresh air, and who does he run into? Jules. There has been such an interesting connection between the two, and somehow, they still have a chemistry together that rivals Nate and his new wife’s. I have a theory about these two and it may be reaching, but Nate’s in financial trouble and Jules is making more money than she ever has. Could we be setting up Jules to be the help Nate needs to get out of his debt? Time will tell.

Visiting the Past

Rue’s work call involved her going to meet Laurie and her crew, and things get heated, to say the least. Laurie is there with her trusted bird, Paladin, by her side. Amongst all the quieted chaos, Laurie tries to bring Rue back into her crew, but it’s unsuccessful.

Bishop and Laurie exchange words after Bishop slips Paladin a pill secretly and Laurie makes a racist comment towards Bishop. I didn’t know where this scene was going to go, but I didn’t expect everyone to walk out of their with their lives. Also, it’s not said enough how much aura Bishop has in this episode.

The Wedding Night

Cassie and Nate are prepared to keep the party going and celebrate their marriage, but Naz has something else in mind. Waiting for them at their house, violence immediately ensues. Cassie’s bleeding and crying while Nate is getting his tail handed to him by Naz’s worker. This is the perfect example of who Cassie is as a person. Self centered, selfish, and only caring about her wedding night being ruined. Don’t worry about your new husband getting his toe cut off with his face bloodied and battered. This is makes for one of the most explosive episode of Euphoria and definitely keeps you interested in what will happen in the next episode.

Meanwhile, Jules is back at her apartment, wedding bouquet in hand. Could this be foreshadowing? However, she’s not alone. I’m to assume it’s Ellis in the shower but we’re never shown.

The episode ends with Rue being pulled over by the DEA, which is a HUGE problem given her line of work. That, and Paladin falling to his death in his cage right next to Laurie, who’s asleep. Leaving us on a huge cliffhanger, who’s to say what happens in the next episode? Laurie will want revenge, Rue is in the worst possible situation, we still don’t know who’s in Jules apartment, and Nate will still be missing a toe.

Let me know in the comments what you thought of this new episode of Euphoria!

This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!