HBO’s EUPHORIA: Rue and Jules shouldn’t be together.
By: Israel Olorunnisola
Tags: TV, Euphoria, TV Series, Tv Series Review, Character Development

photo credit: Instagram

Where do they go from here?

HBO’s Euphoria shifting from this teen-drama series revolving around several characters, to a full-time love story is one plot twist I for one never saw coming.

Mind you, if ever you are to make a list of lovers whose fates were intertwined with another, whether you begin with Romeo and Juliet, and end with Dante and Beatrice, just be sure to mention Rue and Jules somewhere in between.

Those two got me. Oh Boy, they did.

Especially Rue. in her highs, in her lows, it’s always Jules. and romantically so- it just happens to be Vice-versa.

These are two individuals with different family backgrounds, social upbringing, different personalities, who begin to rely heavily on one another for emotional stability literally two nights after making each others acquaintance.

Photo credit: Instagram

Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with the idea of teenagers sticking with one another through arguably the most obscure stage of growth.

What really is wrong here is both parties not being emotionally strong enough to play the pillar role.

Let's break this down...

Jules

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Jules believes to conquer feminity she needs to conquer men soaked with toxic masculinity which Rue isn’t.

Jules views feminity as an illusion. She now has insecurities about her body. Which she is uncertain about Rue’s acceptance of any possible change.

Jules has a cynic view of drug addicts. She sees them as villains ruining the lives of the people closest to them including Rue.

“I don’t want to be best friends with some whos gonna kill themselves” Jules to Rue- season 1 episode 3.

Jules wants to exist in two forms which is impossible; The submissive Jules sexting ShyGuy118 and the dominant Jules carrying the burden of Rue’s sobriety.

Rue

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For Rue, it is quite different as she is on the worse receiving end of this intense situation-ship.

During her conversation with Ali. Rue comes to believe she lives in a world that makes no sense.

Anyone else here noticing how Rue’s relationship with Ali is a symbiotic one, as their conversations give room for Ali to reflect on his youth.

A world she believes no one gives a damn about her. Until she meets Jules, This vibrant girl full of energy and life Rue feeds from.

Even though Rue has the love of a mother and kid sister, She feels the love is tinted with pity and shame which makes her feel worse. Thus making Rue prefer the pure love Jules has for her until even that is questioned after Jules abandons her at the train station.

I empathize with Jules and Rue. One a recovering addict; dealing with heartbreak. The other, shying away from the weight of commitment as she confronts the reality of being Trans.

While this review may have painted them to be these complicated characters. In reality or fiction, however, you choose to see it, they aren’t. they are relatable, to millions of teenagers and young adults in this generation and this is what makes HBO’s Euphoria one of the Best shows to be watching right now.

Among the numerous issues being addressed, important messages being passed across through the show's characters one lesson I’ve learnt and you should too is this.

Before I say it let me be clear, I am no relationship expert neither am I the biggest advocate of self-love.

But I got this one advice for y’all…

“Never allow your mental health to rely on someone’s physical or emotional availability”

The heart wants what it wants and all but come on!

Yes we love Rue and Jules, yes our hearts melt when we see their tik-tok edits, but if we really did love them as we claim to; we will call their relationship for what it truly is “Toxic”.

Jules should focus on understanding sexuality and her multiple personalities, Let go of the strings her previous relationships have on her individuality, and focus on who she really is without her commitment to Rue.

On the other hand, Rue should focus on her sobriety outside her relationship with Jules.