Euphoria: Episode 5 Highlights

A look back at Zendaya’s amazing acting and Maddy’s potential to dominate the rest of the series. 

By Isabelle Delostrinos
Culture Columnist

So far this year, my Sundays have looked like this: sleep in until noon, treat myself to a trip to the mall, and be home by 6 PM to catch the newest Euphoria episode. Each week, I join the nationwide event of watching how the wild episodes of the Euphoria universe unfold. After each episode ends, I spend the rest of the night scrolling through Twitter and Tik Tok, unpacking the episode with the internet. The HBO series has united millennials and zoomers alike as the new season has everyone holding their breaths. Spoilers ahead! 

If I had to use one word to describe Episode 5, it’d be Zendaya. Her performance in this episode was so impressive and captivating, that it was painful to watch. Her character, Rue, has finally reached her breaking point. She’s at the lowest she has been in the entire series and finds herself in an intervention with her mother and sister. In this fifteen-minute monologue, we see the multiple personalities of Rue. We feel her pain and betrayal from her mother, her constant struggle with the side effects of addiction, and her yearning to just get better. Zendaya seamlessly portrayed all of these different states of being; making it hard to hate Rue for what she had done or said. After her relapse and downward spiral into her hatred for Jules, Rue’s girlfriend, viewers are only filled with sympathy and concern for her well-being. 

This episode also brings light to one of the most scandalous plot lines, Cassie and Nate’s secret relationship. In an effort to take the spotlight off of herself, Rue throws Cassie under the bus and admits to everyone that she saw the two kissing and driving off together one night. Cassie’s immediate defense and puzzled reaction instantly gave herself away, igniting anger from Maddy. Cassie all of a sudden runs straight up to her room trying to avoid the situation. 

Where was that energy from Episode 2, Cassie? She said she was crazier than Maddy, but couldn’t talk the talk when it came down to it. Seeing how Cassie and Nate face Maddy throughout the rest of the season will be very interesting. Maddy still has the forbidden tape of Nate’s dad and Jules. What will she do with it? And what will she do about Cassie? I can’t wait to see this situation play out and see how Maddy could dominate the series as well. 

Sam Levinson does an amazing job with his writing and how he directs episodes in ways that leave viewers wondering, “What happens next?” The show is unpredictable and exciting to watch, and I’m filled with anticipation for this upcoming Euphoria Sunday.