Euphoria is a fucking mess. I truly cannot fathom how anyone finds enjoyment out of this, like actual happy enjoyment. It’s so miserably dramatic and awful. And the tone is confusing. Am I supposed to see a character as empowered even though she’s a 16 year old becoming a cam girl? That’s fucked up. Am I supposed to watch a montage of statutory rape scenes and just move on because it seems the characters do and they don’t even call it what it is? Is it supposed to look cool and visually appealing only? What’s the point of the storylines then? It seems to be in your face shocking and awful just because, with no real emotion or point put behind it.
People seem to love this thing but every episode I’ve watched (all of them), I just feel gross and very depressed. But the failure is on the writers to not adequately explore the heavy topics. You can’t throw these batshit insane tragic events at all these kids who are all in high school and then not call things as they are. The cam girl stuff is essentially child porn, and she goes on to hook up with a few older men - again this is statutory rape - but neither of those terms are used. And the show seems to be suggesting I should feel a “you go girl” sort of thing for her situation but I just can’t cause the implications are so fucking heavy and never touched upon.
Ditto to the trans character - who is actually one of the most interesting here, if the writers knew how to better handle her. But the fact that she’s had numerous one night stands with adult men and it’s never referred to as what it is makes me question the entire show. These are real issues and can’t be thrown together and not even touched upon, especially if the attitude from the creator is in essence patting themselves on the back for showing what teens are really like (again I call complete bullshit on that claim). It’s hitting you over the head with trauma in nearly every scene without saying anything close to something substantive.
Yes, I should just stop watching, but at the same time, I am interested to see how this thing progresses. There have got to be consequences for the characters, like the real world closing in on them or something. But I fear the creator/writer hasn’t thought that far. For now it’s just: look at how fucked up teens are, aren’t I edgy?
It’s so empty. No humor, no lightness anywhere, no cleverness, no commentary. Just misery and porn.
But I will say episode 4 provided some good stuff, with beautiful cinematography and camera movements all while this bombastic score plays nearly the full running time. And yet, all the characters and situations are so awful that I just wish all the good technical stuff was in a better show. It can’t be saved on looks alone, which they need to learn before the (ugh) second season.
Anyway...I have many problems with the show, but it’s kind of difficult to put into words why I feel this way. I hope it makes sense. I’m not trying to say “oh it’s so immoral, will someone think of the children?” It’s not like that. It’s more of a i can’t believe this shit is getting passed off as good tv.
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