Euphoria Recap: Everything You Need to Remember Before Season 3

Credits:- Patrick Wymore/HBO

The long-awaited return of Euphoria is finally on the horizon. Featuring a significant time jump and shift in the show’s narrative, the series has a wide gap to cross between Season 2 and Season 3. For fans who have been patiently waiting, it is essential to revisit where everyone stands before diving back in.

Season 3 of Euphoria premieres on Sunday, April 12. So before the sirens start blaring again, here is a refresher on where the residents of East Highland left off. 

Where is Rue, and Is She Still Battling Addiction?

Zendaya in the show | Credits: HBO

The first season and the start of the second season of Euphoria were pretty brutal for Zendaya’s Rue. Despite rehab and emotional support, she relapsed several times during the two seasons. In the special episode “Trouble Don’t Last Always,” she also told Ali that she sees no point in getting clean.

Yet, by the finale of Season 2, she is sober again and narrates that she stayed clean for the rest of the school year. Rue ended the season with a hopeful internal monologue about wanting to be a “good person,” she admitted she didn’t know how long her sobriety would last.

Did Jules and Rue Break Up?

Hunter Schafer as Jules in | Credits: HBO

One of the important storylines of last season was Rue and Jules’ relationship. They began their relationship in Season 2 of Euphoria, when Rue confessed her feelings. But Hunter Schafer’s Jules, initially, remained unaware of how serious Rue’s addiction issues were. 

When she finds out, with the help of Rue’s mom, she attempts to get her sober. But Rue, who considers Jules her first love, breaks down and tells her they are over. By the end of Season 2, they have emotionally drifted apart, leaving their future uncertain. Even when Jules tries to reconcile, Rue walks away after simply kissing her on the forehead. 

What Happened to Lexi After Her School Play?

Lexi in the show | Credits: HBO

Maude Apatow’s Lexi Howard gets a creative streak in Season 2 and writes a play about her life, titled Our Life. It is staged in the penultimate episode of the season and causes considerable stir among Lexi’s family and friends. 

The production exposes the inner lives of her friends, especially since she casts lookalikes to portray her sister Cassie, Cassie’s best friend Maddy, Kat, and Rue. While Cassie tries to stop the play, Lexi stands her ground, Rue appreciates her portrayal and the play, and Lexi finally gains confidence and recognition. 

Where is Nate, and What Happened to His Father?

Jacob Elordi in the show | Credits: HBO

Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacob ends Euphoria Season 2 in a dramatically different place. After years of internal conflict, Nate turns his father, Eric Dane’s Cal Jacobs, over to the police using incriminating evidence tied to Cal’s past crimes. 

While Cal finally breaks his silence, Nate is the one who is affected the most. While it is not revealed whether the evidence he submitted contains the video with Jules, it leads to Cal’s arrest. It remains to be seen what charges he faces and how his arrest affected Nate and their family. Nate remains a volatile wildcard heading into Euphoria Season 3, since his actions last season were more rooted in revenge than morality. 

Which Characters Will Not Return in Euphoria Season 3?

Angus Cloud in the show | Credits: HBO

Euphoria Season 3 will notably feel different due to several absences of past cast members. First of all, Fezco’s future remains uncertain within the story following the Season 2 finale’s police raid, but in reality, the passing of Angus Cloud means the character will not return in the same capacity.

Fez’s adoptive brother, Ashtray, is killed during the same raid, marking a definitive end for his character. Other characters like Barbie Ferreira’s Kat, Austin Abrams as Ethan, and Storm Reid’s Gia will not be returning for the season (via Elle). 

What to Expect from Euphoria Season 3? 

Season 3 of Euphoria will take a bold leap forward as it features a five-year time jump, moving the characters out of high school and into early adulthood. The teasers tease that Rue is now on the run from Laurie, after she failed to pay off the debt. She is also struggling with sobriety.

Nate and Cassie are now engaged, while Sydney Sweeney‘s Cassie has turned to OnlyFans as a way to gain clout and feed her insecurities. Jules is attending art school, while Maddy has turned into a talent manager. Lexi has taken to working in television production. 

The third season will be joined by several new characters, featuring a more intense theme and grittier storytelling. As the series moves into a more mature tone, we will get to see the characters battling young adulthood as their past choices continue to shape their lives. 

Expected to be the final season, the next season sounds more like a reckoning than a continuation. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Euphoria Season 3 debuts on HBO Max on Sunday, April 12.