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HBO Max’s Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3, titled “The Ballad of Paladin,” is a chapter that aims for shock value. The result is an addictive mix of dark, sexy, funny, and uncomfortable commentary. This chapter is sharp, highly stylized, and punctuated by sudden bursts of humor and violence that make it nearly impossible to look away.
Euphoria, Season 3, Episode 3 is a Jules (GALECA nominee Hunter Schafer)–centric episode. The transgender character is best known for her turbulent relationship with Rue (Zendaya) after moving to East Highland in the first season. Rue’s on-again, off-again partner, she continues to explore her sexuality, now reclaiming her body as a way to make a living.
No spoiler content found.
Like the last episode, the opening minutes delve into the backstory of another beloved character. We see Jules struggle with dating and making ends meet. She finds that being transgender places her in a market of suitors seeking something only she can provide. Soon, her dance card is so full that she has more money than she knows what to do with.
What happens next? Take a moment and please read our complete review and spoiler-filled recap of Euphoria season 3 episode 3 titled “The Ballad of Paladin,” below!
HBO Max’s Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3: Who Does Rue Take to Cassie and Nate’s Wedding?
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Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Alexa Demie stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Alexa Demie stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Anna Van Pattens stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Chloe Cherry stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Chloe Cherry stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Colman Domingo stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Colman Domingo and Zendaya star in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
Rue takes Jules to Cassie and Nate’s wedding, showing up at her home with a wad of cash and telling her former fling that she is her sugar daddy now. Of course, this is uncomfortable for Cal (the late Eric Dane), who used to sleep with Jules on the down-low. When Cal’s wife asks who Rue brought to the wedding, he plays dumb, pretending not to know who Jules is.
In a hilarious scene, while Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) is being walked down the aisle by her mother (Ted’s Alanna Ubach), gaslighting her up and down, while Nate (Jacob Elordi) waits for her at the altar. Cassie and Nate tie the knot, and the celebration begins. While Jules, Maddy, and Rue drink, she gets a call from Bishop (Darrell Britt), ordering her to Alamo’s place.
Rue has to leave while Maddy entertains Jules. Cal gives a toast while drunk, coming across like that guy on the school board telling an underage girl she is hot. Later, he continues his inebriation and talks to his former lover at the bar. Jules asks him about his time in jail and how her part never reached the police. Cal reveals he is on the sex offenders list, cutting it close as ever.
On the way to see Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Fez calls Rue, who is excited to hear from him. However, before we find out why, Nate’s mom gives her a toast, prompting Maddy (Alexa Demie) to reflect on what her life could have been. Of course, her daydream is interrupted when Naseem, his investor, shows up at the wedding looking for his money.
HBO Max’s Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3: Why Does Fez Call Rue?
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Sharon Stone stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Sydney Sweeney stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Sydney Sweeney stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Toby Wallace stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Zendaya stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Zendaya stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Zendaya stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Sharon Stone stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Priscilla Delgado stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
Fez tells Rue that he is going to escape prison. While driving, we can only hear Rue’s side of the conversation. All we can make out is that he is going to jump off a prison transport. Later, she meets Bishop near Laurie’s place. They arrive, knocking on the door. Wayne (Babyteeth’s Toby Wallace) puts a shotgun on them, making Bishop give up his weapon.
Bishop tells Laurie they want to keep buying from her, but they need to test the drugs every time they are delivered. Laurie tries to get Rue to come back to work for her, but she refuses, saying she is happy working for Alamo. The kingpin then tells her to remember: the grass is always greener near the septic tank. The whole scene is very uncomfortable, making us wonder why Bishop brought Rue.
Back at the wedding, it is revealed that Naseem will be a living nightmare for Nate for not paying him back, and he leaves. Lexi (Maude Apatow) looks concerned. Cassie’s bridesmaid, her best friend whose husband invested in Nate’s business, overhears and then tells her husband. Nate tells Casie they may have to downsize. Hilariously, Sweeney’s Cassie deadpans, “I don’t want to downsize.”
Cassie is berated by her maid of honor, who claims Nate is stealing from her and her husband after they invested their kids’ college fund into Nate’s business. Nate convinces his friend not to jump ship. Cassie gets drunk and yells at Nate in front of his groomsmen about how he cannot provide for her and is conning all their neighbors. She accidentally sends a champagne cork into his right eye.
HBO Max’s Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 Ending Explained: Why Does Nas Cut Off Nate’s Toe?
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Nika King stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Maude Apatow stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Maude Apatow stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Marshawn Lynch stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Martha Kelly, Season 3, Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Colman Domingo, Maude Apatow, Sydney Sweeney, Zendaya, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer star in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Jacon Elordi stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Jacon Elordi stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
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Maude Apatow stars in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 (2026) | Image via Warner Bros. Discovery
Nas has a goon cut off Nate’s small toe. As he tells Cassie, he’s being charitable; he should have killed him. After making up, the happy couple arrives home to find m his henchmen waiting. Nate is beaten and dragged up the stairs and back down while Nas eats on the couch. Cassie sits on the yellow carpet with a bloody nose, crying that this was supposed to be the best day of her life.
After Nate loses his toe, blood pouring out of his foot, face, and mouth, Naseem and his associate leave. Cassit lies on the ground, speechless. Jules returns to her place with the bouquet and goes to bed. Bishop pays Laurie, and Rue leaves. Later, she is pulled over by a police officer. A man walks up, shows her a badge, and tells her he is with the DEA. He then tells her to exit the vehicle.e
Euphoria Season 3, Episode 3, “The Ballad of Paladin,” ends with what looks like Laurie has died, then her parakeet falls over and starts convulsing. It looks like Bishop put something in the bird’s water dish, which evaporated into the air, maybe killing everyone inside? We don’t know, it may be just Laurie. My guess is Wayne and others will seek revenge.
You can stream Euphoria season 3 episode 3, “The Ballad of Paladi,” exclusively on HBO Max on April 26th!
Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 Recap: “The Ballad of Paladin”
Euphoria Season 3, Episode 3, “The Ballad of Paladin,” is an addictive mix of dark, sexy, funny, and uncomfortable commentary on the Zommer generation.
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