'Euphoria' Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Cal's past explored in blurry sex-filled chapter

What makes the show more riveting is the fact that it operates on a level that blurs the line between fantasy and reality
Cal Jacobs in a still from 'Euphoria' (HBO)
Cal Jacobs in a still from 'Euphoria' (HBO)

'Euphoria' Season 2 Episode 3 puts the spotlight on Cal Jacobs' teen days. The first 15 minutes of the episode are all about Cal, his INXS summer, and exploring his sexuality. And just a quick heads-up: The sex tape with Jules is actually in Maddy's possession. The latest chapter also puts focus on Lexi, the drifting of Rue and Jules, more raunchy sex between Nate and Cassie. There's also that part where the show shows that drugs, despite being glorified, become a social message that will spiral out.

The episode opens with Cal as a high school student and his best friend Derick who lead their lives listening to INXS, wrestling in school practice, meet and date chicas, and graduate — but not before it ends with a gay bar kiss sequence. Cal's life is shattered when he learns that his girlfriend is pregnant. Whether it is Nate as the baby is unknown, but he cries. Meanwhile, Rue realizes that she is high and her relationship with Jules gets worse, especially after Elliot shares a moment with the latter.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Euphoria' Season 2 Episode 2 Review: Near-dead Nate in focus in a sex-filled chapter

'Euphoria' Season 2 Episode 1: Fans predict Zendaya's winning 'Golden Globes 2023'

On the other end, Cassie has been waking up at 4 AM in the morning to spend more time on her aggressive self-care routine. The side benefits: It's also for Nate to notice her in the halls. However, the man doesn't so much as shoot a glance. The episode also sees her come close to telling Maddy that she's in love with Nate who actually is a creep and hooks up with her while his parents listen downstairs. Now all of this with Cal in the present getting bashed by Fez before telling him that his son is in love with Jules. Perplexed? So are we.

It's been quite the rollercoaster ride and 'Euphoria' never fails to amaze. What makes the show more riveting is the fact that it operates on a level that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Add in the drugs and the sex, it can get a bit too toxic at times, but such is the tone of the show. 'Euphoria' isn't for the faint of heart.

'Euphoria' airs Sunday nights at 9 pm on HBO.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

HBO’s true-crime docuseries revisits a decades-old murder, a property dispute, a long-silent eyewitness, and the disturbing history.
7 hours ago
The first novel in the 'Artemis Fowl' series was released in 2001, and since then, the series has sold more than 35 million copies
16 hours ago
Jake Johnson played a major role in the Fox series 'New Girl' from 2011 to 2018
17 hours ago
The show’s creators reflected on what inspired the legal drama and how some people feel ‘invulnerable’ to the law.’
17 hours ago
Season 4 of ‘Tracker’, starring Justin Hartley in the lead, airs every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
21 hours ago
The original and the spinoff show are scheduled to premiere in January 2027, with several stars set to appear in guest roles
21 hours ago
Tom Hiddleston and the ‘Tenzing’ crew reveal the challenges of filming on real mountains in exclusive premiere interviews.
21 hours ago
'Marshals,' starring Luke Grimes, airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS
22 hours ago
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Season 2 brings new family ties and a mysterious cadet aboard the USS Athena.
1 day ago
Team 7 ventures into another world as Masashi Kishimoto brings new anime and manga projects to the ‘Naruto’ franchise.
1 day ago