What happened between Jules and Cal? 'Euphoria' Season 3 Episode 3 reveals surprising turn in their story
'Euphoria' is packed with messy dynamics and relationships, but few are as striking as the trajectory Jules (Hunter Schafer) and Cal (Eric Dane) have followed since the show began. For those unaware, Jules first came across Cal on a dating app before they met at a motel and got intimate. Jules kept her real age under wraps, while Cal recorded the encounter without her knowledge. They then crossed paths a few episodes later at a carnival, where Cal recognized her. To his horror, he realized that not only is Jules underage, but she is also his son Nate's classmate. The pair decided to bury their secret and go their separate ways. Fate, though, doesn't allow this, and Nate ended up finding their sex tape. Season 3 Episode 3, titled 'The Ballad of Palladin,' seemingly wrapped up this pair's storyline, giving it an unexpected sweet sendoff.
Jules and Cal reunite during Nate and Cassie's wedding. Their meeting was teased in the trailer, and fans were excited to see how the pair would interact as Season 3 takes place after a five-year time jump. Jules, now a sugar baby, approaches Cal while he is ordering a drink. "Remember me?" she asks, to which Cal replies, "How could I forget? It's not every day you f**k one of your son's high school classmates." Jules wastes no time reminding Cal about the recording he made of their intimate moments. The video made Jules a target of Nate's wrath, and he became so obsessed that he even once catfished her, all in the name of protecting his family's honor.
Jules wasn't the only one Cal recorded without permission. He made multiple such recordings with several partners, claiming that he did so for his enjoyment and not for "distribution." Years of pent-up anger and emotional abuse made Nate hand over those tapes to the authorities. Now, Cal is a registered sex offender, and Jules says with a wry smile, “So, like, you’re one of those red dots?” The banter continues with Cal lamenting that he is now considered a "pedo" by society. Jules reminds him that he does have a taste for the "young." The conversation then turns towards Cal's complicated equation with Nate.
Even though his life took a significant turn due to Nate's actions, the father-son duo remains in contact, as seen in the second episode of the season. Cal explains to Jules that the current equation they share is "easier than being alone and angry." During the heart-to-heart, the groom's father finally answers a big question from the Season 2 finale. "But somehow, your video never made it to the police," Cal reveals. Turns out Nate removed that one video before handing the clips to the authorities. The conversation takes an emotional turn when Cal shares that his age has left him with a lack of partners. Jules immediately retorts that this isn't true. The reply doesn't come as a surprise, as she is literally paid to be a companion for older people.
Cal scoffs at Jules' take and reminisces about his glory days. "Perspective. I call that youthful idealism. You know, high school? Best years of our lives," he shares. The conversation ends with Cal calling her gorgeous and wolf-whistling as she departs the scene. The surprisingly pleasant interactions seemingly put a bow on one of the most complicated dynamics in the show. This scene may very well be the last of what fans will see of Eric Dane on the show, who breathed his last in February this year after a long battle with ALS. 'Euphoria' airs new episodes every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on HBO and HBO Max.
