Her recklessness and what was deemed toxic behavior weren’t solely about anything we’d seen – they were about her mother coming back into her life and the trauma attached to it, how her complicated feelings about Rue resemble those she has about her mother, and how their addictions weigh heavy on her. The timeline switches throughout the special episode explain why Jules was acting irrationally at some points. Jules admits to resentment over the burden of helping Rue maintain sobriety by being available 24/7, a valid feeling that was missed or dismissed by Rue in season one.Įpisode four of season one ( Shook Ones, Pt II) explores Jules’ past, including her mother admitting her to a psychiatric hospital for gender dysphoria and self-harming, and reveals that Jules’ mother is an addict who was recovering during the events of the season. This was seen as incredibly selfish by many, including Rue, who relapsed that night –something that Jules feared would happen if she became less available to her.
This episode gives a glimpse into the very core of Jules, exploring the reasons behind her actions that led to her deciding to leave town and leave Rue at the train station in the season one finale. Their relationship is explored more deeply in Jules’ pre-season two special, Fuck Anyone Who ’ s Not a Sea Blob, one of the most beautiful episodes of the show. In reality, Jules is young, navigating what her relationship with Rue means, and dealing with her own trauma on top of tending to Rue’s recovery, something that shouldn’t be her sole responsibility in the first place. Yet a huge majority of the Euphoria fandom saw Jules in the same villainous light as Nate in season one, dehumanising her and likely drawing from transphobia. We witness Jules’ horrible experiences with men (most of whom don’t know or care that she’s a minor), her manipulation at the hands of Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), and some of her experiences as a queer trans person with mental health issues. Notably, Rue admits she is an unreliable narrator, especially when it comes to her personal relationships. Unfortunately, as events unfold and their relationship becomes something more, Jules becomes villainized. Nothing about the ethereal Jules blends in with everybody surrounding her, especially as she’s further woven into Rue’s world. When we first see Jules through the eyes of central character Rue (Zendaya), she comes across as mysterious and unique as she rides her bike along the road. HBO’s Euphoria debuted in 2019 as one of the best dramas of the decade.Ĭreator and writer Sam Levinson has given us compelling stories and representation, including queer and trans characters, none more complex than Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer).