‘Euphoria’ fans are convinced Zendaya’s character, Rue, may be headed for tragedy after the latest episode of Season 3 left viewers in a state of panic.
The hit HBO series has sparked backlash throughout the season, particularly over the provocative storyline involving Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, and her controversial move into the adult content industry.
The turn of events involving Zendaya’s character in the latest episode of “Euphoria” Season 3 has left fans convinced that she may not make it to the end unscathed.
In the episode, which aired Sunday, May 17, Rue returns despite the shocking reveal in the previous installment that her body had been buried. However, her comeback was far from peaceful, as she quickly found herself in danger again and narrowly escaped death twice.
At one point, her boss, Alamo, charged toward her on horseback at full speed while holding a polo mallet, seemingly intent on hurting her. However, as he closed in and terrified her, Rue revealed that she had information about the people behind the hit on his strip club safe, per The Mirror.
She then agreed to cooperate and help him recover his stolen goods, prompting her to contact her former coworker and drug mule, Faye.
Rue Survives Another Brush With Death
From then on, Rue mostly sat out her boss’s negotiations with her former boss, Laurie, while continuing to speak with the cops in a bid to avoid jail time.
In an emotional scene, Rue appeared to spiral as she reflected on her life choices, making separate visits to a church and to her ex-girlfriend, Jules, portrayed by Hunter Schafer. During her visit with Jules, Rue even suggested that they start a family together.
At the church, Rue had a moment of sober reflection before finally receiving a call from her mother. She then tearfully admitted, “I just want to be free to start over.”
As the episode drew to a close, Rue was seen driving while listening to the Bible. However, her media player began to glitch, prompting her to look down and adjust it, completely unaware of an oncoming truck.
Just before a possible head-on collision, Rue snapped back to attention and swerved into a ditch. As she climbed out, a nearby tree caught fire, seemingly leading her to believe that a divine hand had saved her.
Fans Fear Zendaya’s ‘Euphoria’ Arc Is Nearing A Tragic End
Following the emotional scenes, many fans appeared unconvinced that Rue would survive the Season 3 finale and took to social media to share their fears after the episode aired.
Several viewers suggested that Rue’s troubles had become overwhelming, while others questioned whether the character’s increasingly emotional scenes were setting up a devastating final arc.
On X, one fan wrote that they “can’t believe next week is the last time we see Rue alive,” while another added, “Tentative RIP Rue. I relate to her the most.”
Another viewer claimed they had believed since Season 1 that Rue’s story was always headed toward a tragic ending, while others speculated that the character’s latest near-death experience may have been hinting at something darker to come.
Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie Storyline Divides Fans
So far, fans have repeatedly bashed the current season of “Euphoria” over its risqué and nude scenes, particularly those involving Sweeney’s character, Cassie. Some viewers have even gone so far as to call for the show to be pulled.
In the first two seasons, Cassie was portrayed as a sweet, deeply insecure, and hyper-feminine teenager desperate for male validation to fill the void left by her father. However, in the current season, she comes across as a more unhinged and money-obsessed version of her Season 2 self.
Following a five-year time jump, Cassie is now married to Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi, and living in a suburban mansion. However, her desperation to contribute financially leads her to begin posting provocative content on OnlyFans.
The storyline has only grown more controversial as Cassie takes on increasingly bizarre requests from subscribers, including dressing up in infantilized outfits, selling personal items, and carrying out other disturbing paid demands.
Sam Levinson Defends Cassie’s Controversial Arc
However, show creator Sam Levinson has addressed the uproar surrounding Sweeney’s storyline, saying the nature of the scenes was intentionally absurd.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson explained that Cassie’s outfits, including the moments where she dresses as a baby and a dog, were meant to add humor to the scenes, which were filmed from the housekeeper’s point of view.
“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor, but what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it,” Levinson said. “What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion… the gag is to jump out, to break the wall.”
In another interview with The New York Times, he stated that the controversial plot was made to highlight the “combination of her desperation and need for validation,” but with a humorous undertone.