Photo Courtesy of HBO Max

After streaming services A24 and HBO Max’s “Euphoria” captured the attention of many viewers young and old, San Luis Obispo High School students flocked towards the special episodes that sequeled the first season of the show.

On Christmas eve and the 22 of January, two new episodes, solely focused on the two main characters, were released. To say the least, they were all that viewers needed for a bit of closure from last season’s cliff hangers, and a tad of reassurance to more seasons in the future.

Expressions has asked Euphoria fans Berlyn Ellsworth and Ella Mendoza about their opinions on the newly released special episodes. 

Expressions: What would you rate these episodes out of ten and why, or which episode in your opinion explained more about the character’s development?

 Junior Berlyn Ellsworth: I would read these special episodes of euphoria nine out of 10. I love the mellow sit down feel that just kind of told his story and gave us a closer connection with the characters but I did also miss a little bit of the drama and action of the regular episodes.the audience has a deeper understanding of both Rue and Jules. I especially loved that we as the viewers were sitting in watching Jules his therapy session which I think also sparked some interest for young adults to seek help in trained professionals.

Senior Ella Mendoza: I really enjoyed both of the new episodes and would say they are both 10/10. It has been really interesting to see the approach with the new season, going more in depth with Rue and Jules’s characters so far, compared to the previous season of partying, etc. I thought the second episode was really great at explaining more about Jules and her reflection and feelings after everything in the first season. 

Expressions: With the cliffhanger that the viewers were left with from last season, do you, the viewer, think that the show writers satisfied that cliffhanger with these episodes?

Ellsworth: I don’t think that the writers created these episodes as a means to satisfy the cliffhanger. I think that they wrote these episodes to leave you asking more questions and becoming more invested in these characters.

Mendoza: I would definitely say that the new episodes have satisfied the cliffhanger from the finale, and that it was done in a great way where it’s like the audience is in a therapy session with the characters rather than just listening to a conversation between them like you would while watching a normal episode. From the audience perspective, it’s hard to tell where Rue and Jules’s relationship stands and it’s interesting to see their thoughts separately especially after the finale when Rue changes her mind about running away with Jules. 

Expressions: Do you think that with episodes the rating for them is justified?

Ellsworth: Although the episode is dark and very heavily oriented around drugs, the rating and warnings are already shown at the beginning, therefore the rating is justified.

Mendoza: I would say the rating for them is justified and I liked that it went in depth topics with the characters compared to the high school scenes we saw previously. 

These episodes were everything viewers were craving and more. Rue’s episode, although it was long and at times slow, was ever so enduring and interesting. Jules’ episode had much more action and changes of scenery throughout the episode. Overall, these episodes are worth the viewers time and interest just like the first season of HBO max’s Euphoria.