Euphoria
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In their place are a grace and simplicity the show hasnt previously shown.
Jules is getting ready to leave with a portfolio of fashion drawings under her arm.
Can you believe it?
she whispers to Rue.
Its everything we dreamed of.
But even dreams can sour.
Shes doing really good.
Shes not looking to anyone else as in Jules for happiness.
Instead, shes found balance.
But Ali can see right through her.
The point is your sobriety, he says, discerning her flights of fancy for whats really going on.
Rue, youre high.
She lies or reveals an untold sliver of vulnerability.
But Ali isnt speaking down to her.
He understands her plight all too well.
This is the rhythm of the conversation that stretches over the hour-long episode.
At one point, Ali cuts Rue to the quick: Youre 17.
You dont know shit.
It isnt positioned as an insult but a necessary truth she needs to hear.
The early half of their conversation is especially full of such bittersweet truths.
Rue is revealed in this episode to be strikingly unreliable as a narrator.
(Just catch the moment where she lies about not getting her inner lip tattooed with Jules.)
But there are moments of genuine honesty that allow these two people to break new ground in their relationship.
Ali implores her to name a power greater than herself.
Rue bucks against the idea that some peoples lives have more meaning than others.
Why does your life have a purpose and my dad doesnt?
she asks, stopping Ali before he can profess any religious platitudes.
While outside he has a conversation with his eldest daughter that we can only hear one side of.
Im not trying to guilt-trip you, he says before giving a solemn Merry Christmas.
Im not trying to talk to her through you, he says at another point.
While hes outside Rue gets a text from Jules about how shes missing her.
We learn his name was Martin before he converted to Islam.
Hes been sober again for seven years since.
The dialogue isnt always perfect.
Its been 17 years for Miss Marsha.
The two impulses simply cant go together.
Its a message Ali hopes Rue takes to heart.
The conversation unsurprisingly continues to veer back to Jules, whom Rue cant get off her mind.
I still blame Jules for this shit […] because I was clean, Rue says.
Rue then goes on to blame Jules further.
She literally cheated on me, she says at one point.
Ali keenly asks about the state of their relationship.
Had they really discussed what they wanted from each other at that point?
Rue finds such discussions weird.
Ali isnt having it, because thats how people get into relationships, Rue.
You talk about it.
Is she looking for absolution?
It seems as if shes looking for confirmation that she is worthless and life is hopeless.
The sentence youre giving yourself is that youre beyond forgiveness, Ali says aptly.
Rue beats herself up over her past mistakes.
Shes quick to note that when she threatened her mother with a shard of glass she wasnt high.
Drugs change who you are as a person, he carefully repeats.
I have faith in you, Ali says to her doubt.
Euphoriaends studying its most potent terrain.
No, not a glitter-soaked, neon-lit evening, but the terrain of Zendayas face.
