Deepfocuslens
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Euphoria Season 2
🕑 Added 2022-08-03 01:23:01 +0000 UTCWow....what a train wreck.
The first season had a lot of things about it that were captivating. And it was one of those situations where, I could see a lot of things coming together at the right time, despite my struggle with Levinson as a writer, and as a person fundamentally. But Euphoria Season 2, exposes all the flaws, in a way that felt like self-sabotage. Like he was setting fire to a passion project just so he could be seen as rebellious. All the wrong characters are emphasized. Motivations and consistency doesn't add up from one season to another. New characters are introduced that only distract from the core. A lot of the rest feels like filler, pretentious vintage inspired imagery with few connections to anything meaningful, other than impressing cinefiles with the obscure film and music references. The first season understood the effect of aesthetic on this generation, whereas this season just feeds right into the gratuity, and then uses its characters as mouth pieces for Levinson to preach his pseudo-intellectual ideas on art. If any of you saw his film, MALCOM AND MARIE, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Those who have have always had issues with Euphoria, and with Levinson morally...will feel justified in their feelings, if they watch season 2.
I can't say I'm too surprised. But I also feel more reactive than some. I feel it's worse than a lot of people are saying. It's not all bad, however. Zendaya has some powerful moments, even if we are retreading a lot of her character arc, Maddie for me was more interesting this season, and I admire how much of a departure they took aesthetically from the first season. Bold choice. And shooting on film I think was a really nice idea. And yes...they are some of the most visually beautiful images I've ever seen on television. But...it means next to nothing, if the emotion doesn't remain intact.
Comments
Jim Barnes
I hear you. I’m probably overrating it because so many heavily praised TV shows are quite mediocre to me, and I am never bored by Euphoria and am sometimes moved. I wonder if Sydney Sweeney’s rising star will impact the distribution of storylines for season 3. (And I know you’re not Gen Z, but you’re a lot closer than me, haha. No offense intended.)
Deepfocuslens
Yeah I'll still watch season 3, but more like watching a train crash where I can't look away. And...for a show that used it's visual aesthetic as part of its commentary on sensationalism...this felt completely counterintuitive, and as I said, like self-sabotage. And btw...it's not my generation they are talking about. These kids are far younger than me. I think what is special about the show, is that it found a way to connect with people no matter your generation.
Jim Barnes
I certainly had some problems with it, but I still enjoyed it. It’s a low bar, but just being visually interesting makes it better than the vast majority of TV by default. I was exhausted by some storylines and frustrated when others weren’t carried through, but I’m still in for season 3. Also, maybe the fact that I’m a little older makes it easier for me to just enjoy some of the story for what it is and not feel that personal a connection to it, or feel like it’s speaking about my generation.
Deepfocuslens
smart. Though I wouldn't call it completely unwatchable, it's close.
Atticus Xey
I've not seen the second season yet; I did enjoy the shorts that were released in late 2020; however, I've held off on diving back in. It's unfortunate, and I wonder if some of the choices Levinson made were pressures by the network. I reviewed the picture "Kids" the other night, and couldn't help but wonder if some of what was done in that disturbing, yet effectively raw piece inspired Levinson. I avoided "Malcom and Marie" because the initial reviews were so bad.
Wolfman Brandon
In other words, another typical modern show.
Tyler Shobe
Kinda of why I didn't watch it. I was so deeply moved by that first season. When I started seeing mixed reactions for the second I decided I'd just let the first season live as it's own thing without spoiling it with another season that might cheapen things I loved about the original characters. Thanks for the warning.
