Black Creators Speak Out on Controversial Euphoria Finale

After seven years, HBO’s hit coming-of-age drama “Euphoria” has come to an end with its third season. And like a lot of famous shows—”Game of Thrones” and “Stranger Things,” for example—the ending of the series has left fans feeling conflicted. Some feel the show had a decent ending, while others are asking, “Is that really it?” Let’s talk about it.

If you’re not privy to what “Euphoria” is about, let us give you a quick rundown. The show follows Rue Bennett, played by Zendaya, as she struggles with her drug addiction and mental health, all while trying to juggle high school and maintain a good relationship with her mom, portrayed by Nika King, her sister Gia, played by Storm Reid, and her high school friendships.

Despite the show being very heavy with the themes it tackles—addiction, sex work, mental health, identity and sexuality—fans found comfort through the struggles of the characters, especially Rue. However, after the season three finale, viewers were not impressed with the ending Rue was given. Now, if you haven’t watched the finale, be careful because there is a spoiler coming up in the next paragraph.

In the final episode of the third season, Rue, who has been a drug mule the entire season, all while remaining sober, is given laced painkillers by her boss, Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), after he discovers she has been acting as a rat to the feds. Because of this, Rue dies of an overdose without her friends or family beside her. She is only found later by her mentor, Ali Muhammad (Colman Domingo), who had been helping Rue on her journey to sobriety.

On TikTok, viewers have already started to share their opinions, with some feeling that Sam Levinson portrays Black characters in a very apathetic way. TikToker @HellHooks was upset with the way Colman Domingo’s usually peaceful character violently turned at the end, as he avenged Rue by shooting her boss, Alamo.

“Sam Levinson, in his work, has a way of using Black men either as a mouthpiece or a little Ken doll to air whatever weirdness he has about Black men through. It’s odd,” she begins. “It should be talked about more; it was on display predominantly in this season. And also the fact that in the end, it’s men arguing about Rue. But we see two seconds of her mother, we never see her sister, who were the people who bore the brunt of her addiction.”

In stark contrast to seasons one and two, where Nika King and Storm Reid featured frequently, Storm Reid was not in any episodes this season, and King was only in two.

Continuing, @Hellhooks added that she likes the 1997 film “Boogie Nights,” making it clear that she has no issue with a show or film dealing with hard topics. But unlike “Boogie Nights,” “Euphoria” gave no room for character redemption at the end. “This season of ‘Euphoria’ felt so punishing of its characters. So disdainful towards all its characters. It was shocking,” she said.

In the comments, folks couldn’t help but agree.

“An ending doesn’t have to be a happy ending, but it should have hope. I’m consistently upset by the hopelessness of modern media,” wrote one user.

“Yes to everything you said! It was so uncomfortable to watch,” added another.

In a similar vein, content creator Davionne D posted that he was not happy with the ending Rue was given.

“I am pissed. Why the fuck did they kill Rue? That shit had me fucked up. I cried, I’m not gonna lie, I cried. Simply because of the fact that this season, we saw how hard Rue genuinely fought and tried to change, tried to be better, do better,” he said. “In my personal opinion, I feel like Rue was a good person, she had a good heart and she always had good intentions, but she succumbed to depression, anxiety and at the end, the darkness won the war.”

On another note, TikToker @Reyahthelastdragon said that Rue’s death was sad but not at all surprising, considering the foreshadowing throughout the entire season, such as Rue wanting to get close to God and her brushes with death in the past six episodes.

In the TikTok comments, fans added that while Rue’s death was sad, it made sense for her character’s storyline.

“The finale did a good job wrapping up the season’s story lines. Yes, I hate to say it, but that was the only possible ending for Rue,” wrote one user.

“The finale was good, the last shot was perfect,” added another.

Overall, while some feel that the ending is realistic, others are upset with the harsh conclusion that Rue, a character folks have grown to love for seven years, died right at the point when viewers thought she would make it out of her struggles.

“Yes, Rue has done oxycontin, Percs, coke, xans, ketamine, heroine, molly, liquid valium, fentanyl, nitrous oxide, lsd and Jack in the Box BUT DAMMIT. SHE. SHOULD. STILL. BE. HERE,” wrote one user on X.

“I really do wish S3 never happened. I was really happy with the ending of S2, let’s all pretend S3 never happened and this was the end of Rue’s storyline,” posted another user.