"Euphoria" Season 3: Did We Like The Ending?

The Euphoria Season 3 finale left viewers heartbroken, disappointed, and yearning for more closure. With the loss of several controversial yet beloved characters, audiences were understandably conflicted by the season's conclusion. A tragic ending is not necessarily a bad one, but the question remains: did this season truly hit its mark?

Season 3 of Euphoria arguably reaches new heights as its characters leave their teenage years behind and enter adulthood. Cassie Jacobs (Sydney Sweeney) pursues a career in online content creation, attempting to build a life for herself and her husband, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi). This career choice comes as little surprise to viewers who have watched Cassie evolve into what many would describe as a self-serving, attention-seeking character throughout the series. Personally, I had hoped Cassie would experience a more meaningful character arc beyond the cycle of self-exploitation that has defined much of her story, but unfortunately, that never materialized.

Nate Jacobs' fate appears sealed from the opening episodes of Season 3 when he borrows a large sum of money from someone he believes he can trust. As his business ventures begin to fail, he desperately scrambles to repay his debt. With no viable way out, Nate becomes the target of escalating threats and violence, culminating in his death in Episode 8. This direction for Nate's character sparked significant backlash, as many viewers found themselves experiencing unexpected sympathy for someone they had previously despised. For the first time, audiences could see a genuine attempt at personal growth, making his downfall all the more tragic.

Jules (Hunter Schafer) spends much of the season creating artwork while maintaining a transactional relationship with an older man who provides for her financial needs. Her storyline feels particularly disappointing because it seems to undermine much of the growth she achieved in previous seasons. Many viewers likely hoped Jules would find genuine happiness—or perhaps even love—but instead, her arc leaves her feeling stagnant and unfulfilled. Her apparent passion and talent for artwork become a central focus this season, but when she is given the opportunity to complete a commissioned piece, she ultimately falls apart and lets the producers down. This marks an especially frustrating and pivotal moment for viewers, as many begin to shift from empathy and support toward disappointment in Jules’ choices.

This season Maddie Perez, Alexa Demie's character, prioritizes her career success and financial independence above all else. With little room for romance or a personal life, she becomes consumed by her pursuit of power and professional achievement. Throughout the season, she rekindles a highly transactional friendship with Cassie by taking on the role of her manager. However, by the finale, their relationship begins to feel genuine once again, and we witness Maddie showing sincere care and concern for her former best friend.

This full-circle moment is particularly nostalgic, reminding viewers of the iconic friendship the two once shared before Nate drove them apart. Overall, Season 3 portrays Maddie as the confident, ambitious character audiences have always known and loved. That said, it would have been satisfying to see her achieve more of her own career goals rather than spending much of the season working for Cassie as a manager and personal assistant.

As for our beloved Rue Bennet (Zendaya), her ending is devastating, though not entirely unexpected. After a long and painful battle with addiction, self-destruction, and poor decisions, Rue dies from a fentanyl overdose in the series finale. While viewers always knew this outcome was a possibility, many still hoped she would eventually find happiness and achieve lasting sobriety.

Tragically, Rue never manages to fully escape the world that has consumed so much of her life. Her continued involvement with drug dealers and the dangers surrounding addiction ultimately pulls her back in, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion for one of the show's most complex and beloved characters. Although her death is difficult to watch, it serves as a sobering reminder of how difficult addiction can be to overcome, even for those who desperately want to change.

Overall, Season 3 was packed with dramatic twists and unforgettable moments, but its relentless tragedy often came at the expense of emotional satisfaction. As fans of these characters, many of us were left wishing for at least a few moments of happiness and redemption that we were never given.