As one of the most polarizing characters of Euphoria, Jules (played by Hunter Schafer) was overdue for an episode all about her. Jules is adored by many for her charm, spontaneity, and unapologetic attitude. However, she is disliked by just as many for allegedly leading on and manipulating her best friend, Rue (played by Zendaya Coleman). Whether you're Jules' biggest fan or you barely stand to watch her, her special episode is one of Euphoria's best to date.
Jules's has matured, especially concerning her views on femininity
happy hunter schafer GIF by euphoriaGiphyOne of the first things Jules shockingly admits to her therapist is that she wants to go off her hormones. She then clarifies, saying she only wants to stop her hormone blockers because they block her from developing the things that men do not desire. Previously Jules tried to be "what she though men desire", but somewhere along the way "femininity conquered her".
If you fall hard in love, you can relate to Jules
Hbo Kiss GIF by euphoriaGiphyIn the first season of Euphoria, we are shown that Rue falls hard and fast for Jules, although they never discuss making their relationship official. Rue reveals in her own special episode that she accepts that her feelings for Jules were one-sided. In Jules' episode, Jules tells her therapist that she loved Rue in the same way Rue loved her, but she was blindsided by her own emotions are scared to show them openly.
Hunter Schafer deserves several awards
hbo jules GIF by euphoriaGiphyNot only did Hunter Schafer showcase her amazing acting this episode, but she also wrote a brilliant script. Her monologues on Jules's feelings for Rue, Jules' inability to distinguish her virtual persona from her real life, and the parallels between Jules's mother and Rue are certainly Oscar-worthy.
We need more special episodes, particularly about Nate
hbo text GIF by euphoriaGiphyNate makes several appearances in Jules' episode, not as himself, but as his part-alter-ego part-catfish persona Tyler. Although Nate and Jules have only shared sexts and nude photos, Jules describes the cyber sex she had with Tyler as the best she's ever had. We understand that Jules tends to blur the real and the fake and we understand that Nate struggles with his sexuality. The way the special episodes have explored Rue's addiction and mental health and Jules' gender identity should be applied to Nate's character.
The parallels between Rue's and Jules's lives continue to show the lasting effects of addiction
season 1 hbo GIF by euphoriaGiphyThe entirety of Jules' episode takes place in her first therapy session since she has returned from the enigmatic train ride of the season one finale. The entirety of Rue's episode takes place in an unofficial therapy session with her mentor Ali, who she vents to for almost an hour at the diner. Jules describes a nightmare in which she lives with Rue and New York City. Jules attempts to open the bathroom door, which has Rue on the other side. Jules, knowing yet denying Rue is unconscious from a drug overdose bangs and yells on the door, crying, "Don't do this to me!" Similarly, Rue banged and yelled outside Fez's door in season one when her told her he could no longer sell her drugs. She also cried to Fez, "Don't do this to me!" And finally, Jules' therapist asks Jules if she is angry with Rue for the same reason Jules is angry with her mother. She reasons that both Rue and Jules' mother put the responsibility of their sobriety on Jules' shoulders. Until this point, we have seen how Rue's addiction impacts her life and her family's life. Now, we see how Rue's addiction also affect Jules' mental health.
