When she refuses to comply, he becomes aggressive, slamming her into a wall and choking her for her disobedience. In season one episode four: “Shook Ones Pt II,” Nate exhibits controlling behavior, telling his girlfriend Maddy what to wear and how to behave.

This helplessly-in-love trope is dangerous because it is used to excuse unhealthy and harmful behavior. Nate Jacobs and Maddy Perez, a fan-favorite couple, are two problematic characters who both contribute unhealthy tendencies to the relationship while masking their misbehavior as love. Social media tends to romanticize “ toxic” relationships, but “Euphoria” shows the dark side of such situations, communicating to viewers that there is nothing romantic about abuse. While these relationships may seem to only offer drama and interest to the plot, they too serve as warnings and provide the youthful viewers an important example of what to avoid. One darker subject that the show brings into the spotlight is unhealthy relationships, and how harmful those relationships can be to the participants. While some accuse “Euphoria” of glamorizing these types of circumstances, others praise it for bringing such topics to public attention and discourse.

The show has attracted some attention over the controversial topics it presents, including drug abuse and sexual and physical abuse. Big names like Zendaya and Dominic Fike, as well as some newer names, like Angus Cloud, hit the screen in elaborate make-up and outfits, captivating viewers with their colorful looks and even more colorful personalities. Nate would be better off looking inward (Nate, therapy, I'm begging you) than moving on to the next girl to 'fix' him.The hit series “Euphoria” has rapidly gained popularity since its release in 2019, becoming the second-most watched show on HBO with 16.3 million viewers.

(Let's not forget he's physically and emotionally abusive toward her.) Blaming a woman for his issues is lazy and sexist, but his idea that dating another girl will magically bring out 'the best' in him is plain delusional. By blaming Maddy, Nate eradicates himself of any faults, which is particularly egregious considering his behavior is the major contributing force in the toxic nature of their relationship. Even if his and Maddy's toxic relationship is a negative influence on Nate's life, his flaws are still solely his own and not the fault of an external source. In Nate's season one backstory, we see his 'issues' (the toxic masculinity he was raised with, his complicated relationship with his father, and his intense need for control, just to name a few) begin to develop long before he meets Maddy. And maybe if he met Cassie when he was a sophomore instead of Maddy, she would've brought out the best in him.' In a voiceover, Rue reveals that Nate acknowledges he has his issues, but he wonders if 'maybe the reason he had those issues is that Maddy brought out the worst in him. Nate Is Projecting His Issues Onto Women Instead of Looking Internally Both Maddy and Cassie deserve so much better! Here is a list of all the reasons Nate's fixation on (love for?) Cassie is problematic - and her status as his ex's best friend isn't even number one.ġ. Still, as a viewer, I can't help but critique Nate's new fixation on Cassie, and I'm nervous to see where it goes. Given Euphoria's tendency to tackle difficult issues with intention, I trust that their decisions regarding Cassie and Nate's relationship will be done purposefully and in a way that doesn't give Nate a redemption arc. I was surprised to see that many Euphoria fans ship Nate and Cassie as a couple, considering Nate's history as an abuser. This love triangle pins best friends Cassie and Maddy (Alexa Demie) against each other for Nate's attention. But in one of the most surprising twists, in episode two, Rue (Zendaya) reveals that a beat-up Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) is 'in love' with Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) following their bathroom hookup on New Year's Eve. All of the characters we love (and love to hate) are back, and more chaotic than ever. Euphoria season two is giving us everything: incredible looks, backstories on characters we were dying for in season one, a killer soundtrack, and, of course, a ton of drama.

Euphoria cassie and nate