Sam Levinson has truly escalated the stakes with the penultimate episode of Euphoria Season 3. The war over drugs, money, and girls has now engulfed nearly everyone as storylines intertwine when Naz (Jack Topalian) arrives at Cassie's (Sydney Sweeney) doorstep to collect his dues. By the episode's conclusion, one character has already met their demise. That's right, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) is no more, a victim of a rattlesnake bite following Naz's decision to bury him beneath his construction site. "That's a cool way to go," Elordi muses in a behind-the-scenes video after the episode. "Nate was a man of many mistakes and dark choices. It's fitting that his fate be sealed in such a manner."
Regarding the scene, editor Julio Perez adds: "You want to emphasize the claustrophobia. You want to engage in an editorial pattern that immerses the audience in that confined space alongside the character."
Naz had given Cassie a chance to save him if she could raise the $1 million he owed within 72 hours (you know, before he perished of thirst). Unfortunately, the rattlesnake got to him first. The actor recalls being inside the coffin with his shoulders touching the sides, unable to move his arms, but promises "it's quite peaceful in there." That is, until it came time to drop the snake inside. Yes, it was a real snake. No, not a rattlesnake. The BTS video reveals that production used a boa constrictor with a fake rattle for the scene. However, shots of the reptile approaching the drain feature a real rattlesnake, interestingly named "little b*tch."
"He was incredibly adorable. He was like a real cuddly teddy bear," Elordi reminisced about filming with the boa constrictor. "He kind of just sat up next to me. It was nice, but he was really sleepy, like a sleepy snake. I had to gently nudge him to get him to perk up." And just like that, Nate Jacobs was no more.
Speaking of his character's demise, Elordi said: "It's a bittersweet thing. This show has been a massive part of not just my career but my life. It's been amazing, and I'm so proud to be a part of it."
Cassie discovers his body after turning to Maddy (Alexa Demie) for help, who then seeks out Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) for some quick cash. However, he has other plans in mind and kills Naz on the spot. So, unfortunately, turning to Alamo was all for naught, and it tipped off Alamo to Rue's (Zendaya) activity with the DEA after Maddy mentions a fight between Rue and Lexie (Maude Apatow) while soliciting Alamo's help in the hot tub.
As for Rue, she turns to Ali (Colman Domingo) for guidance when Lexie doesn't prove to be very helpful or even believe her after Rue spills the truth about working for Laurie and Alamo and aiding the federal agents. She's been trying to come clean since her spiritual awakening with the Joshua tree at the end of Episode 6.
The scene holds an extra weight after the episode opens with a flashback to Ali's own struggles with drug addiction before he got sober and began serving as a sponsor for others. "I thought it was good to reveal a little of Ali's backstory," Domingo said in the same behind-the-scenes video. "You see where he went down some dark horrors, because he talks a lot about what he did do. Now we can see it...We know that he's changed, and now he's on a new mission to help guide Rue and help her become a healthy young woman."
The flashback features Natasha Lyonne, who plays another drug addict and a sex worker that Ali seeks out when he's high. "We get to have this wild scene together, which I can only do with Natasha," Domingo added.
In present day, Ali begs Rue not to go through with the rest of the plan, which involves her going back to Alamo and then going back to Laurie. She's serving as a double agent and is trying to lead them both straight to the DEA, but now it seems both sides are onto her.
There seems to be much more in store for the finale next Sunday, as this episode ends on quite a cliffhanger. Faye (Chloe Cherry) seems to have a momentary change of heart after Wayne (Toby Wallace) pisses her off and threatens to kill Rue, so she offers to finally help Rue steal the money in Wayne's safe and escape before they have to go through with the deal in the morning. However, when they open the safe, all they find are dozens of IDs belonging to young women Rue doesn't recognize. Faye urges her to put them back and forget about it, and when Rue doesn't listen, Faye screams to wake up Wayne, leaving viewers with the promise of yet another threat that awaits in the conclusion.
