You eagerly anticipated, implored, and persistently yearned for a Lexi-centric episode – and Euphoria delivered in grand fashion. The stage curtains ascend for her highly anticipated play, with "The Theater and Its Double" seamlessly intertwining the thrill of the live performance with the poignant backstory of its creator. Lexi emerges as the Bad Art Friend, drawing inspiration from her years spent on the fringes. Her play, a tapestry of shattered friendships, meticulously weaves together recollections, keen observations, and dream-like sequences that resonate deeply with nearly everyone in attendance. Despite being a high-school production, it is both predictably awkward and astonishingly lavish, featuring rotating stages and an array of dance numbers that push the boundaries of what one might expect.
Lexi, donning the hats of director, writer, and lead actress, blossoms in ways seldom seen before. She exercises an unwavering command over her cast and revels in the glare of the spotlight. By penning herself as the protagonist, she ensures no one can outshine her. Yet, beneath this exterior of confidence, fears and doubts linger, haunting her as she fears her play will incite the wrath of her peers. (Spoiler alert: It does.)
The one person Lexi believes is immune to her play's potential to upset is Fez, who soothes her jangled nerves through extended phone conversations and adorably prepares for the performance, donning his finest attire. Lexi saves him "the best seat in the house," but as she glances over, her most important audience member is conspicuously absent. Last episode hinted at Custer's cooperation with the police, and as Fez makes ready to depart, it becomes clear he intends to betray his friend. Ash appears to have caught onto the scheme, but that empty seat serves as compelling evidence that he may be too late. The cliffhanger of "The Theater and Its Double" leaves us pondering: What fate awaits Fez? It seems they are setting the stage for a heart-wrenching tragedy involving him and Ash.
Rue once occupied a pivotal space in Lexi's life, but the disintegration of their bond has been only cursorily explored. Here, Euphoria continues to tiptoe around this topic, perhaps because Lexi struggles to acknowledge that their friendship is no more. In happier times, they indulged in pranks and shared endless conversations atop Fez's store. However, their bond began to fray following the tragic loss of Rue's father. While Rue once reassured Lexi that it was okay to be an outsider, Lexi found herself unable to return the favor when Rue was engulfed by grief and addiction. At the memorial service, Lexi reads Rue the poem "Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower" by Rainer Maria Rilke, but its message of finding strength in adversity falls on deaf ears. The best Lexi can manage is to brush away the remnants of drugs – a fleeting balm for a wound too deep for her to heal.
Notably, Rue is the sole individual unoffended by their portrayal in the play. Admittedly, her depiction isn't overly harsh, and she is credited with positively impacting Lexi's life. However, I also like to think she is simply proud of her (former) best friend. After all, Rue is one of the few who understand Lexi's insecurities, and now she bears witness as Lexi reclaims them through her art. The connection between Rue and Lexi was always somewhat nebulous, even before it shattered, and it is a narrative thread I wish Sam Levinson had explored further. The episode's fragmented timeline does little to rectify this, leaving little room for anything to breathe or come alive. In its haste to set the stakes for the finale, Euphoria fills the gaps with such frenetic color that the end result is a disjointed, incoherent mosaic.
The play unfolds as an excruciating experience for Cassie, who finds herself portrayed as the shallow elder sister, oblivious to the fact that puberty has bestowed upon her far greater kindness than it has on Lexi. Seated beside Nate, Cassie watches her bond with Maddy unfold on stage, a friendship that burgeoned in ninth grade, cemented by their mutual struggles with their respective parents. When Maddy's household battles became unbearable, she sought solace within the walls of the Howard home, where, in the very bedroom where she once wept in solitude, she now storms after Cassie, continuing their heated dispute from episode five.
Maddy swiftly clarifies that Nate is not the source of contention, but her true feelings surface as her anger succumbs to exhaustion. "He put me through hell, and now he's with my bloody best friend," she sobs, asking, "When will this torment cease?" Nate serves as a rot in Maddy's life, perniciously poisoning everything and everyone around her, including her cherished friendship.
Since cohabiting with Nate, Cassie has established a perilous pattern with him, relinquishing her individuality in exchange for his control. "You dictate what I wear, what I consume, whom I converse with," she concedes, walking into school hand-in-hand with Nate, donning straightened locks, a revamped wardrobe, and even the necklace Nate bestowed upon Maddy for her birthday. She now eerily mirrors her former closest companion. Nate questions, "Aren't you concerned about people looking down upon you?" To which she replies, "At least I'm cherished." Levinson repeatedly revisits this theme—Cassie's yearning to be loved. It's a universally relatable longing, and the series underscores how this fundamental need can lead to destruction. This sentiment is evident not only in Cassie but also in Jules, who faced similar accusations from Rue in episode five ("You revel in being adored"). Furthermore, one could argue that it resonates with Lexi, who, in her frustration stemming from a lack of attention, orchestrates a play that could potentially shatter her friendships.
At least the play serves as a poignant reminder of Nate's impact. The episode culminates in an audacious homoerotic spectacle featuring Ethan as a proxy for Nate, set to the tune of "Holding Out for a Hero." This daring sequence mocks gym-bro culture with exaggerated hip thrusts, spandex, and flowing liquids abound. The audience roars in amusement, save for one—Nate, who storms out and instantaneously terminates his relationship with Cassie. Cassie has forsaken her friends and identity for Nate, leaving her directionless. Yet, before we witness her subsequent actions, the episode concludes on a cliffhanger, promising more to unfold. (I am utterly convinced that the final image of a furious Cassie steaming up the auditorium door will soon become an iconic meme.) With mixed results, "The Theater and Its Double" endeavors to tie up some storylines while leaving others open for a thrilling finale. Rest assured, Euphoria will always deliver a scene etched in our memories.
