Euphoria: Helpful or Hurtful?
Shock value in the media creates intense interest, but sometimes it comes at a price. Every Sunday after countless hours of work, my roommates and I sprawl on our futon, turn off the lights, grab a treat and watch our raunchy version of “The Bachelor.” Season two of “Euphoria” is an explosive pop culture phenomenon, with weekly episode releases and fan accounts on Instagram creating a constant buzz. But in spite of its fandom, not everyone is thrilled with how far the show takes sensitive topics, and its backlash is almost as strong as its fan club. Is “Euphoria” helpful in sparking dialogue or hurtfully divisive?
Image Courtesy: dazeddigital
“A lot of it is promoting hedonism, which I think a lot of people [...] don’t buy into,” said one of my friends when I asked him why he thought the reception of the show was so mixed on campus. In truth, most characters seem to pursue what they want regardless of the cost to family and friends, but the darker side of the story is that some of them can’t help it. Characters show signs of anger issues, alcoholism, depression, and, most obviously, drug addiction, all of which are serious disorders that often require professional help for recovery. Another one of my friends noted that nothing like the scenes in “Euphoria” ever played out in her high school and that it seemed unrealistic. However, the proportion of high school and college kids that relate to some of the show’s scenes may be greater than you think. A startling 47% of people try an illegal drug by the time they graduate high school, and 1 in 4 women experience relationship abuse at some point in their lives, so maybe some themes found in “Euphoria” are not as distant as people like to believe. Maybe the series makes a positive impact, showing more sheltered young adults a different reality of youth.
A significant amount of early criticism directed at “Euphoria” decided that the show made drug abuse and toxic relationships look exciting and interesting. The dangers and nuances of drug addiction and how it affects families are depicted with no restrictions barred, glamoured by trendy fashion and attractive actors. Most of the love for the show is rooted in obsession over the star-studded cast, the amazing outfits worn by every cast member, and the eerie soundtrack.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
“Euphoria” leaves its audience with endless questions. Does the glamour discount its message? Does it normalize problematic themes—toxic relationships, drugs and sexual violence—by popularizing their viewing for millions of young adults? Is the show’s divisiveness a cause for concern, or are the difficult themes brought up in the plot worthwhile and effective in starting important conversations? That's for you to decide.
Strike Out,
Francesca Masciopinto
Editors: Kimani Krienke, Natalie Daskal, Will Kennedy
Writing Director: David Kramer
Blog Director: Helenna Xu
Notre Dame