The topic of faith also comes up in their conversation, and the idea of a higher power angers Rue. Not only does the conversation question what defines someone as a good person, but it also asks the question of do your actions define if you’re a good person or not. Heavy Conversations and Emotions Line the Special’s Run-Time

When Ali discloses to Rue that he was abusive to his ex-wife and became the man he once hated (his father), he asks Rue if she still believes he is a good person, and she agrees. “Trouble Don’t Last Always” also delves into the question of what it means to be a good person. The special directly continues on from the Season 1 finale, informing viewers that ( *spoilers*) after Jules (Hunter Schafer) left Rue at the train station, Rue went home and relapsed and that’s how Rue and Ali came to be celebrating Christmas in a random diner in Burbank, California. Hunter Schafer and Zendaya in “Trouble Don’t Last Always.” Photo: A24. It makes something that could be seen as an hour of boring television instead thematically rich the episode is an enthralling affair that grasps viewers’ attention all the way up until the closing shot. The plot’s simplicity (two people sit and share hard truths over a plate of pancakes) makes the special incredibly captivating. Much like the show’s first season, “Trouble Don’t Last Always” once again shows off “Euphoria’s” perfect music choices, featuring songs from Labrinth and Moses Sumney.Īli and Rue being the main characters throughout the episode allows Sam Levinson to focus on the consistent, powerful performances…”

A Continuation from Season 1 that Keeps its Themes IntactĪli and Rue being the main characters throughout the episode allows Sam Levinson to focus on the consistent, powerful performances Zendaya and Colman give and the relationship between these two characters authenticity and depth. “Trouble Don’t Last Always” keeps up with “Euphoria’s” consistently high-quality it features mesmerising cinematography from Marcell Rév and brilliant editing from Nikola Boyanov and Julio Perez IV. The “ Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” star gives a captivating performance, reprising his role of Ali, Rue’s confidant and mentor. If Zendaya’s performance wasn’t enough, Colman Domingo’s portrayal is outstanding. What ensues is an incredibly deep, thought-provoking conversation the two cover everything from sobriety, to faith, and how addicts are seen as selfish individuals, when in reality, addiction is a harrowing disease.ĭespite a sensational turn in Season 1, Zendaya’s performance across this special somehow tops her previous run as troubled Rue.

This idyllic life is short-lived viewers are then transported to a diner bathroom with Rue as she wipes her nose, fixes her hoodie, and walks out to meet Ali (Colman Domingo). The episode opens with a loved-up sequence between Rue and Jules that appears to be insight into what could’ve been. Flashes of What Could Have Been, Coupled with Stark Reality Featuring knockout performances from Zendaya and Colman Domingo, “ Trouble Don’t Last Always” sets itself up as one of the best episodes of the show so far we see things from Rue’s (Zendaya) point of view in the first of two bridge episodes. Sam Levinson’s Emmy-winning show “Euphoria” returns for the 2020 festive season with two-hour long specials that focus on Rue ( Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) respectively after the events of the Season 1 finale.

Euphoria trouble don t last always