I am glad that I have an outlet to vent my extreme feelings while watching the latest episode of Sam Levinson’s whatever fever dream white-trash. At this point in Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3, I am sad to report that there is literally nothing pushing the show anywhere. Even the characters feel so worn out by this pathetic storyboard that they don’t even feel alive anymore. Cassie’s damsel-in-distress act is too much to sit through, with her bosom constantly taking up screen space instead of whatever the scene is trying to explore.
It is exhausting to sit through an almost hour-long episode that only shows Cassie’s red, teary eyes and her high-pitched “cry me a river” voice, deeply unsatisfied that her “perfect wedding day” is not the focus of her life. Besides that, Rue continues to not surprise us with her dumb wit and her idea of freedom, working with a pimp and thinking it will get her anywhere close to heaven. We also sit through other characters showing how continuous poor decision-making ruins their lives instead of breaking the cycle and getting out of the vicious American “capitalist” mind games.
In this article, I will break down the third episode of season 3, explaining how these characters only bring more havoc into their lives with their messier life choices. Please note that there are major spoilers throughout the article.
Euphoria (Season 3) Episode 3 ‘The Ballad of Paladin’ Recap:
Why does Jules drop out of college?
The episode begins by focusing on Jules, taking us back through flashbacks that cover the four-year gap between the previous and the latest season. We see Jules during her time in art school, sharing her apartment with a roommate who introduces her to the idea of becoming a sugar baby. This is similar to dating someone, except Jules would get paid for it. Soon, Jules starts meeting different men who do not expect anything traditional, but instead spend time with her while she attends to their specific quirks. However, the most important person she meets is Ellis, a plastic surgeon. The dynamic between the two makes it feel like Jules is a case study to him, and eventually he becomes her only client. After she gets involved with him and he lets her stay in a fancy penthouse apartment, Jules stops worrying about her future as an artist. At this point, she even tells her family that she is considering dropping out of art school.
The growing feud between Alamo and Laurie escalates
The story then moves back to the present timeline at Alamo’s club, where we see Rue moving further up in the criminal world and now selling guns to people in Mexico from a private room at the club. Her successful work also comes with perks, including an extra 3% commission on every successful sale. However, when she mentions wanting to go “legit” in the business to Alamo, he brings her back to reality by explaining how the business actually works. He argues that many things that were once illegal eventually become legal and controlled by the government. He also points out that even though there seems to be a lot of money involved, there is no real improvement in society, despite the promises the government makes to its citizens. Soon, their conversation is interrupted by a pig, hinting that Laurie has sent another revenge message to him. The conflict between the two keeps growing stronger, and Alamo decides to take things personally by targeting something Laurie really cares about. Rue suggests that Laurie loves animals and that one of her favorites is her pet parrot named Paladin.
The big wedding – Nate and Cassie are freaking out!
The episode then moves to the “big” wedding that Cassie has always dreamed of. It is dramatic and flashy, and yes, Nate keeps his word by providing Cassie with $50,000 worth of flowers that fill the entire wedding venue. The guest list also includes Cassie’s best friend, Nate’s ex-girlfriend, and our MVP, Maddy, along with Rue, who brings Jules as her plus one. Right before the wedding, we see Nate throwing up, either because of the anxiety about his upcoming downfall, marrying Cassie, or just a bad hangover from the bachelor party the night before. Either way, he does not look well. Cassie, on the other hand, is equally overwhelmed and confused about everything, but she chooses to ignore anything that feels like a major red flag. While she has managed to make the wedding as grand as possible, with elaborate flower arrangements and even an ice sculpture of the couple, it is clear that she is on the edge and could break down at any moment. At the same time, as Cassie’s mother walks her down the aisle, she gives her a dark and unsettling speech about marriage, which is not the kind of comfort Cassie needs right before saying “I do.”
Also Read: Euphoria (Season 3) Episode 2 Review, Recap & Ending Explained: Are Rue and Jules back together?
Will Cassie realize the truth about Nate?
Despite the anxiety, confusion, and judgment from some of the guests, Cassie and Nate exchange vows and kiss, stepping into what is supposed to be their happily ever after. For a brief moment, everything looks perfect. However, things quickly become uncomfortable when Nas makes a sudden appearance at the reception and confronts Nate about the money he owes him. This creates serious tension, as guests overhear him threatening Nate while Cassie quietly starts to panic about why something like this is happening on her wedding day. Meanwhile, one of the bridesmaids, who is also the wife of Nate’s business partner, warns her husband that Nate is actually broke and may be scamming people.
Why does Maddy leave the reception party?
Even though the tension is building up like wildfire, Cassie continues to act like everything is fine. Meanwhile, Rue gets a “work” call from Alamo’s handler and leaves immediately, leaving Jules with Maddy, who grows more emotional as she watches Cassie and Nate finally get married. Things only become harder for her when Nate’s parents give emotional speeches for the couple, warmly welcoming Cassie into the family that Maddy once imagined would be her future. While she has been putting on a brave face, this hits her hard, and she ends up leaving the party.
On the other hand, Jules reconnects with Nate’s father, Cal, who immediately recognizes her at the wedding because of their shared past in season one. As they talk, we learn about Cal’s past and the legal trouble he faced, and he even apologizes to Jules for what he did before. Jules had expected the police to contact her after several of Cal’s tapes were discovered, but she realizes that Nate must have destroyed the tape that could have been used against him, which connects back to the tension between Nate and Jules in season two. Later, we see Nate and Jules talking while smoking cigarettes, and it is clear that they are still very curious about each other.
Euphoria (Season 3) Episode 3 ‘The Ballad of Paladin’ Ending Explained:
Why does Alamo decide to do business with Laurie despite their ongoing conflict?
Meanwhile, Rue is on her way to Laurie’s place with Bishop following her. During the drive, she has a phone call with Fez. Even though we only hear one side of the conversation, where Fez is considering breaking out of prison, Rue suggests that she will be there to pick him up when he gets out. Upon reaching the rendezvous point, we understand how Alamo has planned to break Laurie this time. After a security check for weapons, Bishop and Rue enter Laurie’s place, where she is very skeptical about the sudden turn of events. Bishop explains that Alamo wants to do business with her because of her rates. However, he says that Rue would like to check the quality first before placing their first order. While Laurie and her henchmen are distracted with the initial quality check, Bishop discreetly poisons the parrot’s water bowl. Before Laurie can sense anything suspicious, Bishop distracts everyone with his mysterious manner, talking about the origin of the bird’s name, its breed, and its connection to a Western theme. As Rue approves the batch, the two leave Laurie’s place with it after paying upfront.
Why does Cassie have an outburst?
Back at the wedding reception, things start to fall apart. Cassie’s bridesmaid accuses her of being involved in Nate’s schemes to cheat people out of money. This causes her to lose control, and the newlyweds end up arguing in front of the guests. Cassie has one of her near outbursts and accidentally hits Nate in the eye while opening a wine bottle. Despite everything, the newlyweds leave together in a limousine, where Nate tries to explain that things will get better, and Cassie immediately believes him. As they reach their house, the night takes a dark turn as Nas, the man Nate owes money to, is waiting for him. Before they can process what is happening, Nas’s henchmen start beating Nate and leave him badly injured, while Cassie breaks down almost immediately, questioning why only bad things keep happening to her. Nas makes sure Nate understands the seriousness of the situation, and we see him cut off one of Nate’s toes, leaving him bleeding. He also warns that things will get worse if Nate does not pay him back. Cassie tries to intervene but gets badly injured after a fall, leaving her completely shaken.
Why is the DEA on Rue’s tail?
The ending of Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 shows Cassie crying uncontrollably after the shocking events, while Nate is left bleeding. Maddy returns home alone, deeply sad and done with everything. We also see Rue driving back, but she gets pulled over by the DEA. Finally, the episode ends with Laurie falling asleep while watching TV, as her pet parrot, Paladin, quietly suffers after drinking poisoned water and dies.
What is in store for Nate and Cassie’s troubled marriage, which already feels far from bliss? Is Cassie going to fall deeper into her misery, or will she come out even more unhinged, as she once suggested to Nate in Season 2? Is Cassie going to blow up her ‘OnlyFans’ account with expletives? Is Maddy ready to finally leave her toxic past behind and move on? And is Rue about to get into even more trouble than she already is? What happens next in Alamo and Laurie’s feud? Will they do business together?
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