Euphoria Special Episode Part 1: Rue

Euphoria presents a layered story about addiction here. Rue and Ali can relate about a lot of their experiences, and there’s power in that connection.

It is an absolute joy to watch two excellent actors bounce off each other. Zendaya rightly won an Emmy for her performance as Rue in Season 1, and it’s quite possible she could nab another nomination off this episode alone. ... As an episode that digs towards some truths, illuminates the best parts of Euphoria, shows off two seasoned actors at the height of their abilities, and provides a little bit of light in an otherwise very dark year, “Trouble Don’t Always Last” is a triumph.

Zendaya is essentially here to remind everyone why she won her Emmy. She expertly balances emotion and stoicism, wearing this character like a second skin. ... There is minimal plot here, an almost whiplash-inducing change from the regular series, where high-stakes drama constantly crescendos. But this is a perfect departure, a welcome pause in the shimmering chaos.

Zendaya does a remarkable job letting Rue slowly unclench over the course of the hour, but it’s Domingo’s performance that leaves a mark. Levinson’s script can err towards the pedantic — especially when Ali tries to connect what’s happening in their diner booth to the real world raging outside it — but Domingo remains perfectly controlled throughout.

It is a touch too long and some of the dialogue is eye-wateringly Euphoria – “For some people, there is no rock bottom, it’s bottomless” – but, for the most part, I was lost in its world and captivated by the back-and-forth, which is frequently as funny as it is grim.

Domingo gives an all-star performance as a tough-love sponsor, but it is Zendaya who remains the show’s linchpin.

Zendaya and Domingo get all the credit for making it watchable. From Domingo’s voice built on crackling embers to Zendaya’s elastic jawline, the two thespians give and take with a natural grace. Without going too big or dialing it down too far, the duo entrenches themselves in the reality of the moment in a way that “Euphoria” rarely did so sparsely until now.

While “Rue” did give Zendaya quite a bit to chew on, the episode also makes clear that Levinson’s writing isn’t strong enough to create an entire season of quiet, introspective character studies.