One of the most intriguing revelations about ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 isn’t about new conflicts or shocking twists; it’s about time. HBO has already assured that the next season will jump five years forward and the story will no longer be in high school but in the uncomfortable world of post-college adult life.
That is a radical and strangely invigorating change to a show that has made its name off of teenagers. Although the move might be unexpected to the average viewer, longtime fans can tell that ‘Euphoria‘ has been moving towards this development over time.
‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Channels ‘Skins’ Final Chapter
Rue’s emotional burden, Cassie being unstable, and Nate being volatile have always been too much to be locked up in lockers and classrooms. Aging does not eliminate trauma; it transforms it. And by opting to grow old its characters, ‘Euphoria’ might be finally prepared to pose more truthful questions regarding the post-adolescent period. The time shift instantly begs the comparison with the previous teen shows that had the courage to look past the youth, especially ‘Skins’.
Related: ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Time Jump Shows How Growing Up Quietly Destroys Old Bonds
When ‘Skins’ came back to its final chapters with its characters years out of school, it gave closure without solace. The show did not show adulthood as a redemption, but rather as a more silent extension of unresolved wounds. ‘Euphoria‘ appears to be set to venture in the same direction. The series can look at how its characters have (or have not) learned to live with the repercussions of their decisions by jumping forward five years.
Rue’s addiction, in particular, was never presented as something that could be easily resolved by the time of graduation. A time jump enables the narrative to recognize recovery as continuous, sloppy, and highly personal. This is also true for the rest of the ensemble. Cassie’s obsession with Nate, Nate’s need to be in control, and Jules’ soul searching do not just fade away as they grow old. Adulthood, on the contrary, is likely to make those characteristics more acute.
‘Euphoria’ is able to place its characters on a more demanding level by eliminating the safety net of teenage excuses. The show now answers questions about whether one can grow without first confronting the harm they have caused. Similar to ‘Skins’, this strategy will turn away those who enjoyed the immediacy of teenage drama. However, it also gives way to more serious storytelling, the kind that sticks around and not the one that shocks.
Why ‘Euphoria’s Style Sets It Apart
With that said, ‘Euphoria’ is not ‘Skins’, and it will never be. Where ‘Skins’ thrived on rawness and restraint, ‘Euphoria’ leans into heightened emotion, stylized visuals, and an almost operatic tone. The neon-lit visuals and their soundtrack make it feel bigger than life, sometimes deliberately unrealistic. This difference matters. ‘Skins’ was like a window into real life, with its focus on simplicity. The low-budget strategy compelled the writing and performances to carry the weight, and the show was based on a feeling of social realism.
In case you missed it: The Forgotten TV Series That Inspired HBO’s ‘Euphoria’
The characters were grounded, and this made their plight strike even more. ‘Euphoria’, on the contrary, is usually mythic in nature, a dreamlike version of adolescence, not its literal expression. That may alienate the audience, but it also leaves the show with space to experiment. The time shift can assist in balancing those extremes, basing its characters on adulthood without losing the style of the show.
And there is legacy. ‘Skins’ was a cultural catapult, bringing together now world-renowned actors like Dev Patel, Daniel Kaluuya, and Kaya Scodelario before they were household names. ‘Euphoria’ has already done the same, launching its cast into international stardom. Season 3 has the burden of showing that the show can change and still retain its soul. And if it works, the time jump will not seem like a parody; it will seem like destiny.
