You can’t claim an HBO wedding is ever uneventful.
In Game of Thrones, wedding episodes frequently feature casualties. Succession’s weddings lead to reckless driving incidents, corporate takeovers, and major fatalities. Now, Euphoria employs its wedding episode to stir turmoil, concentrating on Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) embarrassment once again.
What unfolds at Nate and Cassie’s wedding?
While no one meets their end like in the Red or Purple Weddings, the episode serves as a tense reunion for Euphoria’s central characters, emphasizing the ill-fated essence of Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie’s union.
Euphoria Season 3, episode 3 marks the first gathering of the main cast since Lexi’s (Maude Apatow) play, functioning as a high school reunion. Even beloved BB (Sophia Rose Wilson) makes a comeback.
As with any high school reunion, individuals attempt to showcase that they’re faring better than their classmates, evident through the vengeance dresses worn by Jules (Hunter Schafer) and Maddy (Alexa Demie). They look stunning, but only in Euphoria would one don such outfits to a wedding. Cassie might have gone full bridezilla and tossed them out.
Euphoria relishes a Cassie meltdown.
Cassie strives hardest to impress, with $50,000 floral displays and an ice sculpture of her and Nate, seeking the ultimate romantic dream. Maddy previously criticized her “poor taste,” and this wedding serves as evidence.
Cassie’s dream shatters when Nate’s business partner Naz (Jack Topalian) crashes the gathering, reminding Nate of his financial obligations. Upon learning the truth about Nate’s monetary issues and that their friends are aware, Cassie spirals.
Cassie becomes a wreck, tripping through their risqué first dance and accidentally striking Nate’s eye with a champagne cork. Euphoria’s audience anticipates chaos at this wedding, so the cork incident is a playful redirection for those anticipating violence.
Cassie’s wedding crash contributes to her Season 3 humiliation; unlike her controversial OnlyFans material, this occurs against her will. It’s also not completely effective.
Euphoria has already showcased Cassie’s shame through Lexi’s play, highlighting her lowest moments and triggering an onstage breakdown. The wedding aims to surpass that, but it feels hollow. Cassie transforms into a caricature, while Naz’s involvement shifts Euphoria into a crime story. (This episode also features Rue’s (Zendaya) engagement in arms dealing.) The episode’s comedic attempts, such as Suze (Alanna Ubach) dancing to “Get Low,” feel overly broad.
The emptiness lingers after the wedding. When the couple arrives home in an ostentatious stretch Hummer, they encounter Naz, who assaults Nate and amputates his toe. This scene, similar to much of Season 3, appears as Levinson attempting to showcase how dark Euphoria can become now that the teenagers are adults grappling with adult issues. (Such as being in debt to funeral home owners at 23.)
Cassie’s complaining endures, turning Nate’s plight into her own. “What is occurring right now?” she exclaims while he struggles behind her.
The blend of humor and gritty drama doesn’t quite succeed. Cassie’s breakdown lacks the depth of Season 2’s, yet it holds more substance than Nate’s debt storyline, which remains secondary to Rue’s debt narrative.
While Sweeney puts her all into it, the scene seems crafted to become a meme like Cassie’s “I have never, ever been happier” speech in Season 2. It’s clear that when Euphoria desires a moment to digest, it focuses on Cassie’s downfall.
The remainder of the episode contains some compelling character moments, particularly with Jules. It begins with a flashback to her becoming a sugar baby and then presents her reunions with Nate and Cal (Eric Dane). However, these, like Rue’s interaction with DEA agents, are eclipsed by the calamity of Nate and Cassie’s wedding. Considering the emphasis on Cassie leading up to this episode, it’s evident Euphoria wouldn’t have it any other way.
New episodes of Euphoria Season 3 air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.