Exploring Jules’ Character a Little Deeper…
The episode opens with Jules in therapy. We see her therapist (Lauren Weedman) asks her why she ran away and why she’s thinking about coming off her hormones. Jules claims she was simply ‘reacting to shit’ and states the reason she wants to come off her hormones is since she feels she has ‘framed her womanhood entirely around men.’ They then go onto to discuss femininity, Jules’ relationship with Rue, her relationship with ‘Tyler’ (which was revealed in Season 1 to be Jacob Elordi’s character in the series, Nate Jacobs) and her mother. The episode explores these things both in discussions between Jules and her therapist as well as flashbacks/dreams.
Sam Levinson gives audiences a look into Jules and Rue’s relationship through loved-up moments, how the pair’s bond impacted Jules, and how she felt Rue’s sobriety depended on her availability. The episode also provides background and context for some of the show’s other episodes; viewers finally get to know the reason behind Jules’ odd behaviour at the Halloween party in Season 1; they also learn what happened before Rue met Ali in “Trouble Don’t Last Always,” the previous special.
A Dynamic Performance by Model-Turned-Actor Hunter Schafer
Marcell Rév also provides “Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob” with amazing cinematography, shot on 35mm film. The 49-minute episode probes further into Jules’ life; this includes her issues with her mother and her substance abuse, and what could’ve been between Jules and ‘Tyler’ if he had been a real person. It then goes on to show how if you think about it, both problems link back to Rue. The former is identified when it’s revealed Jules has internally linked Rue and her mother together, whether it being down to their shared substance abuse or something else. The latter is then explored through dreamlike scenarios between Jules and ‘Tyler’ (played by Jayden Marcos), and how Jules feels more vulnerable and honest online as opposed to real life.
“Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob” is the more explicit one of the two specials; it delves into Jules and Tyler’s relationship in both real-life and dream scenarios. Schafer gives an outstanding performance as she reprises the role of Jules; something about her performance draws you in and grips your attention entirely. The editing, courtesy of Nikola Boyanov and Julio Perez IV, is once again mesmerising and elevates the episode entirely.
Pitch-Perfect Music, Editing, and Cinematography Give the Episode an Edge
The episode also draws from the previous special. It follows up on the idyllic montage of Rue and Jules from the “Trouble Don’t Last Always,” which showed Rue in the bathroom of the pair’s shared apartment. But it’s revealed that after Jules discovers Rue has locked herself in the bathroom, that Rue has presumably overdosed. The exploration of Jules’ experience with Rue shows how being in a relationship with an addict can impact someone; in Jules’ case she resents the fact that she feels responsible Rue’s sobriety. The special also explores deep ideas like womanhood/femininity, puberty, being transgender, and Jules’ experience with being transgender.
“Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob” is another high-quality production from Sam Levinson, who works with Hunter Schafer to bring another brilliant installment of “Euphoria” to viewers. Featuring an original song from Billie Eilish and Rosaliá, great music choices, gorgeous cinematography, and a knockout performance from Hunter Schafer, the second in these two character-focused specials is a spectacular piece of television that gives viewers a further insight into Jules’ life.
“Fuck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob” and “Euphoria” are currently available to stream on HBO Max.
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