Content Warning: This article contains mentions of domestic violence, drug use, and abortion.
HBO's Euphoria is a dizzying, exhilarating, complicated, and heartbreaking look into the inner lives of teenagers Rue Bennett (Zendaya), Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), and others they navigate high school's many social interactions involving sex, drugs, identity, independence, friendship, and more.
Praised for its acting, visualization, and story, each player in the series has a unique, 3-dimensional personality and background that lends to the show's unmatched and original characterization. Rue, Jules, Nate, and others speak their parts with an authentic, powerful voice, and each one has a quote that sums up their nature, their spirit, their sense of self.
"You're So Broken You Don't Even Trust Yourself" - Nate
Dysfunctional, toxic, and abusive jock Nate says this to Jules in episode 4 after revealing to her that he is "Tyler," the young man Jules has been messaging with back and forth over a few weeks and sent lewd selfies to.
In just one of the many meta-moments Euphoria gives viewers, this is one of the more striking ones, as Nate is very clearly talking about himself. Nate has known about his dad's closeted behavior with other men for much of his life, and it has left him internally broken. So broken, in fact, that in accusing Jules of not trusting herself, he doesn't trust himself either with what he has done, what he's capable of, and who he is.
"I'm Not Gonna Help You Kill Yourself, Rue" - Fezco
In episode 3, drug dealer Fezco -- a major player in Rue's life and one of her closest friends -- drops this line to her on the other side of the door to his house when she is attempting to score more drugs.
Fezco is in a dangerous, destructive business, and he knows it. While viewers don't know a lot about Fez's background, it is clear that he cares very much for Rue and doesn't want to be the catalyst of her death. He realizes his profession is harmful and deadly but does what he can to survive and keep his loved ones safe and secure, even Rue. Despite his giving her the drugs in the first place and (perhaps) being somewhat responsible for her getting to this state, he refuses to be a part of her death, and this speaks to his character.
"There's Nothing More Powerful Than A Fat Girl Who Doesn't Give A F**k" - Kat
Episode 5 gave fans another memorable quote, this time coming from shy girl turned confident sex kitten, Kat. In Kat's world, she has been considered a fat girl and she is afraid that will be the end of her relationships, confidence, and her life. She began to get heavier when she was a young girl and must constantly fight the barrage of messages about women's bodies she sees and hears every day.
Eventually, when she realizes that there is an audience for her and people who are interested in her body, she owns it and unleashes her sexuality, confidence, and self-esteem in a drop-dead gorgeous wardrobe and attitude to boot.
"What If In That Moment I Heard A Voice Who Said 'Here's What's Going to Happen'" - Leslie
Leslie Bennett, mom to Rue (and younger sister Gia) gives viewers this quote when she delivers her speech to the AA group in the season's final episode.
As a mother, Leslie can only wonder what if: what if something happens to me or my children; what if I can't provide for them; what if I don't understand them? As she is describing the day Rue was born and the overwhelming love and joy she possessed, she already begins to wonder and contemplate right then and there what would happen if she could know all of what was to transpire. It is a reminder to viewers that Leslie doesn't have all the answers, and even if she did...would she do it all over again?
"I Spent My Whole Life Trying To Keep this Part Of Me Separate" - Cal
"... it's poisoned everything," Cal mutters these words before another hotel rendezvous in yet another episode 5 instance.
Cal Jacobs, father to Nate, has tangled a deceitful web of lies that has poisoned his sons, his marriage (unbeknownst to his wife) and him. Like Nate's quote, Cal's is revealing because it illustrates to the audience that he is also filled with anger; rage, and that he, in fact, scares himself. He thought he was being intelligent and cunning by keeping it secret, but, in reality, his failed attempt to keep these parts of him isolated from one another, he has tainted his heart and spirit and his sons, which leads to violence of both the quiet and loudly destructive type.
"I Just Wanted To Dream About It For A Minute" - Cassie
In episode 7, sweet-but-troubled girl Cassie sputters these words after admitting that she won't have the baby she is pregnant with.
Cassie has spent her life dreaming: of what life might be like with her father back, making better decisions herself, having Chris McKay's baby, and of real, true love. She is a dreamer by nature, and this adds to her sweetness, but also causes her to make impulsive, dangerous decisions that affect her physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It is a testament to her character and one that makes her both relatable and infuriating.
"Love Is A Million Things" - Maddy
The sultry, tortured soul that is Maddy delivers this line in episode 5 for another time. Following the aftermath of the domestic violence/physical assault at the hands of her boyfriend Nate, Maddy fights with her mother about Nate and the love they have for one another.
She tells her that it is a million things, but it is nothing close to the relationship between her mom and dad. To her, love looks more like Maddy and Nate than it does between her parents, and for that, she shouldn't judge her or how anyone loves. Maddy is in love with Nate, and even though she shouldn't be, she still believes it is what love feels like.
"I...Haven't Reached My Full Power" - Jules
Episode 7 saw Jules really begin to blossom as the self-assured woman she really is. After a visit to see some old friends, Jules experiences some of the most intense, exhilarating events of her life and feels forever changed.
She explains to Rue the energy, the love and affection being shared, and how she feels she has only scratched the surface of her personhood. As a woman who has already conquered so much in her life (and that compels audiences to feel bad for her), she knows she hasn't reached the depths of her strength whic is a declaration to her personality.
"And Salt The Earth Behind You" - Rue
The title of episode 8, Rue murmurs this when she and Jules contemplate burning their town down. This quote has a significant symbolical meaning in the cultural/religious/philosophical lexicon and for Rue. To salt the Earth means that lands that have been conquered are salted behind so no plants or crops can spring up there again either literally or figuratively (or both) so the conquered can never again rebuild.
This quote not only illustrates the literal conversation between Jules and Rue but also in terms of Rue's personality -- as she self-destructs and burns everything and everyone around her, she salts her path too; while it is easy to feel bad for Rue, it's also easy for fans to loathe her attitude too.
"Everyone Knows Who I Am" - Minako
Episode 5 gave fans, again, another unforgettable quote from Minako, a sex worker who goes to pay Cal a call at the hotel room. As Cal is bearing his soul to Minako, he asks if hiding himself somehow creates the same demons in his sons as it has in him.
Minako says that they don't know because everyone knows unquestionably, unabashedly, and unapologetically who they are. This quote not only encompasses Minako's sense of self but is really a summation for everyone in the show: everyone knows Nate is toxic, Rue is a drug addict, and even those that have tried to hide parts of themselves before have always been found out. No one can escape their truth for long.