“Euphoria” came back from hiatus after four years, and despite the ongoing harsh criticism for its third season, viewers are still tuning in every Sunday in record numbers.
The ratings for the Emmy-winning HBO series indicate that more people are watching the show than ever, as the third episode is around the corner.
‘Euphoria’ Ratings Through The Roof As Criticism Continues
According to Variety, episode two of the current third season of “Euphoria,” which aired April 19, amassed 8.5 million viewers across HBO and HBO Max in its first three days. Those numbers match the viewership of the April 12 season premiere.
Additionally, the global total for “Euphoria” season three has surpassed 20 million viewers to date, which is a 68% increase in global viewership from the second season premiere in the same timeframe.
‘Euphoria’ At The Center Of Backlash Over Highly Sexualized Sydney Sweeney Scenes
“Euphoria” fans were excited when the show finally returned to catch up with the cast of characters as they venture into adulthood via a five-year time jump. However, many fans couldn’t get past the scenes of Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie Howard.
This season Cassie has embarked on a career on OnlyFans, resulting in her taking very suggestive and highly sexualized photos that many have deemed degrading.
Some critics have gone even further, accusing “Euphoria” and creator Sam Levinson of leaning into “disturbing” and “misogynistic” storylines more than ever in comparison to previous seasons.
In her very first scene in season three, Sweeney is dressed as a dog, as she pants, eats out of a bowl and is led on a leash.
Additionally, the following episode sees her dressed as an adult baby with her legs spread while sucking a pacifier, and also being topless with ice cream dripping down her nipples.
Other scenes feature Sweeney wearing a soaking wet American flag T-shirt without a bra and also dressed as a baseball catcher in only a nude thong.
Speaking to the general consensus of her scenes, one social media user asked, “How is Sydney even agreeing to do this season of Euphoria?” while another said, “Why would Sydney agree to doing allat… weird.”
Another described the scenes as a “humiliation ritual,” and added “Please god i cant keep seeing Cassie degrade herself in the most embarrassing ways imaginable.”
Show Creator Sam Levinson Discussed Controversial Scene Of Sweeney’s Character Dressed As a Dog
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levinson discussed the trajectory of Cassie’s character in season three.
“[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor, but what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it,” Levinson said.
“What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion — the gag is to jump out, to break the wall,” he told the outlet. “We wanted to capture what she’s trying to show the audience and be inside of it, but then also pull back wider and see how depressing it is.”
OnlyFans Model Criticizes Sweeney’s ‘Euphoria’ Portrayal
OnlyFans model Sophie Rain spoke with Complex about Sweeney’s portrayal of Cassie’s foray onto the platform and expressed her displeasure.
“I just watched the recent episode and while I do love Sydney Sweeney, I believe the depiction the director created labeling OnlyFans as this easy money gateway is damaging for girls,” Rain said. “Only a few hundred women on the platform have made worthwhile money, and many women only make a few hundred dollars a month.”
She also voiced her opinion on the costumes Sweeney has worn so far this season.
“I also think some of the outfits Sweeney wore, especially the baby costume, just horribly paints OnlyFans girls,” Rain told the outlet. “I am very conservative on my OnlyFans account, and depicting us as catering to certain audiences that like us to dress up as toddlers is damaging to our community.”
‘Euphoria’ Composer Labrinth Called Out The Show And Confirmed Exit Ahead Of Season 3
In a post on his Instagram Stories weeks before the show’s season three premiere, Emmy-winning composer Labrinth spoke out about “Euphoria” and his absence.
“I’m done with this industry. F-ck Columbia. Double f-ck ‘Euphoria.’ I’m out. Thank you and good night x.”
He followed that message up with another on April 19 before the airing of episode two. “People will comfortably lie in this industry and still call themselves honest people. So no cap, I decided to remove whatever music I had in it,” he wrote.
Labrinth continued, adding “I spoke to HBO, as far as I know, we are cool. I left because, last truth, when I work for someone, their vision is paramount to me, but I don’t let people treat me like sh-t.”