Season two of “Euphoria” aired on Sunday, Jan. 9 and it quite literally broke the internet…or at least HBO Max. Fans have waited three long years for season two and it did not disappoint. From the fashion to the plot, the first episode of the new season killed it.

This show touches on many different heavy social issues. From drug abuse and violence to depression and so much more, “Euphoria” may be triggering to younger audiences. Watch this show at your own discretion because they go so heavily into these subjects that it’s sometimes hard to watch.

Season one ended with Rue Bennett (Zendaya) relapsing on drugs as Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer) left on the train to the city, leaving their relationship in shambles. This was quite the bombshell to end on because it gave an insight that season two was going to be explosive. And it was.

The episode started out by elaborating on Fezco’s (Angus Cloud) childhood. They dived right into his family background and how he had no one except his grandmother, who was heavy into the drug world and ultimately shaped him to be who he is today. Cloud really sold his performance and made watchers feel for him. Growing up, the only attitude he knew from his grandmother was that “nothing mattered, just get the job done”, which he portrayed amazingly through his emotions. I’m so glad they touched on his childhood to allow us to know Fezco on a deeper level.

Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney) was another character that stood out and Sweeney’s performance was just outstanding. Throughout this whole show, Howard has not been given a break. The new season started out rough for her by being drunk and alone at a gas station, but the rotten cherry on top was Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) being there as well. He was just conveniently there to comfort her and take her to the party. This was possibly the worst decision Howard could make, knowing Jacobs will get attached and go crazy over her.

Sickeningly, Elordi plays his character so well that I have to physically look away when he is on screen because of how horrible Jacobs is. The way he took advantage of Howard being sad and drunk to hook up with her knowing his ex-girlfriend, Maddy Perez (Alexa Demie), is her best friend. When she almost caught them in the bathroom, I was literally biting my nails. The tension between Howard and Jacobs at that moment showed how much of an aggressive and insensitive person he is.

Also, Euphoria exaggerated high school a lot in my opinion. None of the outfits Perez or the others wear would ever be allowed in an actual high school. Besides that, even though the plot is exaggerated, so many high schoolers could relate to the heavy topics this show brings up, from Bennett’s drug addiction to Vaughn’s abuse for exploring her sexuality.

I highly recommend watching this show and I can’t wait for episode two. “Euphoria” makes people’s problems seem valid and heard and I think that’s why so many people are hooked onto it. Viewers can connect to it in a really special way and they get to see how different characters would deal with their problems.  New episodes come out every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.