What in the world is going on with “Euphoria”? In an earlier article, I expressed my surprise that the rather indecent HBO show “Euphoria” portrayed Christian faith in a positive light numerous times in its Season 3 premiere. Now, in episode six, which is titled “Stand Still and See,” a quote from Exodus 14:13, we find protagonist Rue searching for God in prayer in an actual church in her darkest moment.

In what is by far the most emotionally powerful scene in the season so far, and with likely the longest monologue, Rue, the main character and narrator, sits in a church and “confesses” to her mom over the phone that she longs for forgiveness and redemption. It is this phone call and confession that highlights Rue’s true spirit of conversion.

Redemption

Redemption is a loaded biblical term, one of the most analyzed and argued-over terms in Christian history. Redemption is repeatedly mentioned in the biblical books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, both of which describe God’s rescue, or “redemption,” of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The New Testament uses similar language in Ephesians 1:7, Romans 3:23-24, and 1 Peter 1:18-19 to describe the freedom that Christians receive from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Redemption is especially poignant in Season 3 of “Euphoria” as Rue is in debt to a dangerous drug lord. She is then traded to an equally dangerous “gentlemen’s” club owner, a customer of the previously mentioned drug lord. Later, she is arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration and coerced into working as a government informant. These events follow Rue’s Season 2 spiral of drug addiction. Since the beginning of the show, Rue has been metaphorically enslaved: to addiction, to her bosses, and then to federal agents. When this enslavement drives her to despair in Season 3, she finally recognizes her need for forgiveness.

Grace and Forgiveness

Rue desperately wants to be bought back from  these terrible masters, saying, through tears, “I just want to be free to start over. … I just want to start over … and I wanna be forgiven.” These three concepts – freedom, fresh starts, and forgiveness –  all go together in Christian theology. One cannot “start over” until the “last penny” has been paid (Mt. 5:26). Forgiveness can only come from the One who stands above the system of law and debts. When this One gives, it is not out of justice, but out of mercy. This is the Chrisitan concept of grace: To give out of an abundance of love.

It is not until Rue’s mother calls while she is in this church that Rue speaks to someone who is not trying to get something from her. Ironically, it was when she felt most confined by her mother’s rules that she was actually the most free.

Moses, Moses, Moses

Finally, Season 3 has featured a number of callbacks to Moses and the Exodus: the title of this episode references Exodus, Rue discusses Levitical laws with her sponsor Ali, and she listens to an audio version of Exodus 3 when she is arrested. In this episode, Rue looks at a pamphlet on the 10 Commandments, which God entrusted to Moses, in the church before her mother calls. Later, she is also listening to Exodus when her car spins off the road, and she finds herself in front of a tree that begins to spontaneously combust. Her protection from death, coupled with this clearly intentional allusion to Moses and the burning bush, can be interpreted as signs of divine protection.

As implied earlier, what’s fascinating about all this is that an extremely debauched show is bringing its audience back to the oldest story arc in history: ruin and redemption. Rue’s arc mimics the arc of humanity starting with Adam and Eve. She spurned the one who created and loved her – her mother – in favor of the freedom that she desired. She later finds redemption from the same source that offered it to humanity 2,000 years ago and continues to offer today. The conclusion of the season will likely tell us if she accepts this redemption.

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This article was made possible by The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal, a project of 1819 News. 

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