By Kymani Hughes

Spoilers Alert

Euphoria, HBO’s new teen drama series, catches the audience’s eyes instantly.

From rotating walls that replicate a teenage drug addict’s intoxicated state, to the contrast between lightness and darkness, to cool-toned lights accompanied by a dizzying haze— the show’s perfectly executed visuals linger in one’s mind, bringing out every aspect of the story in an aesthetic fashion atypical of teenage drama series.

But beyond the makeup, cast wardrobe, and lighting schemes, the show holds a much deeper meaning that goes beyond the surface level.

Zendaya, a former Disney star and much-loved internet celebrity, plays “Rue Bennet” —Euphoria’s all-knowing narrator and teenager in crisis.

The storyline begins with Rue coming back from drug rehabilitation after her sister discovers her overdosed, unconscious body on the floor. However, when Rue returns to high school, she’s more driven than ever to continue her substance abuse.

Yet in Rue’s mundane routine of taking drug tests and being isolated from her peers, she finds a glimmer of hope in a new student—and thus, a tragic love story begins.

Jules ( played by Hunter Schafer), a new transgender girl in town, instantly becomes Rue’s friend and support system, but like every other character, she carries her own baggage.

Jules has promiscuous encounters with older men, which eventually put her in a burdensome situation—but she and Rue have an instant connect as they go on their journey of self-discovery, and in each other, they find a type of support that neither had ever experienced before.

But, if we could learn one thing from Euphoria is that not everything is chocolate and roses for its characters. Jules and Rue will find constant personal obstacles in their relationship.

Beyond their own adolescent troubles and anxiety-ridden meltdowns, the classmates that seem to live in parallel social hierarchies also stand as an obstacle in their relationship. This particularly brings excitement and “woah” moments to the storyline.

At the top of the totem pole is Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) — the stereotypical, popular star quarterback, that in most people’s eyes, is seen as utter perfection. He’s tall, attractive, and able to get any girl he desires. But underneath his “unflawed” physical exterior and the “tough guy” facade he puts on, he is an abusive sociopath overrun with toxic masculinity.

To complete the football jock-and-cheerleader trope is Nate’s on-and-off-again girlfriend, Maddy (Alexa Demie). This couple’s intense love leads to just as intense fights. Nate’s hiding of his father’s infidelity and sexuality since he was a child, has created the emotionally-unstable, self-obsessed man that he is today. Nate’s dark backstory is shown in the second episode, and the show follows the pattern throughout the season.

Every episode reveals a character’s past that explains how they developed into the teenagers that they are in the present day. Whether past or present, these stories can be absolutely heartbreaking and shocking, leaving the audience with a range of emotions as they process what they are watching on their television screens.

The amazing thing about Euphoria is that it’s able to take a ‘sad story’ and elevate it into something that’s even more heart-rending. The teen drama doesn’t attempt to sugarcoat anything and only showcases the stone-cold reality of its characters, which for some people can be tough to handle.

Some scenes you’ll wish you never even saw in the first place. However, the trigger warning in the beginning is there for a good reason—so keep that in mind in case you want to watch the show.

Minutes into the first episode, there is already a scene where statutory rape takes place in a hotel room. In another, an old man masturbates to being verbally degraded by a teenage girl, and in a later scene, a boy is stalked and beaten to a bloody pulp.

Although Euphoria consists of one disturbing scene after another, each moment strives to reflect someone’s true experience. The show tries to showcase honest teen experiences—and sure, they might seem like the most worst-case teen scenarios, but these stories are not far from what happens in reality.

Unlike the CW’s overdramatized teen series with pointless, melodramatic storylines such as the one in the over-hyped “Riverdale,” Euphoria centers itself on reality and isn’t afraid to show the ugliest sides of being a teenager.

Euphoria isn’t made to be enjoyed by everyone—it’s meant to make viewers feel something. For some people, the show will be an uncomfortable experience. For others, the show might provide a freeing release of, “woah, I relate to that character.” Although the show’s sense of humor attempts to balance the dark storyline, the show still stands strong on its own with its message.

With its storytelling aesthetics, the actors’ genuine performance, and scenes backed by great authenticity, Euphoria has found ways to help viewers resonate with the characters and be taken along a teenage journey of a lifetime.