After ‘Euphoria’ Episode 5, Maybe We Need Season 4 After All

InnovationGamingAfter ‘Euphoria’ Episode 5, Maybe We Need Season 4 After AllByPaul Tassi,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. News and opinion about video games, television, movies and the internet.Follow AuthorMay 11, 2026, 11:14am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.EuphoriaHBOWhile the initial episode or two of Euphoria season 3 were such a jarring shift in tone from the original, it seemed like nothing could be salvaged here, now, by episode 5, it’s easier to get used to the show this has turned into. It is not Euphoria seasons 1 and 2, despite sharing actors. Half these characters have undergone personality transplants, and the entire genre has flipped. But the new, not-Euphoria show that’s arrived is innately entertaining and watchable. At least hate-watchable. And people are still watching.HBO's viewership for season 3 of Euphoria spiked dramatically for its premiere, a 44% jump despite it being almost 4 years since the last season, when many shows can see returning viewers cut in half. People wanted to see what on earth would happen here.It’s the ultimate embodiment of Knives Out’s “It makes no damn sense. Compels me, though.” Every week, viewers flock to social media to express shock at the episode or be offended, and then they… tune in next week to do it again.Rue is no longer an emotionally compelling character as she was in the last two seasons of the show, but she is doing a great job as a pawn in a war between criminal factions, even if, again, this has turned into what is effectively a western.EuphoriaHBOMORE FOR YOUThis week I think we got to see a good version of Maddy being unleashed. She’s not exactly successful yet, but she was singlehandedly responsible for blowing up Cassie, and now she’s adding other girls to her “stable.” She could pretty much co-lead future seasons of the show.Sydney Sweeney is on a g...