'Euphoria' S3's Main Crime Is That It Turned Cassie Into the Most Annoying Character in the Entire Show

The third and final season of Euphoria premiered on April 12. The characters have matured and are trying to navigate their lives in a new reality, no longer being high school students.

However, just one episode has sparked heated debate – the main complaint from viewers and critics concerns Cassie's storyline, played by Sydney Sweeney.

Over the course of three seasons, her personality has undergone strange transformations. She's gone from being an interesting, profound character with clear motivations to an annoying caricature and, worse, a fetishized sex object.

In 'Euphoria' Season 1, Cassie Was a Well-Written Character You Could Empathize With

The first season of Euphoria felt cohesive and well thought out. Cassie's storyline, in particular, revolved around slut-shaming and her search for love after her parents' traumatic divorce.

She was close to her father, who suddenly disappeared from her life. This loss translated into a desire to be loved, causing her to indiscriminately enter into relationships and consent to sexual practices she didn't truly desire.

Boys bragged to each other about having sex with her and shared photos taken without her knowledge. This hurt Cassie, but she didn't know how to escape this cruel environment. Viewers were presented with a character held hostage by her own attractive appearance.

The men around her saw her only as a sexual object and desperately seeking love, she endured terrible treatment.

The first season ended perfectly, bringing the characters' stories to a close. One could only hope that Cassie would one day meet someone who would truly appreciate her.

In Season 2, Cassie Started to Show Signs of Deterioration Instead of Growth

Then came the second season, in which the creators showed how Cassie's breakup with McKay affected her. She fell into a depression and began to act out in self-destructive ways – first with alcohol, then by having an unhealthy relationship with Nate, who is her best friend Maddy's boyfriend.

Their romance became an obsession, and by the season finale, Cassie's desire to be with Nate led to her being completely alone. While the storyline was powerful, it also sparked controversy.

Viewers became irritated by the character's occasional tantrums and questionable behavior. Meanwhile, the costume designers stripped Sydney Sweeney of any realism, turning her into a living illustration from a men's magazine.

Cassie's Arc in Season 3 Turned Into a Complete Disaster

In the third season, Cassie and Nate get together and plan to get married. Since the couple doesn't have the money for a lavish wedding, Cassie decides to earn money by posting erotic photos on OnlyFans.

This is where the main problems begin. In the first season, nude scenes weren't considered provocative, and scenes of the guys filming Cassie in provocative poses evoked sympathy.

Now, Cassie appears on screen as a dog wearing a collar and lapping from a bowl and appears as a little girl with a pacifier – the creators use provocation not as a narrative tool but as the only way to attract attention.

This contradicts what viewers saw in the first season. Cassie was a victim of prejudice and her own sexuality, underneath it all, though, she was a traumatized, romantic woman.

However, the creators turned her into the very sex object she was in the eyes of others. Instead of developing, the character degenerated and lost depth.

Hopefully, the writers are trying to show how external circumstances can ruin the lives of even the most sincere people. For now, though, everything that's happening raises nothing but questions and genuine disgust.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Euphoria' Season 3?

• Euphoria Season 3 has 44% from critics and 51% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

Where to Watch 'Euphoria' Season 3?

Euphoria is available to stream on HBO Max.