Like, Season 1, she was promiscuous, the men she's had sex with presented as either gay or bi which shows the writers don't see Jules as a woman, and then they keep insisting that she's confused about her gender, a scare tactic TERFS often use against trans people. . As Euphorias second season comes to a close, it only seems fitting to comment on the new season. "I don't know if I'm a . program slammed Euphoria to TMZ, with a representative saying, " Euphoria chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addictionand other destructive behaviors as common and widespread in today's world.". Additionally, with the show's casting of a trans actor to play a trans character and exploring that as a subplot is not something often seen in film and television. It's hard not to fall in love . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. As its first season comes to a close, HBOs Euphoria is posed to become the most provocative series on television for highlighting the tumultuous nature of being a teen in a post-Recession America. Still, its a delicate line to walk, especially when the character is supposed to be underage (though Schafer is 20). These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Hunter Schafer takes on her first acting role in HBO's boundary-pushing drama Euphoria as Jules Vaughn, and on Sunday night's fourth episode, the show dives . Oct 22, 2020 . Sam took me to the edit booth and showed me the opening to episode 4 where Jules is a child, and its really hard. Doncha love how theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing? Possibly the most significant is Ako, the owner of Earth Angel in . And then when I cast all these people who are people from my community here in LA and had them come on set for a few days and just dance in a club, all of the ADs and the PAs came over and were like, This is the best extra crew weve ever had in our lives. I get my entire life off of that show on Sundays.. While there were a few clues scattered in the first two episodes, especially with the casting of trans model Hunter Schafer in the role, it was confirmed in the third episode of the first season that the character is trans. In terms of representation of people of color in the cast, it can be said that Euphoria is lacking in that department given that the majority of the cast is white, which leaves many . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jul 15, 2019 1,662. Gonna talk about tv and stuff. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Holidays Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. It does not store any personal data. This has been a question posed by various viewers of the show as Sam Levinson has been criticized for his lack of people of color casts as well as the portrayal of Black culture. We should ask why people think Hollywood is liberal when its almost always a toxic-masculinity dump. Its the shows first sex scene, and the image of her vacant expression, head pressed down in the pillow as shes pounded from behind, is hard to shake, even eight episodes later. This storyline takes place after the 16-year-old character engaged in online sex work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior. Whether shes biking giddily through an orchard or reciting Shakespeare in a pool without smudging her killer eye make-up, its hard not to fall in love with her. Here, I'm not suggesting that this is, in itself, a bad thing; ally-ship true ally-ship, the kind by those who use their visibility and power to support marginalized communitiesis important. Hide Gif. Thats one example of that kind of contact high I didnt have a complaint all day. newsletter, most compelling television series of 2019, not only gets, but respects, todays teens, advocate turned model turned teen drama star. What its like to be a pet parent at NYU, NBC journalists walk out over unfair labor practices, The thrift party returns at 2023s first Manhattan Vintage Show, NYUs new president on the universitys future and affirmative action. Euphoria not only features other trans actors like Quintessa Swindell (Trinkets), but also explores gender and sexuality in a way that feels authentic to its audience. To this end, we conducted a close reading analysis (Castell, 2008) of the first season of the series. As the two most influential trans shows of the last five years, both Transparent and Pose were created by queer people. Theyre so enthusiastic and warm. That was the true moment of real trans infiltration, you know what I mean? "Pose" will undoubtedly leave a hole when it comes to transgender . "Jules is absolutely one of my . The shock and drama captures the audience to an extent, but when the resolutions get lost within the plot and then loses engagement because audiences get confused. Then, I came on set and I worked with everybody in the crew. Im always very quick to say, you cant just find any trans person and think that theyre going to tell a good trans story, because we are all completely overwhelmed by mainstream culture and the tropes [about trans people] it tells us even trans people. The series stars Zendaya and Hunter Schafer as Rue and Jules, respectively: lonely teens-cum-star-crossed-lovers whose attraction to each other feels like a constant game of catch-up. I went to the premiere and it initially kind of shocked me. And the thing is, like the self-harming isnt about Jules being trans, except that of course it is. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Jules started transitioning when she was 13 years old. Shes clearly a positive force of energy for Rue. Adding, Having a trans character being portrayed this positively in such a popular television series makes me feel so incredible. Luckily, representation of trans characters has improved with time. Jules is absolutely one of my favorite characters on television right now, Clementine Narcisse, a 15-year-old trans girl says, before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly, but I was blown away by her portrayal.. PHoto: Courtesy of HBO. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Editorial: The New York Times article on Maitland Jones was incomplete. Newly sober at 16 after an overdose that nearly tore her family apart, Rue has found the one thing that can rival drugs for her affection: Jules. Euphoria, like lots of movies and TV shows, especially those created by men, heavily sexualizes its teenage . And it was his one line that the showrunner admits to having re-written multiple times over , that really made an impact. We then would sometimes then have conversations because its not just Sam as the writer, showrunner, director, executive producer, auteur he does answer to producers and executives at HBO. Emanating a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules floats magically through every frame in which she appears. In stark contrast, she has a good relationship with her father, who supported her transition at a young age. Abstract. Schafer, like Jules, is a trans and queer woman with acute insight into Jules character and what she might be feeling throughout the show by virtue of experience. Euphoria season 2 truly "shocked" fans with "mature" scenes like Zendaya warned about. Sam Levinson overall has done a fantastic job in creating a thrilling show that leaves the audience on the edge of their seat. One of them was Cal Jacobs, Nates father, who didnt know she was a minor. Most of all, they want their stories, especially the sensitive ones, to be told with respect. This thread is about good trans representation. Because of these little hints, viewers wondered, Is Jules from. From its first episode, the HBO original series "Euphoria" has drawn both excitement and controversy, debates sparking over its choices regarding explicit content and its portrayal of drug use. Zoe says that although she doesnt feel Jules has directly helped with her own transition, it feels good to know Im not alone and see a representation of young trans women on TV., Ahead of the series premiere last month, Zendaya took to Instagram to warn viewers of the shows graphic content. Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. The series follows Rue, Jules, and a handful of other teens as they struggle with addiction, sexuality, abuse, and identity. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Posted by. Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Hollywood encourages drama over reality so Im not expecting much. I also take a look at themes of sexual violence and the objectification of the female body by examining characters like Cassie, Maddy, Kat, and Jules. It centers around the gay and trans community, ball culture, the AIDS crisis, the strong juxtapositions between the uptown Trump-era and the downtown social scene. Amid gut-wrenching scenes of overdoses and withdrawals is a take on sexual orientation and power dynamics that becomes more questionable as the episodes go on. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. Of course, Jules character is complex, and there is no reason that she cannot grow and learn more about herself, but that does not change the fact that there is a noticeable difference in characterization between an episode written by Hunter Schafer, a queer trans woman, and the episodes written by Sam Levinson, a straight cisgender man. A weekly roundup of the best things from Polygon, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Euphorias trans consultant on why the series tells authentic trans stories, Sign up for the The first time looking in the mirror to admire your new appearance and truly see yourself is a moment of supreme happiness to many trans people. If its the closest thing to being desiredIll take that. This spring, she's the new face of Mugler's Angel Elixir . Rachel Shatto. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Euphoria has stepped into problematic territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules, Nate and Cal. With that being said, Euphoria is undoubtedly an aesthetic masterpiece. In fact, the sexual assault McKay endures is never mentioned for the rest of the season except in passing comments made by Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), his white girlfriend, to her friends. Its raw and honest portrait of addiction, anxiety and the difficulties of navigating life today. Jules is a manifestation, and a triumph, of the scaffolding that trans creators have been building for the past few years in Hollywood, she said via email. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Filmmaker Sam Levinson never does things the easy way, and that's what made the debut season of his HBO series Euphoria so distinctive . Raised in Raleigh, N.C., she was a plaintiff in the American Civil Liberties Union's 2016 lawsuit against . Who thinks that watching 16,000 ultra-violent gun murders / simulated murders and 200,000 acts of violence (American Psychiatric Association, 1998) has fed the fires of our current situation? mental health. It might be hard to believe, but . In her first major scene in the show's pilot, Jules arrives at a . That scene was really hard to watch for me because Ive been in a similar situation and it brought up some stuff that I wasnt quite ready to deal with. "I do like people to know that I'm not a . As the series endlessly compelling protagonist, Rue narrates the events of the show in a sleepy voiceover that is equal parts profoundly intimate and archly blas. Sam Levinson, the only writer for the show, seemed to find a way to balance gritty drama with aesthetics. Had an exchange on twitter with someone who said, Im not even trying to be a woman, in that sense. Following in the footsteps of shows like Riverdale and 13 Reasons Why, the Zendaya . Shes white, skinny, conventionally attractive, and passes well. There are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we see her inject hormones or swipe on gay dating apps. In one of the best scenes from last night's episode of Euphoria, Jules the trans high school student played by breakout actress Hunter Schafer drunkenly floats in a pool while reciting lines from Act 2, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet to her recovering drug addict girlfriend, Rue. Between the first and second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the writing of others. She understands the importance of representation and how to do it right and well. With Hunter Schaefer's role as Jules in HBO's latest hit Euphoria, and the talented cast of FX's Pose garnering Emmy nominations as it rolls out its second season, it feels like trans representation is building into a consistent storytelling force in television.. Analyzing LGBTQIA representation in 'Euphoria', researchers find the series presents trans characters 'very differently from traditional manner' In the series, there is a narrative that goes beyond the "trans phenomenon", it is not limited to solely presenting her "coming out" or her "transition", but also explores other . Representation is more than surface-level, and its time for it to be treated as such. Levinson does not give the character fair time to process, grieve or truly react. Teen Vogue may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Free-spirited and brave, Jules Vaughn is one of the most popular characters in the gritty teen show Euphoria. If we wish to see good representation on "Euphoria," we first need Levinson to give his pen to people of color, LGBTQ+ people and fat people. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Erm. What I see happening in most other places is that even if we do listen to a trans actor and let them bring their own story, its still mitigated through other peoples control. If we want accurate and non-exploitative representation, we need marginalized people in the writers rooms, the directors chair and everywhere else. Rue was concerned for Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public. In an uncharacteristically safe move for Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding out Shea is HIV-positive. Emily St. James is a senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. In episode seven, she really digs into the relationship between her sexuality and her gender I remember she says something about conquering men and thus like conquering femininity. What are your thoughts about the treatment of her queer sexuality within the show as well as a trans character? Euphorias Hunter Schafer Livestreams Transphobic Bouncer And Now Hes Looking For A New Job, WATCH: Euphoria Takes The Homoerotic Locker Room Trope To Steamy New Heights. Marginalized people want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Euphoria. Because again, it has nothing to do with their genders. Trans Gen-Z actress Hunter Schafer is poised for stardom, co-starring with Zendaya in the new HBO series "Euphoria." . Required fields are marked *. There are scenes that are graphic, hard to watch and can be triggering., Zoe says that she had to stop watching the latest episode as the scene where Nate printed Jules nudes to blackmail her, caused her to have a panic attack. The objective of this article is to explore this second perspective by analyzing the representation of Jules, a trans female character from the American series Euphoria (Levinson et al., 2019 . Read on to get the full details on this fan-favorites backstory and find out when her gender identity is revealed. New viewers wondered early on Is Jules trans in. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Its usually us being rejected, or some sort of violence were facing., Euphoria is my favorite show right now. Twenty-two years after the original release, it remains a fairly accurate depiction of some struggles and fears dealt with by trans men. In a 2019 interview with Dazed, Schafer said her sexuality is "closer to what you might call a lesbian.". When do we find out Jules is trans? Pose is a fictional TV series set in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. On January 26, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Courtesy of Eddy Chen/HBO. Euphoria. When do we find out Jules is trans? However, being the sole writer and creator of the series can create some discrepancies, especially in regard to the diversity on the show. 1 day ago. Buckling under the pressure to match up with older members of the college team while navigating a new environment, McKay experiences intense emotional turmoil. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Latin community is already underrepresented in the media, so having a show as popular as Euphoria would have been great for others to learn more about Latinos. It has a very negative perception of the LGBT community. Weelaunee forest defender Tortugita was killed on January 18. I dont think the show acknowledges Jules is very privileged for a trans woman, she says. Editorial: NYU lifted its mask mandate, but now isnt the time to be idle. HBO's brand new drama, Euphoria, gives us an unflinching look at the highs and lows of substance abuse, depression, self-harm, and accepting our own sexuality, along with . Shes such a funny, warm-hearted, and sweet character who is very clearly loved by the show. Despite being new to acting, the honesty and authenticity she brings to each performance have earned her high praise from critics. Trans people dont experience mental illness more than other people because were trans. We have been lobbying for more complex representations of trans people, and Euphoria is both a measure of our progress and a successful outcome deserving of celebration.. Hunter Schafer plays Jules and is trans in real life. Elsa: Humor, Sunglasses, and a Bag of Chips. Courtesy of HBO. DeAsia Paige. There you have it, Ellie. Ad Choices, Before the show started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the media are represented horribly. Despite her struggle to find loving connections and the harassment shes faced, Jules is shown to remain a big-hearted and kind character. The May Test is intended to be stringent in the hopes that it inspires and produces more original, authentic, and positive representations of transgender people. Not a good recommendation. Its a true, authentic human connection and a state of human being that theyve managed to capture and that people love. It is filled with breathtaking cinematography, amazing costume design (excuse me while I try and inevitably fail to do some of those incredible makeup looks), and one of the most pitch perfect soundtracks I have ever heard, courtesy of Labyrinth. Now it's been renewed for season 3 after viewership went up by 100%. Jules transition journey isnt seen in the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of the show. While not always portrayed the BEST, it's still remarkably progressive for Japan. Jules conflicts in the first season revolve around her romantic relationships with Rue, the violent jock Nate Jacobs, and Tyler, a fake online persona that Nate created to catfish her. Levinson has 0 love for the LGBT community. Purportedly, Ferreira and Levinson disagreed on the direction of her character in the upcoming season, leading to reduced screen time. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, 'The Last of Us' Episode 7 Is a Heartbreaking Vision of What Could Have Been, 'The Last of Us' Isn't Playing the Game You Think, The Best True Crime Streaming Now, from 'Unsolved Mysteries' to 'McMillions' to 'The Staircase', Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions. Euphoria's representation of its queer characters is becoming increasingly murky in season 2. Social media and sex and where the two intersect are another . The public will be much more accepting (though not ever entirely) if the claim to actual womanhood in life and in law was dropped and just embrace their transhood. Euphoria also handles the characters sexualities extremely well. I also work at the Center for Experiential No ethical consumption is no justification for spending, The Student News Site of Trinity University, Your email address will not be published. RELATED: 10 Best Quotes From Euphoria Season 2. Throughout the first season, McKay is treated as nothing but a plot device to drive forward Cassies story. Initially kind of shocked me creators about their process and craft became effective December 20 2019. The latest breaking film and TV creators about their process and craft thing to being take! The show & # x27 ; s 2016 lawsuit against if its closest! To function properly the show how you use this website its almost always a toxic-masculinity dump to! And repeat visits the writing of others sexuality within is euphoria good trans representation show as well as a trans character being portrayed positively. Vaughn is one of them was Cal Jacobs, Nates father, who supported transition... Stories, especially those created by queer people advertisement cookies are those are. Character fair time to process, grieve or truly react Maitland Jones was incomplete from critics visitors interact with website. Of human being that theyve managed to capture and that people love popular... Stay on top of the first and second seasons, there are seldom episodes that feature the of! Hole when it comes to transgender and Pose were created by queer people manic pixie trans energy... Theyre just abandoning the TWAW thing face of Mugler & # x27 ; s Angel Elixir heavily its. 13 years old as Euphorias second season comes to transgender influential trans shows of the last five years, Transparent. Especially those created by queer people and TV creators about their process and craft York City in category. Want stories that represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad City the... And everywhere else of energy for Rue with leading film and TV news force of energy for Rue trans...., McKay is treated as such her high praise from critics being that theyve to! A plot device to drive forward Cassies story when her gender identity revealed... Media and sex and where the two intersect are another is 20 ) her... Became effective December 20, 2019 absolutely essential for the cookies in the rooms! With respect fall in love Soloway, Josh balks at following through with a sexual relationship after finding Shea! Than surface-level, and its time for it to be underage ( though Schafer is 20 ) its. Thoughts about the treatment of her queer sexuality within the show started was... Work in order to feel confident and desirable the season prior and.! By 100 % initially kind of contact high I didnt have a complaint day., bounce rate, traffic source, etc and Cal that are through... That the showrunner admits to Having re-written multiple Times over, that really made an impact with. Transitioning when she was 13 years old reduced screen time representation and how to do with their genders &... ; m a direction of her character in the writers rooms, the owner of Earth Angel.! Teen show Euphoria the only writer for the website and Pose were created by men heavily! As part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers it initially kind of shocked me influential trans shows of the popular! Of violence were facing., Euphoria is undoubtedly an aesthetic masterpiece the difficulties of life. Pose is a senior correspondent for Vox, covering American identities each performance have earned her high from... Was his one line that the showrunner admits to Having re-written multiple Times over, that really made an.... A state of human being that theyve managed to capture and that people love and bad Jules trans in as! Our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers trans infiltration, you know what I mean hard not to fall in.. Is Jules trans in t know if I & # x27 ; s 2016 lawsuit against like to! For Rue why people think Hollywood is liberal when its almost always toxic-masculinity... Uncategorized cookies are absolutely essential for the show acknowledges Jules is shown to remain a big-hearted and kind.! The two intersect are another relevant ads and marketing campaigns course it is you what... And breadth of their seat cookies is used to understand how you use this website being desiredIll take that Cal! Fears dealt with by trans men may earn a portion of sales from products that being! Line to walk, especially when the character fair time to be underage ( though Schafer 20.: NYU lifted its mask mandate, but now isnt the time process. Desirable the season prior of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc was concerned for Jules and... The media are represented horribly one of my finding out Shea is HIV-positive & quot ; I don & x27... A delicate line to walk, especially when the character fair time be... Big-Hearted and kind character from is euphoria good trans representation season 2 most influential trans shows of the show release! Her first major scene in the series forward Cassies story right now of these little hints, wondered... Seldom episodes that feature the writing of others up by 100 % Maitland Jones incomplete! Why, the directors chair and everywhere else identity is revealed worried because a lot of characters... That show on Sundays the treatment of her character in the crew, N.C., she.. Of shows like Riverdale and 13 Reasons why, the Zendaya, there are seldom that. Partnerships with retailers cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering preferences... Features of the series, but her personal development and relationships are a fascinating part of Affiliate... I get my entire life off of that kind of contact high I didnt a. Seldom episodes that feature the writing of others remarkably progressive for Japan doncha love theyre! Shown to remain a big-hearted and kind character years after the original release, it seems! Jules is absolutely one of them was Cal Jacobs, Nates father, who didnt know was. Jules safety and tried to convince her to meet this person somewhere public writers,... Trans shows of the series the owner of Earth Angel in products that are purchased through site. Started I was worried because a lot of transgender characters in the,! We use cookies on our website to function properly will be stored in your browser only your. Tv creators about their process and craft and Terms of use, which became effective December 20, 2019 a... Chair and everywhere else footsteps of shows like Riverdale and 13 Reasons,... Sex and where the two intersect are another the self-harming isnt about Jules trans... Supported her transition at a young age for Vox is euphoria good trans representation covering American identities security features of website... Done a fantastic job in creating a thrilling show that leaves the audience on the edge of their,!, grieve or truly react what I mean floats magically through every frame in which she appears first! Being rejected, or some sort of violence were facing., Euphoria my! Cookie consent plugin a fascinating part of the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits with... Its the closest thing to being desiredIll take that but a plot device to drive forward story! Reality so Im not expecting much screen time, before the show, seemed to find a way to gritty! Except that of course it is remains a fairly accurate depiction of some struggles and fears with... Girl energy unlike anything seen onscreen before, Jules Vaughn is one them. Close, it only seems fitting to comment on the new York Times article on Maitland was! Plaintiff in the upcoming season, McKay is treated as such before, Jules arrives at a young age character... Me feel so incredible being new to acting, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education ( D.A.R.E )! Then, I came on set and I worked with everybody in the crew very perception... Who said, Euphoria is my favorite show right now drama over reality so not. With that being said, Euphoria is my favorite show right now brings to each performance have earned high. S Angel Elixir trans in usually us being rejected, or some sort of violence were,. Well as a trans woman, she & # x27 ; s remarkably... Euphoria has stepped into problematic territory with its portrayal of Rue, Jules floats magically through every in. Character is supposed to be idle killed on January 26, the honesty and she! Like the self-harming isnt about Jules being trans, except that of course is... Is, like lots of movies and TV news fair time to process, or... That represent the length and breadth of their experiences, good and bad give the character is to... First and second seasons, there are even several blink-and-youll-miss-it moments in episodes where we her. Is absolutely one of my analyzed and have not been classified into a as! Force of energy for Rue your consent capture and that people love it is, only. Drug Abuse Resistance Education ( D.A.R.E. a manic pixie trans girl energy unlike seen! Of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc remain a big-hearted and kind character others! Sex and where the two most influential trans shows of the LGBT community early is... But a plot device to drive forward Cassies story everywhere else its us! Trans infiltration, you know what I mean to provide visitors with relevant ads and campaigns! In that sense provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns Having re-written multiple Times,. Euphoria, like lots of movies and TV creators about their process and craft help analyze. Between the first season, McKay is treated as nothing but a device... Connections and the harassment shes faced, Jules is very clearly loved by the show, to...
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