Trouble Don't Last Always
A bottle episode exploring addiction and recovery on Christmas Eve.
"Trouble Don't Last Always" is the first of two specials that bridge the gap between the first and second seasons of the teen drama *Euphoria*. It was written and directed by the show's creator, Sam Levinson. The episode first became available on HBO Max on December 3, 2020, under the title "Part 1: Rue," and later aired on HBO on December 6. This is a bottle episode, set on Christmas Eve, where the main character Rue Bennett—a teenage drug addict played by Zendaya—has a conversation with her sponsor, Ali Muhammad, an older Muslim man portrayed by Colman Domingo. Their talk covers Rue's recent relapse and her relationship with her on-and-off girlfriend, Jules Vaughn.
- Title
- "Trouble Don't Last Always"
- Series
- Euphoria
- Writer/director
- Sam Levinson
- Original release
- December 3, 2020 (HBO Max); December 6, 2020 (HBO)
- Main cast
- Zendaya, Colman Domingo, Hunter Schafer
- Genre
- Teen drama, bottle episode
- Notable accolades
- Nominated for Writers Guild of America Award for Episodic Drama, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour), and Peabody Award
Lore & Background
The episode was announced by HBO in October 2020 as a special to "bridge the gap" between season 1 and 2. The title is a line from the waitress Miss Marsha, a phrase related to the Bible. Sam Levinson, who is Jewish, told GQ he set the episode at Christmas because it is his favorite holiday and he has spent Christmases in inpatient hospitals. Filming took place at Frank's Coffee Shop in Burbank, California, with a small cast and limited locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting season 2 production. Both this episode and the next special were shot adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Zendaya noted that guest star Marsha Gambles was met at a church during season 1 filming and brought back for the special.
Reader's Guide
The episode received widespread critical acclaim for its writing, performances, and shift in tone from the first season. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 97% score based on 30 reviews, with the consensus calling it "small screen magic." On Metacritic, it scored 84 out of 100. TVLine named Colman Domingo "Performer of the Week" for his work. Critics praised the stripped-down format, with The A.V. Club noting the episode "shines brightest" in its simplicity. The episode was nominated for a Peabody Award, a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Series (One Hour) for Marcell Rév, and a Writers Guild of America Award for Episodic Drama. It is considered a compelling exploration of addiction and a resetting breath for the series.
Did You Know?
- The song Jules sends Rue is Moses Sumney's "Me in 20 Years" from his album Græ.
- Colman Domingo said the episode was "a Christmas gift to 2020" in a behind-the-scenes video.
More in Euphoria episodes 1-24
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