Euphoria season 2 episode 5 recap: When sh*t hits the fan…
By Sandy C.
Euphoria season 2 episode 5, titled “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird,” was all about Rue and audiences taking a big dose of reality together. This is the first episode of the season that doesn’t feature a fun soundtrack, and the most emotional and raw episode in the series so far. The main focus in “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird” is Rue. Rue and the heavy reminder to audiences that addiction is very real, painful, and serious. If you missed tonight’s episode, please note that spoilers are ahead!
Final spoiler warning!
What happens in Euphoria season 2 episode 5?
“Stand Still Like the Hummingbird” kicks off with Leslie (Nika King) asking a drowsy Rue about doing drugs again. Rue (Zendaya) immediately believes that Gia (Storm Reid) ratted her out about smoking weed. Rue is denying everything, so Leslie tells her daughter that Jules (Hunter Schafer) has already told her everything. Leslie is surprisingly very patient and understanding. She is trying to keep Rue from freaking out even more and tells Rue that they’ll get her help again. But Rue isn’t listening to any of this, all she cares about is finding the suitcase of drugs.
Rue makes a huge scene and gets violent (Rue literally breaks down a door) and cruel. This is the raw and painful reaction and confrontation fans have been wanting to see. Before this, it almost seemed as if Euphoria was letting Rue get away with glamorizing her behavior and habits — so this smack of reality was very much needed! Rue is so out of control that Leslie has no choice but to hit her when Rue pushes Gia. Rue demands to know where her suitcase of drugs are and this is when we hear Jules shout “we flushed them down the toilet.”
Jaws. On. The. Floor. It turns both Jules and Elliot (Dominic Fike) have been listening this whole time, sitting in the living room. Rue is too stunned to speak. She hits Elliot and tells everyone he’s a drug addict, too. Rue then tells Jules they’re done and that Rue hates her. I have to say, as much as Jules made me mad for cheating on Rue with Elliot, I couldn’t help but feel bad for her as Rue yells in her face about how meeting Jules is one of her biggest regrets. Jules remains patient and kind, telling Rue that she loves her.
After another break down, Rue finally agrees to go to the hospital. Sadly, on the way there, Rue changes her mind and freaks out again. Rue jumps out of the car and our heart feels like it wants to jump out of our chest as we watch Rue almost get hit by a car several times. Fans were on the edge of their seats watching.
Euphoria season 2 episode 5 reveals Cassie and Nate’s secret
As if the episode wasn’t already wild and emotional enough, sh*t hits the fan once more when Rue goes to Cassie and Lexi’s house to use the bathroom (and try to steal what she can get her hands on). On her way out of the bathroom, Rue’s mom Leslie is waiting for her, knowing Rue would likely stop there. All of Rue’s friends are there, too, shocked. But not as shocked as when Rue asks Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) how long she has been sleeping with Nate (Jacob Elordi). That’s right! The Cass is out of the bag! To quote Maddy (Alexa Demie), “I’m literally going to get violent!” Get her, Maddy! We don’t really see what ends up happening here as the focus returns to Rue making a run for it, this time to Fezco’s.
Things don’t go well at Fez’s, either. Fez catches Rue trying to steal his grandma’s medication and kicks her out. Later, Rue breaks into someone’s home and steals some money and jewelry. Then, she goes to Laurie’s (Martha Kelly) house. Laurie thanks her for the money and jewelry, but she says that she doesn’t run a pawn shop, Rue’s going to have to pay it all in cash and soon. Laurie doesn’t appear too upset (but when does she ever?). Laurie does say she’s disappointed that Rue lied about being sober. She helps get Rue in the bath and gives her morphine to help with the pain.
Rue dreams of her father’s funeral service and wakes up in a bed feeling better. In the rooms around her, there are men asleep and all doors are locked. Rue manages to get out through a window out the back. The final scene shows Leslie alone in her kitchen when she hears the door opening, she calls out to Rue, but we don’t get to see who it is.
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Euphoria season 2 episode 6 premieres on Sunday, Feb. 13, on HBO and HBO Max.
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