“Warning: this content contains graphic material including nudity, substance abuse and foul language. Viewer discretion is advised.”

A lot of shows start with mature ratings and even warnings, but “Euphoria” means intense feelings of happiness, which is portrayed throughout the show.

After two years full of unanswered questions, Euphoria fans were thrilled when the second season of HBO’s “Euphoria” was released on Jan. 9.The season’s opener placed viewers back into the action with little recap of the previous season.

Within the first 15 minutes, main characters Rue (Zendaya) and Fezco “Fez” (Angus Cloud), are thrown into a stressful situation surrounding a drug lord. While there is a warning at the beginning of each episode, it was stress-inducing to watch. Zendaya even expressed her concern on the show’s graphic content on her instagram, warning fans to take care of themselves before watching the show. 

Although Euphoria is notorious for its graphic plot, no amount of warning could prepare viewers for what they would see this season. Heaving topics like drug relapses and substance abuse can be hard to watch, especially for young adults and impressionable teens. It is important to be in the right state of mind before watching any show with content as graphic as this. 

The writers do an amazing job of portraying real situations that high school students can find themselves in, especially with topics that can be triggering.Though many of the scenes are exaggerated, it still maintains a degree of reality that makes the show relatable to most people. 

The inflated acting surrounding drugs and alcohol in the show does not glorify substance abuse; Rather, it shows teens the real effects of doing hard drugs. Introducing substances as a scary death sentence should not be the way to promote teens to stay away from drugs. Even with the presence of heavier topics, like drug abuse, is prevalent in the show, there is much more to it than preaching on substances. 

Euphoria is known for their flashy, almost ridiculous outfits that the teenage characters wear. At 16, most people are not walking out of their house going to a school in a sequence dress two sizes too small. Even though the actors are older than their teen characters they are playing, the outfits they wear to school should be somewhat similar to normal teens.

Without a doubt, Euphoria’s plot keeps its audience engaged, but many of the season one cliffhangers were not addressed in the new premiere. These plot holes add to the mystery of the ongoing season as viewers wait for the next episode to air. The way the writers intertwine the characters’ personalities into each scene shows fans how detailed the plot is set up to be that leaves fans coming back for more.

The season’s premiere did not disappoint to envelope fans right back into the show, even with the long wait for this season. Euphoria is not for everyone. If you struggle with substance abuse or mental health issues the show may not be the right fit for you.

The first episode aired Jan. 9 at 9 p.m. and new episodes of season two will premiere exclusively on HBO Max every Sunday at 9 p.m. until Feb. 27.