“Euphoria” Season 3 Episode 7, titled “Rain or Shine,” airing on HBO’s Max, marks a devastating inflection point for the series’ narrative. Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi, dies apparently irreversibly in the penultimate episode of the season, leaving his wife Cassie Howard, played by Sydney Sweeney, in a state of emotional collapse. The death occurs after a sequence of events where loan sharks bury Nate in a shallow grave and a rattlesnake enters through the ventilation hole, fatally biting him before he can be rescued by Cassie.
Elordi’s character had undergone significant transformation in previous seasons. Nate, who once radiated almost uncontrollable rage and menace, was progressively beaten down by life. Seus business failures and mounting debt to local loan sharks shaped a melancholy and debilitating resignation. The actor explores this nuance with precision before the tragic outcome that the character would face.
The failed rescue and sealed death
The loan sharks who held Nate hostage for a $1 million debt buried him in inhumane conditions. Cassie was given a brutal ultimatum: get the money in 3 days to buy Nate’s freedom. The rescue sequence involves a network of desperate contacts. Cassie asks Maddy Perez, played by Alexa Demie, for help, who in turn turns to Alamo, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Quando Alamo arrives at the scene, shoots one of the loan sharks dead and manages to free both Cassie and destabilize the kidnapping.
Porém, fate had already sealed Nate’s fate. A rattlesnake entered the pit’s small ventilation opening and bit him, rendering all rescue efforts completely futile. The death is described as macabre for a character who had previously demonstrated a considerable capacity for violence against others. Cassie, who months before was an unsatisfied wife, instantly becomes a widow, experiencing this traumatic transition in the first months of marriage.
Cassie’s breakdown before the wedding
Antes of the kidnapping that would culminate in the death of Nate, Cassie was facing deep crises in his career. Sua’s impulsive decision to abandon the OnlyFans platform to pursue a legitimate acting career cut off a vital source of income that supported her ambitions. The production of “LA Nights”, where she got her acting role, fired her after deciding they didn’t want to deal with the explanations for her previous work. Cassie begged to get back his previous account with all his followers, but to no avail.
Desesperada by alternatives, Cassie was introduced to Dylan Reed, played by Homer Gere, an actor who had acted opposite her before her dismissal. Dylan felt guilty about his professional circumstances. Cassie executed an intricate plan: on a date with Dylan, he got him drunk, had sexual intercourse with him and, while Dylan was disoriented in the post-coital period, stole his cell phone. Usando your access, posted on Instagram that Cassie was exceptionally capable, using more vulgar terms to enhance the post.
The most disturbing detail of this sequence reveals the macabre context of the episode. Enquanto Cassie was in the kitchen, Dylan drank from a glass of ice water containing Nate’s frozen finger — a morbid reminder of the suffering occurring simultaneously elsewhere. Cassie’s life was being orchestrated simultaneously in levels of manipulation and horror that tragically converged.
Ali’s spiritual journey and sponsoring Rue
A significant flashback in the episode follows Ali, played by Colman Domingo, on his journey to sobriety. Após has an explosive fight with his wife, Ali seeks shelter in a hostel where he meets a character played by Natasha Lyonne. Conforme works the steps of the addiction recovery program, we see Ali trying to sponsor other addicts. Durante During the dark times of the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person meetings were suspended, he keeps in touch through other means.
Ali now dedicates himself once again to sponsoring Rue Bennett, the central character played by Zendaya. Porém, Ali seems to sense that this will be an increasingly challenging battle. Rue, who in the previous episode had seen a burning bush as a divine sign, reports to Ali that he heard Deus’s voice pronouncing promises of liberation. Ali reacts with loving perplexity to this mystical experience that Rue describes.
Rue’s spiritual awakening and its consequences
Rue experiences what he describes as a deep connection with faith, generating a realization that anything is possible. Sua’s survival of a near-car accident followed by the appearance of the burning bush convinces her that she is under divine protection. Essa spiritual conviction, however, does not prevent immediate and serious consequences in your life.
Lexi Williams, played by Maude Apatow, confronts Rue directly when she tries to explain her connection to the divine. Lexi responds coldly, “No wonder your mom doesn’t talk to you anymore.” The comment reflects the pattern of isolation that Rue’s newfound spirituality cannot resolve.
Rue steps up the stakes as he plays an increasingly complex game between two rival cartels. Tenta convinces Laurie, played by Martha Kelly, that Alamo distrusts her because she knows her true allegiance lies with Laurie’s cartel. Para keeps this lie, Rue deliberately hurts himself and creates bruises as “proof” of his devotion. The cartel rewards his stated desire to change sides with threats of violence before cutting his palm with a knife. The methods are brutal, but they support the legitimate suspicion of traffickers.
The foiled robbery and the growing danger
Rue executes a robbery with the help of Faye, played by Chloe Cherry, who had been warned that Wayne wants Rue dead. The robbery takes place in the early hours of the morning, but the condition of the safe reveals the devastating truth: there is no money inside, only documents. Essa’s discovery convinces Faye that Rue has been lying all along about his plans and resources.
Faye revolts against Rue and starts screaming, waking everyone in the place and exposing the planned robbery. Rue, who earlier in the episode had narrowly escaped having his head bitten off with a polo stick by Wayne, now faces an even greater threat from both sides. The season approaches its end with Rue in a progressively more dangerous and vulnerable situation.
Nate’s death marks the emotional point of no return for Euphoria. Cassie, abruptly transformed from a widow, faces a radically altered future in the final episode. Rue, steeped in spiritual conviction but operating in a reality of manipulation and betrayal, is at existential risk as the season approaches its conclusion.