Nate Dies, Cassie Tries to Sleep Her Way to the Top

SPOILER ALERT: This article reveals details from “Rain or Shine,” Season 3 Episode 7 of Euphoria, now available on HBO Max.

Once again, Rue Bennett concludes an episode of “Euphoria” in a precarious situation, though a high school peer finds himself in even direr straits.

Zendaya’s role as Rue has seen her narrowly escape a violent encounter involving a polo mallet this season. Currently, she faces the risk of getting caught while attempting to rob a drug cartel. This comes after Faye, portrayed by Chloe Cherry, who had been trying to assist Rue following Wayne’s (Toby Wallace) threat on her life, betrays her and raises an alarm.

Meanwhile, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) meets a definitive end — his fate appears certain as his wife Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) is seen mourning over his lifeless body. Here’s a breakdown of events from the season’s second-to-last episode.

End of a Prominent Figure

Nate Jacobs has undergone significant changes since his high school days. The character, who was a central source of drama and threat due to his volatile anger in the first two seasons, has been diminished by life’s challenges. Business failures and debts to loan sharks have left him with a sense of defeated resignation. This provided Elordi with a new angle to explore, leading to a tragic fate that Nate was barely able to evade. 

Held captive over a $1 million debt, Nate is buried in a shallow grave with a small vent for air. Cassie, also taken by the loan sharks, is given three days to gather the ransom. Cassie enlists Maddy (Alexa Demie), who turns to Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), resulting in Alamo killing one of the loan sharks and ending the conflict. Cassie reunites with Nate, but a rattlesnake that had entered through the vent had already bitten him, rendering her efforts futile. Nonetheless, Cassie made an attempt.

This grim conclusion befits a character who had shown a penchant for violence. As the season finale approaches, Cassie’s journey evolves dramatically from discontented spouse to unexpected widow, all within the early months of her marriage.

The Ups and Downs of Cassie

Maddy’s decision to aid Cassie is curious, given that Cassie’s hasty choice in the previous episode to leave OnlyFans for a mainstream acting career cut off a significant source of income for her aspiring manager. Cassie, unfortunately, lost her role in “L.A. Nights” when the production opted to avoid addressing her past. Desperate to regain her online presence, she devised a plan. 

Enter Dylan Reed (Homer Gere), an actor who had worked with Cassie before her dismissal and felt remorse for her departure. Before Cassie’s abduction, she executed her plan flawlessly: during a date, she intoxicated Dylan, engaged in intimacy, and discreetly used his phone to post on Instagram, praising her in explicit terms. This occurred while Dylan was oblivious, sipping from a glass containing Nate’s frozen finger — a grim symbol of deeper turmoil.

Ali’s Journey

In a typical “Euphoria” flashback narrated by Rue, viewers see Ali (Colman Domingo) on his path to sobriety. Following a heated argument with his wife, Ali finds solace in a flophouse with a character played by Natasha Lyonne. As he progresses through the recovery steps, Ali attempts to guide other addicts, particularly during the challenging times of COVID when in-person meetings were unavailable. 

Ali now aims to support Rue once more, although he recognizes the increasing difficulty of this endeavor. After Rue interprets a burning bush as a divine sign at the end of the prior episode, she confides in Ali that she heard God’s voice, assuring her, “I heard your cries, I feel your pain; have faith and I will take you from Egypt and I will lead you to the Promised Land.” For now, Ali watches her with affectionate skepticism.

Rue’s Faith Journey

Rue’s newfound spiritual connection imbues her with a sense of limitless possibilities — she narrowly avoided a car crash, only to witness a burning bush. Her optimism is not universal, though; Lexi, played by Maude Apatow, expresses her frustration by snapping, “No wonder your mom doesn’t talk to you anymore,” when Rue shares her divine experience. 

This belief may explain why Rue is intricately navigating between two rival cartels, attempting to persuade Laurie (Martha Kelly) that she is loyal to her, not Alamo. In an effort to substantiate her claims, Rue self-inflicts bruises. Rue’s alleged wish to change allegiances is met with skepticism and violence from the cartel, culminating in her palm being cut with a knife. Despite the threats, Rue attempts a heist with Faye’s assistance, only to find the safe empty except for IDs, prompting Faye to realize Rue’s deception. Faye’s scream heralds more danger for Rue as the season draws to a close.