Euphoria: How far will these characters go to lead a double life?

Euphoria's latest episode delves deeper into the past of Cal Jacobs while Rue's relapse hints to a disastrous future.

Eric Dane, best known for his role as Mark "McSteamy" Sloan from Grey's Anatomy, stars as Cal Jacobs, Nate's father who lives a double life.
Eric Dane, best known for his role as Mark "McSteamy" Sloan from Grey's Anatomy, stars as Cal Jacobs, Nate's father who lives a double life.  © IMAGO/Picturelux

Eric Dane rose to prominence during his time on Grey's Anatomy as the irresistible Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy.

Yet in HBO Max's Euphoria, he portrays a completely different character that's less alluring – and more creepy.

Dane plays Cal Jacobs, father of the equally creepy Nate. In season one, Cal had sex with Nate's classmate Jules – played by Hunter Schafer – and countless other younger men.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hold hands on romantic lunch date
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce hold hands on romantic lunch date

Cal's teenage years, shown in flashback, are the catalyst for the first few moments of the season's third episode, which dropped on Sunday. Viewers learn that his past is what's leading him to try to keep his double life a secret.

Elsewhere, his son Nate is living his own double life as he continues his affair with Cassie, despite reconciling with Maddie.

And of course, Rue's addiction has caused everyone around her to be suspicious. The teen seems headed for a dire fate – and she doesn't appear to care.

Drugs aren't the only addiction in Euphoria

Rue, played by Zendaya, continues to lie to her family and friends about her addiction problems in the latest episode of Euphoria.
Rue, played by Zendaya, continues to lie to her family and friends about her addiction problems in the latest episode of Euphoria.  © IMAGO/Picturelux

As the series boldly depicts, Rue isn't the only one with an addiction problem. And she also isn't the only one going to great lengths trying to keep it under wraps.

Sunday's episode focused on creepy Cal's similar antics of covering his tracks in his many attempts to keep his fetish from coming out.

It causes him to stalk Fez, played by Angus Cloud, which then leads to him being captured and viciously questioned by the drug dealer's brother, Ashtray.

Lizzo adopts "body neutrality" with new swimwear launch
Lizzo Lizzo adopts "body neutrality" with new swimwear launch

As the episode further proves, the Jacobs' boys have been getting their a***es handed to them since the season started. But despite Cal and Nate both getting the living daylights beaten out of them, it's too soon to tell if they will finally get the message to leave things alone.

As for the show's leading lady, Rue's drug relapse is getting more and more painful to witness.

From blatantly disrespecting her sponsor Ali, played by the brilliant Colman Domingo, to gaslighting her sister and lying to those around her, Rue's headed for another horrible OD.

However, this time she may not recover.

Zendaya's haunting performance as the troubled teen is a poignant representation of the downfalls of addiction. Yet, the characters' parallel stories serve as a reminder that addictions aren't always to drugs. Sometimes it's a feeling, a person, or a place that can make someone feel good. Euphoric, even.

But just how far will these characters go to get it?

Euphoria airs new episodes every Sunday on HBO Max.

Cover photo: IMAGO/Picturelux

More on TV & Shows: