Who ever thoughtEuphorianeededmoredarkness? Probably no one. But, Season 2 offered something a little different when it came to the series’ antagonists: Laurie (Martha Kelly). Laurie is the successful drug dealer fromEuphoria’s second season. She had a strange, unique, and frankly, scary, presence in this season. But, despite her sinister nature, Laurie was a unique and welcome addition to the show. Here’s why an unassuming real life villain was just whatEuphorianeeded.
Season 2 opened with a little backstory on Fez (Angus Cloud) and his little brother, Ashtray (Javon Walton). Based on what Season 1 brought for these two characters, it was surprising to see that they were clearly going to be more of a focus in the second season. With this insight into Fez and Ashtray’s lives, viewers met Laurie. She was clearly a bigwig in Fez and Ashtray’s dark, drug-dealing world. Rue (Zendaya) was immediately taken with Laurie, insisting that it was impressive that she was able to rise through the ranks of her unusual business. When asked, Fez agreed that she was the only woman drug-dealer he knew.
Laurie has a unique way about her. She’s calm in even the most dire situations, and she seems to be in control no matter what is going on. Her demeanor brought a mysterious force toEuphoria, but beyond that, she played a role that hadn’t previously been filled. Laurie gave a real-life antagonistic presence to this gritty yet sometimes not-so-realistic tale modern teenagers. Laurie is a villain and a real antagonist. She preys on Rue when she’s at her most vulnerable, because she knows she’ll have a use for someone like Rue. She’s the kind of person to really fear: an insidious, unassuming predator.
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There’s no shortage of threats in the world ofEuphoria.And, while many of the characters don’t qualify as trustworthy or kind, none of them seem a real, dangerous threat. Laurie changes all of that. She’s too hardened to empathize. She’s a shrewd businesswoman at her core. She’s the definition of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. One of the things that makes Laurie such an interesting character is her demeanor paired with her true intentions. Laurie is disconcertingly upfront about who she is, but her demeanor suggests otherwise. This makes it easy to doubt that her intentions are as plainly sinister as she outright claims.
ForEuphoria’s first two seasons, Fez has given insight into this area of Rue’s life. He’s the drug dealer who seems to have helped her onto her treacherous path. But, despite the gritty, dangerous world Fez is immersed in, he’s soft and kind deep down. He cares for Rue and does his best to keep her out of harm’s way even when she’s making it difficult for him to do so. He refuses to let her continue to hurt herself when she’s in the thick of her addiction. He’s a protector. As Season 2 progresses, viewers hear about his hopes and dreams. He sees himself building a life like that onLittle House on the Prairie.He lovesStand By Me.He finds a woman he can see himself having children with in Lexi (Maude Apatow), because he likes the way she talks about deep topics and creates thoughtful art. As Fez’s character deepens, his juxtaposition with the world around him is made clearer and clearer. He’s not what we expect from a hardened young adult who’s been dealing drugs since he was a child and hiding firearms in his sofa.
When Laurie enters, she’s another puzzle piece of Fez’s seedy world. And, just like Fez, Laurie is different from what meets the eye. Laurie seems like a regular, gentle middle-aged neighbor. She speaks in a soft, monotone voice. She’s calm, unbothered, and in control. And, when she makes statements plainly and directly, like “If you screw me, I’ll have you kidnaped and sold to some really sick people,” it’s difficult not to simply believe her.
The complete opposite of Fez, Laurie is a tough, harsh, callous person buried within a soft, gentle exterior. Laurie presented viewers with the very real threats facing folks who find themselves in these situations. She seems safe and benign. She welcomes Rue’s obviously lofty offer to sell drugs for her; she offers her opportunity as well as safety and what appears to be protection. When she’s deep in her battle with addiction, Rue seeks care from her mother, girlfriend, and friend. She’s met with perceived betrayal and intervention and kept from the drugs she isn’t prepared to give up. Laurie meets her with kindness, perceived understanding, and what feels like empathy, as well as, of course, the substances she wants.
Laurie gives some insight into her backstory when Rue comes to her for drugs. She reveals that she was a teacher with a husband and children when she was prescribed Oxycontin and became addicted. There’s an implication that Laurie got involved with sex work and later, of course, dealing drugs to support her addiction. She explains that she lost her family as a result. These are real-life problems and unfortunately common, tragic struggles. Laurie has dealt with serious pain and difficulties and found a way to get through them and remain on top in any way she could. She won’t make excuses or do favors for anyone she meets, including Rue.
She gaveEuphoriaa real-life type of villain. She was mysterious and threatening in a realistic and understated way. As surely as everyone is rooting for Rue to succeed, Laurie brings a different kind of darkness and suspense to the world Rue has found herself in. She represents threats that Rue previously avoided in spite of her addiction.
Euphoria’s Season 2 ended in what seemed like a surprisingly neatly tied up conclusion. It hinted at a happily ever after for Rue and an end to her struggles with addiction. While there were certainly a few cliffhangers, other things were concluded with a surprising thoroughness and hint at peace. It suggested that, at least for Rue, Season 3 would find her out of the woods. Laurie didn’t appear at all in the season’s final few episodes, but it’s impossible for viewers to forget or ignore that she’s still very much a part of Rue’s life. Despite the suggestion of a happy ending and Rue’s success over her addiction, Laurie’s latent existence leaves the impression that Rue’s past will still haunt her.
Rue still owes Laurie a pretty serious debt. And, even if Rue is able to fight off her addiction, that hasn’t changed. Generally, Laurie has established herself as surprisingly blunt and upfront about her intentions for someone who’s up to such seedy behavior. She stated to Rue plainly, “I always find a way to make my money back… I’m serious.” Laurie’s haunting presence exists whether she’s onscreen or not, and her delivery and demeanor lets viewers know that, really, Laurie is just a regular person. And that is where the real, inescapable threat lies.
