Most Popular Halloween Costumes

by Claudia Fennell '24 on October 21, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

What to Wear to Impress Your “Boo” This Year

With Halloween just around the corner, time is running out to choose an amazing costume for the spookiest time of the year. There are many factors that go into selecting the perfect Halloween costume, such as character relevance, current style fads, and the setting of where said costume will be worn. This year, popular television shows and fashion trends will be on center stage among Halloween costumes. Among the most popular fashion items this year were corset tops and leather boots. These staple pieces can be featured in any costume and worn again for the rest of the fall season as well.

Fairy costumes have been around for just about as long as Halloween has existed, and rightfully so, as they are some of the most timeless. Adjustable to weather conditions and easy to create with clothing items that are readily available, it is easy to throw together a simple but fun fairy costume at the drop of a hat. Pair a mini skirt with boots or heels, and a combination of both a corset and flowy top for the base of the look. Add a flower crown and a pair of wings from Amazon to finish off this ethereal costume. For an added fun accessory, buy pointy elf ears to go above and beyond.

Another timeless Halloween costume is the pirate. This costume is also easy to put together and can be dressed up through fun accessories that are available online. For the base of the look, wear black pants or shorts with a large white blouse and black boots. To accessorize this costume, wear plenty of gold jewelry and add a hat or sword for fun if desired.

One of the most popular duo Halloween costumes that will most definitely be making an appearance this year is the angel and devil costume. This costume idea is perfect because all that is required is that one person dresses in white while the other dresses in red. The simplicity of this outfit allows for unique personalization that makes it extra exciting. White and red corset tops can be worn with halos atop the head of the angel, and horns atop the head of the devil. Wings are always a fun addition to this iconic costume idea and are a perfect way to spice up this look.

Euphoria was one of the most popular television shows of the year and is sure to make an appearance in Halloween costumes this October. What makes a Euphoria-themed costume so wonderful is that the characters in the show wear trendy clothes that are commonly owned by college students. Sparkly matching sets, mini dresses with cutouts, or miniskirts with corset tops and glittery eye makeup are great ways to recreate the outfits worn on the infamous HBO hit show. Large hoop earrings and tiny sunglasses can be added as fun accessories for this costume idea.

For more Halloween inspiration, scroll on Pinterest or check out TikTok for some more relevant ideas!

Euphoria Season 2 Recap

by John Downey '23 on March 26, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

Euphoria Season 2 Recap

Zendaya and Company Shock Viewers Once Again

Caitlin Ariel ’24

After the finale of Euphoria’s jaw-dropping first season in 2019, fans had to wait an agonizing two and a half years for its sophomore season, which aired on Jan. 9. Indeed, with the pandemic delaying the filming of season two, it seemed like forever since fans had seen a new episode of the smash-hit series.

During this wait, however, watchers’ patience was rewarded with two special episodes: one dedicated to Rue (Zendaya), and another to Jules (Hunter Schafer), with both installments following each character as they cope with their dramatic breakup with one another.

These specials only heightened fans’ anticipation for the show’s second season: its premiere raked in 19 million viewers, officially making Euphoria the second-most popular HBO show behind Game of Thrones. Even as credits rolled during the finale, fans were still begging for more.

Director Sam Levinson seems to broaden the scope of the show’s storyline in this season much to the benefit of two characters who suffered from a want of development in season one: Lexi (Maude Apatow) and Fezco (Angus Cloud). Lexi, who was relegated to a supporting role in season one, recognizes her passivity in Euphoria’s story and begins to control her own narrative in the most obvious way possible: writing and performing a play about her life for the entire school. Fezco’s story similarly comes to prominence early on in the new season, with its first episode offering viewers a flashback to his childhood.

Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, continuously sneaks off with her best friend Maddie’s (Alexa Demie) abusive ex-boyfriend Nate (Jacob Elordi). As Nate and his father Cal (Eric Dane) further entrench themselves in their messy and problematic dynamic established in season one, viewers see a new, troubling side to Cassie. Last season, the character came across as an overthinking, quiet girl, but under Nate’s dangerous influence, she spirals into an explosive and commanding figure.

Of course, Zendaya dominates this season, proving that she truly deserved her 2020 Emmy win. Rue’s season two storyline picks up right where viewers left her at the end of season one, not shying away from the uncomfortable, tragic realities of her drug relapse that emerged during the season’s finale.

Unlike last season, however, Rue is accompanied by newcomer Elliot. Elliot is played by Dominic Fike, who is well known for his song “3 Nights,” which currently has 680 million streams on Spotify. Elliot almost seems to be taking Jules’ place this season, as he and Rue grow close, but he, like Jules in season one, is unsure of how to handle Rue’s destructive actions. Rue’s behavior causes Elliot and viewers alike to feel a strange mix of sympathy and anger as they watch her turn on those she loves. Zendaya’s pre-season warnings about season two being “difficult,” specifically for her character, certainly ring true.

Overall, the flashiness of Euphoria’s first season is substituted with rawness in its sophomore run, a dramatic shift reflected in how Levinson switched from digital to film when filming the second season. The bold purples and blues that fans have come to associate with Euphoria are exchanged for darker and neutral colors, making the show feel more emotional and grounded. Levinson and the actors dig deep to find new dimensions to the characters viewers thought they knew, and as the season progresses, those at home cannot help but become connected to their drama. It is this powerful connection that kept viewers coming back every Sunday night as the season aired and will keep them anxiously awaiting the series’ third season, which is slated for a 2024 release.

Season two of Euphoria is now streaming on HBO Max.

Struggles with Secrets and Lies

by John Downey '23 on February 10, 2022
A&E Co-Editor

Arts & Entertainment

Struggles with Secrets and Lies

Euphoria’s Unpredictable Second Season

Grace O’Connor ’22

HBO’s Euphoria is well-known for its fantastic character development and incredible set design, both of which led to a wildly successful first season. Season two of the hit show, which premiered last month, has once again pulled in a large audience—viewership is up nearly 100 percent from season one. According to Variety, the premiere, which first aired Jan. 9, has drawn 13.1 million viewers on HBO and HBO Max, with the rest of the season set to see similar numbers. This growth represents an increase of approximately 100 percent from the nearly 6.6 million people who tuned into Season 1 of Euphoria when it aired in 2019. These statistics affirm the audience’s loyalty to this beloved show and its hugely talented cast.

Season two of Euphoria dives deeper into its characters’ struggles and relationships with one another. Nate, for instance, is notorious for his abusive behavior, and his unhealthy relationship with Maddy in season one kept fans at the edge of their seats. Given his problematic history, fans were surprised and unsettled to see a budding romance form between Nate and Cassie early on in season two. This troubled love triangle is just one of the unexpected developments in Nate’s story. Season two also explores his father Cal’s hidden past, which Cal had long tried to conceal from his wife and children.

Another character who must grapple with secrets and lies is Rue, who is on the verge of exposing the fact that she has resumed her use of addictive drugs to Jules and her family. Notably, Euphoria portrays Rue’s battle with drug addiction in an authentic way. According to Forbes, “The tragic irony is that Rue has spent so many episodes striving for [a] relationship [with Jules], only to reduce herself to a state of dissociation, unable to feel what she desperately wants.” Season two masterfully brings Rue’s struggle in her personal relationships to light: she slowly learns to be vulnerable with others and upfront about what she is going through.

Despite the differences in the characters’ lives that make them individuals, there is one common denominator between them. As Forbes explains, “the characters strive to break free from the chains of morality and consequence, embracing their sinful desires, spilling secrets like body fluids.” The characters each risk their well-being to hold onto their secrets, and their struggle to do so makes for a narrative that is intriguing and entertaining.

Season two of Euphoria is currently airing on HBO and available for streaming on HBO Max.

TV Preview: Euphoria

by The Cowl Editor on December 11, 2021

Arts & Entertainment

TV Preview: Euphoria

The Hit Show Will Soon Return for a Much-Anticipated Second Season

Nikki Idelson ’22

The Euphoria season two trailer is finally here and, from the looks of it, the new season of the hit show will be even more dramatic and action-filled than the first one. For those unfamiliar with Euphoria, it follows the lives of six high school-aged characters, Rue, Jules, Nate, Maddy, Cassie, and Kat, whose individual lives, especially their issues related to matters of violence and addiction, intertwine with one another. The main character of the show is Rue, played by Zendaya, who struggles with mental health and addiction throughout the series.

Fans have been waiting quite some time for the show’s return. The first season aired back in the summer of 2019, with only a special episode released at the end of 2020 that, while offering fans some answers about the last episode of season one, left many questions unanswered.

The upcoming season will hopefully address many of these questions, although the trailer does not give much away. It does suggest, however, that the new episodes will deal with issues such as violence, partying, and trauma, with a scene depicting what is seemingly a police raid indicating the severity of the situations the characters will find themselves in.

Many of the characters from the first season will return alongside some new faces. These new characters are certain to become fan favorites, as many of the actors who portray them are already well-known in the entertainment industry. According to Elle, they include: “Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly, who will portray a drug-addicted housewife, along with Indie singer Dominic Fike and rapper Lil Meech.”

Zendaya commented on the new season in a Teen Vogue article. She found that her character “represents a lot for so many people.” When pressed for details about the nature of the issues the Euphoria characters will grapple with overcoming this season, the actress remained vague, responding, “it’s gonna be hard and it’s gonna be devastating sometimes.”

Such realistic depictions of struggle are one of the main reasons fans found themselves drawn to the first season of the show, since many felt that they were able to relate to at least one of the issues that one of the six main characters faced. Needless to say, these fans are excited to see them return to the screen.

The new season of Euphoria will premiere on HBO Max on Jan. 9, 2022.