SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers for “In God We Trust,” the Season 3 finale of “Euphoria,” now streaming on HBO Max.
It all ends with Ali.
Played by Colman Domingo, Ali has been a constant source of light in “Euphoria,” despite only appearing in 11 of the HBO series’ 26 episodes. As an addict several years into his recovery, he is the sobriety sponsor to Rue (Zendaya), whose struggles with drugs “Euphoria” has followed throughout its run. In the Season 3 finale — which appears to also be the series finale — the show finally follows Rue into the abyss. Ali nearly goes with her.
After the penultimate episode revealed a bit of Ali’s backstory, the finale picks up with Rue escaping Laurie’s (Martha Kelly) ranch before the DEA raid and somehow making it safely back to Ali’s apartment. On the news, they learn that Fez (played in Seasons 1 and 2 by Angus Cloud, who died in 2023) has broken out of prison, and against Ali’s wishes, Rue scrambles to her car to look for him. In her mind’s eye, she flashes through her memories with Fez, then drives to her childhood home, dashing past police tape as officers scream and chase after her. There, she tearfully greets her mother (Nika King) and reaches out for her hand. But then we see Rue shrouded in darkness, laying on her back and reaching up. All of this has been a dream as her brain reels from an overdose on the Percocet provided to her by Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). In real life, by the time Ali wakes up, Rue is already dead. Calmly, but in pain, he asks God to give her peace. Then he finds the pills on the coffee table and tests them for fentanyl; the test comes back positive. He slams his fist on the counter and calls Rue’s mother to give her the news.
