Note: This article contains spoilers from “The Idol” Episode 2
Last week, “The Idol” lived up to its Cannes reputation and shocked HBO viewers as much as it shocked the film festival itself. And this week’s episode was even more scandalous.
“Euphoria” creators Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and Reza Faheem bring HBO’s latest Sunday night drama. “The Idol” follows a pop idol by the name of Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) whose career is in decline following a recent nervous breakdown. Her desperation to achieve fame leads her into the arms of Tedros (Tesfaye), a self-help guru and modern-day cult leader.
The first two episodes of the series opened at Cannes to mixed reviews. Many criticized the series for falling into male fantasies, citing its use of sex and nudity. But the play was being scrutinized well before its premiere. When not writing about its expensive reshoots, a deep dive by rolling stone The series was described as “obscene torture”, published months before its release.
Directed by Levinson, Episode 2’s “Double Fantasy” revolves primarily around Jocelyn’s return to the stage. But when the music video for a song she hates turns into a living nightmare, this pop star turns to Tedros and his crew for support. Don’t let that simple plot fool you; The second episode of “The Idol” was full of jaw-dropping moments:
Jocelyn’s new song begins with an audio of a woman having sex.
“Idol” is not a subtle one. When the episode begins with Jocelyn (Depp) in a tiny crop top and low rise jeans, talking about her new voice, it was clear that sex was on her mind. But when that new song literally began with a woman — presumably him — moaning elaborately, it was a bit on the nose, even for Levinson.
Jocelyn chokes her again and has an intimate moment with a drinking glass
While trying to figure out the next step for her song, Jocelyn thought about her night with Tedros. That memory soon prompted Jocelyn to pleasure herself and choke herself with her ice cube-filled glass. By the way, this was the second time Jocelyn choked while masturbating in as many episodes. Naturally, she called out Tedros in the next scene to set up a second round.
The pop star was three hours late to set because she had to cover up self-harm scars with make-up
Much of Episode 2 revolves around Jocelyn recording her first music video following the death of her mother and suffering a mental breakdown as a result. As everyone tuned in to see if Jocelyn still had “it,” the pressure was on for this celebrity. But before she could reach the set, Jocelyn was three and a half hours late. In muffled whispers, several members of her team revealed that the delay was so her make-up artist could cover up self-harm scars on her thighs.
The HBO series didn’t shy away from Jocelyn’s self-loathing. Taking a particularly athletic look, Jocelyn throws in the towel for a second and takes off her shoes, exposing her bloodied feet and her bloody thighs.
Tedros used a shock collar on one of his followers
As Jocelyn tries to power through her music video, the episode tentatively checks in on what Tedros has been doing, giving us our first glimpse of his headquarters. As half-naked people lie around him, Tedros instructs Izak (Moses Sumney), a man in a skin-tight suit, to sink down to the ground. Every time he failed, Tedros jerked him by the collar. Somehow it was all part of Tedros’ plan to turn this ordinary man into a star.
Diana was secretly working for Tedros
Jocelyn may have been unable to complete her music video, but the day wasn’t a complete bust for her manager, Nikki (JANE ADAMS). After seeing one of the back-up dancers, Nikki asks Diane (Jenny Ruby Jane) to sing for her. That impromptu audition turned into an offer from Nikki to management.
The only hitch to this corporate synergy plan is that Diane is working for Tedros. When she mentioned the offer to him, he replied that the deal would help cover what he owed. Exactly why he owed it and how much remains a mystery.
Khloe secretly witnessed Jocelyn and Tedros having sex
As Jocelyn and Tedros enter Jocelyn’s bedroom, Chloe (Susanna Son) watches them from the closet. This is just one of a string of shocking moments centered around Chloe. Tedros’ follower also spent much of his time walking around Jocelyn’s house naked, accompanied by a naked piano performance.
Tedros and Jocelyn’s sex scene was graphic, even by HBO standards
This time, the camera did not show Jocelyn and Tedros physically having sex, but it was not required to. After instructing Jocelyn to be blindfolded, Tedros asked her to bend over in certain positions. Filled with extra skimpy lingerie and lots of close-ups of Depp’s body, their second encounter blurred the lines between Prestige Smut and XXX.
