The wait is almost over for the next chapter of HBO’s hit show. Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 is set to release this weekend, and fans believe the episode carries a deep connection to the late Angus Cloud and his character, Fezco. The show has been dealing with the real-life loss of the actor while keeping his character’s story moving forward in a meaningful way.
When the third season finally returned after a four-year break, the series confirmed that Fezco survived the police raid at the end of Season 2. The character is now serving a 30-year prison sentence. This decision allowed the show to honor Cloud without recasting or killing off the character off-screen. Now, with Episode 3, that connection might become even stronger.
The Ballad of Paladin is the name of the upcoming episode, and the title alone has sparked major discussion among viewers. Here is how the new episode connects to Angus Cloud’s legacy.
Episode Title Serves as a Love Letter to Fezco and Lexi
The title The Ballad of Paladin is not a random choice. It refers to a song from the classic movie Stand by Me. For those who remember Season 2, Fezco and Lexi Howard played by Maude Apatow shared quiet moments watching that exact film together. That movie also inspired the style of Lexi’s school play, which was a major part of the second season.
Using this title for Episode 3 feels like a direct callback to their relationship. The Ballad of Paladin song plays during a key scene in Stand by Me, a film about friendship and growing up. For Fezco and Lexi, that movie represented a rare moment of peace in their otherwise chaotic lives.
Fans see this as a clear signal that Episode 3 will focus heavily on what Fezco means to the story. Even though Angus Cloud passed away in 2023 at the age of 25, the show has kept Fezco alive in the narrative. The title suggests the episode will explore the emotional weight of his absence from the main setting while keeping his memory present through the characters who loved him.
Rue Pushes Lexi to Reconnect With Fezco in Prison
The connection to Fezco is not just about episode titles. The plot of Season 3 has already set up a reunion. In the first episode, Rue Bennett played by Zendaya visits Lexi. She tells Lexi that Fezco is in prison and asks why Lexi has not called him.
Rue also shares that Fezco still misses Lexi. This moment confirms that his feelings for her have not faded during his time behind bars. Lexi hesitates, making excuses about their schedules not matching. But Rue pushes back hard. Fans have noted that this conversation is setting up a phone call that could happen in Episode 3.
“Just pick up the phone and call him. It’s not like he’s going anywhere. He’s in prison for 30 years.” – Rue to Lexi in Season 3 Episode 1
In Episode 3, reports suggest that Rue herself makes the call to Fezco. The audience only hears her side of the conversation, but it brings Fezco back into the world of the show in a real way. For viewers who miss seeing Angus Cloud on screen, hearing his character referenced and spoken to keeps his spirit alive within the series.
Sam Levinson Explains Why He Kept Fezco Alive
The creator of the show, Sam Levinson, made a deliberate choice to keep Fezco alive. After Angus Cloud died, Levinson had to decide how to handle the character. He admitted it was a very hard decision.
Originally, Levinson had planned for Fezco to get clean from drugs and become a major part of Season 3. Cloud’s death changed everything. In a statement to the press, Levinson opened up about his grief and why he chose not to kill off Fezco.
Levinson explained that losing Cloud made him angry, not just for his friend but for the thousands of young people lost to drug overdoses. In the year Cloud died, over 70,000 Americans lost their lives to fentanyl. Levinson said this season became his way to honor those young lives.
“If I couldn’t keep him alive in life, then I could in the show.” – Sam Levinson at the Season 3 premiere
During the red carpet event for Season 3, Levinson told Entertainment Weekly that he fought hard to keep Cloud clean when he was alive. Losing him was very tough. So he decided that Fezco would survive the raid. While the character is locked up, he is still alive. This gives the audience a sense of hope and allows the show to celebrate life rather than just focusing on tragedy.
How the Show Handles a World Without Angus Cloud
Euphoria has faced a difficult challenge. It had to return without two of its actors. Eric Dane, who played Cal Jacobs, passed away earlier in 2026. Angus Cloud died in 2023. The show addressed this directly in the first episode.
At the end of Episode 1, a black screen appeared with an “In Memoriam” message. It listed Eric Dane, Angus Cloud, and executive producer Kevin Turen. This simple tribute acknowledged the real-life losses that have surrounded the production.
For Cloud specifically, the show also changed the script. Fezco does not appear on screen. But characters talk about him. They call him. He exists in the world of the show even if the actor is gone. This method keeps the character’s impact without forcing a recast or using digital effects.
Zendaya, who was very close to Cloud, paid tribute to him after his death. She said “words are not enough to describe the infinite beauty” of her co-star. That same care is visible in how the show handles his character. Fezco is not forgotten. He is just in a different place.
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Release Date and Streaming Details for Episode 3
Euphoria Season 3 Episode 3 will release on HBO and Max this Sunday. The release time is set for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States.
For global audiences, here are the release details:
- USA: Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO and Max
- UK: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. GMT
- Canada: Same time as the US, 9:00 p.m. ET on Crave and Max
- Australia: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. AEDT on Binge
- India: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6:30 a.m. IST on JioHotstar
The episode is expected to run for approximately 55 to 60 minutes. With the title hinting at Fezco and Lexi’s relationship, many believe this will be the most emotional episode of the season so far.
Also Read: Will Big Mistakes Season 2 Happen? Creator Dan Levy Has Already Planned the Entire Story
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