The second season of HBO’s Euphoria concluded with a devastating and shocking moment that left audiences heartbroken: the tragic death of Ashtray. The young character, portrayed by Javon Walton, met his end in a violent police raid, marking one of the most talked-about scenes of the season. For those still grappling with the events of the finale, here is a complete look at what led to Ashtray’s tragic end.
The Final Standoff
The chain of events began with Custer, a fellow drug dealer, secretly cooperating with the police. He wore a wire to record a conversation that would implicate Fezco in the murder of their supplier, Mouse. When Ashtray realized the betrayal, his immediate instinct was to protect his family and home. He impulsively stabbed Custer in the neck, killing him.
With the police already on their way, the situation escalated rapidly. Fezco, aware of the impending raid, pleaded with Ashtray to surrender and even offered to take the blame for the murders to protect him. However, Ashtray refused. He barricaded himself inside the bathroom, armed with a machine gun.
“All he knows is to protect his home. That’s all he really cares about, is to protect his home and to protect Fez,” Javon Walton explained about his character’s motivation.
When the SWAT team entered the home, Ashtray opened fire. During the intense shootout, he accidentally shot Fezco, who was desperately trying to de-escalate the situation from the other side of the door. Cornered and outgunned, Ashtray was ultimately shot multiple times by police. In a final, heartbreaking moment, a sniper’s laser was seen on his forehead just before the fatal shot.
Clues From the Beginning
For vigilant viewers, Ashtray’s fate was subtly hinted at much earlier in the season. The premiere episode of season two featured a flashback detailing how Ashtray came to live with Fezco and their grandmother. A crucial clue was buried in Rue’s narration.
Throughout the voiceover, Rue spoke about Ashtray consistently in the past tense. She said, “Ash was his brother and he loved him like one of his own.” This narrative choice suggested that Rue was recounting events from a perspective where Ashtray was no longer alive, telegraphing his death from the very start. This careful planning by show creator Sam Levinson was a structural clue that many fans only caught after the finale.
A Bond Forged in adversity
To understand Ashtray’s actions, it’s essential to understand his background. In a flashback, it was revealed that Ashtray was left with Fezco’s grandmother as a baby by his mother, who never returned. Fezco essentially raised him from infancy. They were not related by blood, but their bond was as strong as any brothers.
Growing up in their grandmother’s drug business, Ashtray was hardened by his environment from a very young age. He learned the trade and became Fezco’s fiercely loyal partner, known for his willingness to resort to violence to protect their operation. This background explains why his first instinct during the police raid was to fight rather than surrender; it was the only way of life he had ever known.
A Different Original Ending
In a surprising revelation, Javon Walton shared that the dramatic finale was not the original plan. The script underwent a significant last-minute rewrite.
“It was Fez that was supposed to get shot at first, which is crazy,” Walton said. “And then, like a day before, they changed the storyline to me getting shot.”
The entire intense raid sequence, including the moment Ashtray accidentally shoots Fezco, was written just a day before filming began. This change drastically altered the course of the story, shifting the tragic outcome from Fezco to his younger brother.
Impact on the Story and Fans
Ashtray’s death represents a major turning point for the series. It confirmed that no character is safe and raised the stakes for all future storylines. The most immediate impact, however, is on Fezco. He was not only forced to watch his brother be killed but was also shot and arrested. The trauma of losing Ashtray, the only family he had for years, will undoubtedly shape his character in profound ways moving forward.
The scene was a brutal reminder of Ashtray’s youth. Despite his hardened exterior and violent actions, the finale forced viewers to see him for what he truly was: a scared child trapped in an impossible situation. Fan reactions online reflected this heartbreak, with many expressing shock and sadness over the loss of the beloved character.
The emotional weight of the scene was amplified by the powerful performances of both Javon Walton and Angus Cloud (Fezco). Their portrayal of two brothers facing an inevitable tragedy made the sequence one of the most riveting and devastating moments of the entire season.
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Is There Any Hope?
Because Ashtray’s death was not explicitly shown on camera, some fans have held out hope that he could have survived. Even Javon Walton hinted at the possibility, stating, “There’s definitely hope for Ashtray to still be alive. Because if there’s somebody who could take a bullet in the show, it’s Ashtray.”
However, the actor also confirmed that filming the shootout was his last day on set, strongly suggesting that this was indeed the end for his character. The narrative purpose of his death—to create lasting consequences and trauma for Fezco—also makes it unlikely that he survived the raid.
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