The subscriber funding model adopted by the IDTV platform is different from traditional TV channels (Amanda, 2017), IDTV’s economic and technical model prioritizes direct interaction with subscribers and promotes the development of niche, boundary-pushing content. A prime example of this is shows like Euphoria, which show how IDTV allows creators to explore complex themes through innovative storytelling forms and style experiments, providing more opportunities for the representation of transgender identity, queer relationships and youth struggle culture, and expanding the cultural impact of LGBTQ.

LGBTQ in Euphoria:

Transgender television includes not only the representation of transgender characters, but also a broader exploration of the fluidity of storytelling, style, and form. These qualities are on full display in Euphoria’s portrayal of Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer), whose relationship is a powerful example of queer and transgender representation (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Image source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdwX8ls2Y18

Rue meets Jules during a party, a transgender teen, and a relationship ensues. The emotions and conflicts between them have always been the focus of the audience, especially when Jules urges Rue to leave by train to escape the high school experience. Rue chooses to stay at the last minute, causing their feelings to break down completely. This approach reflects the fragmented emotional experiences of the characters, reflecting their struggles with identity, addiction, and trauma.

1:00-1:49

The portrayal of transgender teen Jules is presented with depth and nuance, avoiding stereotypes while highlighting her weaknesses and strengths. Rue’s perspective, shaped by addiction and mental health challenges, offers a glimpse into the complexities of loving and being loved by someone navigating their gender identity.

2:00-2:54

Pushing the boundaries of form and content, with its multi-layered storytelling in stark contrast to earlier LGBTQ+ drama ensembles, Euphoria’s innovative use of visual and auditory technology enhanced its emotional resonance.

Reference list：

Amanda Lotz (2017), ‘Theorizing the Nonlinear Distinction of Internet-Distributed Television’, Portals: A Treatise on Internet Distributed Television, https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/maize/mpub9699689/

Anamarija Horvat ‘Crossing the Borders of Queer TV: Depictions of migration and (im)mobility in contemporary LGBTQ television’, Trans TV Dossier 3, Critical Studies In Television 15: 3: https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/csta/15/3

Csécsei, E. (2019). Rue Bennett || High Enough. [online] http://www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APmZrjf6vtw [Accessed 25 Nov. 2024].

HBO (2020). euphoria: Rue and Jules at the Train Station | Hbo Replay. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B-1ia79EPY [Accessed 25 Nov. 2024].

By Yuqing Yin-33750937