The episode of the HBO Original show released last week on the HBO. The episode kicks off with Jocelyn (played by Lily-Rose Depp) striking poses for her upcoming album cover. The photographer instructs her to display various emotions – from laughter and innocence to seduction and vulnerability. Finally, he asks for genuine emotion, and Jocelyn breaks down. While the opening scene of “The Idol,” a collaboration between Sam Levinson of “Euphoria” and The Weeknd, may not be groundbreaking, Depp’s portrayal manages to captivate the audience. This debut episode offers an hour of entertaining but occasionally frustrating summer escapades.
Before delving into the events of this episode, let’s provide some context on the pop star. It remains unclear how successful Jocelyn is, although she is likened to Britney Spears at one point. Recently, her mother passed away from cancer, leading Jocelyn to experience a personal crisis. Consequently, she appears somewhat lost, grappling with challenges such as disagreements with an intimacy coordinator who opposes her desire to reveal her nipples, dissatisfaction with the direction of her music (based on the uninspiring snippets of her new song), and a sense of disassociation. If you enjoy watching Lily-Rose Depp leisurely smoke, this show has you covered.
In “Pop Tarts & Rat Tales,” the crisis of the moment unfolds as a compromising photo of Jocelyn is leaked. As one representative from her label remarks, she is now “frosted like a pop tart.” The series dares to display the photo, regardless of whether it comes across as provocative or gratuitous. Nonetheless, the leak serves as an effective plot device, revealing the dynamics within Jocelyn’s entourage. Everyone around her becomes aware of the photo before she does.
By the time Jocelyn discovers why everyone is acting strangely, the narrative surrounding the photo has already begun to take shape. Is she a victim? Is she being slut-shamed? Or could this moment actually be empowering? Although these discussions lack interest, the interactions and dynamics among the individuals in Jocelyn’s circle prove intriguing. There’s the outspoken Nikki (played by Jane Adams), who delivers the episode’s best lines. Other key players include publicist Benjamin (Dan Levy), manager Xander (Troye Sivan), Live Nation representative Andrew (Eli Roth), and Destiny (Da’Vine Joy Randolph). All these characters come across as flawed and incompetent. Injecting a touch of warmth into the episode is Rachel Sennott as assistant Leia, whose persistent energy and genuine concern for Jocelyn provide a much-needed balance to some of the episode’s duller moments.
Episode 2 of the show is now streaming on HBO For USA Users and streaming on Jio cinema for the Indian Users.