Did Nate Jacobs Die in ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Episode 7? Scene Explained

Few characters in prestige television have sparked such a complex, slow-burning audience desire for consequence as Nate Jacobs. HBO’s chaotic drama has pushed its characters deeper into emotional turmoil during its third season, with Jacob Elordi’s Nate being the most prominent male figure since the series debuted in 2019.

After taking over his father Cal’s business, Nate squandered most of his investors’ money, leading to a dire financial situation. Since the start of Season 3, Nate has found himself in a precarious position, entangled in debt with loan shark Naz, suffering severe injuries, including losing a toe and his wedding ring finger throughout a series of intense episodes.

Then came Episode 7, titled “Rain or Shine,” featuring a scene that sent the internet into a frenzy. The loan sharks holding Nate captive buried him in a shallow grave with only a small vent for air, giving Cassie three days to gather the money for his release. With help from Maddy and Alamo, Cassie managed to turn the situation around, shooting one of the loan sharks and allowing her to reunite with Nate. However, a rattlesnake had already bitten him through the vent, rendering the rescue futile.

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Nate Jacobs concludes the episode undeniably dead, with Cassie mourning over his lifeless body. This fitting end for a character who was once terrifying but has become increasingly pathetic encapsulates the irony the show embraces, delivering one of the most unceremonious demises in recent prestige drama history.

Behind the scenes, the production team took significant measures to enhance the realism of the moment. A behind-the-scenes video revealed the use of a boa constrictor with a fake rattle for the coffin scene, while a real rattlesnake, humorously named “little b*tch,” was used for shots of the reptile approaching the drain. Elordi, reflecting on the scene in the same video, expressed his nonchalance, stating, “That’s a cool way to go. Nate is someone who’s made so many mistakes and made so many dark choices. It’s cool to see it all come to what it’s come to.”

Creator Sam Levinson aimed to tap into the audience’s craving for poetic justice while also challenging their desire for retribution. The result is a death that feels almost mythological in its execution. With Nate’s departure, the show loses its most significant male actor, leaving a substantial emotional and structural void as it heads into the finale.

The ‘Euphoria’ season finale airs Sunday on HBO and streams on Max, with Cassie and Maddy now facing the aftermath of a crime scene neither anticipated. The question of whether Rue will survive her own struggles as the finale approaches has been a focal point throughout the season, and Nate’s loss alters every remaining dynamic.

Whether you loved him, despised him, or spent years anticipating karma’s arrival, Nate Jacobs exited on the show’s terms, not his own. Share your thoughts on his departure in the comments, as this is precisely the kind of ending ‘Euphoria’ fans will debate for years to come.