The Idolseason 1, episode 1, “Pop Tarts & Rat Tales”, introduces audiences to Sam Levinson’s short-lived 2023 exploration of fame, excess, and sex. When HBO announced Sam Levinson would be returning to the streamer to run a new show after the success ofEuphoria, fans of the creator’s hyperrealistic, pop-art, sexually-charged storytelling were delighted. When it was then announced that Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye would also have a big hand in the series,The Idolreachednew levels of hype for a TV show.
EuphoriaandThe Idolare set in the same universe, and consequentially, they share a similar aesthetic and sensibility, though there’s a bit more empathy and a lot more maturity inEuphoria, despiteThe Idolfeaturing an older cast of characters.The Idolseason 1, episode 1, “Pop Tarts & Rat Tales” premiered on HBO on July 27, 2025, to poor viewership (viaShowBuzzDaily) and only a 29% onRotten Tomatoes. Along with introducing each new character,The Idol’s pilot had to set up the complicated storyline for the rest of the season.
Jocelyn Has A Scandalous Picture Leaked On To The Internet
Jocelyn’s Entourage Decides What To Do About The Leak
The beginning ofThe Idolseason 1 finds Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), an up-and-coming pop star, just getting over the recent trauma of losing her mother to cancer. A photoshoot at the start of the episode reveals the large group of attendants Jocelyn surrounds herself with, including label executive Nikki (Jane Adams), publicist Benjamin (Dan Levy), creative director Xander (Troye Sivan), Live Nation rep Andrew (Eli Roth), co-manager Destiny (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), and maybe Jocelyn’s only real friend and her assistant, Leia (Rachel Sennott).
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During the photoshoot, news suddenly breaks that an intimate picture of Jocelyn has been leaked online. Jocelyn is, of course, last to know, illustrating just how insulated she’s made herself, orperhaps suggesting how her retinue has carefully managed someone they’re supposed to be protecting. When Jocelyn finally learns about the picture, which is shown to the audience ofThe Idol, in graphic detail, everyone immediately jumps to figure out how they can spin this.
Some people suggest Jocelyn is a victim, and needs to go on the record about how her rights have been violated. Others think it’s an empowering moment, and she should lean into it. Their thoughts don’t really lead anywhere, and it’s Jocelyn’s solution thatThe Idolgoes with; that is she drives to a club with her friends and parties her worries away.
Tedros Meets Jocelyn At A Club
At the club, Jocelyn cuts loose with Leia, Xander, and Dyanne (Jennie Ruby Jane) until she meets the mysterious Tedros (Tesfaye, who also serves asThe Idol’s co-showrunner). Tedros and Jocelyn are immediately attracted to one another, and their hot and heavy dancing leads to making out in the hallway outside the bar. While Leia looks on worried, Tedros makes it clear that he is not going to be the hero ofThe Idol, ashe insinuates he may know how to help Jocelyn with the musical rut she finds herself in.
They talk and dance and the power dynamic of the series becomes obvious: Tedros is a chief manipulator and Jocelyn is in the perfect state of mind to be taken advantage of.
They talk and dance and the power dynamic of the series becomes obvious: Tedros is a chief manipulator and Jocelyn is in the perfect state of mind to be taken advantage of. Jocelyn and Tedros part ways at the end of the night, but he clearly remains on her mind. Later, Jocelyn sits down for an interview with a journalist fromVanity Fair, Talia Hirsch (Hari Nef), andshe manages to spar with the probing journalist as well as Tedros was able to talk circles around Jocelyn the night before.
Jocelyn Invites Tedros To Her Home For A Music Brainstorm And More
Tedros Convinces Jocelyn She Needs To Be More Honest With Her Music
Despite Leia’s misgivings, Jocelyn decides to invite Tedros over to go over her latest track, “I’m A Freak”. When he arrives, the pair listen to Jocelyn’s song and while Tedros approves of the lyrics and beat, considering it a “hit,” he says that it’s not an honest song. If Jocelyn wants to sing a song called, “I’m a Freak”, she needs to prove that. In Tedros' mind, that means sexually, and he quickly initiates one of themore uncomfortable moments inThe Idol, a show laden with moments viewers would be horrified to watch with their parents.
Tedros decides that he and Jocelyn need to have some BDSM-style sex and begins by draping a red cloth over her face, which he also ties tightly around her neck. Just when she starts having trouble breathing, he cuts a hole in her mouth, doing so by sticking a knife right up next to her face. Whether it’s supposed to be abusive, sexy, or both is unclear, but the end result is the same:Jocelyn now has the confidence to sing the way a pop star should, or at least Tedros tells her she can do so now.
Did The Idol Really Deserve The Hate?
The Idolwas canceled after only five episodesand while the official story is thatThe Idolseason 1 was only ever supposed to have five episodes (despite 6 being the usual order number for a season) there is no hint thatThe Idolseason 2will arrive anytime soon. Season 1 currently has a 19% onRotten Tomatoesand the show has been roundly criticized by critics and audiences alike for everything from the acting to the singing to the unfortunate tone and themesThe Idolappears to be putting forward.
Like any online discourse,there is plenty of criticism surroundingThe Idolthat is unfair and steeped in the type of online misogyny that any show or film that depicts women engaged in sexual acts receives. However, there is even more criticism that holds water, including discussions about the sexuality and explicitness of the show that are nuanced and well-thought-out.The Idolis really that bad. It’s not some hateful, vile series that never should have aired and has insidious motives. It’s just bad.
The acting is poor, and that Tesfaye cast himself as the lead despite having limited range, makes the issues more eye-rolling. Lily-Rose Depp has been successful in other roles, but she does not fit the role of Jocelyn, and the attempts at making the character transgressive become dull and obvious. Even worse forThe Idol, as evidenced by season 1, episode 1, is that neither Levinson nor Tesfaye seems to understand what the show is trying to say about feminity, power, or control if it’s trying to say anything at all.
The Idol
Cast
The Idol is a drama series created by Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. The show stars Lily-Rose Depp and Abel Tesfaye, following the turbulent relationship between an aspiring pop idol and a self-help guru and cult leader. With its exploration of fame and the music industry, the series delves into themes of power and manipulation.
