Colman Domingo Explains Why Ali Forgives Rue, and That Moment of Flirtation With Her Mother

The spectre of death has hung over the second season of Euphoria, with ominous symbols warning of the end for Rue (Zendaya), Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane), and even Rue’s sponsor Ali. In episode three, Rue goes for Ali’s jugular, a move which in turn inspires a flash of violence from him. The question of whether Ali would be pushed to relapse, and potentially even overdose, hovered in the distance of the hectic car chase that was episode five, with no appearance from the man who has become a substitute father figure for Rue.

In this week's episode, ‘A Thousand Little Trees of Blood’, the pair of them share a moment of resolution, with Ali offering forgiveness to Rue, and she in turn sharing her family with him while his own remain absent.

Esquire spoke to Domingo about why Ali is a source of peace in Rue’s chaotic world, and that flirty moment between his character and Rue’s mother Leslie.

This week’s episode offers some light relief in contrast to the dark moment between Rue and Ali a few weeks ago. Why do you think he forgives her?

When we did the scene where Rue makes a phone call to me and asks for forgiveness, there's a long pause, and you wonder whether the phone will be just slammed down. But Ali is asking for redemption, so he's willing to hold that space for someone else who is willing to be held accountable for their own actions. I think it's an examination of cancel culture and understanding someone trying to right a wrong.

Do you think we see a different side to Ali when she’s at home with Rue’s family?

Ali has only existed with Rue in diner scenes or at meetings, and now I think his investment in Rue is with her family. I think even [in the scene several episodes ago, where Ali] dropped her off and said, "I want to meet your mother", [that] was to let her know that [she] has someone looking out for Rue. By the time he comes into the house after he forgives her, he knows that she's gone through detox, and I love that the first thing he says is that she looks like shit! It’s like, ‘I get it. I understand. I've looked that way, five times in my life’.

Season two has felt unrelentingly bleak at times, is seeing Ali a bit of comfort compared to rest of show?

I think that's why he’s useful in the show, because everyone else is so chaotic and letting their emotions drive them. Ali is someone who sort of leans back, all he wanted to do was come in with a little laughter, cook a meal. I really believe that people ultimately are selfish, and I think that Ali going there and sitting at that table also helps him feel like he's useful.

I need to ask about that flirty moment with Rue’s mother…

I love when Nika [King, who plays Leslie] turned around and said, "Oh, he's handsome", [because] I think it's great for Nika's character to know that she's more than just Rue's mum. She can identify a good looking man when she sees one! And I think there was a little bit of glint in Ali's eye.

What would you like to see happen for Ali in the future?

I'd be interested to see him challenged in a way, like on the verge of getting a hit of crack, because he hurts like everyone else and his addiction is still a struggle. I wouldn't mind an Ali episode: I wanna know how he got to where he is today and what his childhood was like. I would like to see what his dating life is like: what does Ali look like on the date and do women accept his sobriety and his past? I want to see Ali have some love.