Is Ashtray Nate's Brother? 5 Wild 'Euphoria' Theories That Actually Make Sense

Season 2 of HBO's Euphoria opened with a flashback to drug dealer Fez's (Angus Cloud) past—and, more specifically, how Ashtray (Javon Walton) became his "little brother."

In Episode 1, it was revealed that, as a baby, Ash was dropped off at Fez's grandmother's (Kathrine Narducci) house, and his birth mother and father never returned. As a result, the tot was raised as Fez's brother and after his grandmother died, Fez raised Ash alone.

Fez and Ashtray have an unbreakable bond, with the latter prepared to kill to protect his older brother. However, things could be set to change for the duo in Season 2, as fans suspect Ash could be the son of Cal Jacobs (Eric Dane) and the brother of Fez's nemesis, Nate (Jacob Elordi).

Here are 5 Euphoria fan theories about Ashtray and Nate that actually make a lot of sense.

Is Ashtray Nate's Brother?

1. Nate Has A 'Missing' Brother

In Season 1 of Euphoria, it was revealed Nate has a mystery brother.

The third Jacobs sibling was spotted in family portraits in Nate's home, and on the phone screen of Nate's father Cal. However, he has never been mentioned or featured in the series, only Nate's older brother Aaron (Zak Steiner) has made an appearance.

Reddit user u/limbojade re-posted an image of a family portrait located in Nate's family home that featured in the first series. In the frame, a young Nate can be seen alongside his father, mother, and older brother Aaron.

However, on the right-hand side, there is a young boy who, at a much closer look, resembles a young Ashtray.

Euphoria fan bonampaks posted on Reddit, "They do look really similar, but baby Ashtray looks so young compared to the kid in the picture. Although I just now realized he looks like he's sitting on Cal's lap, which makes me think he's younger than I initially thought, but the ages still don't match up. I'd still like it if they somehow made that theory work."

Another fan, mvrisiarod, added: "I know people were theorizing that Ashtray or Fez were the third brother, but after seeing what young Fez looks like in the flashbacks it can't be Fez, but Ashtray on the other hand... looks very similar to the kid in the family photo.

"In the flashback, Fez's grandma said he "showed up out of nowhere" to be some junkie mom's collateral... but could that mom be Nate's mom? Is she still a junkie now? We don't know much about her character so it's hard to tell, but I think that would be very interesting if it's explored more in S2."

2. The Euphoria Season 2, Episode 3 Teaser

The teaser trailer for Euphoria Season 2, Episode 3 seems to suggest Ashtray and Cal will come face-to-face, and things look like they are going to turn pretty violent between them.

In Episode 2, Ashtray was prepared to kill for Fez once again, pulling a hidden gun out of a cereal box the second Cal Jacobs entered their store. Luckily for Cal, he opted not to choose violence and left the store peacefully, but Ashtray and Fez know all too well that Cal poses a serious threat.

In the teaser trailer for Episode 3, a very angry-looking Ashtray appears to hit Cal over the head with a sharp object—but why? Is it simply to protect Fez, or is it something much deeper than that? Perhaps this is the moment Ashtray confronts his father?

3. Cal's Sleazy Past

In Season 1, audiences quickly learned Cal Jacobs isn't living the picture-perfect suburban life he makes out to be.

The real-estate guru, who is married with two sons, has a secret life, hooking up in motels, mostly with younger men and trans women—one of whom being Jules (Hunter Schafer).

As Cal is no stranger to adultery, perhaps Ashtray is his illegitimate son and was kicked out of the Jacobs home for that reason?

4. Did Nate's Mom Marsha Have An Affair?

On the other hand, perhaps Marsha (Paula Marshall) had her own affair and Ashtray is her illegitimate son? If this either of these scenarios turn out to be the case, Ashtray and Nate would be half brothers.

If Marsha's affair was with Fez's father, this would also make Nate and Fez half brothers and Fez and Ashtray—further explaining why Ashtray was left with Fez's grandmother as a toddler.

After all, in Episode 1 of Euphoria Season 2, audiences learned Fez was taken away from his father by his grandmother, after she learned of her son-in-law's infidelities. It is highly plausible that the woman in question could have been Nate's mother, Marsha.

One Euphoria fan put forward a very convincing theory via a Twitter thread, writing: "Maybe Nate's mother knew what his father had been doing and she had an affair [and] now third boy came along. Maybe they each didn't want to risk their family's good reputation. #euphoria.

"Now could she have had an affair with Fezco's father? Could that possibly be why Fez and Ashtray are in their current situation? Let us know your thoughts. #euphoria #euphoriahbo."

5. Nate, Cal, and Ashtray's Similarities

As Euphoria Season 2 progresses, some fans have started to notice some serious similarities between Cal, his son Nate, and Ashtray—particularly their violent tendencies.

In Season 1 of Euphoria, audiences saw several violent outbursts from Nate and Cal, and in the Season 1 finale, Nate even fought with his father after he criticized his performance during a high school football game. Their fight came after seven episodes of serious tension between them.

Additionally, throughout Season 1, Nate and Cal's anger issues were more than evident, particularly with Cal and his hookups.

Ashtray is no angel, either; the first episode of Euphoria Season 2 revealed that Ashtray had killed Mouse ( Meeko Gattuso) and in the second episode, Ashtray was ready to shoot Cal dead there and then in Fez's store.

Their similarities are also set to become even more evident with Cal's backstory being explored in Season 2, Episode 3. Hopefully, fans will have all of the answers by the end of Euphoria Season 2.

Euphoria Season 2 airs weekly on HBO Max on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.