Wait, why did Bishop betray Alamo? Euphoria season 3 star reveals truth behind finale twist

*Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Euphoria season three episode eight*

If you were left confused by Bishop’s (Darrell Britt-Gibson) decision to betray Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) in the Euphoria season three finale, you’re not alone. Now, one of the actors has cleared up the truth about his motives.

Episode eight, ‘In God We Trust’, doesn’t pull any punches – there’s a lot of death. That includes its main player Rue (Zendaya) who tragically dies from a drug overdose. 

Maddy (Alexa Demie) inadvertently had a role to play in this, having let slip to Alamo that Rue was involved in the DEA. Alamo keeps this on the down low in the finale in order to get his victims’ ID cards back from Laurie’s (Martha Kelly) gang. 

Once Rue brings them to him, he gives her a Percocet for the pain, which she takes despite being free from opioids up until this point. But the bottle of pills Alamo gives her are laced with Fentanyl and she overdoses, with Ali (Colman Domingo) finding her lifeless body in the morning. 

This triggers something in him and he seeks revenge on Alamo for killing his spiritual daughter. Showing up to the Silver Slipper in his military uniform and a sawn off shotgun, he confronts Alamo and the pair agree to a duel. 

Alamo tries to cheat and shoot early, but the bullets of his gun have been removed by Bishop, giving Ali a clean shot. Alamo is killed, and so ends his reign of terror. 

Maddy, who became indebted to Alamo after he helped retrieve Nate (Jacob Elordi), gets to walk free.

It’s a neat conclusion, but it doesn’t explain Bishop’s betrayal. He’d been a loyal enforcer up until this point, and Alamo’s right-hand man.

Although there was much speculation about whether he too was working undercover, the theory was debunked when he was seen torturing one of Alamo’s victims. 

So, was it because he wanted to save Maddy? Was he angry about Rue? Or did he simply want to take over the business himself?

Why did Bishop betray Alamo in the Euphoria season 3 finale?

Although we won’t know for sure until creator Sam Levinson confirms it, Alamo actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje believes it’s all a power move – and that Bishop decided now is the perfect time for a “changing of the guards”. 

This explains why when Kidd (Asante Blackk) goes to shoot Ali, Bishop tells him to hold fire. 

Speaking to Variety, Akinnuoye-Agbaje explained, “This is just my conjecture, but I think when you’re in a position of power like Alamo, there are always people within your fray that would want the top seat. 

“Bishop would be one of those guys. Kidd has an opportunity to shoot Ali as well, because he has his gun, but Bishop tells him no. So it’s not just Bishop; Kidd doesn’t stand up for Alamo as a boss.”

The Euphoria season three star went on to say that they “realise it’s time” for a “changing of the guards”. 

“Everything seems to be crumbling, and they’ve realised this is the time to take the reins with Bishop,” he added. 

“Alamo could be somewhat demonstrative toward Bishop, too. He kind of puts him down, ridicules him a little bit. He says he’s got no manners, he doesn’t speak, he talks in this monotone. He plays him a bit like an idiot, even though he knows he’s useful.”

And if you’re wondering whether Bishop is deep down a good guy, Akinnuoye-Agbaje puts that theory to bed. 

“I don’t think Alamo particularly likes the fact that, of all his henchmen, Bishop actually enjoys killing. There’s something extremely psychotic about him,” he continued.

“Ultimately, it’s a power move. Bishop knows this is the time to do it. Maddy’s there, and I think he has intentions for her as well. This is probably the first time we’ve seen Bishop be favourable toward a woman. He’s plotting his own path.”

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Featured image credit: HBO