Explore the highs of love and obsession and the twists that define this chilling series. Everything “You” need to know about Joe Goldberg
The Netflix series You, based on the novel by Caroline Kepnes, follows Joe Goldberg, a charming bookstore manager at Mooney’s, who is coping with the traumatic events of his childhood, such as having an absent father and a mother who entered abusive relationships. Not to mention a mentor who locked him in a clear glass cage in the basement until he was obedient and grateful.
Due to his previous experiences, Joe romanticizes the women he encounters, such as Beck Guinevere, Love Quinn, and Marienne Bellamy. Still, they end up dead or running in fear of Joe, as his “love” grows into a deep-rooted obsession. He follows them day or night and manipulates those close to them, such as family, friends, and neighbors. And when he feels the woman he cares about is being mistreated, he removes them from the picture, kills them, and justifies that he did the world a favor, that he did “You” a favor, and life will be better than before. You’ll be safe. But, get too close and you may see him for who he is.
The series delves into themes of manipulation, betrayal, stalking, and secrets. Throughout the five seasons, Joe experiences a different relationship each time, each serving as a reminder of lessons he has yet to learn about love.
The show challenges viewers and their moral ambiguity in confronting the idea of Joe’s crimes. As the narrative is from Joe’s perspective, he often blurs the lines between victim and predator, conflicting with himself between love and obsession.
Despite its gripping narrative, You does contain inconsistencies, such as what happened to Ellie in Season 2. Did she ever find out who killed Delilah? Does she question who Joe is? She is briefly mentioned once, and Joe confirms she lives in Florida now. He is still sending her money, yet the writers never revisit Ellie’s storyline. Another plot hole is in season 5, how did Kate escape the fire? And how did Brontë fake her death while drowning?
Overall, the first three seasons had the strongest storyline and introduced a new light to dark humor, allowing viewers to empathize with Joe and connect with his thinking about his justifications. As for seasons 4 and 5, there are mixed reviews and a decline in writing quality. New characters and atmospheres distract from the show’s original charisma, which is needed for his storyline. Still, they deviate from the different tone of the series from the first three seasons, which created a dynamic between the viewer and the show that is no longer impactful as it once was.
Rate: 7.5 out of 10
