You Series Review
The more I watch You, the more I start questioning how Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley) manages to be a successful serial killer. Seriously, how does this man keep getting away with murder? He’s clumsy, constantly makes mistakes, and somehow stumbles out of every jam like a guy who just found an extra life in a video game. He's definitely no Dexter—at least Dexter had precision. One day, I’ll have to do a review on that show, but for now, let’s focus on our favorite book-loving stalker.
Season 1: The Beginning of Joe’s Twisted Love Story
When we first meet Joe, he’s working in a New York bookstore, living his seemingly normal, nerdy life—until Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) walks in. And that’s it. That’s all it takes for Joe to decide that Beck is his soulmate and must be protected, even if that means locking people in cages and eliminating anyone who stands in his way.
Joe’s internal monologue is half the reason we keep watching—his creepy yet weirdly poetic narration almost makes you forget he’s a murderer. Almost. Season 1 sets the stage for Joe’s obsessive nature, his questionable problem-solving skills, and his knack for, well, getting away with everything.
His self-sabotage reaches peak absurdity when he drugs himself. This happens in Episode 8, when Joe is trying to prove his innocence to Beck after she starts doubting him. In a bizarre attempt to show he’s trustworthy, Joe decides to drug himself with sleeping pills to demonstrate that he’s not a threat. The plan? To let Beck snoop around his apartment while he’s unconscious, believing she’ll find nothing incriminating.
Of course, this backfires spectacularly. Joe’s clumsiness shines through as he doesn’t fully knock himself out, leading to a groggy, half-conscious state where he’s unable to control the situation. Beck ends up discovering his hidden stash of creepy items, including her old phone and other incriminating evidence. Instead of clearing his name, Joe’s misguided plan only confirms Beck’s worst fears about him. It’s a classic Joe move—overthinking, under-executing, and somehow making things worse for himself. Honestly, it’s moments like these that make you wonder how he’s managed to evade consequences for so long.
Season 2: Same Joe, New City, Worse Decisions
After things (predictably) fall apart in New York, Joe relocates to Los Angeles, assuming a new identity. Enter Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), the chef with a suspiciously perfect name. At first, it seems like Joe has found someone more stable, maybe even someone who could change his toxic ways. But nope—Love has secrets of her own. Big ones.
This season takes the wild plot twists up a notch, making you wonder how Joe still isn’t behind bars. And when Love’s true nature is revealed, suddenly Joe isn’t the worst person in the relationship. Who knew You could flip the script like that?
Joe Goldberg’s ability to evade consequences is truly something to behold. Every season, he somehow manages to slip through the cracks, reinvent himself, and find a new obsession. But by Season 4, when he ends up in England despite being on a watchlist, it’s safe to say we’ve entered full-blown disbelief territory. Let’s break it down.
Season 3: Domestic Chaos in Madre Linda
Joe and Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) try their hand at suburban life in Madre Linda, complete with a baby, a white picket fence, and a whole lot of unresolved trauma. Predictably, Joe’s wandering eye leads him to fixate on the neighbor, Natalie, which sets off a chain reaction of chaos. Love, being just as unhinged as Joe, takes matters into her own hands, proving that she’s just as dangerous—if not more so.
This season is peak domestic thriller, with Joe and Love playing a twisted game of marital chess. Their relationship is a ticking time bomb, and when Love realizes Joe is obsessed with librarian Marienne (Tati Gabrielle), things spiral fast. The season ends with Love attempting to kill Joe, only for him to outmaneuver her, fake his own death, and leave their son behind. Because, of course, Joe’s solution to everything is running away.
Season 4: Joe in England—Wait, How?!
After faking his death, Joe somehow ends up in London under the name Jonathan Moore, working as a professor. Now, let’s pause for a second—how did he get past international security? He was literally on a watchlist. But apparently, Joe has the kind of luck that defies all logic.
Season 4 takes a different approach, turning into a murder mystery where Joe is being stalked by the “Eat-the-Rich Killer.” For once, he’s not the one doing the killing—at least, not at first. The season plays with the idea of Joe trying to be a better person, but let’s be real, that was never going to last. By the end, he’s back to his old ways, and his obsession with Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie) leads him to yet another fresh start.
Season 5: The End of the Road
Season 5 finally brings Joe back to New York, where his past catches up with him. His relationship with Kate is unraveling, and his latest fixation, Bronte (Madeline Brewer), proves to be his downfall. Social media plays a huge role in exposing Joe, with survivors from past seasons speaking out against him.
In a dramatic final showdown, Joe is forced to face the truth about himself. Unlike previous seasons, where he always found a way to escape, this time, justice catches up. The series ends with Joe finally being held accountable for his crimes, marking the end of his twisted journey.
Joe’s ability to evade consequences for so long is nothing short of ridiculous, but that’s part of what makes You so entertaining. Every season, the stakes get higher, the plot twists get wilder, and somehow, Joe keeps slipping through the cracks—until he finally doesn’t. If you haven’t watched it yet, grab a blanket, find your favorite spot on the couch, and check it out—I highly recommend it.
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