Why Netflix's YOU Is A Good Television Show | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

A Rom-Com Turned Horror, Why Netflix's 'YOU' May Just Be The Next Greatest TV Hit

A love story turned wrong; and who doesn't love a little crime?

8
Facebook/YOU
https://www.facebook.com/YouOnLifetime/photos/a.192410678137289/202697210441969/?type=3&theater

Netflix's recent TV release "YOU" starring Penn Badgley as a psychopathic serial lover, and Elizabeth Lail as his chosen lover, follows the life and narration of Joe Goldberg; your average American, working in a small, quaint bookstore in the bustle of New York. From the beginning, we see a look into his deranged mindset; how Lail's character, Beck, first encounter had set him over the edge into a series of actions all to help better her life. These actions, throughout its first season snowball from stalking to kidnapping, and ultimately, murder of those around Beck deemed unworthy of her.

Not only is the audience taken into the life of Joe Goldberg, but we hear into the thought processes and see the makings of a murderer, from beginning to end. Sure, at times unsettling; but overall, absolutely brilliant.

As the audience, Joe narration places his thoughts into our own. We understand his choices, his actions, his pre-planning, and the depth of consequences and arguments held between him and his peers. It's this unique combination of choices made by the show's directors that had allowed it to become a sensational hit both on its original screen, Lifetime and on Netflix.

I initially heard of this show by word of mouth; recommendations by friends and reactions that initiated full day binges. Out of curiosity, I dipped into the first episode, and found myself too falling down its whirlwind of plot twists; I was hooked on the story's development, and like others, struggling to identify who I was essentially "rooting" for to win: Beck, the messy, upcoming writer turned puppet by her ungrateful friends, or Joe, the one cleaning up her life, though through unethical means.

Addictive is too weak of a word to describe this series, as is its description on Netflix: "A clever bookstore manager relies on his savvy Internet know-how to make the woman of his dreams fall in love with him."

Insinuating Joe simply has a knack for technology is the biggest understatement of the year. Joe physically stalks Beck from as soon as she wakes up to the moment where she finally falls asleep. He tracks her day to day life using her own phone (which he stole) as a way to have access to all her social media, family, friends and most importantly, life within his hands. Using this information, he purposefully plants himself within her life, with "run-ins" and small "coincidences," until they are finally together as lovers.

To the outside audience, this knowledge only raises more eyebrows. How could Joe, after all the bad things he had done, be the one everyone wants to root for? This is the fascination behind behind this show. We're so used to thinking that the romantic comedy should follow a romantic comedy script — the protagonist and his/her lover using dramatic, romantic gestures to finally fall in love and be happy. When the romantic gestures are altered, such as kidnapping and killing Beck's ex-boyfriend for simply not cherishing her, our brains realize this deviation but insist on still still sticking with the generic romantic story.

Compounded with Joe's genuine philanthropic relationship with Paco, the little boy of his abusive, toxic neighbor's relationship, who Joe educates using his love for books and places himself as his father figure, as an audience, we know that deep down, Joe has a good heart. He acts for others when they can't for themselves, but unethically.

In the end, Joe does become the villain protagonist, but we understand that his dramatic actions are all to become closer to Beck, as well as Beck becoming closer to Joe. We can't help but root for their success, even if it is a road of bloodshed — an absolutely fascinating concept implemented beautifully in one season.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185595
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11819
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455661
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25205
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments