[TV Series] You

YOU

Genre: Psychological thriller, Crime drama

Based on: You, Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

Developed by: Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble

Network: Netflix

No. of seasons: 2

No. of episodes: 20 (10 per season)

Duration: 40-52 min per episode

"If he loves you, that's the most dangerous thing." 

So, recently, I've finished this series streaming on Netflix: You. The second season just aired since December 26 last year, so I decided to binge-watch the whole series last week. Result is: me, mind-blown for knowing the possibilities that can happen to someone, doing "the best" for love. 

First season of the series tells a story about Joe Goldberg (Penn Bradgley), a brilliant male bookstore manager who crosses paths with Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), an aspiring female writer. What would you do for love? This question is put to the test for Joe. A charming yet awkward crush becomes something even more sinister when the writer becomes the manager's obsession. Making use of the internet and social media, Joe uses every tool at his disposal to become close to her, even going so far as to remove any obstacle—including people—that stands in his way of getting to her. 

Joe Goldberg is one hell of a role, and Penn Badgley definitely nailed it. Joe is walking on the fine line between the nice guy and a complete sociopath. About Joe; I really think Joe is a complicated personality, since he does love with all his heart, which would require a loving heart, but this loving heart also does the crazy things—even crime, to make his way to get to the girl of his dreams. I believe his broken childhood has a lot to do with his personality as an adult. I won't say he's a total bad guy, because during the series, I can sense that he's actually a good man, but he's on his way to be 'perfect'. He defines love as something worth all the sacrifices, but in so many wrong ways. 

In the first season, New York, Joe meets Beck. Guinevere Beck, in my opinion, is just a simple young-adult like most of us are. She's on social media, desperate for validation as a cool person as she tries to prove it by having the 'cool kid' circle of friends and lover. She wants to do what she love, in her case, to make money from her poets and writings. She stresses but rarely let anyone know. She's vulnerable, and I think that's what Joe sees in her. Joe has this eagerness to take care of someone, either it's a girl of her dreams or some unlucky kids on the block. To be honest, I really like Beck! She's pretty and smart, but well, she's on her way adulting, therefore she does need someone to take care of her. She needs someone around. Despite this sociopath personality Joe has, I really ship them. They're so cute together. Just if Beck wasn't too curious about stuff...

Second season, Los Angeles, Joe—or I must say, Will meets Love. Yep, Joe started a whole new life at LA, now as Will Bettelheim. In this "new life" he created, he tries to be a better person. Instead of getting rid of every people he considers as obstacle, he wants to be a man who actually deserves Love. Love Quinn is a chef working at Anavrin, a cafe which Will works at too. She's friendly and talkative. She bakes great pastries. Little did we know, she's also kinda obsessive. She made the first move at Joe. While Joe still thinks that he doesn't deserve her, Love keeps making her way to him and eventually makes Joe actually falls for her. The lovebirds can't have fun for too long, that Candace Stone—or Amy Adams—Joe's ex-girlfriend from long time ago, finds him and wants to get a revenge. Best part about this season is probably watching Joe "meets his match" and how he reacts to that. 

Overall, the series is giving us a unique take on the stalker angle and a big hint for us to realize how exposed we are on the internet, especially social medias. Also You lets us to think again about letting some stranger to get into our life. When he's good to you, is that all? Can you love him back when you reveal all the things he did for you? All the sacrifices he made for love?

I don't think the series is made for everyone tho. But once you get into it, it gets really addictive.

P.S: Last three episodes have the real twists.

Rate: 8/10