You is one of Netflix’s most controversial shows. When it originally aired on Lifetime, fans were intrigued by the premise; the dangers of social media, online stalking, and obsessive behavior embodied by one man: Joe Goldberg. Netflix bought the rights to continue the show after the success of Season 1, moving its setting to Los Angeles. Since, the show’s popularity only increased, with fans following the journey of their favorite romantic serial killer, Joe Goldberg. With such a morally reprehensible antihero, many people wonder how anyone can root for Joe Goldberg as he stalks women while walking a free man. Ultimately, Joe Goldberg is an extremely complex character that is further dissected through each season of You. Here is a closer look at Joe Goldberg’s character.
Savior Complex
Netflix
Joe Goldberg feels he must save every woman he becomes infatuated with. In You Season 1, bookshop employee, Joe, meets Guinevere Beck while at work. Immediately struck by her beauty and interest in literature, Joe has one clear target from that point forward: Beck. From stalking her online, locating her residence, to manipulating situations until they finally meet again, Joe is relentless in his romantic pursuit. The infatuation turns into a full obsession when he starts viewing most people around Beck as threats to her well-being, and notably, their budding romance. From abducting and killing Beck’s ex-boyfriend, killing her obsessive best friend, to finally, abducting Beck herself; Joe will do anything he feels necessary to save any woman he’s “in love” with.
You season two has Joe move to Los Angeles for a new start. He immediately meets Love Quinn, who is the complete opposite of Beck–quirky, confident, and welcoming to Joe’s advances, it seems Joe will be able to pursue Love without major roadblocks or self-hindrance–until he meets Love’s family. From an addict brother, verbally abusive mother, to controlling father–Love’s life is anything but perfect, which only fuels Joe’s obsession over her–he must save Love from her tragic life. Little does Joe suspect the plot twist to their relationship–Love is a serial killer herself. This causes a reverse effect–instead of seeing Love as his perfect match, Joe is repulsed by her. Joe Goldberg’s love is determinant on those who need his salvation.
Abandonment Issues
Many of Joe’s obsessions are a result of his upbringing. As a child, Joe’s abandoned by his mother and placed into foster care after he kills his mother’s boyfriend, an abusive partner. Later in the series, another flashback shows Joe’s last encounter with his mother, where she is accompanied by a young boy. Joe’s mother doesn’t only abandon him, she fosters another child in his place. This trauma influences Joe’s obsessions over women–and his exaggerated responses when they reject him. Every rejection is a reflection of his mother’s abandonment, and every time someone is unfaithful to Joe, he is reminded of the little boy and the lovers his mother favored over him.
Inflated Hopeless Romanticism
Hopeless Romanticism has its place in society, You is not that place. Joe Goldberg exhibits every hopeless romantic tendency inflated beyond any justifiable measure; his inner monologue reflect his love interests’ best qualities, that exist only in Joe’s mind. Joe’s expects these women to be loving, open-minded individuals who will accept him as he is, an obsessive serial killer without any boundaries. And lastly, Joe’s all-consuming fantasies lead him to destroy any woman that falls short of his romantic expectations.
Narcissist
For someone with some serious self-esteem issues, Joe also exhibits several narcissistic qualities. Despite his murderous impulses and considerable psychological and emotional trauma, everyone is a lesser option for his love interests. Joe goes to great lengths to convince these women, and himself, of this case scenario. From doing extensive history on their former partner’s criminal history, uncovering sexual betrayals, to often framing them for horrible acts; Joe always has one goal in mind: make himself look as the more suitable option. This extends to Joe’s relationship with Love Quinn, even though they’re both killers, Love is the worst of the two in her impulsiveness and notably, her indiscriminate killing style. In Joe’s perspective, he kills out of necessity and as a last resort, Love kills out of sheer desire and is therefore irredeemable compared to him. Joe is the most dangerous type of narcissist because he will consistently justify his misdeeds by finding a greater deviant than him.
Charming
By far, Joe’s most dangerous characteristic is his charming nature. As someone who has worked as a bookstore manager for years, Joe is knowledgeable in literature, he is articulate, interesting, intelligent, and as an added bonus, great with children–he is charming on nearly every account. His love interests easily let down their guard around him. And that’s why Joe Goldberg continues to walk a free man to make his way to Paris in You Season 4.
