A genuine shift in Joe's narrative unfolds: The "you" in "You" is not his consuming fixation but a psychopathic murderer who attempted—and failed—to pin Malcolm's demise on Joe. For the rest of us, this poses an intriguing question: Can the show retain its edge when Joe becomes the hunted rather than the hunter?
While it might have seemed monotonous to witness Joe chasing yet another unsuspecting, fate-bound woman for an entire season, I find myself struggling to become engrossed in unraveling the identity of the mastermind behind it all. Perhaps this is because, so far, the new characters blend into one another without distinction. None have emerged as a standout like the scene-stealing Sherry from the previous season, nor have they exhibited the riches of deplorable traits in an especially captivating and hilarious manner akin to Peach Salinger—yes, like that Salinger from season one. At present, Joe shares no history with these individuals, rendering their interest in him superficial and, consequently, less captivating to us.
Upon reflecting, I sense that Joe's predicament would be far more intriguing if he were fleeing from someone from his past... like ELLIE. Perhaps Joe is so confident that he has left his past behind that he overlooks this most plausible scenario, with every individual we've encountered in London merely serving as a decoy. Joe is so preoccupied with pondering, "Who would want Malcolm dead?" that he overlooks asking, "Who would frame Joe for murder?" Could it be that the individual who ended Malcolm's life harbored no motive beyond holding Joe accountable for his lengthy tally of homicides from which he has thus far escaped unscathed? (Minus two toes, naturally.) A thought worth contemplating!
Joe attends a dinner party celebrating Simon's art exhibition. Adam's hairstyle is a throwback, I'm sorry to say! This is a do that this gentleman would have sported in 2010, not in contemporary times! The evening passes without incident, save for the requisite ominous or death-related remarks by every speaker, designed to make Joe feel uneasy ("You steal my spotlight, and I murder you," Adam declares, as one might). Joe returns home to find a note slipped under his door, inviting him to "a night to die for." The night in question is Simon's art opening, rendering it unclear why the invitation wasn't handed out at the dinner Joe had just attended. Joe is horrified to realize that he has been thrust into "a whodunit: The lowest form of literature," which elicited a hearty laugh from me. The art show is held at Kate's gallery. Does anyone know why Joe can declare that he's Googling something, yet the search engine displayed on screen is a fake?
All Joe craved was a life of unpretentious simplicity, alright? He yearned for what we all silently aspire to—to leave a trail of mysterious disappearances stretching from one American coast to the other, transforming himself anew under a fabricated alias. Yet, SOMEONE is brazenly thwarting his aspirations. Joe resolves to deal with his persistent stalker in a mature fashion: by ignoring him completely.
In the classroom, his students are immersed in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Man of the Crowd." As our discussion reaches a fever pitch, equating obsession with love, a breaking news alert disrupts the ambiance: Malcolm's finger has reportedly been dispatched to the London Dispatch, accompanied by a note that chillingly reads, "THIS IS NOT A KIDNAPPING. THIS IS A MURDER." Frankly, I'm astonished by everyone's blind faith in the note's authenticity. For all we know, Malcolm could still be breathing somewhere out there! Are anonymous note-scribblers and finger-dispatchers typically credible sources? Oh well, regardless, Malcolm is presumed deceased, and his murder is now linked to Simon's. The media has dubbed the suspected perpetrator the Eat-the-Rich Killer.
Joe receives a text from his stalker: "Now, do I have your undivided attention?" Ignoring isn't working, so Joe decides to confront the stalker. The stalker demands Joe to acknowledge his true identity and explain his motives. Joe employs a classic hypothetical admission, suggesting that if he did commit the deeds, it would be due to a lack of viable alternatives.
Meanwhile, the police make their way to Kate's abode. Girl, YOU NEED CURTAINS! She directs the police towards Joe, which is the prudent thing to do. Joe, being rather naive, speaks to them without legal representation. Sometimes, it feels like all I do in these recaps is scream through the screen, urging people never to converse with the police without legal counsel. If there's one thing you take away from these recaps, let it be this invaluable advice. Kate has already informed the officers that Joe is a recent arrival on the scene and was the last person to see Malcolm alive. Joe embarks on a creative tangent about Simon, coercion, and blackmail, somehow convincing the police that their efforts would be better spent hunting down Blue.
The stalker texts Joe: "Kate's a liability." Joe believes the "real game" is that the stalker desires Kate's demise. Once again, I wonder why Joe possesses a checkers mindset rather than a chess one. Perhaps the stalker isn't as concerned with who lives or dies as they are with making Joe feel powerless, akin to how Joe has made others feel. Joe narrates, via voiceover, that it's "obvious" he won't harm Kate, although I'm unsure to whom he thinks this is apparent. Killing Kate would be a perfectly Joe-like thing to do.
Later, Joe discovers Nadia fishing around the blossoming flora adjacent to Malcolm’s apartment, desperately seeking the hide-a-key. Her panic is palpable; she's aware that the letter she penned to Malcolm resides within, and if its contents were to see the light of day, it would subject her to public humiliation, irrevocably derailing her life. Joe reassures her, vowing to manage the situation discreetly. However, it becomes evident, much to Nadia's peril in navigating this tumultuous season, that she has a penchant for older male professors, rendering her highly susceptible to Joe’s magnetic allure.
At Simon’s funeral, Joe scans the crowd for anyone whose sorrow appears feigned. The attendees, each seemingly more disingenuous than the last, offer little help in distinguishing genuine grief from pretense. Kate is taken aback by Joe’s presence, to which he asserts that Phoebe had extended the invitation. Gradually, members of this clique grow apprehensive about a serial killer preying upon them, except for Roald, who remains nonchalant, his primary concern being Kate's comfort (interesting, indeed!). Rhys delivers a eulogy about the various masks people wear, painting Simon as a beneficent soul who cherished his sister and contributed to charity, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. One wonders if Rhys’ words might be a reflection of his own hidden truths beneath his mask!
The reception, or perhaps an after-party, ensues at Sundry House. Joe believes he’s forging a connection with Vic, who reveals that Lady Phoebe treats him “like family,” thereby answering a previous question regarding Vic’s employer. Nonetheless, Vic lacks empathy with Joe’s supposed underdog status; he remarks that Phoebe has a habit of adopting “waifs and strays” and considers Joe a shady character. Meanwhile, the stalker wonders why Joe hasn’t eliminated Kate yet, compelling Joe to shadow her throughout the day to safeguard her from his own stalker, who intends her harm. To Joe’s dismay, Kate detests him and resents his presence. Over an odd, alcohol-fueled afternoon, Joe gradually wears down her defenses. She confides that her mother forbidden her from crying as a child and inquiries about Joe’s method of emotional coping. My thoughts: well, he spent considerable time in a human-sized aquarium, where he trapped and murdered individuals almost arbitrarily. Joe responds by sharing that he found catharsis in burning things.
After Kate reveals to Joe, with a hint of disbelief, that she was well aware of Malcolm's infidelity, she leads him to a semi-secluded, enchanting garden, which she cherishes as their favorite retreat. (How she managed to navigate those towering heels through it all is beyond me.) This haven, amidst the whispering trees, served as their sanctuary for peaceful contemplation, intimate connections with nature, and passionate encounters, despite the ever-present risk of being discovered. Joe justifies his tryst with Kate by contemplating that it could serve as a brilliant distraction for her. Kate, however, mocks him as a romantic who cannot fathom casual sex, refusing even a kiss, fearing, "We might fall in love." Meanwhile, Vic covertly observes the entire scene from the bushes, as if such eavesdropping were a normal pastime.
Joe awakens in Kate and Malcolm's abode, amusingly finding himself on the couch while she rests comfortably in her bed. Although the negotiation leading to this arrangement remains unseen, one can infer she promptly banished him to the couch upon their return. During his exploration, Joe discovers a cache of letters hidden beneath Malcolm's self-portrait. In an unlikely yet slightly far-fetched twist, Joe miraculously singles out Nadia's letter from a pile without opening any, only to be caught red-handed by Kate, who promptly ejects him. "I'd rather be shredded into a thousand fragments than spend another instant alone with you," she declares. Just wait till you get to know him better, dear... these two extremes are not mutually exclusive!
Joe's stalker, who has been observing his "protective" behavior towards Kate, mocks him by suggesting Joe derives pleasure from destruction. Joe tails Kate to the crypt where Malcolm's pinky rests, anticipating her emotional outpouring. As he exits, Vic confronts him, gun in hand, producing Malcolm's ring from Joe's pocket. The mystery of who planted it remains unsolved, but it's evident someone intends to frame Joe. A scuffle ensues, complete with Joe's humorous reaction to being shot through his shoe, pondering, "That would've stung if I still had toes in there." In the struggle, Joe chokeholds Vic until he's lifeless. To his stalker's astonishment, Joe's libido has never been softer. Take that!
To cover his tracks, Joe pens a resignation letter to Phoebe, purporting it to be from Vic, and buries Vic's body alongside Simon's coffin. In his exhausted state, he has an epiphany: perhaps his stalker is merely a lonely soul seeking companionship. "You crave a friend," he concludes. "You want us to share the same world." So, Joe indulges the stalker's delusion, agreeing that, indeed, he found a certain thrill in today's lethal encounter.
Kate and Joe share meaningful glances through a window as she incinerates Malcolm's portrait. Soon after, Joe receives an invitation from Phoebe to meet at Sundry House. En route, he entrusts Nadia with the letter, paired with Joan Didion's 'The Year of Magical Thinking.' She's in tatters, and I predict within two episodes, she'll mistake a romantic entanglement with her eventual killer as her salvation. Joe is thrilled when his stalker texts, requesting a face-to-face meeting. Joe's condition is that Kate remains unharmed, but the stalker offers no guarantees. Upon Joe's arrival at Sundry House, the gang greets him with accusatory glares, accompanied by the police. It's not too late to seek legal counsel!
