Episode 4 of Season 5 of "You" kicks off with Joe's thoughts drifting to Bronte, yet he's acutely aware of the sacrifices he's made for Henry's sake, refusing to break the marital serenity. Henry's bond with his therapist, George, brings Joe immense joy. Meanwhile, Kate remains emotionally detached, and when Joe confronts her about it, she stands her ground firmly, intent on dismissing Reagan for embezzlement in her own steadfast manner. Joe, recognizing her efforts, decides to let her handle it, seeing it as an opportunity to cloak his twin-switching scheme.
Persuading Maddie, however, poses a greater challenge. Maddie grapples with feelings of inadequacy, doubting she could ever embody Reagan. Joe tempts her with the sweet carrot of Harrison's wealth and freedom from the prenuptial agreement, should she assume Reagan's identity.
Joe's mind continues to wander towards Bronte, unwittingly playing into her hands as she convinces him to officially open the bookstore the next day. His evasive behavior during a potential intimate moment leads Bronte to believe he's upset over her recent advances. She clarifies her intentions, explaining her fragile state and desire not to disrupt his marriage. Excited about Joe's next serial killer expose, she retreats when Joe hesitates, revealing a mutual understanding that troubles him.
On another front, Kate confronts Reagan about the embezzlement, unaware that Reagan holds a trump card—knowledge of Joe's murders of Rhys and Bob. Armed with CCTV footage of Joe entering Bob's home and the promise of an autopsy exposing the staged suicide, Reagan demands Kate's resignation in exchange for her silence.
As Joe and Bronte's budding romance blossoms, she shares her latest writing with him—a piece about toxic love where a man pursues a woman against her will, inspired by her own past. Joe, while appreciating her prose, finds himself longing to eliminate the fictional abuser. He quickly retracts, but Bronte doesn't mind, finding solace in the cathartic act of punishing abusers. She labels them as chaotic good, drawing parallels to a beast, and elucidates the moral alignment meme, painting Reagan as chaotic evil. Joe seizes this moment, devising a plan to help Maddie embody her twin's demeanor. He mimics Reagan's demeanor, taunting Maddie, revealing Reagan's penchant for using her own pain to inflict greater suffering—a strategy Maddie needs to embrace.
As Kate reveals Reagan's latest threat to Joe and decides to step down, his meticulously crafted plan begins to unravel like a tangled thread. Desperate, he attempts to coax her into participating in a murderous plot, but she steadfastly refuses, her conscience tormented by the guilt of inadvertently leading to Bob's demise. This isn't some fairy tale romance where Joe can don the mantle of both lover and assassin for Kate. Instead, he senses her perception of him—a wild, uncontrollable creature—and realizes she views him with a blend of fear and disdain. However, finding solace in the fact that Bronte embraces this untamed facet of his personality, Joe decides to strike out on his own.
In a bold, yet ill-fated attempt to confront Reagan, Joe learns firsthand just how formidable she truly is. She overpowers him with surprising strength and dexterity, stripping away his mask without a hint of surprise. Mistaking his intentions as Kate's orders, Reagan assumes Kate has sent him as her enforcer. Though Joe manages to incapacitate her eventually, he acknowledges that murder is not an option—not yet.
Elsewhere, in the tranquil sanctuary of the bookstore, Bronte's curiosity leads her to explore Joe's writings. To her chagrin, she stumbles upon risqué passages that vividly depict her. Embarrassment washes over her, coloring her cheeks with a blush.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Maddie's tears stream silently as Joe unveils a new, chilling plan: she must eliminate Reagan. As an accomplice, this is Joe's only means of trusting her silence. When she hesitates, he cruelly reminds her of Reagan's indifference towards her welfare, leaving her with an impossible choice.
As Reagan awakens, he finds the entire plot twist amusement incarnate, validating Joe's stance. Reagan mocks Maddie, branding her the lesser twin, devoid of affection, and asserting that she could never embody her spirit. The revelation unfolds that Maddie's pregnancy was fraught with challenges, and Reagan's loyalty would waver, preferring Gretchen's welfare over Maddie's life.
Elsewhere, a poignant conversation transpires between the second sibling pair, as Teddy earnestly pleads with Kate to confide in him, desiring to assist her in her turmoil. He suspects Joe's involvement but Kate swiftly dismisses his theory.
That evening, the bookstore's grand opening buzzes with energy. Joe's eyes repeatedly meet Bronte's, sparking an unseen connection. However, turmoil arrives in the guise of Clayton, who exhibits aggression towards Bronte. Joe swiftly intervenes, roughing up Clayton in a protective rage. Despite his apology, Bronte is distressed, babbling about their incompatible romantic inclinations. She confesses to having delved into his risqué writings, acknowledging their mutual attraction but insisting that an affair is impossible. Joe reluctantly accepts her declaration and descends, stumbling upon a harrowing scene: Maddie has fatally administered insulin to Reagan.
The subsequent day, Kate prepares to resign, only to be interrupted by Maddie, posing as Reagan. In a shocking announcement, 'Reagan' relinquishes her position and transfers her voting rights to herself, maneuvering Teddy into their fold. However, discord brews beneath the surface. Kate confronts Joe, skeptical of his tale of thwarting Reagan's advances. Frustrated by her disbelief in his strategy, Joe declares his marriage in shambles.
As You Season 5 Episode 4 concludes, Bronte prepares to depart, but Joe arrives at the store, unwilling to let her go. Their mutual desire ignites, culminating in an impromptu intimate encounter.
