You is back with more murder and mysteries for fans to sink their teeth into. However, if Penn Badgley had his way, Joe Goldberg would be better behaved. In a new video posted to the star's TikTok, the actor attempts to reign in his character's darker impulses.
You recently premiered the first part of its fourth season. Now set up in England as a Professor of Literature under the name of Jonathan Moore, Joe finds himself being stalked by an unknown person. As always, his murderous impulses get the better of him, and his situation quickly becomes untenable as he struggles to maintain his facade while looking for love once more.
Badgley posted the video, ostensibly made to promote a new "Podcrushed" episode, to his TikTok. In the video, Badgley sits down with Joe and tries to get him to stop killing people. Joe struggles with the concept, and whenever Badgley tells him to repeat the lesson, Joe twists his words into being supportive of his actions. Eventually, Badgley exasperatedly gives up trying to get Joe to change.
While the first half of You was just released, fans will have to wait a little longer for the second half of the season. To be precise, the second half of the season will premiere on March 9, a month after the first half was released to the day. The second half of the season will likely be as explosive as the first.
The video's a fun exercise in futility. Part of the irony of You is knowing that there's nothing that can change everything for Joe - he's too far gone in his fantasies and beliefs. Though he's constantly seeking affirmation and love from others, he's too monstrous to be loved by someone. The show often plays around with romantic comedy tropes and shows how dangerous and inappropriate these behaviours would be. The truth is that Joe can't be "changed" into a better man, as some of these movies would suggest.
Part of Badgley's excellence as an actor is that he understands his characters on a deep level. Badgley has been adamant that Joe is an irredeemable monster since the show began, and he's never faltered from that. If Badgley is the MCU's Reed Richards, as rumours suggest, he'd be an excellent choice. His ability to embody a character has continually proven to be top-notch.
You season 4, part 1, is now available on Netflix.
Source: Penn Badgley/TikTok