Netflix Announces 'You' Season 2 Release Date
Editor's Note
The following post contains major spoilers from “You” season one.
Buckle up, your “favorite” stalker is back!
On Monday, Netflix announced season two of “You” will premiere on Dec. 26. The show, which originally aired on Lifetime last year, will officially move to Netflix for season two.
If you haven’t seen “You,” season one centers on the relationship between bookstore clerk Joe Golberg (played by Penn Badgley), who cyber-stalks, then real-life stalks, Guinevere Beck, who goes by “Beck” in the show (played by Elizabeth Lail). As Joe gathers information about Beck and gains access to her inner world, he positions himself as the “perfect boyfriend,” emotionally manipulating her into dating him.
The show was meant to be satirical, tackling topics like hipster culture, social media obsession and toxic masculinity — but some missed the irony, instead reveling in the romance of Beck and Joe’s twisted relationship — which is worth noting, ends in Beck’s murder at the end of the season.
In January, one social media user tweeted: “Is it weird that I ship joe&beck? Even though joe is a stalker,” to which the official Netflix account promptly replied two minutes later, “yes.”
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) January 2, 2019
In response to fans romanticizing Joe (who is a violent stalker), Badgley said the show was an example of white male privilege.
“I personally feel [the show] is a bit of a social experiment,” he explained. “It’s a litmus test to see the mental gymnastics that we’re still willing to perform on a cultural level, to love an evil white man.”
Ditto. It will be all the motivation I need for season 2. https://t.co/fy2hojauDG
— Penn Badgley (@PennBadgley) January 9, 2019
Social commentary on privilege aside, there is of course the reality that Joe resembles another beloved — and decidedly more tame — TV stalker, Dan Humphrey from “Gossip Girl,” also played by Badgley.
Though we know virtually nothing about what season two will hold (aside from the fact Joe relocates from New York to Los Angeles), there is one thing we do know. This time around, Beck won’t be back, seeing as at the end of last season, Joe well… killed her — because again, he is a violent stalker.
Will you be watching?
Header image via “You” Facebook page
Hi, I'm Juliette. I'm the former Mental Health Editor at The Mighty. I joined The Mighty because I believe storytelling is a powerful tool in raising awareness about mental health and trauma. I'm inspired every day by the brave vulnerability of our community. #MightyTogether
juliette-v