Netflix's You - Episode 2.02 "Just the Tip"
Joe realizes Will Bettelheim isn't all he's cracked up to be. The fallout threatens to get in the way of his burgeoning connection with Love.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of Netflix's You.
"Just the Tip" was written by Michael Foley and directed by Silver Tree
At first, Joe believes that his relationship with Beck failed because he didn't notice the red flags about her until it was too late. That is certainly a false premise that he buys into in order to avoid repeating the same patterns with Love. The new romance this season absolutely runs the risk of falling into a known pattern for the audience. The viewer is fundamentally aware of just how lethal and dangerous Joe can be. Some may rationalize every brutal action he has taken because of his self-righteous need to survive and protect those he obsesses over. He eventually comes to the realization that his relationship with Beck failed because he hurt her. She didn't inflict the damage in their relationship. He was solely responsible because he had to invade her life so severely that she could no longer exist outside of what he wanted her to be. He may have been blind to some of her actions. However, that was an active choice that he ultimately pushed her into. One where he believed only lethal consequences could be delivered. In the new season, he believes that he has to keep Will confined in the box and take over his life in order to make a clean break from Candace. It may be better if he just moved to a new country altogether with the intention of never coming back. However, he holds onto the promise of one day gaining the confidence to confront the past in a meaningful way. He is just buying time in Los Angeles until he is ready for that moment. As such, he continues to straddle two words. The audience may do the exact same thing when it comes to our perception of the protagonist. He is a killer. He wants to be a romantic lead. He is certainly given the swelling moments of emotion where it seems like he is genuinely pursuing what everyone actually wants in the world. It's just a matter of which of his actions can be condoned. That also allows this season to focus on the systemic abuses in the world especially those perpetrated by white men frequently against women of color. Joe's season-long romances have showcased white women. Those are where his obsessive instincts naturally take him. Meanwhile, Delilah is a mystery that needs to be solved. She can also clearly see that he is a monster right away. She only has to run into him at the same party as stand-up comedian Henderson in order to know that he is no good. She doesn't need any context for why he is there. No lie he could tell would help paint a better picture of what type of man he is. This is an environment where nothing good is happening. Joe knows that. It's a house party happening in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon. He has such contempt for Los Angeles and the breed of people who call this place home. He sees it as the true fantasy because people are deluding themselves into a sense of self importance. Of course, Joe is doing the exact same thing. He believes he is deserving of love. Sure, he questions that because he is being haunted by Beck. That may prevent him from moving forward with Love. However, he eventually finds a way to make peace with that and get his finger sown back on. This is a dangerous world. Joe is hardly the only threat. In fact, the narrative may be stating that it's scary to walk into the world knowing just how pervasive these dangers are. And yet, that's society as it currently exists. Some people are capable of changing it for the better. Love feels enlightened because she has the freedom to be as blunt and forward as she wants to be after the death of her husband. She may be moving things too quickly with Joe. That sets up the anticipation of some twist. It's mostly just confirmation that he is repeating the same patterns though. He will hurt her just like he did to Beck. His past may catch up to him eventually. But he is already planting roots for more trauma in this new city that he despises so much. He wants to remain hopeful. He doesn't want to buy into Candace's assertion that he is a monster beyond redemption. It's just hard to believe that given how he is currently acting with Love and Will.
