When You returned for its second season in December 2019, I was both excited and curious. Season one had been a masterful exploration of obsession and power, with Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) firmly establishing himself as one of the most fascinating and chilling anti-heroes on television. But could the series replicate its success without feeling like a retread of the same formula? To my relief—and horror—season two not only delivered but took the show to darker, more unpredictable places.
Set against the backdrop of sun-drenched Los Angeles, this season was a sharp shift in tone and setting, but it remained grounded in the same razor-sharp storytelling and chilling exploration of human nature. Looking back now, as we prepare for You’s fifth and final season in early 2025, I can see how season two played a pivotal role in deepening the show’s twisted legacy.
Joe Goldberg Reborn: A New Identity, Same Obsession
Season two begins with Joe Goldberg attempting to start fresh. After the chaos he left behind in New York—and the shock return of Candace (Ambyr Childers)—Joe has fled to Los Angeles, adopting the alias Will Bettelheim. He’s determined to leave his murderous tendencies behind, but it doesn’t take long before old habits resurface.
Penn Badgley once again delivers a stunning performance, capturing Joe’s delusional self-righteousness and the simmering menace beneath his charming exterior. What struck me most in season two was how Joe seemed almost desperate to believe in his own redemption. His internal monologue, which had always been a mix of justification and self-deception, leaned harder into his delusion that he could be “better.” But as Joe falls for Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), it becomes painfully clear that he’s still the same obsessive and dangerous man we met in season one.
Love Quinn: A Game-Changing Addition
Victoria Pedretti’s Love Quinn was an electrifying addition to the series. At first, Love appears to be the antithesis of Beck—a free-spirited and confident woman who seems to truly understand Joe. Their relationship initially feels like a step forward for him; Love is more emotionally available and empathetic than Beck, and she pushes Joe to confront parts of himself he’d rather ignore.
But as the season progresses, we discover that Love is not the wholesome counterpart Joe imagines her to be. Without giving too much away (for the rare person reading this who hasn’t binged the season yet), Love’s true nature is one of the most shocking twists in the series. Her capacity for darkness rivals Joe’s, forcing him—and us—to confront whether he’s finally met his match.
Pedretti’s performance is brilliant, balancing Love’s warmth and compassion with the unsettling unpredictability lurking beneath her surface. She turns what could have been a one-dimensional love interest into a deeply layered character who remains a linchpin of the series even in later seasons.
A Los Angeles Satire
The shift from New York to Los Angeles gave season two a fresh energy and a new set of targets for its biting satire. Where season one skewered the literary elite and millennial social media culture, season two takes aim at the wellness-obsessed, influencer-heavy world of LA. From Love’s pretentious health food emporium, Anavrin (yes, it’s “nirvana” backward), to the vapid social climbers Joe encounters, the season cleverly critiques the city’s obsession with image and superficiality.
At the same time, the setting contrasts beautifully with Joe’s shadowy, sinister personality. Los Angeles may be bathed in sunshine, but for Joe—and his victims—it’s just as dark and dangerous as New York ever was.
Candace Returns: A Ghost from Joe’s Past
One of the most intriguing threads in season two is the return of Candace, Joe’s ex-girlfriend, whom he believed he had killed. Candace’s presence adds an extra layer of tension to the season, as she relentlessly pursues Joe, determined to expose him for the monster he truly is.
Ambyr Childers brings a sharp, vengeful energy to the role, and I found myself rooting for her, even as Joe consistently stayed one step ahead. Her storyline also deepens the series’ exploration of justice and accountability. Candace serves as a living reminder of Joe’s crimes, but her pursuit of him is tragically doomed by his ability to manipulate those around him.
Ellie and Delilah: Tragic Connections
Season two introduces two key supporting characters: Delilah (Carmela Zumbado), Joe’s savvy and suspicious landlord, and her younger sister Ellie (Jenna Ortega), a precocious teenager with big dreams. Both characters bring out different sides of Joe, challenging his self-image as a “protector” while also exposing his toxic influence.
Ellie, in particular, adds a layer of poignancy to the season. Joe’s relationship with her mirrors his dynamic with Paco in season one, but the stakes feel even higher. Jenna Ortega delivers a standout performance, balancing Ellie’s youthful confidence with the vulnerability of a girl caught in a web far beyond her control.
Delilah’s fate, meanwhile, is one of the season’s most gut-wrenching moments, serving as a reminder that Joe’s actions, no matter how well-intentioned he believes them to be, always lead to destruction.
Twists, Turns, and a Game-Changing Finale
Season two is packed with shocking twists, but none are more jaw-dropping than the finale. Just when I thought I had a handle on the story, the revelation of Love’s true nature turned everything on its head. Her confession—and the horrifying acts she’s willing to commit to “protect” their relationship—flips the script, forcing Joe to reckon with the fact that he’s no longer the most dangerous person in the room.
The final episodes also set the stage for season three, with Love revealing she’s pregnant and Joe glimpsing a new potential obsession in their neighbour. It’s a chilling reminder that, no matter how much Joe tries to change, he’ll never truly escape his own nature.
Themes of Redemption and Control
Season two dives even deeper into the themes of control and self-delusion that made the first season so compelling. Joe’s desire to reinvent himself is ultimately a lie—he doesn’t want redemption; he wants justification for his actions. Love, meanwhile, challenges Joe’s understanding of morality and forces him to confront the hypocrisy of his self-proclaimed “goodness.”
The season also explores the cycle of trauma, with both Joe and Love shaped by their abusive pasts. While this doesn’t excuse their actions, it adds a layer of complexity that makes their characters even more compelling.
Final Thoughts
For me, You season two solidified the series as more than just a one-hit wonder. By shifting the setting, introducing compelling new characters, and deepening its exploration of Joe’s psyche, the season managed to feel fresh while staying true to what made the first instalment so addictive.
As I look back now, with the fifth and final season on the horizon, it’s clear that season two was a turning point for the series. It expanded the scope of Joe’s story while setting up the central themes and relationships that would carry through the rest of the show. And while I was left horrified by many of the season’s events, I couldn’t stop watching—a testament to the show’s brilliant storytelling and its unflinching examination of the darkness within us all.
Season two of You reminded me why I fell in love with the series in the first place: it’s smart, provocative, and endlessly unpredictable. And as Joe Goldberg’s story nears its conclusion, I can’t wait to see how this twisted journey will finally end.
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