Introduction
In You’s second episode, “The Last Nice Guy in New York,” the psychological disintegration that began in the pilot continues to unfold. This episode reveals more of Joe’s psyche as it deepens the exploration of obsession, control, subversion, and self-deception. You is particularly fascinating because of how it contrasts Joe’s calm, internal narration with dangerously reckless actions—mostly done in the guise of normality during the daytime world he moves through. Joe Goldberg’s monologues intertwining with his reckless actions provide a window into the chaotic world of his mind.
Synopsis
The episode opens with Benji (Lou Taylor Pucci) still contained within the soundproof glass cage of Mooney’s bookstore basement. As Joe (Penn Badgley) monologues, he also plays the roles of judge and jailer, rationalizing his need to punish Benji. For Joe, it is as if time stands still as he steps deeper into his delusion to protect Beck. He sees himself as the only “good” man in a world filled with pretenders and is convinced he is “nice” in comparison to other men.
The actions that he takes, such as kidnapping, interrogation, and manipulation, contradict what he self labels as, “The Last Nice Guy in New York,” which is also the episode’s title. Joe spends a great deal of time rationalizing his actions by trying to “tell the story” of Beck’s boyfriend, seeking to justify his version of the truth and convict him, in his mind, of moral crimes worthy of the punishment he is receiving. This digging is not an investigation, but rather a shoddy attempt to tell a fabricated story that supports the conclusion Joe desires.
Joe finds a video where Benji admits to harming someone as a result of a peanut allergy prank gone wrong. Because Joe already believes Benji to be immoral, this “discovery” provides him additional justification to insist Beck should not be burdened with Benji.
While all this is happening, Joe keeps watching Beck (Elizabeth Lail) from afar and keeps monitoring her using the stolen phone to check her texts and where she is located. He also learns everything about her life, her goals, her fears, her friends such as the bold and snobbish Peach Salinger (Shay Mitchell). She turns out to be suspicious of Joe which creates potential conflict for later.
Beck has yet to notice Joe’s watching her every move, but she is grappling with her writing career and trying to make sense of Benji’s inexplicable absence. Joe makes sure to craft his relationships with her in a particular manner, presenting himself as benevolent and gentle. He goes so far as to “spontaneously” show up to a poetry reading in which she participates. This calculated appearance earns him points with Beck and helps him edge closer to her emotionally.
With Joe now playing the role of her confidant, she grows more dependent on him. The balance of authority begins to shift—even though it is still maintained behind closed doors—in Beck’s favor. Joe’s lies and their succeeding bring new realities for him—most notably in the form of greater control. She opens up to him as he showers her with admiration and understanding from other friends and past lovers who had never attended to her as he does.
The episode’s climax moment ensues when Joe makes the final decision to kill Benji. Joe allows him to die after tricking him into drinking coffee with peanut oil, to which Benji is deathly allergic. It’s a chilling moment not only because of the act, but the calm and almost mundane way Joe processes it. He considers it a necessary sacrifice for the chance of a future with Beck. Joe then buries Benji’s body and deletes all digital traces of him, hoping that urges are replaced by desires to be with him.
Characters & Performances
Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley):
Joe Goldberg remains one of the most interesting roles of Badgley’s career, and he does not disappoint. The dual nature of the character offers richness as Badgley does not break character. The narration Ben captures is intelligent, articulate, empathetic — a mild humor peppered throughout. These are all qualities that makes it all the more disturbing. Grotesquely flawed characters are usually difficult to understand. What makes Joes portrayal is Badgley expertly mirrors empathy and horror making for unshakeable viewing.
Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail):
This episode delves deeper into Beck’s character by exposing her vulnerabilities in writing and in her personal life. Lail portrays her with a form of warmth and authenticity that is both relatable and accessible. The fact that she cannot recognize Joe’s true self is not a mark of weakness, rather, it is evidence of how thoroughly Joe has sculpted her surroundings.
Benji (Lou Taylor Pucci):
In this episode, Benji’s character becomes more self-revealing as a spoiled, entitled man-child. While certainly a morally compromised character, the episode highlights an important concern for justice within the context of Joe’s self-assigned role of judgment and executioner.
Peach Salinger (Shay Mitchell):
Shay Mitchell gives Peach a sharp, suspicious edge that makes her protective demeanor toward Beck signal significant conflict to come. Joe’s foil through her eyes is a manipulative creature who, while pose as caring, aims to control Beck under the guise of mentorship.
Overarching Themes and Analysis
Self-Deception and Justification:
Consistently cataloguing himself as a “nice guy” juxtaposes the increasing scale of criminal activity Joe engages in. In this regard, the current episode thoroughly questions the extent to which obsession can twist a person’s sense of morality. Through the lens of obsession, Joe thinks he’s saving Beck, but his moral framework stems from his need to assert control.
Invisibility of Evil:
During the show, Joe’s character emerges as one of the most unsettling aspects. He portrays a polite, helpful, and unassuming persona in public spaces. His ability to blend into society reflects the unsettling societal truth that peril frequently masquerades behind a grin or a captivating narrative.
Obsession Masquerading as Love:
While the series portrays Joe’s actions employing the terminology of romance, it becomes evident that he does not love her, as he is obsessed. Love, in reality, necessitates consent, boundaries, and mutual respect, all of which Joe does not offer. What he seeks is to fixate on Beck as a mere possession instead of engaging with her as an equivalent partner.
Class Privilege and Superficiality:
Peach and Benji serve as the exemplars through which the episode critiques elitism and wealth. While Joe seeks to increase his self-image with Peach’s arrogance and entitlement coming from his lower class, Joe’s modest upbringing in contrast to Benji serves as a tool to veil the latter’s darker impulses. Indeed, Joe’s moral self-justification serves as a mask for his darker impulses.
Reception and Impact
As critics observed, the second episode retained the intensity of the pilot, deepening rather than deducting from its psychological scope. Still maintaining dark humor, critics enjoyed the suspense. Joe continued to gain acclaim for his portrayal, drawing praise for his performance that shaped Joe into a detestable yet compelling character.
The episode additionally ignited discussions on how technology simplifies stalking, society’s tendency to glorify ‘persistence’ in men, and how care can be wielded as a weapon in abusive relationships. These were some of the technology-related topics that emerged from the episode. It made viewers grapple with uncomfortable realities surrounding contemporary relationships, personal space, and control.
Finale
Through Joe’s distorted lens in “The Last Nice Guy in New York,” the viewer is invited to examine what societal norms we take for granted regarding love, ethics, and narrative structures we deem as heroic. The episode deepens the identity You has crafted for itself as a psychological thriller that does more than entertain; it probes and interrogates. Joe is deepening his insanity, and with that, the strain mounts on the audience in a way that is both captivating and repulsive.
This second chapter of You reveals additional dimensions to some characters, primarily Joe, who occupies the dual role of protagonist and antagonist. He draws in the viewer into his psyche through his soft-spoken and calculated expressions, luring the audience into sharing in his darkness, however momentarily, in his abhorrent acts. Episode 2 solidifies that You is not mere narration; it penetrates the psyche in an enduring manner long after the screen fades to black. Achieving this enduring effect stems from strong performances, interwoven with suspenseful yet precise writing.
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