Netflix has released yet another season of the popular series “You,” a dark thriller which premiered in 2018. On Oct. 1, season three was released for audiences to enjoy, creating buzz about what the latest season and its characters have brought to the screen. 

Since its release four years ago, the show has found a spot among the most popular shows on Netflix, with audiences eagerly awaiting each new installment. The first season introduced us to the main character Joe, a charming serial killer who finds different women to fixate on throughout each new season. His obsessions can turn to delusion, and they only intensify as the show continues. The series and its consistent popularity has found a niche in a time where many are increasingly examining the way in which white, male and affluent individuals can ‘get away with murder.’  

The series does an excellent job at letting the audience see from the perspective of the killer, a viewpoint that is rarely explored and which provides lots of room for creativity. We can easily get into the heads of Joe’s character, and in season three, we are frequently following Love’s character, his wife and mother of his young son, Henry. His main motivation in season three—keep Henry safe, no matter the consequence.

Coral Schafer, a first-year nursing major, commented on season three. 

“I think it built really well off of the previous seasons, and had a really interesting plotline exploring how the characters interconnected and interacted together on a new level, more so than other seasons,” Schafer said.

The third season saw a new rise in the relationship dynamic between Joe and Love’s character. Whereas each of Joe’s fixations from previous seasons had been victims, we see Love take control of her narrative and act out in violent ways to protect herself and her family.

“Seeing Love take that power made me really happy. I really liked her character, at least more than I did in season two. And I think even more so, it was her story, which I think was really important,” third-year Psychology major Rachel Cabral said.

This perspective is definitely one reason the show has seen so much success. It is a disconcerting yet intriguing experience to see through the eyes and mind of the character of a serial killer. However, there is some debate over whether exploring this kind of behavior causes a glorification of obsessive tendencies. 

“I think there is this idea in shows that men should continuously pursue girls, even if they’re not showing interest, or even if they’re showing reluctance about a relationship, they should still keep trying,” second year Ivy Frisbee said.

The theme of the show is centered around Joe’s continuous cycle of obsession with the women he comes in contact with, usually at work, and highlights how problematic behavior of this nature can be.

“You” is an engaging thriller, but it’s also making more social commentary than just plot twists or characters to laugh at. 

“I think you have to have a disconnect between liking the characters and liking the show, and then understanding the actual reality behind what is happening is completely not okay. The abuse, the gaslighting, the stalking—I think we look past a lot of the smaller things,” Schafer said.

Beneath the thriller comedy surface of the show, there’s a lot to take away. If you haven’t already watched season three, you can find it on Netflix, Prime Video or buy it on YouTube.