A lot of tension. A lot of blood. A lot of murder. But what else can we expect from Joe Goldberg? “You” season 3 doesn’t really come as a shocker for me, or really for the majority of the audience, especially if you’ve seen the previous two seasons. Still, each season, I’ve effortlessly binge-watched within a day or so and have not been disappointed. I find it a dark pleasure of mine. Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, is a guilt-free serial killer, that we sympathize with and can’t turn away from watching. Already knowing the plot and wondering who his next victims will be, Joe fascinates me every time.

All Joe wants is love, one where both parties will do anything for the other. Joe wants it so bad to an extent that he’d even kill for love. And when Joe is infatuated, he falls in love, and he falls fast and hard. Joe wants to know everything about his special person, so he begins stalking them. He keeps boxes of their personal items such as panties, bracelets, necklaces, etc. Unfortunately, he hasn’t lucked out on finding his true love and has a record of murdering every woman he has had a failed relationship with.  After a whirlwind ending plot twist of season 2, we find Joe Goldberg and his life being reborn. Married to Love Quinn with a baby on the way and a new house in Madre Linda, an upper-middle-class suburban neighborhood inspired by the culture of the wealthiest areas to live in California. We’ve only ever known Joe as trying to get the girl…but what happens after he gets the girl? What does happily ever after even mean?

Both Joe and Love try to fully assimilate with their neighbors and environment without raising any questions. The next-door neighbor, Natalie Engler, played by Michaela McManus married to a tech-savvy entrepreneur, Matthew Engler, played by Scott Speedman, finds a liking to Joe. Of course, things are harmless in the beginning but that doesn’t last for long. Joe becomes intrigued, as he usually does to any woman who walks by him, except before anything can truly happen, Love murders Natalie at a property she just leased from her. The investigation to ‘find’ Natalie’s murderer is the main plotline throughout season 3.

Moving on, Sherry Conrad, played by Sharlita Grant, was the most annoying and condescending character in this season, but her presence is important. Sherry represents everything in today’s western society: social media-driven, shallow, two-faced and willing to do anything to be the center of attention. Cary Conrad, Sherry’s husband, played by Travis Van Winkle, is wealthy, manly and the founder of his own supplement company.  At first, these two seem like they won’t really be essential to the plot, but as time goes on, Sherry and Cary are ultimately the ones that lead to the climax and resolution of this season. Another new character is Marienne Bellamy, a librarian single mother trying to regain full custody of her daughter. It’s no surprise when she first appears on the screen that Joe will end up falling for her. It wouldn’t be a “You” season if Joe didn’t fall in love with who he believes is the real “love of his life.” As we know, Joe will do anything for the one he loves. This and the Conrad’s, who happen to be in an open relationship, is what ultimately crashes down at the end of the season.  I was left with a disturbing sadness and overwhelming anger. This is not a bad thing, and once you see, you’ll know why.

Netflix officially announced the renewal of “You” for a fourth season, just two days before season 3 came out. I will say that in the past I had a slight awareness of what to expect from the coming season, but this is the first time I have no idea what to expect from Joe when he hits screens again.  Regardless, I am excited to see what will happen.

My rating: 4 out of 5