You Season 4 Series Analysis: Penn Badgley shines again

Compelling chemistry between Penn Badgley and Ed Speleers, with lovely performance by Tilly Keeper, but a flawed narrative with an average Part 1.

Directed by : 

• John Scott (3 episodes)
• Harry Jierjian (3 episodes)
• Rachel Leiterman (2 episodes)
• Shamim Sarif (1 episode)
• Penn Badgley (1 episode)

IMDb link: You Season 4 (2023) - IMDb

"All I have ever wanted is to love and to be loved completely. I should have fought harder. I was born to give you that. That's all that matters. You. Just You."

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Spoilers ahead...

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Joe Goldberg Becomes Professor Jonathan Moore

Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) has now become Professor Jonathan Moore, teaching literature at Darcy College of London. One day, his colleague Professor Malcolm Halding (Stephen Hagan) invites him to Sundry House, where Malcolm and his rich friends usually hang out, mostly to get high. The rich friends include Kate Galvin (Charlotte Ritchie), Lady Phoebe Borehall-Blaxworth (Tilly Keeper), Rhys Montrose (Ed Speleers), Adam Pratt (Lukas Gage), Sophie Soo (Niccy Lin), Blessing Bosede (Ozioma Whenu), Roald Walker Burton (Ben Wiggins), Connie (Dario Coates), Simon Soo (Aidan Cheng), and Gemma Graham-Greene (Eve Austin). The next morning, as Joe wakes up from the hangover of the party, he notices Malcolm's dead body on his dining table. His first doubt is that he committed the murder, but soon a series of phone texts suggest one of those rich friends is the killer, who soon becomes famous as the 'Eat the Rich' Killer. Now, Joe has to find that killer before he/she reveals his/her real identity.

Joe Goldberg's Commentary Keeps it Engaging

At the halfway mark or the end of Part 1, it made me believe this might be the first time when You won't work for me and be a disappointment. No, it's not boring thanks to Joe's regular commentary; even these 5 episodes pass by easily. Enjoyable comments like "Which of these people would I hate the most?" and "Joe feeling Kate would easily be anyone's first suspect for murder," or one in Part 2 where he says, "Meeting up with Connie for lunch to assess him for framing ability."

From the trailer, I was excited because it felt like it would be fun watching Joe get his own medicine when he's trying to find the killer who's set to reveal his identity to everyone. As he himself says, "I have found myself in a whodunnit."

'Eat the Rich' plot and Kate Galvin Fall Flat

The question is, "Could they have made it more engaging?" I feel yes, by either making the Sundry House members likable or worthy of being not killed, because every time Joe says, "please drop a bomb on them" or "just kill these rich douchebags," you just feel like agreeing with him. I still can't believe Adam wanting to buy an egg for such a big amount or Lady Phoebe playing the 'killer' game at Hampsie House when their friends are getting killed.

It made the whole whodunnit very uninteresting. Rather than being interested in finding who the killer is, I wanted them to just reveal it, get it done with, and then tell where Part 2 is leading to. Gemma and Simon especially were way too irritating to like. I did enjoy Phoebe the most, and also liked the character arc Adam gets; for a while, I was rooting for him to change, but then it had to be a sad ending for him. His golden shower scene was very gross to watch.

Another main issue is the lead character Joe gets paired with, i.e., Kate. In the past, I have loved both Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) and Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti); even Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle), whose story didn't fully click for me in Season 3, wasn't boring or irritating. But Kate is such an uninteresting character; she is the kind of person you don't want to be around, way too rude and way too unfriendly. Even though I am not the right person to talk on this, rather I should be siding with Kate, but that's how I felt all the time watching her. Yes, we do learn why she is the way she is, even then it never made me like her; maybe this was supposed to be the best possible match for Joe, not Beck or Love or Marienne.

Turning Point: Part 2 - Rhys Montrose and Joe's Split Personality

Part 2 changes everything, especially the final 3 episodes. There was a tiny part of me that wanted this to be not about Rhys Montrose but something else; I wasn't sure what, maybe Rhys to be linked to someone Joe knew in the past. But to learn that it was Joe always, and it's his split personality at play was a genius thing; mind you, it wasn't perfect. More on the flaws later.

Knowing Joe isn't that routine serial killer, a reason why we always rooted for him in the past 3 seasons, it doesn't come as a surprise when the writers pull off the 'gone insane' to the level of split personality where he lets his dark side out believing that way he would be able to peacefully live life as Jonathan.

It's good because we see the side effects Joe is having, wanting to be loved and unable to keep a relationship lasting due to his obsessive nature, and now in desperation, he is trying to shut off that dark side of him only to actually make it worse. And I am happy the writers didn't go for a redemption or 'Joe has changed into a better person now' plot.

Episode 8 is a total season-stealer. The way Marienne is referred to as Nightingale and Joe as Fox, how we finally learn that Joe actually never let Marienne depart from that train, still obsessed over his relationship with her, and then that brilliant use of the song 'Bells in Santa Fe' where Marienne forms a habit of living in a cage daily.

Also, for the first time, we see Joe fixate himself on a guy, not in a love way but more for the relation he feels with his story and the troubled childhood of Rhys connection. I would have actually liked more scenes on how he was getting attached to Rhys; maybe the 8th episode could have been even more special with 20-30 mins extra length.

There are a few things, however, that didn't make sense to me, maybe because I don't have a clear understanding of how split personality works. Two of such instances would be, one where Joe puts Phoebe's Hampsie country house on fire; not really sure how he did it while being chained? And then that camera clip he watches where he sees himself behaving like Rhys which we didn't see earlier. I think I know the answers to both these scenes, just not sure if it's accurate or not!

Elizabeth Lail and Victoria Pedretti Cameos in Penn Badgley-Directed Episode

I loved the brilliant cameos of both Beck and Love in episode 9, which is directed by Penn Badgley himself. I may come across as a fan of Victoria Pedretti, which I don't mind, when I say that her few minutes cameo was way more enjoyable than the entire Kate plot in this season.

The photographer sub-plot of erotomania was a great add-on. Like most others, I fell into the trap thinking she's someone from Beck or Love's season out to get Joe's real identity revealed. But boy, she being herself part of a mental issue that Joe is going through was a very perfect idea and I didn't feel cheated in any way at all. Rather, I felt sorry for her to be gone behind bars as the 'Eat the Rich killer.'

Season 4's Repeating Mistakes: Joe Goldberg Remains Untouchable

Two things this season again got wrong sadly. One is a supporting character Nadia (Amy-Leigh Hickman), who we see all the time as the smartest student in the class and yet fails miserably to reveal Joe's identity while having her boyfriend killed and landing herself in jail. Yes, you can complain that she was such a nosy character and got what she deserved, but that's what writers made it look like. Felt déjà vu of many old characters that have had the same fate at the hands of Joe. It would have been nice to see Nadia escape; that way, Joe would be nervous knowing she is out somewhere and also unaware that Marienne is alive too.

Then there's the cop angle. Why don't they ever behave like cops when around Joe? It's not like he is some big rich figure which actually at the end of the season he has become, so cops not doing their job in the final season would be understandable. But till now, they were supposed to be much more active and find the clues left behind by Joe. Instead, we again see Joe as a helpful guy helping detectives figure out who may have killed Malcolm or Simon.

New Characters: Tilly Keeper Steals the Show as Lady Phoebe

Among the new characters, I liked Adam, Roald, and Nadia (till Part 1). Lady Phoebe (an excellent Tilly Keeper) is of course the best one of all, while it stays a mystery as to what Joe told her during their first meeting at Sundry House. What makes Phoebe lovable is her innocence and how she tries to see the good in others, even though there are shades of a rich spoiled girl probably because of the friend circle she is part of. I was so happy to see her reject Adam when he proposes to her and later gutted to see how she fell into his trap. Still love how things finally turned out for her.

Adam and Roald, though not likable characters, are played well by Lukas Gage and Ben Wiggins respectively. Simon (Aidan Cheng) was a typical artist figure we see in almost all whodunnit plots, so nothing fresh there.

Nadia (Amy-Leigh Hickman) was so good till Part 1 and maybe the first 2 episodes of Part 2; you really feel she might become one of the rare supporting characters to actually survive Joe's hunt. Sadly, they give her a cliched ending by the finale.

I am happy Marianne didn't have to die. It was smart of her to not let Joe know about the sleeping pills while she was put in the cage and how she makes use of Nadia in her grand escape.

Rhys is indeed the best new addition to the You universe, thanks to Ed Speleers' charismatic performance, who also has excellent chemistry with Penn Badgley. It’s fun watching him play the dark side of Joe; all the time way he encourages Joe to do the needful including the parting moment ‘I love you’. He will be missed if Joe has truly accepted himself in the end.

The Ending: Joe Goldberg's Return to New York

I love the ending a lot because for first time, we finally see Joe accepting himself for what he is, that entire walk when his conversation ends with Nadia, is pure evil with that background music, and so is his final words with that smile. I just hope they don't play the 'I am good' angle anymore as the mirror reflection of Rhys gave a slight hint of it. Maybe we would see a more impulsive Joe in final season which would also be a reason for his downfall with all the loose ends from past catching up on him. Interestingly, the cop angle may not affect him initially with all the money and power he has got due to Kate, but the question is did he tell Kate all the truth about his past or that he killed her dad? If not, then Kate may turn up against him anytime. Whatever it is, I have got a strong feeling the final season will live upto the expectations. 

Verdict on You Season 4

Overall, Season 4 of You is enjoyable but has its share of flaws, especially with the 'Eat the Rich' plot. It's still a must-watch for fans, primarily because of the great twist involving Joe's split personality and some excellent performances. The chemistry between Penn Badgley and Ed Speleers is a highlight, and the cameos of Elizabeth Lail and Victoria Pedretti add a nostalgic touch.

Rating : 6.5/10

 

Also, Check out Series Analysis of You Season 3

Series Analysis : Stranger Things S4 (Netflix)

Directed by : 

Matt Duffer/Ross Duffer (5 episodes each, 2022)

Shawn Levy (2 episodes, 2022)

Nimrod Antal (2 episodes, 2022)

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4574334/

Season4 

You see, humans are a unique type of pest, multiplying and poisoning our world, all while enforcing a structure of their own. A deeply unnatural structure.

Spoilers ahead... 

If the 3rd season showcased how tough it is to beat the monster, this season goes a step ahead in that direction. The story is now set in 2 places, one is Hawkins ofcourse, while other is Lenora where Will and Eleven/Jane study in the High School, a place Dr Owens chose so they could live peacefully. But when a teenager dies from Hawkins School and its learnt the monster is someone named Vecna, one can't help but feel Vecna has a link with Demogorgan/MindFlayer. 

All episodes are 1 hour long (the finale is a massive 2hr40 mins long episode) and yet I never felt bored, very engaged and I would say most of them were way too good. Some hiccups are there, its the ones where you can understand what the writers were trying, for instance how the whole bullying act of Eleven at Lenora reconnects later to how she had a history of it at Hawkins Lab. I didn't mind Eleven smashing the skate at that bullying girl. Also, the entire Lucas wanting to be popular plot I didn't want to happen but good thing is its really a very tiny screentime before he joins back the gang where he belongs. 

I felt disappointed with what they did to Jonathan's character, apart from the scene where he comforts Will, he's actually not doing anything in this whole season. That brings me to Nancy-Steve possible re-unite angle which is hinted numerous times and I feel its little forced. They did however listen to my demand as we got the Nancy-Robin pairing, that entire Asylum sequence was so terrific. Also, I love how Nancy is the boss when it comes to the final showdown, though frankly she's been the leader always in the past of all the heroic acts she's been part of. 

There are some characters that you start to love instantly, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) is one of them. Even with his odd behavior in the first scene, I knew I would want more of him throughout the season. And I like how they equate him with Steve or his bonding with Dustin specially with that scene 'Never change'. One of my fav moment is when Eddie shouts at Robin 'This is Music' as she doesn't consider his taste of music good.  Argyle (Eduardo Franco) on the other hand provides some good comic relief specially when he shouts 'Nina Nina' or his comment on 'St Mary', and the reactions he gives to everything Eleven does in the final episode will make you laugh. 

Two episodes totally standout, and are probably among the best of the series, 'Dear Billy' and 'The Massacre at the Hawkins Lab'. The former keeps building towards possible death of Max, and the absolutely unforgettable scene involving Kate Bush's track 'Running Up The Hill' which you will keep humming for weeks atleast (months in my case). The latter is brilliant for firstly the Hopper-Joyce re-union happening, and then how the mystery regarding Vecna is solved with a reveal that some might have seen coming, I personally couldn't so it worked perfectly. 

Even the penultimate episode is very good. Much early in the season, Eleven outbursts at Mike for never saying how much he loves her, which makes sense because Mike's behavior has been very odd ...more on that later. In this episode too, Eleven has a much longer outburst, this time at Papa/Dr Brenner and again she talks sense letting Papa know he is the monster and also a reveal that Papa was all the time sending her to look for One and not any Soviet Union Projects. Also, it finally ends Eleven's dilemma she's been having since S1 that what if 'she is the monster'. I also enjoyed how the episode ends on a high with the use of 'Seperate Ways' track, its pretty short but the way they edit it over Henry's house gives a very chilling effect.

It's impossible to turn blind eye towards all the flaws the finale has, even though it still has so many highs which you frankly expect with a 2 hr 40 mins long episode. Eddie's death was a given because the moment his name was given out by police, it looked impossible for him to prove his innocence. But the execution was just terrible, he dies doing something that was un-necessary, there was no way Nancy-Steve-Robin needed any help when it was clearly told to not be a hero and get 1-2 mins of bats distraction which Eddie-Dustin had done. This just felt like one of those countless times you see a character do a total stupid act in a bad horror movie. Just compare it with what Billy did in S3, that death didn't go waste, and felt he was doing it for a good cause, but here this was plain stupidity and poor writing.

Then that '2 days later' felt like a total copout, even if you don't have to show everything, here it just seemed like a way to get out of this entire scene. This does give the writing team a chance to either bring back Eddie (possibly negative role by being a part of Vecna) or there's something Dustin and rest knows which is why they didn't look that sad later on. 

Even the final ending scene felt odd to me, the way everyone slowly walks to the garden and notice half flowers are Vecnaed, just lacked that 'Wow' feel all previous seasons ending scenes had.

Easily would had been the best perfect season, if not for all the inconsistencies of finale. Other than that, Mike's character is on decline.. just consider him in S1 and S2, how enthusiastic and eager he would be, now some would say love changes person but in his case the change feels very odd, even the attitude he shows towards Eleven when they meet at airport or his reaction at her chosen place to hangout feels like he is just not interested. Yes, he has got this feeling that he isn't special like Eleven is and she would dump him but that's not strong reason enough to ignore friends way he does, can't even notice Will crying next to him, and when Eleven has to save Max, thats the wierdest time he chooses to tell what he's been feeling off-late, I felt really pissed off watching him or for that matter the whole Mike-Eleven story. 

On the other hand, Lucas and Max pair was lot more enjoyable, that lovely card writing moment they share which could possibly their last happy memory together, or when Lucas asks her if he is part of the happiest memory she is going to go to deceive Vecna.  Infact among all the old characters, it was Max who very much stole the show this season. Also, great to see Joyce and Hopper together, I just hope none of them dies in final season, they both I feel have suffered the most due to Upside Down. And Joyce is probably the smartest of all the grown-ups in entire series. Two fav moments would be, one where Hopper is talking about how he feels he is the curse, and other when Joyce has a recap of Bob in her mind when Hopper is about to risk his life fighting a Demogorgan. 

Jamie Campbell Bower (One/Vecna/Henry) was simply exceptional, from the very first scene I was glued even though I wasn't aware who he was at that point. Love that moment when he wishfully asks Eleven to join him or how he dismisses Humans narrating their time on this planet should be over. 

The monster in this season was much more likeable and not gross, one minor issue I had was his constant breathing noise which sounded like 'hmmm' a lot. His killing method very much felt like reference or homage to 'IT' movie where the evil targets the teens bad life memories/events. 

Mason Dye (Jason), was a character that like everyone else I enjoyed watching die in the manner he does, yet in some ways I had sympathy for him because he didn't knew Upside Down Monsters exist so the conclusion of Satan cult and Eddie being main part of it wasn't really wrong. What did make it hard to support him was way he and his friends started treating firstly Eddie's friends (all that beating) and later on Erica too. Tom Wlaschiha (Dmitri Antonov/Enzo) was another great addition, his Russian dialect was very good and also his habit of bringing odds into situation (team up with Dustin maybe in S5?). Andrey Ivchenko (Grigori) despite all his funny laughters and jokes including the Katinka scene, won't have worked for me if not for his U-turn in the end thanks to the talk from Enzo that hits him hard. 

I like how they work out Martin Brenner's character, season starts with him leaving us in a mystery if Eleven is actually the monster (for a brief moment I did bought that idea). Later, how Martin brings her powers back but the reveal of how he was always looking to find One through Eleven was a good one. And I love how Eleven simply says Goodbye to Papa who in his dyeing moments too doesn't admit how abusive he always was.

Will much like S3 has so less to offer here, and at this point I don't even know where the writers can take his character. They could go the emotional route by killing him, or he could help everything get better.. either way it feels like he will much like S1 and S2 be the main character of the final season. 

Love the choice of music in the entire season, one of my favs was 'You spin me round like a record' (heard it in Dark previously). Apart from the tracks I have already mentioned, there's one that can't be left out without talking on it, Metallica's 'Master of Puppets', that guitar performance of Eddie, the parallel edit showing Max trying her best to defeat Vecna and those final moments where the music piece ends with Max back to the SnowBall event of S2, simply masterful editing and among best moment of entire season. 

Talking of the background themes, little disappointed to see no use of 'Upside Down' theme this time. I did love how they use 'Planck's Constant' over Eddie trying to run away in boat. My personal fav was 'Portal Drill' which was used before in S3 but here you could listen it much more properly and it almost feels like a theme of Vecna in a way, I particularly enjoyed how the happy memory 'Snowball' of Max gets Vecnaed with this theme running alongside.

Some other fav moments include all the sarcastic talks Steve and Dustin have, the funny lines Murray says while fighting Grigori inside the plane or way he reacts to Joyce in the plane about her worry regarding kids and also the funny reference to a 1 year old child. Erica's reply to Eddie at their first meet, Max learning how she is next possible victim of Vecna and Eleven when she blows up the helicopter with that loud scream felt really bad-ass.

Special Mention to that monster sound addition to the Tudum in all the episodes.

With the makers saying there will be no new additions in final season (if they are saying truth) then you can hope they will correct some mistakes and also not spoil anything with un-necessary circle acts, please I dont want Nancy-Steve together even if I love them both a lot. Rather give me a Nancy-Robin love angle.

Stranger Things for me is one of those comfort shows (very much like Money Heist) that I can watch again and again, despite the fact that it's not my top3 favourite show because I just cannot ignore the flaws or issues it has. The main reason is that the show has the sci-fi fantasy elements with backdrop of horror/creatures and lots of 80's nostalgic references, its just impossible not to enjoy.  Hoping for a very good conclusion in Final Season. 

My Rating : 8/10 

Also, DO READ : Series Analysis : Stranger Things S1-S3 (Netflix)

Series Analysis : You (Season 3) (Netflix)

Directed by : Silver Tree (5 episodes), John Scott (2 episodes), Pete Chatmon (2 episodes) and Sasha Alexander (1 episode).

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7335184/

I can't completely cage what's inside of me, or, when it bursts out, it comes for blood. Better to feed it just enough to keep it in check, keep it on a leash, take it out for walks, but make sure it knows the rules.

Spoilers ahead... 

Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) who is now a father to Henry (yes not a daughter as he wanted), lives with wife Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) in a new place called Madre Linda (does this place exist? Because I quite love the vibe with the name). Now, question is how long before Joe goes to his patterns and will he be stopped because Love is his best match.. or will Joe change, becoming a father can do wonders sometimes!

Season starts with a bang, because we are teased into 'Oh no, there goes Joe in same.. 'you are the one' territory'. But as expected, due to Love the pattern gets broken right at end of Episode1, and we get early killing. This is exciting because we know Joe no longer loves Love, when he came to know the real 'Love'. But its tricky situation, knowing the childhood Joe had, he won't want Henry to have no Mom. 

Joe interactions with Henry are fun, cute and nice to watch.. because there's always a human side to him no matter how much you try to hate him which you rightly should. I am happy they didn't overdo calling Henry as 'Forty' because even it was getting irritating to me. It does play well with the Love's arc who has plenty going inside her head, and Forty being one of her most softer emotional spots whom she can't let go away even after killing him. 

The initial episodes explores beautifully how Love handles Joe's obsession for new partner, and Joe handling Love's impulsive killing attitude. I totally adored the couple therapy session interlinked with Joe-Love clearing the crime scene of their 1st murder after becoming parents and how they can't tell the actual reason to psychiatrist but find ways of accusing the other one using all kind of references. 

The new additions are always a risk in any ongoing series, the friend circle of Love was the weak-point in Season2, but here the Madre Linda people that get involved with the life of Joe-Love mostly worked for me which is a very big plus for the episodes where Joe-Love story take a backseat. Sherry Conrad (Shalita Grant) initially is a very irritating character, very double faced and I loved how Love makes fun of her in her mind like the vomit emoji, and her husband Cary Conrad (Travis Van Winkle) is even a bigger wierdo. Yet Love's efforts to be friends with Sherry slowly builds that character more in the future scenes involving marriage swinging and getting caged where they fully come out. I won't say I ended up liking them even at the end, but atleast a part of me was happy they didn't die. Also, special mention to the 'Woods' episode of Joe and Cary, my reactions while watching it were similar to how Joe felt being part of those rituals, and I couldn't help but laugh when I thought 'Did Joe actually just kill Cary with a push?' 

Dante (Ben Mehl) was another character that I liked, he didn't have much screen time but plays key part and ofcourse someone Joe could trust to keep Henry safe. Marienne (Tati Gabrielle), Joe's new 'You' was a mature character and yet her chemistry with Joe never felt convincing. I have no idea why, whether it was because of been invested so much with Beck and now Love, or because in my mind I know this is just another of Joe's new obesession and nothing more, not the 'Yes you are the one, you are perfect for me' theories his mind keeps playing for him. Tati Gabrielle (she was very good in Sabrina show too) plays the character wonderfully because even us can't read her easily like is the case with Joe. Infact I still don't know whether she really meant it about the toxicity with Joe while having conversation with Love or it was her strategy to escape the death. 

The middle episodes were less engaging because it deviates away from Joe-Love, focusses on Joe getting social with Cary having adventurous jungle weekend trip. Was funny way he reacts to the therapist telling him to find friends and not have wife to be only person to share everything with, and Joe is like 'who the hell is worth being friend to in Madre Linda'. There's the Love-Theo (Dylan Arnold) angle where Theo gets serious for Love, and making me worried because that only means death at hands of either Love or You, nevertheless I enjoyed this plot. Two key scenes, one where Theo is so in love he wants to get a video proof of Joe and hand to Love so she can file domestic abuse, and the other when Theo learns about Conrads in the cage, the expression on both Theo and Love is priceless, one is still mad in love not realizing yet what Love will do, and on other hand Love is angry and gutted knowing she will have to kill him now. 

Also, I liked that the father of Theo, Matthew (Scott Speedman) unlike the first few episodes where it felt he accepted the truth of Natalie (Michaela McManus) and won't do anything, rather goes all out secret office spy act on every person in Madre Linda, I expected more still in the finale than just rescuing his son and same the case with the detectives who are yet again no match for Joe or even Love. There's good use of Joe's childhood shown in almost every episode, just tiny scenes everytime involving him at a foster home and Nurse Fiona (Kim Shaw) who is also going through a abusive relationships. 

Some other issues I had was, the whole measles episode felt forced, like it was inserted due to covid, only positive coming out of it was Gil (Mackenzie Astin) getting into the cage as Love learns to atleast half control her impulsive nature. Then, theres the scene where Joe attacks Cary openly outside house, with Matthew who is using all cameras still not get anything? And also, when Joe kills Ryan (Scott Michael Foster) its very open.. again no one sees or no camera gets it.. thats writing trying to be too much in support of Joe. 

Its tough for me to say who is more bad, Love or Joe, in comparison yes Love is more but as humans they both are similar, which is why they are a pair made for each other even if they had no love feelings mutually anymore. Both make mistakes, go on affairs, killing wise it was clearly Love who would murder instantly while Joe will wait until he had no other option whether it was with Ryan or eventually Love. Its fun how little trust they have for each other, having the spare key hidden in the cage in case one of them turns other inside. 

If Joe didn't meet Marienne, would he still had felt Love is the problem in their marriage, because for a while it did feel he was back in love with Love, or its a case of Joe who just isn't your 'forever' kind guy. And I am not shying away from the fact that Love goes the same route too, she isn't faithful and has clear instant crush for Theo which she acts upon much later. So the point is still the same, who would you blame more, Love or Joe, or should they both had accepted each others flaws and stayed together just for Henry, maybe thats asking for too much! That brings me to one of very wierd love making scene I ever saw. They both just put Conrads in cage and then make out right outside there, and Joe perfectly sums it up 'Our love language is violence'. Just what I was saying earlier! I also wondered how come Love didn't see Joe different attitude or performances in bed or the 'too much busy in work' as maybe there's someone else.. or did it have to do with Love herself dealing with so much that it got too much for her, maybe last time she got better of Joe because he just didn't knew who the real Love is, this time around he was watching his steps. 

Victoria Pedretti again delivers a power-packed performance, she just can never let you down. Watch her expressions every time she feels she is being betrayed, her face totally changes, like during the swinging scene she can see its not her Joe is thinking about while watching his face. Her impulsive attitude often brings hilarious scenes where Joe is the one seen doing the damage control job. The confrontation scene with Joe in the finale is awesome, Victoria totally nailing with those frustrated, angry, disappointed with Joe expressions, and yet you know the impulsive her might do anything now to Joe. Or her reaction to mom's outburst telling she is spoiled and its not the bad parenting as the reason. Also, in some selected episodes, she looks so gorgeous too specially the event at Library or when she is seductively trying to work her magic on Joe. I am being biased but seriously why would Joe not love her. 

Meanwhile, Penn Badgley continues to work his magic despite having some repeated patterns, which I had said in previous season too that it doesn't bother, you just love to see how he manages this time. I have to say his voiceover specially is fun to hear when he is telling what he is thinking about the situation to us only. Also, its good to see him kind of have the backseat for most of the season, he still has his patterns but there are changes to it, there is the careful approach knowing Love is basically worst version of Joe, and not to forget there's the son Henry to be always kept safe. Infact, this is a season where he does good things a lot, doesn't frame Mathew for murder of Natalie, avoids killing Theo to name a few. Penn very much manages to keep you on the edge, you are (or atleast I am) still rooting for him, no reason otherwise to be still watching Season3. I really love the scene where Joe has to clear a crime scene and also at same time have a arguement with Love firstly on why kill someone, and then where did she hide the bodies in last season. The expressions of 'what in the hell made me fall in love with this lady' clearly on his face, and he knows this will happen many times more when he sarcastically tells her for next 30 so years he will be erasing her kills. 

Creepiest moments have to be when Joe and Love are digging up the grave with Henry in a stroller not facing them but having a laugh. Or when Love is making some breakfast while checking footage of cage from her mobile if Conrads are doing fine, some multitasking that. Talking of multitasking, how about Joe cleaning crime scene making Henry busy watching some cartoon and Joe's expected words 'this is the last time Daddy is doing this'. And when Joe tells Love, what equipment he had used to dispose off a body in last season, actually more than creepy this one felt very gross.

Final 3 episodes are as good as the starting ones, keenly waited for the confrontation scene in the finale, to see who comes out winner, Joe or Love or are they gonna re-unite and start a fresh which would mean plenty more deaths. Its great to see Love ahead of Joe in her thinking, only to be pulled back because Joe was very smart to know what Love had always been planning. Yet, I was somewhat disappointed, maybe because by now I am too fond of Love's character and how brilliantly Victoria Pedretti again played it. Wasn't there a case of either of Love or Joe going jail, rather than Love getting killed.. I mean the ending very much felt like dejavu of Season1, even Joe in his voiceover refers to the end he gave to Love is better than Beck. 

I am hoping, the fact that they avoid showing Love's body catch fire, is some hint that maybe Love had her PlanB going too or if Marienne didn't actually leave and helps Love out in time before whole house is burned. Even if she is dead, and these theories don't turn true.. I seriously hope S4 goes some new territory, whether its with Joe's past murders catching up with him or a new character that sees what Joe is and plans to get him arrested, more of Love of S2 minus the love angle. 

Its a very consistent series, having enjoyed all he seasons so far. I personally think there's atleast 2 more seasons possible without getting repetitive. 

My Rating : 7.5/10 

CHECK OUT -> Mini Review of You Season 2

Series Analysis : Haunted Season 3 (Netflix)

Directed by : Jan Pavlacky

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9077192/

The house is hungry. The house demands blood. 

In the Pines

Hannah had a abusive mother and when she was a teenager she moved to a friend's place who then helped her reach to Drew for work. She soon fell in relationship with him and moved to his house as live in where strange incidents started occuring. 

First of all, the narrator is very irritating herself and then there are two others who are over-reacting to her story. I mean these three made me not believe one bit of the story as true. Yet the story is interesting, clever use of 'My girl, my girl, don't lie to me' track and its never told if the serial killer killed that girl because she cheated on him or it was just a track he liked to sing. Again there is a stupid scene where Drew doesn't wanna leave the house as he believes he can channel the negative energy that is trapped and angry to somewhere peaceful. I am like, who are you Drew, why trying to be a hero, just mind your business and save yours and Hannah's life. Aneways, looking at the standard of this show, In the Pines is pretty decent watch. 

Haunted by Henry 

Wyatt as a young boy was haunted along with his sister at the house of Henry Croft. As he remembers those times, a house that had just hatred for him and his family. 

This one has better narrators minus the unwanted 'lights out' moment. But the narration again effects the main story, it does have good horror effects including few jump scares. This is much believable to be a true story, with a ghost that just doesn't want any tenant to live at his place and will either scare them to death or make them leave. 

Gift of Evil 

Emily on her 16th birthday gets a gift from her godmother, a musical box with her name engraved on it. Little does she know, that its some old box from a girl also named Emily who was murdered and now will haunt her. 

This was parts comical, parts wierd and parts watchable. When you see the 1st scene how the little girl Emily dies, you think maybe this one will be about the revenge from the guys who for no reasons (nothing is told) kill her. So, was a little disappointment to see the story go where she rather haunts an innocent girl. The Swan Lake theme played in musical box is nice, the boyfriend angle felt rushed entering Emily life and very quickly leaving too. And no logic why for 10 months she would go totally hidden. Overall, I didn't much enjoy, or found it scary.

The Witch behind the Wall

Brandy as a young girl shifts to a new rented place with her siblings and mother, only to find that the room upstairs wasn't safe because the wall was linked to the house where a very mean old lady lived.

Finally a different story, based on witch and sort of black magic. Works for most parts, except the 'get out of my house' dialogue which is the only time she talked in the episode. Out of all her ways of scaring the family, the table fan one got to me because many times I think of what if I feel asleep with it so close to me and my hand gets stuck inside. One other hiccup in story was, why would all the siblings one by one wait to get a experience of what that old lady is doing, rather than straightaway sleep in the ground floor, aneways maybe this is bit of nitpicking. This is a nice episode, probably best so far. 

Demon Cat

Alicia, a teenager, moves in with her brother and mother to a rented house after living most of her life in a mobile place before. Unfortunately, a demon cat awaits her in this new house. 

My most disliked episode so far. Starts with a very gross scene involving some cat ritual. Then, there's a very hard to see ankles breaking scene and we also go bollywood with a practioner helping Alicia escape death in hospital as he removes the demon cat spirit from the house. The cat scenes itself are gross too with it looking like some very odd creature. Only positive I can say about this story was that for a change its the mother who experiences odd things happening in house before it happens with rest family. And yea, definately not a true story by any means for me. 

Sins of my Father

Christian's father becomes effected by the spirit of Antichrist and goes jail for murdering his grandma. Years later, Christian having recovered from the shaky childhood, is at Yale University and he sees the history repeat as he too becomes Antichrist. 

I couldn't understand why Christian father all of a sudden becomes anti-god, there's just nothing shown as a reason behind it. And then same happens with Christian. Did I miss something? Scare wise it works more on the level how scary it would be for people around Christian father or later Christian, rather than us as viewers feeling terrified. Decent episode, just the reasoning would had made it work better for me. 

So, new season of Haunted again had same issues, funnily enough many of the stories would had worked if only they get done with the unwanted narration style, infact voiceovers ain't needed too. All episodes are 20ish mins long mostly which is a blessing and also a reason why I keep coming back to this series that I know will never work for me. 

My Rating : 3.5/10 

Series Analysis : The Sinner (Netflix)

You want everyone else to tell you everything, while you say nothing.

Creator : Derek Simonds

Directed by : 

Antonio Campos (5 episodes, 2017-2018)

Tucker Gates (3 episodes, 2017-2018)

Brad Anderson/Cherien Dabis/Jody Lee Lipes (2 episodes each, 2017-2018)

John David Coles (2 episodes, 2018)

Adam Bernstein/Andrew McCarthy (2 episodes each, 2020)

Colin Bucksey/Radium Cheung/Rachel Goldberg/Derek Simonds (1 episode each, 2020)

Imdb link -> https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6048596/

Spoilers ahead... 

Season 1 :

You know, when I first interviewed you at the station, the way you were blaming yourself. I realized... it felt familiar. Because I do that too.

Cora Tannetti (Jessica Biel) living a happy life with husband Mason Tannetti (Christopher Abbott) and son Laine Tannetti (Grayson Eddey) but there's something off about her and not long before she stabs an unknown guy Frankie Belmont (Eric Todd) seven times at the beach. While cops are willing to take safe approach that she is lieing and knows Frankie somehow which may be the motive to kill him. Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) knows its not that straightforward as he begins searching for clues and hoping Cora will trust him and open up without any lies.

Starts slowly with the narrative almost taking full first episode to reach the Cora's beach incident, maybe because that's how the blurry memories of Cora would work better later on as I did like the story. She would often have the flashes of July 4, 2002 night and then the next 2 months when she won't remember anything which involves a mask guy. The past is here mixed together with the present time with main focus mainly on Cora, who has a father having affair mainly because her mother is all the time busy with her sister Phoebe (Nadia Alexander) who was born sick and every birthday is a victory for them. The chocolate scene of Cora was fun, as her relation with Phoebe gets stronger growing up which is shown in patches across season. We clearly can see she was made to believe by her mother that over praying solves every problems and she was deprived of the love with the strictness all the time, can almost call it mental abuse.

Coming to Frankie killing, I initially felt it would be related to Phoebe more like he must have done something bad. I did get the guess half right, and kudos to the writing and screenplay, the way they confuse you and take the story all around from J.D's (Jacob Pitts) love for Cora (or maybe using her), Mason's frustration not knowing what or with whom was his wife involved long ago, all the dollar bill wallpaper flashes, why the 'hugging and kissing' song triggers Cora and Harry himself trying to get his marriage working again with Fay Ambrose (Kathryn Erbe).

Harry uses little clues and unorthodox ways to find truth that mainly revolves on what happened that 4th july night which Cora can't remember due to the PTSD condition as told by the doctor. Its interesting though that the entire story Cora tells about that night to Harry turns out to be true at the end, but not exactly as told as she slowly gets her memories back with the test Harry makes doctor do on her.

If you are paying very close attention then its most likely you would identify very early at the scene where Frankie's father tells that Frankie was never present there on that 4th July night, you would have felt maybe he is the one always involved and this could be a cover up for his son. I sadly missed that point which maybe was for the engaging story that tried to mislead other ways because its never really known when Cora is speaking truth.

Many great scenes, like the one where Harry tries to trigger Cora with that song was very intense, or Harry asking Cora to show him how she takes the heroin drug, also both tests doctor has - one alone and other with Harry present trying to guide Cora very close to whatever happened that night, and when Cora says 'go to hell' to the state police cop Miss Farmer (Joanna Adler) - I so loved that. Phoebe's death scene is a tough one to watch, mainly because you know she will die soon and it happens right when she was having the most fun happy night of her life which incidentally was her birthday.

Harry gets very close personally, like a friend to Cora that helps her trust him. I specially enjoyed their conversation in the final episode in the car or the final scene before she leaves the prison.

Apart from the slow pace that at times bothered me, what really irritated me was that kinky dominant mistress angle played by the waitress with whom Harry was involved. Felt like a completely forced track when they could had just kept the focus more on case or rather show past of him and wife Fay. Then that state cop Miss Farmer from the very first scene gives vibes of 'oh no, she will go her own way and spoil work of Harry now' and exactly what happens, except for that last talk she has with Harry, only time when she made sense to me. But then most cops don't get personal and prefer quick completion of job, so can't really blame her in that sense.

Its an enjoyable season in terms of story, very good performances from Bill Pullman and Jessica Biel, and the mystery suspense throughout with a new twist coming at end of almost every episode, bit slow but worked for me.



Season 2 :

We all have a shadow, all the good and bad inside that we try to hide. We shine a light on that shadow. You encounter parts of yourself you never knew were there. Not for the faint of heart, but it's rewarding.. powerful. It teaches you how to trust yourself. 

Adam (Adam David Thompson) and Bess (Ellen Adair) are driving to Niagara Falls along with their son Julian (Elisha Henig). Some unknown circumstances lead to Julian killing them through tea poison when they were staying the night at a motel. It does seem to be a straightforward murder case that the 13 yr old Julian might be a psychopath or something but we keep learning lot more about him and the community he lived at called Mosewood Grove. 

First thing, that opening shot visual is so gorgeous, if that's the road leading to Niagara falls in real then anyone would love to go there. Like the 1st season, starts off slow but it does pick up pace quite soon and also its showing many sub-plots that are all interlinked making the interest stay in every episode. We learn who the real mother is by end of 1st episode, Julian keeps having a nightmare which we don't know is real or just dream and there's a lot of mystery surrounding what exactly happens at Mosewood Grove Community. The cop Heather Novack (Natalie Paul) and detective Harry Ambrose together investigate, both having their own past they are dealing with. Heather had a close friend, Marin Calhoun (Hannah Gross), with whom she was in love with as she disappeared and Ambrose as a kid dealt with a fire incident involving his mother. 

The whole season very successfully keeps you guessing about what has happened in past and where exactly we are heading. I totally enjoyed conversations of Ambrose with Julian, where he tries to comfort him (very much like he was with Cora in last season) as he himself has gone through bad times in childhood but staying focussed on the case. Heather's character does opposite, so often she would act out of emotions and take wrong decisions. 

The whole ritual thing I felt was slightly underplayed, we do get few scenes totally played out but I would had liked it more specially the sessions that Vera Walker (Carrie Coon), the leader of Mosewood Grove, did after she had changed the community for good. I didn't understand why Lionel Jeffries (Brennan Brown) left though, he clearly looked strong and dominant over others so was hard to gulp that down. Those were only minor issues I had in what was otherwise a very enjoyable season with lovely twists. 

I felt bad for Marin, she keeps going through a lot and then that thing they reveal about her relation with Julian and who the father was, or that accidental death just when it seemed she may have some decent life ahead. I did have doubts on Heather's father right from the scene when Ambrose is told to leave the case and has a heated arguement with him at home. 

Performances wise, without a doubt Bill Pullman is fabulous yet again. So is Carrie Coon whose character goes through many changes mostly to confuse us. Elisha Henig and Hannah Gross chip in with good supporting acts.

Very engaging season, more than the 1st one for me (slight nitpicking, 7th episode was tad too slow, but I take it since we had to get major flashback of a particular character). And I liked that they ended on the beautiful shot of Niagara Falls, that we didn't get in 1st episode due to the murder.

Season 3 :

Move on? Why does everyone say that? I am sorry, it's just, um.. its like the only thing that matters is getting over things as fast as you can. I mean, death isn't going away. If anything, its getting closer. 

A car accident happens on the private property of Sonya Barzel (Jessica Hecht). Detective Harry Ambrose reaches the scene as he learns the driving guy Nick Haas (Chris Messina) died while the passenger who called 911, Jamie Burns (Matt Bomer) survived the crash. What looks like a routine car accident turns into Jamie letting Nick die and then we learn lot more about how Jamie's mind is running wild and mad due to reasons unknown to Harry who is about to dig in deep as always. We are again not told the past life of the main protaganist, a pattern this series has followed to keep it getting revealed slowly by slowly through episodes. 

The first shot is of Jamie Burns, a high school history teacher who seems to be lost in his thoughts while in washroom. The main story picks up when Nick comes around Jamie's house one night for uninvited dinner together. The awkwardness tells Jamie has some past with him, initial thoughts are its a gay relationship but we learn they were good buddies who shared same ideology about life and loved playing games where they could face death with open eyes and come out alive. Its a good concept but where I had major issues was Jamie's character who would often do is think of a bad thought or commit crimes and then he would say I wanna get better and when anyone offers help in form of confession he would always deny it going on to do more wrong things. I somewhat remembered Bates Motel where Norman would be doing similar things, with ofcourse two differences, he would black out always and he was more of a psychopath whereas Jamie looks more of in between a psychopath and sociopath. Now I always cared about Norman because it felt he was wanting not to become evil but he will always landup  in situations where he would make wrong choices. But here Jamie does opposite, he wants to get into situations where Nick who is always in his head would make him do things he would regret or atleast feel so. That made me not really feel sympathy for Jamie character like say Harry or Sonya does who both wanna help him out. 

Unlike other seasons, this isn't about getting Jamie free from his crimes but to make him confess and stop him from causing more trouble to people as his condition keeps deteriorating. We are only told through a conversation between Nick and Jamie, that the reason why Jamie called Nick after almost 15 or so years, is that he felt his life had nothing meaningful going which his wife Leela Burns (Parisa Fitz-Henley) never experiences him going through.

Harry's plot this time deals with his dad, a parcel box carrying belongings of his that he is scared to open and see. Also, his few interactions with Eli and Melanie, or the growing closeness with Sonya, but again they kept it mainly on Jamie-Harry bonding. I personally didn't feel any dip in the performance of Bill Pullman, but it was more fun watching him find truth of the person to get them free or reduce their sentence, rather watch him get Jamie's confession to put him behind bars. And I specially disliked the episode where he is keeping a check on Jamie by joining two parties with him, felt kind of silly thing to do from a detective even by his own standards.

Some scenes I enjoyed a lot that had darkish tone to it, like the scary one when he's holding his child and Nick's ghost (just in his head) appears, there's an instant fear he might kill the child, and they even show that bone crunching by Nick thankfully not too directly. Then later the doctor questioning Jamie scene where he even mentions this 'that every guy must have thought what if the baby slips off hands', or his thoughts on 'why we live like we do when we know death is around corner'. Matt Bomer delivers a pretty good performance leaving asides the writing problems I had with his character.

Sonya is another character that does insane things, many times tries to study Jamie and always on brink of killing herself. I actually at one point felt maybe she would be new Nick for Jamie, but Jamie rather preferred Harry to be that.  Enjoyed that chilling grave dug sequence, though the outcome was known to us, the series needs Harry so he won't die in there. Keen to see what they do with Vic Soto's (Eddie Martinez) character, for a change was a good smart partner Harry got even though he again had problems in working together.

All the crazy things Nick and Jamie try make for a good and tense watch, be it the jumping into the invisible lake, fast driving on highway by Jamie with a old student, standing on the roof of a building close to jumping down while singing their 'prickly 5 in the morning' or Jamie almost killing off unknown older guy in hospital. And the obsession for a particular song for the season continues as Nick and Jamie love playing the song 'Come To Me Now' (by Kevin Morby).

There's a lovely silent scene between Jamie and Leela in the last episode, just before he goes in to meet Harry, more like him knowing his coming fate and so does she. I am not totally sure if Harry killing Jamie was the only solution.. surely Jamie felt uncurable but maybe locked in some physic ward or prison would be better choice. Or maybe that shows the relationship Harry had feeling Jamie would feel tortured in there and only death will give him the peace, interestingly in his final moments Jamie was scared of death which he kept testing otherwise with Nick and the theories he had built in his mind.

Not a season I would call unwatchable, but I definately prefer the earlier two seasons over it easily. Its still a season that gives a lot to think with all the philosophies, certainly had the potential to be as good as the last two.

The entire series for me has been good, not a perfect detective show with flaws in every season but time spent well is the way I would put it. Keen to see what new case Harry gets in the 4th season.

My Rating : 7/10