Okay, let's talk about love. Specifically, love in the Netflix show You. But not in a romantic, hearts-and-flowers kind of way. More like… moldy bread love. Hear me out!
The Premise: Insta-Obsession
We all know the drill. Joe Goldberg, a bookstore worker (or insert new profession here), sees a woman. Bam! He's convinced she's "the one." Cue the stalking, manipulating, and, you know, occasional murder. Just your average meet-cute, right?
This isn't a spoiler. It's the whole darn premise. But how *old* is this kind of "love"? That's the question. And I'm about to drop a truth bomb. (Maybe a small truth pellet. But still.)
Older Than Your Grandma's Recipes
Here's my controversial take: Joe's "love" isn't some modern, internet-age phenomenon. It's ancient! Like, caveman-drawing-on-the-wall ancient.
Think about it. The impulse to possess, to control, to see someone as an *object* rather than a person? That's not new. That's buried deep in our lizard brains.
Eve ate the apple! Helen launched a thousand ships! People have been doing crazy things for what they *think* is love forever. Joe just has better Wi-Fi.
Exhibit A: Toxic Fairytales
Remember Sleeping Beauty? A prince kisses her while she's unconscious! That's... not ideal. And what about Cinderella? She basically wins a husband based on her shoe size. (Talk about superficial!) These stories normalize some pretty messed-up ideas about romance.
So, Joe isn't inventing anything. He's just repackaging an old, rotten apple with a shiny, filtered Instagram picture.
The "Love" Languages of Yore (and Now)
We talk about love languages. Gifts, acts of service, quality time, blah blah blah. Joe's love language? Stalking and gaslighting! (Not recommended.)
But even the "good" love languages can be twisted. A gift can be a bribe. Acts of service can be manipulative. Quality time can be forced captivity in a glass cage.
The point is, the *intent* matters. And Joe's intent is always… suspect.
Is It Really Love at All?
Let's be real. What Joe feels isn't love. It's obsession. It's a need to control and possess. It's a deep-seated insecurity masked as passion.
He's not seeing these women for who they are. He's projecting his own fantasies onto them. He's building a relationship in his head, completely detached from reality.
This isn't a hot take. It's just... true. Right?
Final Verdict: Prehistoric "Love"
So, how old is Joe's "love"? Older than dirt. Older than reality TV. Older than sliced bread. It's a primal, toxic impulse disguised in a trendy beanie and a charming smile.
The show You is entertaining. But let's not mistake Joe's actions for romance. It's a cautionary tale, wrapped in a suspenseful thriller. And a reminder that true love is about respect, trust, and definitely not hiding bodies.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go disinfect my online dating profile. Just in case.
