'You': What Went Wrong?

If you thought the Netflix series 'You' had exhausted its capacity for contradiction, think again. Joe, played by the book-loving and supersensitive Penn Badgley, continues to balance his charming persona with a dark side that involves stalking and murdering women.

In the past, the show tackled this paradox by pairing Joe with equally intense characters, but as of season three, even they prove to be too much for him.

Declared dead in the US, Joe relocates to London, setting the stage for a fresh set of eccentricities. However, geographical liberties abound, with a university campus nestled inside Spitalfields market and a glimpse of London that strangely resembles Oxford. And let's not forget Joe's peculiar walking routes and the absence of solitary whisky drinkers in English pubs.

In a narrative reminiscent of Prince Harry's escapades in "Club H," Joe adopts the alias Jonathan Moore, teaching English in Spitalfields and living in a borrowed Kensington flat. Introduced to high society by his connection Malcolm, Joe encounters a cast of characters with names like Lady Phoebe Borehall-Blaxworth, Simon the billionaire's son and Kate, the gallerist and supermodel's daughter.

The plot takes a turn as Joe's newfound social circle becomes the target of a mysterious killer, diverting attention from Joe's reformed image. Amidst the unfolding drama, the satirical side of 'You' emerges as its saving grace. The series takes a jab at the British class system, transforming into a Cluedo-esque Agatha Christie whodunnit, albeit with a self-aware discussion about the genre's literary merit.

While the satirical elements provide grubby pleasure and keep the audience engaged, 'You' feels somewhat adrift in its London setting. The series tries to reinvent itself, but comparisons to Rian Johnson's Knives Out films, which offer a cleverer take on Christie, loom large.

At its best, 'You' succeeds because of Badgley's charismatic performance and the show's willingness to throw in numerous plot twists, ensuring a rollercoaster ride in every episode. The series, dressed in a tweed jacket, boldly points fingers at the class-divided society while delivering a guaranteed thrill.

Whether 'You' qualifies as a good show is almost beside the point; it's both entertaining and somewhat awful, hitting the sweet spot of Netflix ambience. Look past its flaws, and you're in for a lovely time on this satirical journey through London's highs and lows.