Summary
In the most mind-boggling episode yet, Joe learns that he’s facing the most troublesome enemy he’s had so far.
We recap the Netflix series You Season 4 Episode 3, “Eat the Rich,” which contains spoilers.
In the most mind-boggling episode yet, Joe (played by Penn Badgley) learns that he’s facing the most troublesome enemy he’s had so far. Not only is the stalker obsessed with our hero’s past, but has an uncanny talent for getting under his skin. As Malcolm’s death becomes public knowledge, the relationship between Joe and Kate (Charlotte Ritchie) goes from icy cold to steamy.
Joe’s complete lack of self-awareness has always been a part of You’s brilliance. And finally seeing him get a spoonful of his own medicine in this episode is deliciously indulgent.
You Season 4 Episode 3 recap
Starting where we left off, the episode opens with Joe frantically removing the article printouts from his wall. While the killer keeps sending taunting messages, Joe decides that the best way of dealing with a deranged stalker is by not engaging. For someone who spends a lot of time stalking others, Joe appears to be very protective of his privacy.
How the Eat The Rich Killer went viral
Professor Moore soon learns that ghosting a guy who knows about your dark past and who already proved himself a capable killer wasn’t the best idea. Not one to be ignored, the killer sends Malcolm’s severed finger to a local newspaper with a note confirming the professor’s demise. As Malcolm’s death was the second high-profile murder to make the front page, the press was quick to proclaim the existence of an Eat The Rich Killer.
Shocked to hear of her boyfriend’s death, Kate sends police to Joe’s apartment after telling them he’s among the last people to see Malcolm alive. During his interview, Joe denies being the last person to see Malcolm and tells the police about the dreadful blackmail situation between the deceased and Simon (who’s conveniently also deceased). However, Joe has a more pressing matter to attend to – His killer stalker seems to have his eyes set on Kate, meaning our hero is now forced to follow a woman who hates him and try and protect her.
To Joe’s surprise, crowds gather at Simon’s funeral to praise the Eat The Rich Killer’s work. Inside the church, he’s even more surprised to see how terrified the others in the group are at the prospect of becoming victims themselves. While Rhys gives a touching speech about the deceased, Joe starts wondering if the future mayor of London could be behind the killings, before quickly dismissing the thought.
The stalker forces Joe’s hand
Following Kate around leads to an unexpected twist. The two share a drink and a relatively civil conversation at a pub before Kate leads him to a secluded park and proceeds to seduce him. Joe takes advantage of being invited into Kate’s home to retrieve a love letter from Malcolm’s room that Nadia confessed to having written to the dearly departed. Unfortunately, Kate catches him in the act and puts an end to their brief affair, forcing him to continue stalking her.
Joe follows Kate to Malcolm’s grave, but unbeknownst to him, a suspicious Vic was already on his tail. The bodyguard confronts Joe and happens upon Malcolm’s ring inside his pocket. Realizing the killer tried framing him and seeing how there’s no reasoning with Vic, Joe has no other option but to strangle the poor bodyguard to death.
You Season 4 Episode 3 Ending Explained
After cleverly disposing of Vic’s body inside Simon’s grave (right next to the dead artist’s gold coffin!), Joe returns home to more messages from his stalker. At first, our hero wants to give the mystery man a piece of mind, before figuring out what his stalker truly wants: A friend. Hoping the killer might want to meet up in the real world, Joe admits he enjoyed killing Vic and somehow the plan seems to work.
You Season 4 Episode 3 ends with Joe arriving at Sundry House to meet with Lady Pheobe. Instead of just Pheobe, he’s greeted by the whole friend group (what’s left of them, at least) and the two police inspectors who are investigating Malcolm’s death. Could it be that Joe’s actions finally caught up to him?
What did you think of You Season 4 Episode 3? Comment below.
