What Happened to Joe Goldberg's Mom on 'You'?
It explains...some things.


Spoilers for You season 2 ahead, as well as a trigger warning: violence against men and women. In the second season of Netflix's You, we learn a little more about Joe Goldberg's past and what contributed to Joe becoming, um, a serial murderer and stalker of women. The flashbacks come in bits and pieces, and there are plenty of aspects that aren't super clear—Joe gets flashes throughout the season, so there isn't one scene where all is suddenly revealed. But, one way or another, we do learn a lot about Joe's painful childhood relationship with his mom.
She's certainly not as troubled as his dad, who's seen beating his mom and using a cigarette to burn Joe's arm (his dad is a full-on villain). But Joe's mom has a complex relationship to her son as well. Sometimes she abandons him in favor of anonymous sexual encounters—she may also be doing drugs? It's unclear!—but then she shows praise and love to her son, protecting him when her husband turns violent. At one point, she promises Joe they'll leave his dad and it'll just be the two of them, which is all young Joe wants...but then she shows up with a new boyfriend.
Young Joe kills his dad with his mom's revolver while trying to defend her from his violent father. His mom immediately reassures him, saying that he was doing what he needed to do to protect her. (Sounds familiar!) Not long after, his mom gives him up to foster care, saying she can't take care of him.
One of the most interesting aspects here is that we are put into Joe's shoes: We're not sure, exactly, why his mom behaves the way she does. It's this back and forth that's compelling here—she sometimes withholds her love, and sometimes she doesn't—that's actually pretty common in child abuse and, in my opinion, really well done. It kind of explains, in a made-for-TV kind of way, why Joe would go back and forth between idealizing a woman and then being bitterly disappointed when they don't live up to his expectations and/or abandon him.
A post shared by YOU (@younetflix)
A photo posted by on
One of the intriguing things about Joe's memories is that it's not made totally clear what happens to his mom. After he's taken away, that's the last we hear about her (I was actually expecting her to turn up later in the season, but no dice).
You know that old TV/movie saying—if there's no body, the person's not dead? (Remember, there was a body for Beck, who is very much dead.) So, if there's a season 3, and I hope there is, one of the plot points could be whether she's still around. Can you imagine how messy that would be?
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
RELATED STORIES
Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York Times, Parents, InStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award.
Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeans, how sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.
-
Joshua Jackson Won't Let His Daughter Watch 'Dawson's Creek'
"She's going to get all sorts of ideas."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Kate and William Will Be Making More Joint Appearances
A royal expert weighed in on their plans, calling them "the world's most glamorous royal couple."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Camilla Is "Showing Strength" as Charles Cancels Plans
Charles has been forced to cancel "an African spa retreat," which he planned to take with Camilla.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meet the 'Survival of the Thickest' Season 2 Cast
There's so much to love about Michelle Buteau's Netflix comedy about a stylist looking for love and success.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Where Is 'Million Dollar Secret' Filmed? What to Know About the Luxury Estate That Doubles As The Stag
Netflix's new answer to 'The Traitors' follows 12 people as they compete for $1,000,000 in a gorgeous lakeside chateau.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
'Weak Hero Class 2': Everything We Know
If you already binged the cult-loved series, don't fret: New episodes are coming soon.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Meet the Cast of 'Million Dollar Secret'
The new reality competition is filled with cutthroat backstabbers.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Where Is Graham Hornigold Now? What We Know About the 'Con Mum' Subject
The renowned pastry chef is on the hook for over £300,000.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Who Is Owen Cooper, the First-Time Actor Who Plays Jamie in 'Adolescence'?
Cooper is garnering Emmy buzz for his role as a 13-year-old accused of murder in the U.K. miniseries.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Where Was 'The Residence' Filmed? What to Know About the Location Transformed Into The White House
The Shondaland-produced Netflix series pulled off the largest-ever recreation of the Executive Mansion.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Meet the Cast of Netflix's 'The Residence'
The Shondaland-produced Netflix series centers on a mysterious murder at the White House.
By Radhika Menon Last updated