The Daily Think

You Season 4 recently hit the Netflix queue, and the show runner Sera Gamble gets to take the character of Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) on another confusing journey of murder, stalking, and indecent human behavior as the protagonist. Season 4 in a nutshell is “Basically, Joe and his desire for love and his tendency to mix up love and obsession,” she told Glamour in a recent interview. The viewer gets to go along on the ride with Joe and has been since 2018. Admittedly, when I first started watching the show, I found it interesting and seductive in a way that made me forget what I was basically watching a dangerous human being allowed to commit various acts with impunity and almost be celebrated for his cleverness and ability to elude justice.

As usual, it got me thinking of what this harmful soda I was drinking called You and its dangerous caloric intake I was ingesting. It got me thinking to similar shows that seem to thrive in this modern era, that celebrates serial killers and mass murderers as long as they’re portrayed in a way that a Levi’s advertisement could never achieve. The immediate question is what is the danger in putting on a show like You with its slick handsome protagonist stalker and serial killer? Plenty:

1. Encouraging harmful behavior: When stalker behavior is portrayed in the media or on social platforms, it can send a message that this kind of behavior is acceptable or even romantic. This can encourage people who may already be inclined towards stalking to engage in this harmful behavior, potentially putting others at risk.
2. Normalizing stalking: If stalking behavior is consistently portrayed in the media or on social platforms as a normal or even desirable way to pursue a romantic interest, it can make it more difficult for people to recognize when they are being stalked or to take stalking seriously.
3. Increased danger for victims: When a stalker is given a platform or their behavior is promoted, it can make the victim feel even more unsafe and vulnerable. It can also increase the likelihood that the stalker will escalate their behavior or become more violent, putting the victim at even greater risk.
4. Misrepresentation of mental health: Stalking is often associated with mental health issues, but portraying stalking behavior in a sensationalized or inaccurate way can perpetuate stereotypes about mental illness and further stigmatize those who may be struggling with these issues.

And to be fair You is not the only culprit in this type of showcasing. Other TV shows that feature dangerous main characters or serial killers as the protagonists:

1. Dexter: This Showtime series follows the story of Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who moonlights as a serial killer. Dexter only kills other murderers who have escaped justice, but his vigilante justice still promotes violent behavior.
2. Hannibal: This NBC series is based on the character of Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer. The show follows the relationship between Hannibal and FBI profiler Will Graham as they solve violent crimes.
3. Breaking Bad: This AMC series follows the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking and selling methamphetamine after being diagnosed with cancer. While Walter initially sees his actions as a way to provide for his family, his descent into the criminal underworld is violent and dangerous.

Although we may enjoy watching the villain in these shows get away with their crimes, some involving murder, disposing of human bodies, or even cannibalism, we should consider each one as a platform for all the world to see. I don’t know if the world is ready to see some of these things given how easy it is to sway an uninformed and under-educated audience that consumes them. We all won’t go to the lengths of a Dexter to dump a body in Miami harbor, or melt a human being remains, but perhaps our entertainment choices help to destigmatize and normalize what once was shocking behavior not fit for primetime viewing.