Love Quinn, initially portrayed as Joe Goldberg’s soulmate in Netflix’s You, unravels the disturbing truth about his past in Season 2, Episode 9, “P.S. I LoVe You”. This pivotal episode marks a dramatic turning point in the series, shifting the dynamic between the two characters from romantic partners to adversaries bound by a shared, albeit twisted, secret.
The Unraveling: Love’s Discovery in Detail
The discovery isn’t a subtle hint or a gradual suspicion; it’s a full-blown confrontation. Love stumbles upon Joe’s hidden box, containing items he’s kept from past relationships, most notably the teeth belonging to Candace Stone, Joe’s presumed-dead ex-girlfriend. This discovery immediately confirms Love’s worst fears and exposes Joe’s carefully constructed facade.
The impact is immediate and earth-shattering. Love, who has been depicted as equally impulsive and driven by love (though in a far more dangerous way than she initially lets on), reacts with a mixture of shock, anger, and a chilling understanding. The episode builds to a dramatic climax where she confronts Joe directly, revealing that she knew he had been lying about his past and that she, too, is capable of extreme violence and possessiveness.
This revelation isn’t just about Joe’s past; it’s about Love revealing her own dark side. She confesses to murdering Delilah Alves to protect Joe and their unborn child, mirroring Joe’s own protective, albeit homicidal, tendencies. This confession exposes a terrifying symmetry between them, setting the stage for the complex and volatile relationship that defines Season 3. The episode effectively flips the script, casting Love not as a victim, but as an active participant in the dangerous game Joe has been playing all along.
The Aftermath: A Relationship Forged in Blood
Following the revelation, the dynamic between Joe and Love is forever changed. They are no longer two individuals seeking love and connection; they are two murderers bound by shared secrets and a mutual need to protect each other, at least for a while. The shared knowledge creates a toxic dependency, forcing them to navigate a relationship built on lies, manipulation, and violence.
The remainder of Season 2 and the entirety of Season 3 explore the complexities of this relationship. Joe, initially horrified by Love’s actions, struggles to reconcile his romantic ideal with the reality of her murderous tendencies. Love, on the other hand, attempts to create a “normal” life with Joe, clinging to the idea of a perfect family, even as their past continues to haunt them.
Their relationship is a constant power struggle, a battle for control and dominance. Each attempts to manipulate the other, using their knowledge of the other’s dark past as leverage. The consequences are disastrous, leading to more violence, more lies, and ultimately, a tragic conclusion.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Love’s Revelation
Here are some frequently asked questions that shed further light on Love’s discovery and its ramifications:
H3: What specific clues did Love find in the box?
The box contained multiple items that indicated Joe’s violent past. Most damning were Candace’s teeth, but also included items belonging to Beck and other women Joe had become obsessed with and ultimately harmed. These objects served as undeniable proof of Joe’s pattern of behavior.
H3: How did Love react to finding the box?
Love initially reacted with shock and disbelief. She was horrified by the evidence of Joe’s past violence. However, her reaction quickly shifted to a calculated understanding. She realized that Joe was not who he claimed to be, and this realization fueled her own manipulative tendencies.
H3: Why did Love kill Delilah?
Love killed Delilah to protect Joe from being exposed for his past crimes. Delilah had started to piece together the truth about Joe, and Love saw her as a threat to their relationship and their future. She acted impulsively, believing she was protecting Joe and their unborn child. Her actions mirrored Joe’s own justifications for violence: protecting those he loved.
H3: Did Joe know that Love killed Delilah?
Yes, Joe found out that Love killed Delilah shortly after her death. He was both horrified and disgusted by her actions, but he also recognized that he was now complicit in her crime.
H3: How did Love’s revelation change her character?
Love’s revelation transformed her from a seemingly quirky and independent woman into a complex and dangerous character. It exposed her capacity for violence and manipulation, revealing that she was not simply a victim of circumstance. She became Joe’s equal, in a twisted and terrifying way.
H3: What was the significance of the episode’s title, “P.S. I LoVe You”?
The title is a sardonic play on the romantic connotation of the phrase. Instead of expressing love and affection, it foreshadows the deadly confession that Love is about to make. It highlights the twisted and dangerous nature of their relationship.
H3: How did Love’s discovery impact their relationship in Season 3?
Love’s discovery created a relationship built on secrets, lies, and mutual dependency. They were forced to navigate a life together knowing that either one could expose the other at any time. This created a constant power struggle and ultimately led to the unraveling of their relationship.
H3: Was Love’s murderous tendency always hinted at throughout Season 2?
Yes, subtle hints were sprinkled throughout Season 2. Her extreme possessiveness, her willingness to protect those she loved at any cost, and her impulsive behavior all foreshadowed her eventual revelation. She displayed flashes of rage and an underlying instability that suggested a capacity for violence.
H3: Did the writers intend for Love to be a mirror image of Joe?
Yes, the writers intentionally crafted Love as a mirror image of Joe, exploring the idea that two people with similar dark tendencies could find themselves drawn to each other. This created a fascinating and unsettling dynamic between the two characters. It also questioned the audience’s perception of Joe as the sole “bad guy.”
H3: How did Love’s actions affect Joe’s perception of himself?
Love’s actions forced Joe to confront his own hypocrisy. He was horrified by her violence, yet he had committed similar acts in the past. This led him to question his own moral compass and the justifications he used for his behavior.
H3: Is Love Quinn a sympathetic character after the revelation?
Whether Love is a sympathetic character is subjective and depends on individual interpretation. While she exhibits moments of vulnerability and a desire for genuine connection, her actions are undeniably reprehensible. Her troubled past and the circumstances that led to her behavior can elicit empathy, but they do not excuse her crimes.
H3: What can we learn from Love and Joe’s relationship?
Love and Joe’s relationship serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession, the destructive nature of secrets, and the illusion of finding love in someone who mirrors your own dark tendencies. It also explores the complexities of human nature and the capacity for both good and evil within us all. Ultimately, their story highlights the importance of self-awareness and seeking healthy relationships built on trust and honesty, not shared trauma and violence.