You's Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is one of the darkest and most dangerous serial killers on TV, and this is mainly down to how he uses "the cage". In every season of the Netflix thriller, Joe stalks a new obsession, from Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) in season 1 to Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) in seasons 2 and 3, Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle) in season 3, and Kate Galvin (Charlotte Ritchie) in season 4. Since he often kills people in order to clean up his own messes or rid himself of problems, his cage plays into his diabolical and violent plans.
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Although You makes some changes from the book series it's based on by Caroline Kepnes, Joe is the same manipulative and yet somehow charming character, and his cage is a key part of his memorable character arc. Along with Joe, this cage has traveled to many cities and countries, suggesting that he doesn't plan on stopping his killing sprees any time soon.
Joe Uses A Temperature Controlled Cage In A Bookstore Basement In Season 1
In season 1 of You, Joe works at the New York City bookstore Mooney's, and while the cage in the basement was once set up to protect rare books, he begins using the cage to trap his victims. When the cage is introduced, it's clear that the season will only end one way: with Beck in the cage and Joe eventually killing her. The cage represents Joe's need for control and how he feels that he isn't good enough or lovable because of the trauma that he has from his difficult childhood and his mother's neglect. The cage is a smart choice on You as it's dark, intense, and frightening.
Joe Moves His Cage To A Storage Unit In L.A. In Season 2
Joe and Love's You relationship begins in season 2 when he moves to Los Angeles, and right away, he finds a storage unit and turns it into his killing den. This setting proves that Joe is attempting to change his ways and becomes a better person, but he is unable to stop his violent tendencies. He puts the real Will Bettelheim (Robin Lord Taylor) in the cage, but doesn't kill him. However, when Joe traps Delilah Alves (Carmela Zumbado), Love kills her instead, proving that Joe will always be out of control, in over his head, and unable to live a regular, murder-free life.
Joe Moves His Cage To The Basement Of Love's Bakery In Season 3
When Love opens up her bakery A Fresh Tart in Madre Linda, California, Joe moves his cage to the basement. Love kills Natalie Engler (Michaela McManus) here and Joe traps Sherry (Shalita Grant) and Cary Conrad (Travis Van Winkle), two of the funniest and most compelling season 3 You characters. While they survive, Joe can't ignore who he is. This is the most significant cage of all, as Joe is never able to escape his true self, and his guilt over ruining his vision of a perfect family life leads him to move to London in season 4 of You and attempt to start over once again.