You season 4 part 2: Kate’s fate is unexpected, but it makes perfect sense

You Season 4 Part 2 has finally dropped on Netflix, and the show’s latest twist reminds us that Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is no hero — something we’ve known, objectively, from the very start. Of course, the first half of You Season 4 suggests that Joe could see some redemption during the coming episodes. The newest installments turn that notion on its head, revealing that Joe’s been misleading viewers all along.

As it turns out, Joe hasn’t been trying to stop the “Eat the Rich Killer” for the majority of season 4 — even if he believes his own falsehoods. It seems Joe’s psyche is more fractured than even he imagined. He’s been projecting his crimes onto Rhys (Ed Speelers), a man he’s never actually met. In reality, Joe is the one kidnapping and killing, this time without even realizing he’s doing so.

And in typical Joe Goldberg fashion, he’s the one who locks Marienne (Tati Gabrielle) in a cage, then interprets the whole thing as Rhys’ doing. Joe going after Marienne is perfectly in character, but there’s something different about his obsessions throughout You season 4. Like his personas, his attention is split. Marienne may get the brunt of Joe’s rage, but she fails to summon his more human side.

That’s because Joe is focused on Kate (Charlotte Ritchie) for the majority of You season 4, which presents his neighbor as its “main” love interest. While the Rhys half of Joe’s personality torments Marienne for rejecting him, the part of Joe that feels guilt and compassion is engrossed in his affair with his neighbor.

As such, Kate avoids the glass cage that so many of Joe’s love interests have found themselves trapped inside of. Her fate makes sense in terms of Joe’s journey throughout You season 4 — though it’s hard to say if Kate’s luck will hold out.

Kate avoids Joe’s cage in You season 4, but her fate may be short-lived

With Joe focused on the so-called “Eat the Rich Killer” — and then Marienne — he never turns his murderous gaze on Kate. He does show possessiveness toward the end of You season 4, but even then, Kate seems forgiving. And Kate’s willingness to accept Joe’s demons adds another layer to her unexpected fate.

To a certain extent, Kate becomes an accomplice to Joe at the end of You season 4, even if she’s not fully aware of his past crimes. And we’d be remiss not to mention her wealth and privilege, both of which offer more protection than characters like Beck (Elizabeth Lail) and Marienne ever had.

Of course, with Joe embracing the darker side of himself heading into You season 5, Kate’s fate may be short-lived. After all, Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) also accepted Joe despite his numerous crimes. She boasted wealth and privilege as well, and none of those things spared her in the end.

So, will Kate face the music in You season 5? It certainly seems possible.

Will Kate face the real Joe Goldberg in You season 5?

Kate’s fate in You season 4 part 2 is more fortunate than those of his former love interests. However, it’s likely she’ll find herself in their shoes come You season 5.

Those who have kept up with this series know that Joe’s affection doesn’t typically last long. Like Love, Kate will probably find a way to lose Joe’s favor — or he’ll find another woman to dote on, rendering Kate expendable in his mind.

The one thing that might save Kate in You season 5 is her influence, which Joe can use to his advantage. Joe’s Rhys persona is clearly ambitious, and Kate can help expand his reach.

We’ll have to keep watching to see how Kate fares.

You season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.