What Happens To Marienne In You Season 4
Okay, so you've probably binged a season or two of You, right? It's that show where Joe Goldberg, our charmingly creepy stalker, pops up in a new city, usually with a new obsession and a whole lot of problems. Think of it like a really intense, slightly terrifying reality show where you know, deep down, the drama is not healthy, but you just can't look away. Well, season 4 threw us a curveball, and a big one, involving a character named Marienne.
Let's talk about Marienne. She's that kind of person you instantly root for. She's got a tough past, she's trying to make a good life for her daughter, and she's just generally a ray of sunshine in a world that can feel pretty grey. You know, like that friend who always brings the good snacks to a potluck, even when things are a bit chaotic? That's Marienne. She’s got this inner strength that’s both inspiring and, let’s be honest, a little bit heartbreaking to watch when she gets caught in Joe’s orbit.
In season 3, we saw Marienne trying to escape her past and Joe. It was a nail-biting situation, and by the end of it, it felt like she'd finally gotten away. We breathed a sigh of relief, like when you finally find that lost earring you thought was gone forever. But, as we've learned with Joe, "away" is rarely permanent. He's like that persistent telemarketer you just can't get rid of, always finding a way to pop back into your life.
Season 4 starts with Joe in London, trying to live a "normal" life. He's attempting to be a professor, surrounded by posh academics. It's like he's trying on a new persona, a bit like when you decide to go from casual Friday to wearing a suit every day – it's a big change, and you wonder how long it'll stick. And then, bam! He encounters Marienne again. Talk about a plot twist you didn't see coming, like finding out your quiet neighbor is secretly a championship ballroom dancer.
Now, here's where things get really complicated, and frankly, a little bit devastating. Joe, being Joe, is still obsessed. He convinces himself that he's saving Marienne, or that she needs him. It’s like someone trying to "help" you organize your already messy desk by making it even more chaotic. He tracks her down, and it’s not a happy reunion. He finds her living a rather bleak existence, struggling and, honestly, looking like she’s lost a bit of her spark. It’s tough to watch, like seeing your favorite flower wilting a little.
The whole situation escalates quickly. Joe gets himself embroiled in a whole new set of crimes, this time with a group of wealthy, morally bankrupt friends he’s trying to infiltrate. He's like a chameleon, trying to blend in with a flock of ostentatious peacocks. And Marienne? She becomes a pawn, a tool in Joe's twisted games. He uses her presence, her vulnerability, to manipulate others and to, in his own warped way, protect her. It's a classic Joe move: creating a problem and then presenting himself as the only solution, like a firefighter who also happens to be the arsonist.
A major turning point for Marienne happens when Joe, in a desperate attempt to get rid of his old life and truly disappear, stages her death. Yes, you read that right. He makes it look like Marienne is gone. This is Joe at his most manipulative and, dare I say, his most disturbed. It's like someone deliberately breaking your favorite mug and then telling you they found a "replacement" that's actually just a chipped teacup. The intent behind it is what's so chilling.
Why should we care about this? Because Marienne represents so much of what Joe isn't. She's resilience, she's hope, she's the good that tries to survive despite the darkness. When you see her manipulated, used, and put in such extreme danger, it’s not just about a fictional character. It’s about seeing someone who deserves better, badly, get caught in a truly awful situation. It taps into that universal feeling of injustice, that gut reaction you get when you see someone being bullied or taken advantage of. It makes you want to yell at the screen, "Leave her alone, you creep!"
Think about it: we all have people in our lives who are like Marienne – strong, trying their best, and deserving of safety and happiness. When we see a character like her suffer, it’s a stark reminder of how easily good people can be caught in the crossfire of someone else’s destructive behavior. It’s a little bit like watching a stray dog get hurt because of a careless driver; it just feels wrong.
The "death" that Joe orchestrates is a way for him to sever ties, to erase the past, and to, in his own mind, keep Marienne safe by removing her from his dangerous world. But it's a violent, manipulative act, born out of his possessiveness and his inability to let go. It's like someone saying they're "helping" you by locking you in a room so you don't get hurt by the outside world. Not exactly a recipe for freedom, is it?
However, because this is You, and because Marienne is as resourceful as she is, her story isn't quite as neatly tied up as Joe might have planned. While the season leads us to believe she's dead, there are hints, subtle whispers, that suggest otherwise. This is where the real tension lies for viewers who care about her. Is she truly gone? Or has she, in true Marienne fashion, found a way to survive and escape Joe's clutches one last time?
The ambiguity surrounding Marienne’s fate at the end of season 4 is what makes her storyline so compelling and why we, as viewers, are still invested. It's like when you finish a really good book and you're left with a lingering question, a feeling that the story isn't quite over. Does Joe ever truly get away with his actions? And more importantly, can someone like Marienne, who has already overcome so much, truly be silenced?
Her resilience is the beacon of hope in a show often drowned in darkness. And that’s why we care. We want to see the good people win, even if it’s just a small victory in a world filled with Joe Goldbergs. Marienne’s journey, and her ultimate fate, whatever it may be, is a testament to the enduring human spirit, and that’s something worth cheering for, even through the dramatic ups and downs of a Netflix binge.