Maybe is the third episode of the first season of You. It is the third episode overall. It aired on September 23, 2018 on Lifetime.
Plot[]
Beck isn't certain that Joe is The One, so he sets out to prove he's boyfriend material; balancing this important time in their blossoming relationship with the tricky manoeuvres he's been pulling behind the scenes proves challenging for Joe.
Summary[]
The narrative continues with Joe Goldberg managing the aftermath of Benji’s death. He stores Benji’s body in the bookstore’s basement, but the decomposition leads to a foul odor. To address this, Joe enlists his young neighbor, Paco, to purchase supplies, under the pretense of gardening needs. Suspicious of Joe’s behavior, Ron, Paco’s mother’s boyfriend, contacts the police. When officers arrive, Joe explains the situation, attributing the smell to composting efforts, which satisfies their inquiries. Subsequently, Joe transports Benji’s body to a remote wooded area and incinerates it to eliminate evidence.
Simultaneously, Joe focuses on his relationship with Guinevere Beck. After overhearing Beck refer to him as a “maybe” in a conversation with friends, Joe becomes determined to solidify their connection. He supports Beck through her struggles in her MFA program, particularly as she grapples with feelings of inadequacy compared to her peer, Blythe. Joe encourages Beck to write about her personal experiences, specifically her father’s overdose, to enhance her writing.
Their relationship progresses as they spend more time together, including assembling a new bed for Beck. However, their intimacy is interrupted by Beck’s friend, Peach Salinger, who feigns a medical emergency to divert Beck’s attention. Peach’s interference stems from her possessiveness and underlying romantic feelings for Beck. Despite this, Joe and Beck eventually consummate their relationship, though the encounter is brief and leaves Joe feeling inadequate.
Throughout the episode, Joe continues to manipulate situations to his advantage, maintaining his façade while concealing his darker actions.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg
- Elizabeth Lail as Guinevere Beck
- Luca Padovan as Paco
- Zach Cherry as Ethan Russell
- Nicole Kang as Lynn Lieser
- Kathryn Gallagher as Annika Attwater
- Shay Mitchell as Peach Salinger
Trivia[]
- The episode title, “Maybe,” reflects a recurring word Beck uses to describe her uncertainty about Joe, which drives much of his internal anxiety.
- Joe disposing of Benji’s body by burning it was created for the series; in the original novel, the method of disposal differs.
- The episode introduces a recurring pattern where Joe uses Paco’s errands to cover up his criminal activities—creating a layered ethical dilemma around Joe’s mentorship of the child.
- Paco’s chemistry book in this episode foreshadows Joe’s later use of chemical knowledge for darker purposes.
- Peach Salinger fakes a medical emergency to lure Beck away from Joe, hinting at her manipulative nature and dependence on Beck—an element that becomes more overt in future episodes.
- Beck’s lie about her father being dead is revealed to the viewer (and to Joe) in this episode but not addressed directly until later, setting up future tension.
- The awkward sex scene between Joe and Beck was meant to humanize Joe and contrast with his idealized fantasy of their relationship.
- The scene with the police officers questioning Joe in the bookstore was shot to emphasize Joe’s calm, calculated demeanor even under pressure.
- Peach’s constant texting and calling of Beck is a narrative device used to intensify Joe’s jealousy while subtly exposing Peach’s emotional control over Beck.
- Joe’s final narration in this episode reaffirms his belief that he’s the only one who can “save” Beck, a theme that anchors much of the show’s psychological tension.