*Spoilers*
Netflix's You is taking up a surprising amount of our headspace right now. From theorising about the second series to picking out differences between the novel and the Netflix version, it's safe to say we're almost as obsessed with it as Joe Goldberg is about Guinevere Beck. Almost.
Interestingly, one of the biggest changes between Caroline Kepnes' novel and the binge-worthy series is the introduction of Paco, Joe's neighbour, who was created for a very specific reason.
In case you need a refresher (side note: doubt it!), Paco lives with his mum Claudia and her boyfriend Ron, and is often turfed out of their apartment onto the landing when they're fighting. It's here that Joe creates an unlikely bond with Paco, sharing food with him and lending him books.
But why would showrunner Sera Gamble opt to introduce this character, whom shows a softer side of Joe, the otherwise stalker-turned-serial-killer? For exactly that reason. To show that as well as his neurotic tendencies and dominating traits, he also has a charming side - the one that has been romanticised so heavily by viewers.
"Paco has been a character that illuminates the best, most compassionate side of Joe,” Sera told Variety. “He educates Paco, he gives Paco a sandwich when he’s hungry, he keeps Paco safe. And then [Paco] does this incredible thing in the finale [in return]."
That is to say, when Paco sees Beck trying to escape from Joe's basem*nt, he does nothing to help her because in his mind, Joe is a good person for what he did to Ron. Y'know, when he killed Ron for being abusive to Claudia? Yeah.
"In choosing not to help Beck, Paco proved his loyalty to Joe. Paco has been exposed to Joe [after] being trained to see Joe as this hero and saviour, so the biggest tragedy is that moment where Paco [thinks] there must be something very deeply wrong with her or Joe would never do something like this to [her]," Sera continued.
"His faith in Joe and his trust in Joe was so deep that Beck could literally be screaming through that door, but what Paco has just learned is that if Joe is doing something like this, he must have an incredibly important reason."
Essentially, Paco was introduced to You to not only bring out a more human side of Joe, but to show us how easy it is to be manipulated by his ways. Interesting.
BUY NOW You by Caroline Kepnes, £3.99, Amazon
