Abhiroop Das
Created by Gabe Rotter, Netflix’s ‘The Beast in Me’ tells the story of Agatha Wiggs, a Pulitzer-winning novelist who struggles to overcome a writer’s block that has spanned years. A life riddled with trauma is difficult as is, but with mounting bills and untold amounts of pent-up frustration, Agatha is in desperate need of a break. Nile Jarvis enters the story at the perfect moment, with enough intrigue in his personal life to get her creative side going once again. However, the idea of writing a book about his troublesome past proves to be a unique challenge in and of itself, as each revelation forces her to reevaluate her understanding of the truth. Notably, while the premise of this mystery thriller revolves around the dynamic between Agatha and Nile, the series offers much more, with every element of the world contributing to the larger picture. Agatha’s pet dog, Steven, is no exception and brings his own spin to the ebbs and flows of the narrative. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Steven the Dog Survives the Neil Jarvis Saga of Agatha’s Life
From the opening scenes of ‘The Beast in Me,’ Steven the dog serves not only as an analog of the story’s protagonist, Agatha Wiggs, but also as her late son, Cooper. As the only member of the original family who still lives with Agatha, the dog holds special significance, which makes anything that happens to him all the more narratively relevant. In the final episode, Agatha emerges victorious in her clash with Nile Jarvis and safely returns home, presumably reuniting with Steven. Although we do not catch a glimpse of the dog in the ending moments of the season, there is no reason to believe that Steven’s life is in danger. On the contrary, Agatha’s decision to move out of her large mansion probably has a positive effect on her pet, allowing for a more hygienic and tight-knit living space. As such, Steven is most likely safer than ever, with all immediate threats to the family being pushed out of the picture.
Although Steven gets a happy ending, that does not necessarily mean the entire season has been smooth sailing for the dog. In the very first scene, he is shaken awake by the arrival of Nile Jarvis’s two dogs, who are both bigger and more aggressive. Steven does not back out from a challenge either, and an enmity between the pets is immediately established. Notably, Agatha and Niles share a similar dynamic, and as their conversations unfold, the contrasts between the two personalities only deepen. At one point, Nile mocks Steven’s name, only to learn that it came from Cooper and thus holds emotional value. This detail recontextualizes Agatha’s dynamic with her pet dog, as it can now be reinterpreted as a motherly connection between them. This, in turn, raises the stakes even more, as each time Steven senses danger in and around the house serves as a very real threat to what little family Agatha has left.
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Steven’s Fate Becomes Symbolically Relevant in The Beast in Me
In episode 2 of the show, Rick breaks into Agatha’s home while she is out on a jog with Nina, leaving Steven alone in the house. Though the dog tries desperately to defend Agatha’s belongings, he is ultimately helpless. Additionally, Rick’s natural affinity for pets likely also works in his advantage, setting up the contrast for later in the story, where a similar situation occurs at Nile’s house. With the entire family at the birthday party of Nile’s brother in episode 4, Detective Brian Abbott finds a golden opportunity to sneak into the house, but the dogs make the task difficult. Unlike Steven, these canines must be drugged to clear the path, which perfectly illustrates the difference between the two pets. Although Steven adds a touch of warmth to every scene he shows up in, the same characteristics also make him vulnerable to danger, which makes the tension all the more palpable.
Steven also holds symbolic importance in ‘The Beast in Me,’ and much of that is due to Agatha’s breakthrough novel, ‘Sick Puppy.’ While the possible connection between the title of her memoir and her dog is never touched on, it is possible that the phrase “sick puppy’ here refers to Agatha herself. This further adds layers to her relationship with her pet dog, as it is possible that taking care of Steven is one of the few activities that instills a sense of purpose in her life. To that end, Neil’s arrival in the story disrupts this existing structure, and each turn in the narrative is exemplified by minute changes in the dog’s behavior. However, by the end of the story, Agatha is reunited with Steven, which, among other things, signifies a renewed appreciation for the truly valuable parts of her life.
