The fifth and final season of Netflix’s "You" has arrived, bringing Joe Goldberg's twisted journey to a close. After four seasons of evading justice, viewers finally see Joe face the consequences of his actions, but not in the way many expected. Instead of a violent demise, Joe ends up behind bars, a decision that the show's creators, Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo, carefully considered.
Throughout the series, Joe has left a trail of bodies across the United States and Europe, justifying his actions with a warped sense of love and protection. The co-showrunners felt that simply killing him off would have been too easy, letting him off the hook for the pain he inflicted on his victims and their families. As Foley stated, death would have been a convenient escape, not a true reckoning.
Penn Badgley, who portrays Joe Goldberg, echoed this sentiment, believing that someone killing Joe would constitute vengeance rather than justice. He emphasized that such an act would bring the character down to Joe's level, failing to address the deeper issues at play. The challenge, then, was to find a fitting punishment that acknowledged the magnitude of Joe's crimes without resorting to simple retribution.
The decision to imprison Joe stemmed from a desire to confront him with the reality of his actions. Bronte, a new character in season 5 with ties to Joe's past, plays a crucial role in his downfall. Initially falling for Joe's charms, Bronte eventually uncovers his true nature and orchestrates his capture. In a symbolic act, she forces him to redact the changes he made to Beck's book, giving her friend back her voice.
During their confrontation, Bronte has multiple opportunities to kill Joe, but she refrains from doing so. She recognizes that death would be too easy, allowing him to escape accountability. Instead, she wants him to confront the gravity of his actions and the pain he has caused. As Bronte tells Joe, he needs to understand that he is the monster.
The final scene depicts Joe in his prison cell, alone with his thoughts and the weight of his crimes. He receives fan mail, with some admirers even expressing a desire to be his next victim. However, Joe remains delusional, blaming society for his actions and refusing to take full responsibility. In his final voiceover, he laments his fate, questioning why he is in a cage while others seemingly embrace depravity.
The choice to imprison Joe also allows the show to explore the theme of loneliness as a form of punishment. Throughout the series, Joe has craved connection and acceptance, seeking validation through his relationships with women. In prison, he is stripped of these connections, left to grapple with his isolation and the realization that he may never be loved again.
The co-showrunners have spoken about the emotional process of writing the final season, with intense discussions about what Joe truly deserved. Ultimately, they aimed to create an ending that was both satisfying and thought-provoking, prompting viewers to consider the complexities of justice and the consequences of unchecked obsession. By leaving Joe alive but imprisoned, "You" forces him to confront his demons and offers a glimpse into a future devoid of the love and validation he so desperately craved.
