The fifth and final season of Netflix's "You" has premiered, bringing back the notorious serial killer Joe Goldberg, portrayed by Penn Badgley, as he navigates a web of betrayal, obsession, and violence. Set against a backdrop of glamour and privilege, Joe's story unfolds in New York, where he is now married to billionaire heiress Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie). However, the season quickly escalates into chaos as Joe's past and his murderous tendencies rear their ugly heads once more.
Season 5 kicks off three years after the events of Season 4, with Joe attempting to live a reformed life. He has regained custody of his son Henry and is enjoying the high life as Kate's trophy husband. But as the episodes progress, it becomes clear that Joe's attempts at normalcy are fraught with tension. Kate's inner circle grows suspicious of Joe, and the arrival of a new woman, Bronte (Madeline Brewer), complicates matters further.
In Episode 5, titled "The Last Dance," Joe's relationship with Bronte deepens, leading to a shocking confrontation. The episode opens with Joe and Bronte together while Kate pretends to accept their situation. However, Kate's investigation into Joe's past—including the mysterious disappearance of Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle)—leads her to uncover Joe's affair with Bronte. This revelation sends Kate spiraling, prompting her to confront Joe about his past and their crumbling marriage.
As tensions rise, Joe's violent tendencies resurface. After a heated argument with Kate, who declares her intention to divorce him, Joe receives an email from Clayton (Tom Francis), a character whose connection to Joe's dark past adds to the mounting pressure. In a desperate move, Joe breaks into Clayton's apartment, tracking down Bronte at the Laurel Diner in Atlantic Beach. Their interaction ends with Bronte tasering Joe, highlighting the dangerous game they are both playing.
The stakes escalate as the season progresses. Kate's confrontation with Joe reaches a climax when she discovers a knife in their bed, a symbol of the trust that has been shattered between them. In a moment of desperation, Kate reveals to Teddy (Griffin Matthews) that she had asked Joe to kill Bob and had previously participated in the murder of Rhys Montrose in Season 4. This admission reflects her internal struggle as she grapples with her own dark choices.
Meanwhile, Bronte's true motives come to light. Originally portrayed as a quirky love interest, she is revealed to be a catfish with a vendetta against Joe for his past crimes, including the murder of Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail). This twist adds complexity to her character and raises questions about Joe's capacity for love and redemption. As Bronte becomes more entwined in Joe's life, she begins to see him not just as a monster, but as a broken man seeking connection.
The finale of Season 5 is where the series truly ramps up the drama. After a series of violent encounters, including Joe's brutal killing of Clayton, Bronte's friends live-stream the aftermath, exclaiming, "We got him!" This pivotal moment underscores the show's exploration of social media's role in shaping narratives and public perception.
As the series draws to a close, Joe's relationship with Bronte takes a dark turn. In a shocking scene, Bronte pulls a gun on Joe, forcing him to redact everything he wrote in "The Dark Face of Love," a book that symbolizes his twisted view of love and obsession. Their dynamic shifts from romantic to adversarial, culminating in a climactic confrontation where Bronte shoots Joe in a moment of desperation.
The series finale leaves viewers questioning the nature of justice. Joe, now dubbed "Joe the Eunuch" after his injury, is arrested by the police, marking a significant shift in the narrative. The show has always walked a fine line between glorifying Joe's charm and condemning his actions, and this final season attempts to grapple with that duality. As Badgley himself noted, the series aims to reflect on the complexities of Joe's character while also addressing the societal issues surrounding his actions.
In the end, Joe's fate is sealed as he faces the consequences of his violent past. The final scene, featuring Joe reading a fan letter behind bars, serves as a chilling reminder of the show's exploration of obsession and the blurred lines between love and violence. As Joe muses, "Hurt people hurt people," the series concludes with a haunting reflection on the nature of evil and the narratives we choose to embrace.
With its blend of dark humor, social commentary, and psychological intrigue, Season 5 of "You" has left an indelible mark on its audience. As fans bid farewell to Joe Goldberg, they are left to ponder the complexities of his character and the moral implications of rooting for a villain.
As the curtain falls on this controversial series, one thing is clear: Joe Goldberg's story may be over, but the discussions it has sparked about morality, obsession, and the nature of love will continue long after the credits roll.
