The final season of Netflix’s You sees Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) return to New York, bringing his story full circle. Thanks to his relationship with the wealthy Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie), Joe no longer has to pretend to be someone else, reclaiming his real name and his place in the city. He and Kate are also able to provide a safe and comfortable home for Joe’s son Henry (Frankie DeMaio), whom he previously abandoned. The blended family of three seems to have it all figured out—until Joe falls back into his old ways.
In the final season, Joe becomes obsessed with Bronte, an aspiring novelist played by Madeline Brewer, who is not who she seems. Bronte is revealed to be catfishing Joe, using the alias Louise Flannery. Her true motive is to expose Joe for the series of murders he has committed, including the death of his previous love interest, Guinevere Beck. Bronte’s plan to take down Joe becomes complicated when she unexpectedly falls in love with him, a twist that adds layers to her character and to the narrative.
As Joe attempts to navigate his life as a husband and father, his fixation on Bronte leads him down a dark path. Bronte, who initially intended to expose Joe, finds herself torn between her mission and her feelings for him. This internal conflict culminates in a dramatic showdown when Bronte confronts Joe about his past. After a violent encounter, Joe attempts to drown Bronte, but she survives and ultimately turns the tables on him.
In a pivotal moment, Bronte shoots Joe in the groin, a symbolic act that not only incapacitates him but also serves as a metaphorical castration of his romantic hero persona. Showrunner Michael Foley explained, “This was a chance to take away his manhood,” emphasizing that Joe’s power has always stemmed from his charm and ability to manipulate women.
Following his arrest, Joe is put on trial and sentenced to life without parole for first-degree murder on several counts, including the murders of Beck, Love Quinn, and others. Bronte’s voiceover at the end of the series encapsulates the finality of Joe’s fate: “One thing's clear, Joe Goldberg will never be free again.”
While Joe faces justice, the other characters also find their own resolutions. Kate, who survived a fire at Mooney’s, transforms the Lockwood Corporation into a non-profit and champions the work of Marienne, another character who has been affected by Joe’s actions. Kate also gains custody of Henry, ensuring that he will not be influenced by his father’s dark legacy.
Henry, who initially exhibits some violent tendencies, is shown to be in a loving environment with Kate, who is determined to raise him away from Joe’s influence. Joe’s past actions weigh heavily on Henry, who ultimately rejects his father, telling him in a video game call, “You’re the monster.” This moment highlights the impact of Joe’s choices on his son, suggesting that while Henry is his father’s blood, he has the power to choose his own path.
As the series concludes, Bronte’s narrative takes center stage. She restores Beck’s original writing, reclaiming the voice that Joe had attempted to erase. This act of defiance against Joe symbolizes the reclamation of identity and agency for women who have suffered at the hands of men like him. Bronte’s final narration reinforces this theme, asserting, “Someday, Henry Goldberg will ask someone to love him. To trust that they’re safe doing so. Not because he’s his father’s blood. He’ll just have to decide what kind of man he wants to be.”
The showrunners intended for the finale to serve as a commentary on society’s complicity in romanticizing toxic behavior. Joe’s final monologue, “Maybe we have a problem as a society. Maybe we should fix what’s broken in us. Maybe the problem isn’t me… Maybe, it’s you,” challenges the audience to reflect on their own perceptions of love and obsession.
Despite the dark themes of the series, many characters find hope and redemption. Nadia, who faced wrongful imprisonment, returns to writing and teaching, using her experiences to help others. Meanwhile, Kate’s transformation into a benevolent figure in the art world signifies a break from the past, allowing her to champion those who were once silenced.
In the end, the final season of You not only delivers a satisfying conclusion to Joe’s story but also offers a broader commentary on the nature of love, obsession, and the consequences of one’s actions. As viewers bid farewell to Joe Goldberg, they are left to ponder the complexities of his character and the societal implications of his narrative.
