The Double Meaning Behind Joe Goldberg’s Final Line & How It Calls Out Viewers

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Warning: SPOILERS forward for You season 5.

Joe Goldberg’s closing scene in You season 5 delivers an ideal ending to the Netflix sequence, and it highlights two main themes of the present with its double that means. You season 5 is a return to form for the sequence, with Penn Badgley’s serial killer returning to New York, sabotaging his marriage, and changing into obsessive about one other girl. Season 5 brings Joe Goldberg’s story full circle in all these methods and extra, and it manages to honor his victims and drive residence some poignant societal commentary within the course of.

And You season 5’s ending provides Joe a becoming destiny after every little thing he has executed. It lastly sees him face penalties for his crimes, as Badgley’s character is convicted for a number of of the murders he dedicated — and the ultimate moments of the sequence present him in jail. He notes that the punishment is “worse than [he] imagined,” largely as a result of he is caught alone. However Joe receives a letter from a “fan” throughout You‘s final scene, a nod to the glamorization of many serial killers. His response to this letter is fascinating, because it highlights his greatest drawback whereas additionally calling out viewers.

Joe Goldberg’s Final Phrases In You Season 5 Defined

He Views His Fan Mail As A Societal Situation

As Joe reads the fan mail he receives on the finish of You season 5, he makes two correct factors — each of which contradict each other. Joe wonders, “Why am I in a cage, when these crazies write me all of the wicked issues they need me to do to them?” He goes on to query the obsession with serial killers and males like himself on a grander scale, finally pinning the blame for his conduct on different individuals:

“Perhaps we now have an issue as a society. Perhaps we must always repair what’s damaged in us. Perhaps the issue is not me. Perhaps… it is you.”

After all, it is a intelligent approach to work the long-lasting title of the Netflix sequence into one final second earlier than the credit of the ultimate season roll. However by having Joe Goldberg query whether or not he is actually the issue, You‘s sequence finale drives residence different massive factors. Wildly sufficient, Joe’s observations aren’t completely incorrect, even when hiding behind them is. With just some traces, You season 5 concurrently gives a irritating revelation about his character and feedback on the very individuals invested in his story.

Joe’s Remaining Line Exhibits That He Hasn’t Truly Discovered Something

It is The Cause He Repeats The Identical Cycle All through Netflix’s You

The rationale Bronte doesn’t kill Joe Goldberg in You season 5 — as an alternative guaranteeing he is arrested and placed on trial for his crimes — is as a result of she desires individuals to see him for who he’s. Bronte additionally desires Joe to face himself, however his closing traces counsel that by no means really occurs. Whereas Joe undoubtedly has low moments as he is convicted and put in jail, his response to his letter proves he hasn’t really discovered something. Joe continues to be discovering methods to skirt duty for the issues he has executed, simply as he has for all five seasons of You.

The complete motive Joe retains repeating the identical violent cycle with the ladies he falls for is as a result of he is incapable of self-reflection.

The complete motive Joe retains repeating the identical violent cycle with the ladies he falls for is as a result of he is incapable of self-reflection. Even when he allegedly feels guilt for his actions, it is short-lived. You season 5 does a stellar job of highlighting this, each when Joe’s true colours come out throughout his combat with Bronte and when he is in jail. The fact is that Joe refuses to take true accountability for his actions or settle for the reality about himself. He must shift the blame to keep up his distorted view of who he’s.

Victoria Pedretti as Love Quinn in Netflix's You in front of a poster for the show and cracked glass

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I’m Glad She Gets Justice, But You Season 5 Makes One Love Quinn Mistake Even Worse

You season 5 makes a degree of bringing Joe Goldberg’s story full circle, however with regards to Love Quinn, it leans into season 4’s greatest mistake.

That is additionally why he is incapable of loving Love Quinn for who she is, even supposing she’s arguably the proper match for him. Joe falls for the idealized model of Love he first meets, however when he realizes how related they’re, he hates her for it. The sequence repeatedly drives residence Joe’s incapability to study and develop, and that makes You season 5’s ending the proper approach to wrap his story.

Joe Is not Completely Incorrect About The Downside In You Season 5

The Netflix Sequence Calls Out The Rising Obsession With True Crime

Joe Goldberg looks to the side in You Season 5

Though Joe’s closing moments in You spotlight how incapable he’s of seeing the true drawback, they don’t seem to be fully incorrect in regards to the glamorization of killers. In the end, Joe is the one chargeable for every little thing he does all through the sequence. However the truth that individuals proceed to defend and idealize him, even after his conviction, does counsel one thing incorrect with part of society as properly. Via this actuality, You season 5’s finale additionally criticizes the rising obsession with serial killers and true crime, questioning their half in specializing in the perpetrators over the victims.

And in a approach, Joe’s closing accusation additionally calls out the followers of You, as we have been following a fictional killer for a number of seasons.

And in a approach, Joe’s closing accusation additionally calls out the followers of You, as we have been following a fictional killer for a number of seasons, utilizing his crimes as leisure. By getting invested in Joe’s story, the viewer has to attach with him to some extent. He is an unreliable narrator, and we’re informed that repeatedly, but we nonetheless need to know the place he finally ends up and the way. We’re additionally compelled to sympathize with him at occasions, as we get his backstory by his perspective. Sadly, meaning we’re feeding into the identical type of curiosity You season 5 critiques.

Kate Lockwood, Joe Goldberg, And Bronte In You Season 5

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Joe Goldberg’s Most Tragic You Season 5 Relationship Isn’t A Romance & That Makes It Even Sadder

Joe Goldberg sabotages all of his romantic relationships all through Netflix’s You, however his most tragic connection in season 5 isn’t a romance.

This parallels the true crime themes of season 5 properly, which see Bronte’s mates exposing Joe on social media and beginning a podcast to take down different males like him. Though their intentions are extra about saving girls and getting justice for victims, it is no coincidence that that is included in the identical ending that sees Joe making an astute remark in regards to the style.

Penn Badgley Agrees With Each Meanings Behind Joe’s Final Phrases

Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg sitting on a couch in You season 3

If the double that means of You‘s closing scene wasn’t clear sufficient, even Penn Badgley confirmed the reality of his character’s final moments on-screen in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. When requested whether or not Joe’s final line needs to be taken critically or seen as one other try and skirt duty, Badgley responded:

“It is each. It is a cop out from him nevertheless it’s additionally true as a result of, on the finish of the day, he is not actual and we’re. And so we have been watching a present about him and he now not exists, so it’s about us. It could not be about him. He isn’t actual. In order that’s sort of plain and easy to me.”

It is a truthful level, and one which places the whole thing of Netflix’s You in a distinct gentle. Whereas prior outings take viewers on a experience that is not as on the nostril with its commentary, season 5 actually drives residence the largest messages the sequence is making an attempt to convey. Amongst them is the fact that we, as a society, have to cease being fascinated by males like Joe Goldberg — even after they’re fictional. Though this may not remedy the issue totally, as they’re chargeable for their actions, it might assist prioritize victims and underscore that these aren’t figures to idolize.

Supply: Entertainment Weekly