The Final Death in ‘You’ Season 5 Wasn’t a Person – And It Changed Everything

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Warning! Spoilers for You season 5 ahead!

The fifth season of “You” wrapped up Joe Goldberg’s story neatly, yet one death in particular signified an absolute finale. Interestingly, the final season saw significantly fewer deaths compared to its predecessors. Throughout earlier seasons, characters such as Beck, Candice, Love, and Rhys met their end at Joe’s hand when they became a nuisance. Each season would typically conclude with a significant death that brought an arc to a close. However, the death in the fifth season was quite unusual.

In the fifth season of “You,” Joe’s attempts to kill were mostly unsuccessful for the first time. Initially smitten with his wife, Kate Lockwood, things quickly went sour as they often do with Joe. Known for murdering those who no longer held his interest, Kate would likely have suffered the same fate if circumstances allowed. However, Kate managed to survive in “You” season 5. After Kate, Joe developed feelings for Bronte, only to turn on her too, as is his pattern of obsession. Remarkably, Bronte also made it through alive. Interestingly, the last casualty in “You” wasn’t a person but Mooney’s Bookstore itself.

The Death Of Mooney’s Bookstore Cemented The End Of Netflix’s You

This Is Where It All Began

In the narrative of “You,” Joe cherishes a bookstore known as Mooney’s. However, this relationship runs deeper than just a simple affinity.

Mooney’s serves as the backdrop for the initial scene in season 1, where Joe first crossed paths with Beck and his captivating obsession commenced. Regrettably, it was also at Mooney’s that Beck met her untimely demise towards the end of the first season—a poignant full circle moment.

However, the store’s significance extends far beyond this particular tale. Joe spent his formative years under the strict guidance of Mr. Mooney, who would confine the young boy in a basement cage as a means of discipline. This harsh upbringing played a crucial role in shaping one of Joe’s more aggressive tendencies.

Following the events depicted in season 1 of “You,” I, as a fan of Joe, found myself compelled to abandon Mooney’s Bookstore for a while. Each subsequent season saw me navigating new locales as I, Joe, sought to evade my wrongdoings. However, after tying the knot with Kate in season 4, I was unexpectedly granted a form of immunity that would enable me to return to my old life. The return of Mooney’s Bookstore in season 5 served to rekindle the essence and atmosphere reminiscent of Joe’s initial journey within the Netflix series. To put it simply, Mooney’s was more than just a store for me—it was another character I cherished deeply. Consequently, its destiny was inevitably intertwined with my own.

In the final scenes of “You“, Mooney’s old bookstore, which had long concealed the dark nature of Joe Goldberg, was tragically consumed by flames. This event, following Joe’s escape from his confinement and Bronte’s revelation about her lover, seemed to strip away any remaining pretenses. The destruction of the bookstore revealed the true monster that lay within Joe, making his true self clear for all to see. The demise of Mooney’s Bookstore signaled the start of the unmasking of Joe Goldberg.

Why Mooney’s Bookstore Had To Burn Down In You’s Final Season

There Could Be Nothing Left To Continue Joe’s Legacy

The burning down of Mooney’s Bookstore in the series “You” served as a powerful symbol, signifying a decisive conclusion to Joe’s storyline. This bookstore, which mirrored Joe’s complex personality – an intellectual and refined facade concealing a sinister, dark underbelly – was also a place he cherished deeply. Its destruction represented the culmination of a series of tragic events stemming from his passionate nature.

However, the need to eliminate Mooney’s Bookstore extended beyond this symbolism. In season 5 of “You”, there was a hint that Joe might undergo a transformation, suggesting a new chapter in his life. Therefore, it was crucial that Mooney’s no longer played a role in his story, paving the way for this potential change.

Henry, Joe’s son, has a promising future ahead, but his past struggles may have left him susceptible to the violent tendencies seen in his father. However, it’s suggested that he will choose a different path. The near-destruction of Mooney’s bookstore was a pivotal moment for Henry, as it could have led him to follow in Joe’s footsteps and use the hidden room in the store someday. Fortunately, the burning down of Mooney’s provided a clean break from Joe’s legacy. The ending of the story leaves no room for ambiguity about Henry’s future.

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2025-05-04 13:27