You Season 5’s Massive Blunder: Neglecting a 6-Year Plot Line (& It’s Too Late Now)

The tragic tale of Joe Goldberg culminated unexpectedly as the beloved protagonist met his long-awaited punishment. Interestingly, it was a lesser-known character who administered Joe’s fate, this enigmatic figure having an intriguing link to Joe’s first victim, Guinevere Beck. As a result, fans speculated that since Joe’s narrative reached its conclusion in Season 5, various familiar faces might reappear, including beloved character Ellie Alves, portrayed by Jenna Ortega.

Before the premiere of the new season, whispers suggested that several of Joe’s survivors could reappear to seek revenge, leading fans to speculate that Ellie Ortega, played by Jenna Ortega, would return to deal with her deceased sister’s unresolved issues. However, despite having a storyline planned, Jenna Ortega was not part of Season 5, which turned out to be a significant missed chance. To add insult to injury, elements from Season 2 were still being explored in the latest season.

Jenna Ortega Played Ellie in You Season 2

She Was Never Seen Again After Joe Made Her Leave LA

During those times, Joe Goldberg’s life was relatively straightforward, residing in an apartment building in LA and assisting kids like Paco and the newcomer, Ellie, to fulfill his suppressed sense of righteousness. Ellie, played by Jenna Ortega, significantly enriched the narrative of Joe’s reign of terror, being one of the rare characters who managed to evade Joe’s lethal grasp. In the second season of You, Ortega portrayed Ellie Alves, a budding teenage filmmaker with an intelligent and mature older sister. Impressed by her sharp wit and submissive nature, Joe felt compelled to protect Ellie.

Despite being aware of Joe’s abilities, Ellie seemed to have a humbling and rejuvenating effect on him regarding morality. He assumed a protective role towards her that led him to kill a YouTuber named Henderson, who was later exposed for abusing minors by drugging them. Although Ellie didn’t discover Joe’s involvement in the murder, this event strengthened their bond and temporarily curbed his compulsion to safeguard women, even at great personal cost.

It could be said that she was more subdued than Joe’s typical approach with damsels in distress – developing an obsession with them and eventually taking lives in the guise of “protection.” Regrettably, Delilah, Ellie’s older sister, fell victim to Love Quinn and the killer duo, as they tried to prevent her from revealing their secrets. Joe, upon learning this, grew worried for Ellie’s wellbeing and arranged for her to leave with a generous sum of money, never to be heard from again. Her departure was left unresolved, leading viewers to speculate that her storyline wasn’t complete. Similar to Marienne and Candice, the audience anticipated her return, either for a warm welcome or revenge.

Ellie Could Have Been an Instrumental Addition Amidst the Bronte Controversy

Fans Hoped She Would Return to Confront Joe About Delilah’s Murder

It’s possible that Joe’s old neighbor, now grown, could have been crucial and significant in the upcoming events. Hints were dropped suggesting that some familiar characters would make a comeback for a final confrontation against Joe, which increases the likelihood of Ortega reappearing. Many spectators expected Ellie to be among the online detectives, who might have collaborated with Dominique and Phoenix in their investigation, possibly as a backer or major contributor.

It would have been logical if Ellie, who had spent time with Joe and instinctively sensed that something wasn’t right about her neighbor, had taken some action or uncovered some truth during the story. However, Delilah’s murder was left unexplained and unresolved in a frustrating manner at the end of the series. Given Ellie’s significant role in the show and the impact Joe had on her life, it seemed fair that she should have received some form of resolution or closure for her ordeal.

In a different scenario, Ortega’s reappearance as Ellie might have made Joe’s fall seem more significant and emotionally moving for viewers. This is because Ellie never fully trusted Joe, and with all the rumors swirling about him online for years, it’s likely she eventually pieced together the truth. Even Nadia, who was similar to Ellie in Season 4, received a resolution in the finale, making it crucial for Ellie to also have some form of conclusion.

You Creators Already Had an Interesting Storyline For Ortega’s Ellie

They Were Open to Including Ellie In the Storyline If Ortega Was Available

The creators, Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo, initially planned for Jenna Ortega’s character, Ellie, to appear in Season 5. They discussed this with Business Insider, revealing that they had a plotline for Ellie, but unfortunately, it was dropped due to the actress’s busy schedule with other Netflix series like “Wednesday”. If Ortega had returned, the writers intended for Ellie to collaborate with internet vigilantes. This decision seemed logical as both the victim and onlookers could gather in the internet without alerting Joe, similar to how Louise used it.

Given her past with Joe and his involvement in Delilah’s murder, albeit indirectly, it is clear that Ellie would have joined forces with either Louise or Kate to bring him to justice. Her intelligence and determination made it unlikely that she would tolerate such actions, especially when her financial support came from him.

Unfortunately, Ortega’s hectic schedule during Season 2 of “Wednesday” left her unable to participate in a potentially compelling storyline that might have improved the final season. Since its debut in Season 1, Netflix’s psychological thriller has maintained high viewership numbers, but viewers were especially critical of Season 5. A large segment of the fanbase was displeased with Bronte’s portrayal as the femme fatale, feeling that one of Joe’s past survivors should have been the one to shoot him in the groin instead. It would have been more impactful and emotionally resonant if a character like Ellie had played a significant role in devising an intricate plot, instead.

In addition, if Ellie Alves had betrayed Joe, it might have pushed him over the edge completely. This is because in his distorted perspective, he continued to view people like Ellie and even his son as seeing him as a hero. The emotional impact of this storyline would have been more powerful than the current version, but only with Ortega’s involvement could it have been realized effectively. In essence, “You” Season 5 could have had a unique narrative twist with Ellie Alves, considering the significant impact that Victoria Pedraza (Ortega) has made since her rise to fame.

Joe Goldberg Was Treated to a Brutal Ending Even Without Ellie

He Was Imprisoned For Life Without the Possibility Of Ever Connecting With Another Human Being

It can reasonably be assumed that if Jenna Ortega’s character Ellie were still part of the storyline, she would appreciate knowing how Joe turned out, considering she accepted him for who he was and believed in his self-proclaimed role as a savior. However, it’s crucial to note that while Joe thought he was helping his partners by eliminating their abusers, he was actually indulging in his murderous desires under the guise of saving women.

In a somewhat contentious manner, Charlotte Bronte’s monologue vividly portrayed the hidden irony within the insidious nature of manipulation. Many women who were ensnared by this character found themselves captivated by him, but ultimately managed to free themselves. This dynamic sparked considerable debate among readers about Bronte’s portrayal. By deliberately targeting Joe, a man known for his questionable actions, Charlotte Bronte knowingly pursued a romantic relationship with him and defended his behavior. This audacious act of falling in love with him and defending his actions further fueled the controversy surrounding her work.

In a show of power, the authorities might have punished Joe’s actions, but characters like Nadia and Ellie would have meted out justice without regret or hesitation. They would have thoroughly prepared for Joe’s downfall, ensuring it was prolonged and agonizing, yet simple in execution. They wouldn’t complicate matters. However, it seems unlikely that the series would entrust such a significant task to a character who has been absent for the past two seasons. Yet, this could parallel Bronte’s introduction, which also occurred under similar circumstances. In the end, Joe Goldberg’s killing spree was brought to a close with an apt ending that immersed him in his deepest fears, leaving him forever isolated and unable to captivate other book lovers with his words or his intense affection for women.

2025-05-12 00:11