Joe Goldberg’s Final Words Expose Society’s True Crime Obsession: Is the Real Problem ‘You’?

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for You season 5.

In the concluding scene of You season 5, Joe Goldberg’s departure offers a fitting culmination to the Netflix series, subtly emphasizing two significant motifs that have been woven throughout the show. This latest installment of You represents a comeback for the series as Penn Badgley’s character, a serial killer, navigates his tumultuous relationship, reunites with New York City, and develops an infatuation towards another woman. In various aspects, season 5 completes Joe Goldberg’s narrative arc while simultaneously paying tribute to his victims and imparting thought-provoking messages about society.

In the fifth season finale of ‘You’, Joe’s actions finally catch up with him, resulting in a justifiable punishment for his numerous murders. The series concludes with him serving time in prison, which he finds to be more harsh than anticipated due to his isolation. However, as the final scene unfolds, a letter from a self-proclaimed admirer reaches Joe, echoing the glorification often associated with serial killers. This letter’s impact on Joe is intriguing, serving as a reflection of both his deepest struggles and a critique of viewers who may unwittingly support such characters.

Joe Goldberg’s Last Words In You Season 5 Explained

He Views His Fan Mail As A Societal Issue

As Joe peruses the letters he gets following You season 5, he correctly highlights two conflicting points. This leaves him puzzled, wondering “Why am I confined, when these individuals write such twisted desires for me to act upon them?” He then ponders about the fascination with serial killers and people like himself, on a broader level. Eventually, he attributes his actions to external factors.

It’s possible that we, as a community, are facing some issues. Perhaps it would be beneficial for us to address and repair our flaws. Could it be that the source of the problem doesn’t lie with me, but rather with us collectively? Perhaps… it could be you or something within our group.

Absolutely, the final scene of You subtly incorporates the show’s famous title into its closing moments as the credits for the last season begin to roll. However, by making Joe Goldberg ponder whether he himself is the issue, the series finale effectively underscores other significant themes. Remarkably, some of Joe’s observations might not be entirely off-base, despite the fact that they serve as a mask for deeper truths. In just a few lines, You season 5 delivers a disappointing yet insightful character revelation about Joe and simultaneously comments on the audience captivated by his narrative.

Joe’s Final Line Shows That He Hasn’t Actually Learned Anything

It’s The Reason He Repeats The Same Cycle Throughout Netflix’s You

In the fifth season of “You,” Bronte chooses not to kill Joe Goldberg, instead arranging for his capture and trial. This decision is driven by her desire for people to understand Joe’s true nature. Moreover, she hopes that Joe will confront himself, but his final words indicate that he doesn’t truly face himself. Despite being convicted and imprisoned, Joe’s reaction to a letter suggests he hasn’t truly learned from his actions. Consistently evading accountability for his deeds, as seen throughout the five seasons of “You,” Joe continues his pattern of behavior.

It appears that Joe consistently follows a pattern of violent behavior towards the women he becomes involved with, as he struggles with self-reflection. Even when he seems remorseful for his actions, this regret is fleeting. The Netflix series “You” effectively portrays this, particularly during Joe’s confrontation with Bronte and while he’s in prison. Essentially, Joe refuses to acknowledge his wrongdoings or face the truth about himself, instead choosing to shift blame to preserve his skewed self-image.

This is another reason why he can’t truly love Love Quinn as herself, even though she seems like an ideal match for him. Instead of falling for Love herself, Joe becomes infatuated with the idealized image of her that he initially encounters. However, once he recognizes their similarities, his feelings turn into hatred. The show consistently highlights Joe’s inability to change and grow, which makes the ending of season 5 an appropriate conclusion to his story.

Joe Isn’t Totally Wrong About The Problem In You Season 5

The Netflix Series Calls Out The Growing Obsession With True Crime

The final scenes of Joe’s storyline in “You” serve to underscore his inability to perceive the real issue, yet they don’t miss the mark when it comes to pointing out the glamorization of killers in our culture. By the end, it’s clear that Joe bears responsibility for all his actions throughout the series. However, the persistence of viewers defending and romanticizing him, even after he’s been convicted, hints at a problem within certain sectors of society as well. Thus, “You” season 5’s finale critiques our increasing fascination with serial killers and true crime, raising concerns about how this obsession overlooks the victims and focuses on the perpetrators instead.

In essence, Joe’s last accusation resonates with the fans of “You,” since throughout several seasons, we’ve been drawn to a fictional murderer as our source of entertainment. As viewers, we become somewhat attached to Joe, despite his unreliable narrator status and repeated warnings. We find ourselves curious about his fate, even sympathizing with him at times due to his backstory. Regrettably, this interest aligns with the criticisms leveled against “You” in season 5.

This aligns well with the true crime motifs present in season 5, as Bronte’s companions publicly accuse Joe on social media and launch a podcast to bring down men similar to him. While their actions are primarily driven by a desire to protect women and seek justice for victims, it’s worth noting that this plotline concludes alongside Joe making a keen observation about the genre.

Penn Badgley Agrees With Both Meanings Behind Joe’s Last Words

If you found the ending scene of the show unclear, it’s worth noting that Penn Badgley, who plays Joe, clarified the truth about his character’s final moments in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. When asked if Joe’s last line was meant to be taken literally or as a way to avoid accountability, Badgley explained his interpretation of the scene.

In essence, it’s a form of evasion on his part, yet it holds truth because ultimately, he’s fictional while we are real. Therefore, the story revolves around us, not him. It can’t be about him since he doesn’t exist in reality. That’s just straightforward to me.

It’s a valid observation, shifting our perspective on the Netflix series ‘You’ significantly. Previous seasons offer a less direct commentary, but season 5 powerfully reinforces the show’s key themes. One of these is the realization that we should lose interest in characters like Joe Goldberg, despite their appeal. Although it won’t completely solve the issue, as individuals must take responsibility for their actions, it can help emphasize the importance of focusing on victims and discourage idolization of such questionable figures.

2025-05-03 05:10