Joe’s Downfall: First Victim Seeks Justice in ‘You’ Season 5 Finale

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Following five series, multiple character demises, transitions across two states and various nations, the character Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley), from the show “You“, has returned to New York City after all this time. Unlike before, he now has a wealthy CEO wife, Kate (Charlotte Ritchie), by his side this time around. Rather than hiding his true self, Joe is embracing the limelight, presenting himself as a charming leading man and devoted spouse to a powerful woman.

Given that this is the last season of the Netflix psychological thriller, fans had high expectations for Joe’s story to reach its climax. However, the way it unfolded and the profound message Joe conveyed in the finale gave his ending a unique poignancy. It seems appropriate for a character who has been so enamored with romanticizing violence and obsession.

Joe Almost Meets His End in His Own Cage

In Joe’s marriage, it crumbles as Kate discovers the depth of his troubled side. Simultaneously, he finds himself drawn to Bronte (Madeline Brewer), a vivacious playwright who intruded at the bookstore and later became his employee. Unbeknownst to him, Bronte is actually Louise, one of Guinevere’s (Elizabeth Lail) ex-students, working with online detectives to expose him.

After discovering Joe’s true identity as the Eat the Rich killer and his past deeds, Kate understands that she must confront him. However, she cannot do it on her own. In order to avoid a public uproar, she goes to see Nadia (played by Amy-Leigh Hickman) in prison, confessing that she had assisted Joe in framing Nadia for Rhys’ (Ed Speelers) murder. With the means at her disposal, Kate manages to secretly arrange for Nadia’s release from jail. Consequently, she executes this plan.

In a shocking turn of events, these two women conclude that their only recourse against Joe is to imprison him. They succeed in capturing Joe and lock him up within his own enclosure. By doing so, they reclaim their control over the situation and even locate Marienne (Tati Gabrielle), who seizes the chance to witness Joe’s retribution. However, what they remain unaware of is that Joe has taken matters into his own hands by self-inflicting an injury on his arm and hiding a spare key to his cage within the wound.

Kate chooses to take matters into her own hands and kill Joe without involving Nadia or Marienne. However, when she goes downstairs, she finds that Joe has managed to flee using a concealed key. A struggle ensues, but this time it’s Joe who ends up shooting Kate in the side. As he attempts to escape upstairs, he encounters an enraged Maddie who won’t open the door for him. She’s furious that Joe had falsified evidence to get her and Harrison (Pete Ploszek) arrested. Harrison admitted his actions were solo, which means Maddie will be released soon, but she’s thirsty for revenge.

Instead of pouring alcohol recklessly and setting fire to it in front of Joe, causing him great alarm when Kate, now awake, strikes him on the head, Bronte had ignited a situation where they both lay near death. However, upon re-entering, she discovered the blaze, checked for Kate’s pulse, and rescued Joe from the burning building. Yet, contrary to appearances, she doesn’t wish to be with him; rather, she intends to use this ruse as an opportunity to defeat him in the end.

Joe Becomes the Villain of His Own Story

Setting off on an adventure to begin anew under fresh personas, Bronte’s schemes unfold within her own thoughts. After finding a suitable resting spot for the night and sharing a romantic interlude, Bronte unexpectedly brandishes a firearm at him as they prepare for intimacy, leaving Joe in disbelief. She compels him to read through Beck’s entire book, crossing out all the passages he had added with a marker while keeping him at gunpoint. Once finished, he attempts to reason with Bronte. It appears as though his efforts are bearing fruit, as she struggles between the prospect of what could be with him and the harsh reality that things might eventually unravel.

In a struggle, Joe seizes the firearm and fires at Bronte. Fleeing into the woods, he pursues her wearing only boxers. She covertly returns to the house, looking for his phone to dial 911. Forced back outside, she eventually manages to place the call but accidentally drops the device. Joe is heard shouting and swearing, with the dispatcher probably recording every word.

Following an attempt to drown Bronte, he instead surfaces with a gun. As he hears sirens grow near and spots police officers on his property, he pleads to be executed. However, she declines. In the end, he rushes at her, prompting her to shoot him in the lower body. The officers then apprehend him, leading him away in handcuffs. For Joe, that chapter has closed.

The flashforward reveals that Joe’s trial was rapid but chaotic, boasting an overwhelming amount of indisputable evidence leading to his conviction. Despite being incarcerated for life, the others manage to find their blissful conclusions. Surprisingly, Kate survived. She managed to escape from the bookstore, albeit with severe burns on her arm and upper body which she carries as reminders of past misdeeds. She bears these scars as a form of atonement for her wrongdoings. She designated her half-brother Teddy (Griffin Matthews) as her successor, and he subsequently transformed the company into a completely non-profit organization.

Everyone’s Happy Endings

Instead of serving as a CEO, Kate chose to follow her heart in advocating for artists, with Marienne being one of her initial talents. Recall that Marienne has a remarkable gift in the art world. Meanwhile, both Dr. Nicky’s and Nadia’s charges were dismissed. Following this, Dr. Nicky resumed her career in writing and teaching, focusing on helping women cope with trauma. Similarly, Harrison was found not guilty, leading him to find his happy ending with Maddie, Gretchen, and their soon-to-be twins. Despite being accused of arson and murdering her sister, Maddie, under the given circumstances, was spared jail time. However, she did seek treatment for her addiction to pills in a rehabilitation center.

Dominique (Natasha Behnam) and Phoenix, the investigative duo who assisted Bronte in apprehending Joe, express their intention to persist in their pursuit. During a podcast discussion, they acknowledge that Joe is merely one of numerous individuals evading accountability for heinous actions. They have taken it upon themselves to track down such individuals and ensure justice prevails.

As a passionate movie-goer, I can’t help but rephrase that intriguing statement in my own words: In the grand cinematic narrative of life, Bronte took it upon herself to edit a fresh, revised version of Beck’s book. This edited edition, devoid of Joe’s passages, now bore the sole imprint of her creativity. This act, I believe, provided Bronte with the catharsis she craved for. With each passing day, she continued her journey of self-discovery, resolute in her decision to not let her past with Joe dictate her present or future. Every day, she observes, he fades further into insignificance. “One day,” she muses, “he’ll just be that ex-boyfriend I dated.

Joe’s Perfectly Chilling Final Thoughts

In the end, it’s Joe who has the final say, a remark that leaves spectators pondering. He languishes in solitude within his cell, the isolation being his worst terror. There is no one there to care for him or shield him from harm. This fate, more painful than death, continues to elude accountability from him. “Hurt people, hurt people,” he admits. Though it’s evident that Joe is responsible for his own misdeeds and no one else bears the blame, his thought-provoking statement is certain to ignite conversation.

A sentinel places a note beneath the door, commenting that it’s “another one,” a letter from an overly enthusiastic admirer expressing their affection for him. He muses, “Perhaps there’s something we need to address in our society.” “Perhaps we should mend what’s fractured within us. Perhaps the issue isn’t with me. Perhaps…it’s you.”

Stream You on Netflix.

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2025-04-24 10:02