You Season 5 Review: Penn Badgley Delivers, But The Final Season Falls Flat

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In the series “You,” originally aired on Lifetime but subsequently streamed on Netflix for all subsequent seasons, the character Joe Goldberg, portrayed by Penn Badgley, embodies a unique blend of romance and terror, serving as both a knight in shining armor and a villain in a horror story – it largely depends on one’s perspective. Previously, he skillfully charmed young women into falling for him only to reveal his true self or, conversely, found flaws with the women he had obsessively loved so he could move on to another obsession. Regardless of the method, the outcomes were always the same. However, that pattern changed when Joe encountered Kate Galvin (Charlotte Richie) in Season 4 while relocating to London.

Initially, Kate disliked Joe intensely, but with time, he charmed her and overcame his personal struggles enough to reveal much of his past truths to her. The fifth season, three years into their marriage, finds them committed to using Kate’s wealth for good purposes. However, Joe often succumbs to his impulses, and despite maintaining a virtuous facade for a significant period, when Kate requests him to assassinate Bob (Michael Dempsey), one of her board members, how could he possibly resist?

Season 5’s narrative unfolds with tales of sex, manipulation, love, obsession, and murder. While Kate sets Joe free to continue his killing spree for the sake of securing her position as CEO of the company that her father founded (which Joe had killed last season), she soon grows uncomfortable with further killings. It’s revealed that she harbors guilt, while Joe remains untroubled, struggling to understand why Kate’s desires don’t align with his own. Consequently, Joe shifts his affections towards Bronte (played by Madeline Brewer), a younger woman who shares his love for books and thrives on a touch of chaos in her life.

In contrast to previous seasons, the fifth one seemed to prioritize Joe Goldberg’s downfall over exploring his inner psyche. This shift made the character, Bronte, take on the role of the final girl, much like in a typical slasher movie. The series transformed into an all-out horror production, departing from its earlier blend of horror and romance. While this approach is straightforward, it lacks the depth that made the other seasons intriguing. I found it less satisfying, and unfortunately, the show seems to have lost some of its charm as a result.

What went wrong in Season 5

It’s not entirely unexpected that we arrived at this point. There were significant changes in the team this season, which might have impacted the subtlety with which “You” was portrayed. Sera Gamble, who had been in charge as showrunner from Seasons 1 to 4, stepped aside, allowing Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo to take over. Moreover, Penn Badgley has consistently emphasized that Joe Goldberg is a despicable character, and it seems everyone involved wanted to punish him accordingly this season. This led to a major change in the story’s direction. Specifically, Bronte became the voiceover for a significant portion of the series.

It seems that the character Bronte isn’t as captivating as the showrunners believe. She resembles Beck from Season 1, but with a less compelling twist: she initially underestimates Joe’s true nature, which mirrors what other women in his life have already discovered. The last five episodes of the season, unfortunately, revolve around Bronte’s gradual realization of this fact, making them tedious and tiresome.

While it could be argued that the extended length of ten episodes was perhaps excessive for this season, even then, these final episodes seem to deviate from what had been established earlier. There appears to be an overemphasis on other characters’ perspectives, leaving less focus on Joe and his reactions to others turning against him. Despite Joe deserving his fate, I yearn to delve deeper into his thoughts, the ways he confronts their wrath, and how he rationalizes his circumstances in his own twisted manner. Instead, what we get is a rather tidy conclusion from Bronte that doesn’t satisfy my curiosity about Joe’s mindset.

Joe’s legacy

Although the last five episodes didn’t win me over completely, I remain a fan of “You.” It’s not because Joe Goldberg is endearing, but rather due to the show’s haunting portrayal of a sociopath who confuses obsession with love and murder with protection. The series presents him as a self-proclaimed savior for the woman he loves, manipulating her life through violence. Although later seasons deviated more and more from the books, many were still incredibly successful. I personally favored Season 1, but Seasons 2 and 3 are excellent too, with Season 4 having more good elements than bad. Even Season 5 has its redeeming qualities, particularly in the first five episodes.

The ending of Joe Goldberg’s story leaves something to be desired, more of a quiet exit than a dramatic one. However, his influence remains significant among fans of the series. Joe may commit unsavory acts for questionable reasons, but he offers an intriguing exploration of a troubled male character. Similar to the teenager in “Adolescence,” both on Netflix, Joe is a harmful male figure who struggles to comprehend his power and role within society. While they approach the topic differently, both shows share a common theme of delving into toxic masculinity and seeking to grasp its origins.

Although the fifth season might not meet everyone’s expectations, the entire series remains more significant than its conclusion. In the end, curiosity about Joe’s fate will drive fans to watch, rather than this explanation. Regardless of whether you adore or despise him, listening to Joe’s musings as he carries out his activities is both unsettling and compelling. The aftereffect it leaves behind is something I’ve cherished, despite the fact that I’m grateful there are no individuals like him in my actual life.

All 10 episodes of “You” Season 5 hit Netflix on April 24.

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2025-04-24 10:30