The finale of the Netflix series “You” marked the intricate culmination of a narrative steeped in tension, manipulation, and profound moral ambiguity. For showrunners Michael Foley and Justin Lo, the concluding chapters of Joe Goldberg’s tumultuous saga were not just a nod to conventional justice; they were an exploration of the psyche of a man utterly isolated by his own monstrous actions. The creative decision to allow Joe, played by the charismatic Penn Badgley, to experience a fate worse than death underscores the show’s bold commentary on accountability, guilt, and the far-reaching consequences of toxic behavior.
Throughout its five-season run, “You” has seduced and horrified audiences with thrilling twists and richly developed characters. Joe Goldberg, despite being a cold-blooded perpetrator of violence, captivated viewers as a protagonist whose charm and complexity often masked his sinister impulses. In this light, Foley and Lo’s acknowledgment that Joe would have to face severe repercussions is both a necessary narrative curveball and a thematic imperative, illustrating that true villainy must inevitably lead to self-reflection and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
An Alternate Ending: Ghosts of Choices Past
While Foley and Lo toyed with various endings, including the concept of Joe realizing he was a ghost post-mortem, the finality of a bullet, fired by this season’s new romantic interest, Madeline Brewer’s character, Bronte, reveals a pivotal narrative choice. The idea of Joe as a wandering spirit echoes the artistic themes of regret and lingering impacts of unresolved crimes—an intriguing concept that could have deepened an already rich storyline. However, by allowing Joe’s tale to play out in the corporeal world, the series grants him a relentless confrontation with his reality and the psychological toll of his transgressions.
The notion that Joe might have become a spectral figure, navigating the painful truths of his existence without closure or redemption, challenges traditional narratives in thrillers—a realm where villains often meet their ends in bombastic fashion. Rather, Joe’s imprisonment signals a grievance that reverberates through the lives he has shattered, serving as a tangible reminder that true justice for his victims cannot simply be his death. Instead, the show envisions a scenario in which Joe is painfully aware of his own moral destruction, ensnared in a metaphorical cage reflecting his own insidious tendencies.
Facing His Own Reflection
An essential insight from the co-executive producers highlights the creative team’s deliberate choice to circumvent easy redemption. The desire to depict Joe’s downfall as a realistic consequence of his actions—facing the very people and situations he has exploited—speaks volumes about the responsibility of storytelling in addressing profound societal issues. While many viewers may have craved a swift demise for the character, the writers understood that allowing Joe to reckon with his past was a more significant narrative achievement. It is through this lens that the finale transcends mere entertainment, morphing into an exploration of darker human truths.
As Badgley himself asserts, the series emphasizes the moral complexity of justice—it grapples not just with punishing Joe but with portraying the weight of responsibility that a victim would bear if they took lethal action against him. Such a nuanced moral inquiry highlights a vital aspect of the human experience: how we confront and handle the weight of our choices, both sequentially and consequence-wise. This philosophical quandary invites viewers to ponder the nature of vengeance versus retribution, and what catalyst could ignite a cycle of violence without relinquishing the very humanity that defines the characters.
Suffering and Its Echoes
The finale encapsulates the haunting idea that for Joe, moral redemption was never within reach. Instead, he is left grappling with his identity in an unyielding prison—contextually emblematic of his myriad failings. The significance of his character’s arc is that it acts as a mirror, capturing the essence of a man forever bound by his past misdeeds. While many narratives offer a clean slate for fallen characters, “You” daringly chooses to leave Joe with nothing but the echoes of the lives he has irreparably altered.
In a world where the line between hero and villain is increasingly blurred, “You” concludes with a potent reminder: the journey of self-awareness is often the most formidable prison of all. Rather than granting closure, the ending serves as an unsettling contemplation on the nature of evil and the consequences of unacknowledged sins. Indeed, it leaves audiences with a stark realization: in the realm of “You,” justice is not just served—it’s painfully and irrevocably felt.