It was only fitting that Joe Goldberg, the twisted central character in Netflix’s soapy psychological thriller series “You” starring Penn Badgley, would get what he had coming at the end of the show’s fifth and final season. The 10-episode fifth season, released Thursday on Netflix, concluded Joe’s seven-year journey of being a murderous but oddly charming man with a penchant for stalkery and obsessive behavior. This, however, did not mean death; it meant living with his crimes – and a pretty gnarly injury. Showrunners Michael Foley and Justin Lo didn’t know exactly how that would unfold, they told CNN in a recent interview that they knew Joe (Badgley) would “get his comeuppance” and would not be “redeemed.” “We knew that we wanted him to face people whose lives he ruined,” Foley said. “We wanted to show him at his most horrific and make him face what he really is and, in doing so, make us all face what we’ve been rooting for all these years.” The show debuted in 2018 and is based on the book series of the same name by Caroline Kepnes. Season 5 featured Joe living a high-profile life while married to Kate (Charlotte Ritchie), the high-powered CEO who became privy to his deadly extracurriculars in Season 4. His new status robbed Joe of the anonymity he enjoyed in the past but did nothing to take away his killer instincts. After a harrowing fight with his love interest du jour Bronte (Madeline Brewer), which resulted, in part, in her ironically shooting Joe in his netherregion and him becoming an internet meme, Joe was arrested and later charged with the murder of Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) and Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti). He was sentenced to prison for the rest of his life, finding himself confined to a cage much like the one he kept many of his victims in throughout the series. During the show’s final scene, Joe sat in his jail cell and read a piece of mail he received from a woman he described as a “fan.” “Why am I in a cage when these crazies write me all the depraved things they want me to do to them,” Goldberg’s inner monologue asked in the final scene. “Maybe the problem isn’t me. Maybe, it’s you.” The fan’s letter was an opportunity to “indict” the show’s audience, according to Lo, who said the point of this final scene was “to show that Joe doesn’t take responsibility for any of his actions and he has to keep blaming people.” “If it’s not the women, it’s society,” Lo added. “It sort of opens up the lens at the very end of the show and turns a mirror on all of us.” In terms of Joe being even more of a monster this season than he has been in the past, this was something that Foley, Lo and Badgley, who also served as an executive producer on the series, were all very much aligned on. Badgley usually takes an active role in helping craft his character’s journey each season, according to Lo and Foley, and he had some ideas of his own for Season 5, including having Joe be shirtless in the mud and the rain in the final episode’s showdown with Bronte. “That was very much him saying, ‘I need the world to see him at his worst, most horrific as an animal in the woods.’ That was really important to him, like, please pull no punches,” Foley said of Badgley’s requests. “All those things that we don’t want to see in Joe, let’s show those things.” Ultimately, several of Joe’s victims, dead or alive, wound up having a voice throughout Season 5, including Marianne (Tati Gabrielle), who returns to help Kate and a now-freed Nadia (Amy-Leigh Hickman) take Joe down. Even Bronte helped give her friend Beck a voice by republishing her book with Joe’s edits and additions removed. Bringing these characters back into the fold, as well as having Joe return to New York and the bookstore where it all began, were integral for Foley and Lo to help close out Joe’s journey. “It was definitely important to us to give a voice to some of the victims of Joe that had survived,” Lo said. “That’s the beauty of knowing your final season is the final season, is that we could choose which characters really felt like they deserved to have an ending.”
‘You’ brought Joe Goldberg’s story to a fitting conclusion. The showrunners explain why he got what he deserved
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Final Season of 'You' Concludes Joe Goldberg's Journey with Consequences for His Actions"
CNN
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TruthLens AI Summary
The fifth and final season of Netflix's psychological thriller series "You" concludes the tumultuous journey of Joe Goldberg, portrayed by Penn Badgley, who has evolved from a charming yet dangerous stalker to a man facing the consequences of his actions. Released on Thursday, the 10-episode season depicts Joe's life as a high-profile individual married to Kate, a CEO who becomes aware of his dark past. The showrunners, Michael Foley and Justin Lo, emphasized that Joe would not find redemption but rather would confront the devastation he has caused. They aimed to present Joe at his most horrific, forcing both the character and the audience to grapple with the darkness that has been central to the series. The season showcases Joe's struggles as his anonymity is stripped away, leading to his arrest and life imprisonment for the murders of Guinevere Beck and Love Quinn, with a harrowing injury serving as a physical reminder of his violent past.
In the finale, Joe's time in prison culminates in a poignant scene where he reads a letter from a fan, which serves as a critique of the audience's complicity in his story. This moment highlights Joe's refusal to take responsibility for his actions, as he continues to deflect blame onto society and the women around him. The showrunners, alongside Badgley, aimed to ensure that the final season amplified Joe's monstrous behavior while also giving voice to his victims, both living and deceased. Key characters from previous seasons return to confront Joe, emphasizing the need for closure in their narratives. Ultimately, the conclusion of "You" is not just about Joe's fate but also about reflecting on the impact of his actions on those he harmed, thereby inviting the audience to examine their own engagement with his story throughout the series.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides a retrospective on the series "You," focusing on the character Joe Goldberg and the conclusions drawn in the final season. By reflecting on Joe's outcomes and the intentions of the showrunners, it raises questions about morality, accountability, and the audience's complicity in rooting for a flawed character.
Character Analysis and Moral Consequences
The showrunners aimed to illustrate that Joe, despite his charm and complex personality, ultimately faced consequences for his actions. The narrative suggests a critique of viewers who may have empathized with Joe, encouraging them to confront the darker aspects of the character they supported throughout the series. By emphasizing that he would not be redeemed and would face the people he harmed, the series challenges the audience to reconsider their views on morality and justice in storytelling.
Cultural Commentary
The article could be interpreted as a commentary on society's fascination with anti-heroes and the blurred lines between right and wrong in modern narratives. It positions Joe's fate not just as entertainment but as a broader social reflection on accountability for one's actions, especially in a time where the consequences of behavior are frequently discussed in public discourse. This aligns with contemporary conversations surrounding crime, punishment, and the nature of heroism in media.
Potential Manipulation and Hidden Agendas
While the narrative appears straightforward, it subtly guides viewers toward a more critical engagement with the themes of the show. The language used by the showrunners, framing Joe’s journey as one of inevitable comeuppance, may serve to reinforce a moral framework that aligns with societal values, thus steering the audience toward a specific interpretation. This raises the question of whether the article seeks to manipulate perceptions of morality in entertainment.
Impact on Viewership and Society
This analysis addresses the potential societal implications of such narratives. The conclusion of Joe's story may resonate with audiences who find parallels in real-life discussions about crime, punishment, and justice. As such, the series conclusion could influence public sentiment regarding accountability and the portrayal of characters who engage in morally ambiguous actions. It prompts viewers to reflect on their own values and the narratives they support, potentially leading to a more critical consumption of media.
Connection to Broader Themes
The article's release may coincide with a larger cultural moment where audiences are increasingly dissecting the morality of their favorite characters. This could foster a renewed interest in discussions about the impact of media on societal norms and individual behavior, further engaging both fans of the show and critics alike.
Reliability Assessment
The article appears to be credible, primarily because it includes direct quotes from the showrunners, providing insight into their creative decisions. However, its framing encourages a specific interpretation, which could be seen as a subtle form of manipulation. The show’s conclusion aligns with current societal discussions, making the themes relevant and timely.
Ultimately, the article not only serves to summarize the show's finale but also reflects broader cultural conversations about morality, accountability, and the complexities of human behavior in storytelling.