Joe Goldberg faces justice after a violent finale
- Joe Goldberg is captured and arrested for multiple murders as the series concludes.
- The final season follows Joe as he navigates threats from family and seeks to protect his son.
- Ultimately, justice is served with Joe facing the consequences of his actions, highlighting the show's thematic focus on accountability.
In the fifth and final season of the psychological thriller series 'You', released on Netflix, Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, grapples with his past as he seeks to protect his son, Henry. Set against the backdrop of Joe's life as a high-profile individual married to CEO Kate, the season progresses through intense confrontations, particularly with Reagan, Kate's sister, who Joe captures. The narratives of Joe's victims resurface, leading to a dramatic arc where the stakes escalate into lethal encounters, culminating in the revelation of Joe's myriad crimes. He ultimately confesses to his wrongdoings but is simultaneously confronted by forces seeking justice for his previous victims. As the storyline unfolds, Kate decides that the cycle of violence must end with Joe's death, leading to an intense conflict. However, ultimately it is Bronte, Joe's former love interest, who plays a crucial role in turning the tide against him, underscoring the theme of accountability that permeates the season. Despite his desperate manipulation tactics and attempts to escape his fate, he is captured after a harrowing sequence that sees him locked away once more in a glass cage, which parallels how he treated his victims throughout the series. Showrunners Michael Foley and Justin Lo aimed to present Joe in a light that made viewers confront the darkest aspects of his character and the complex relationship spectators had developed with him over the seasons. Their creative choices, including Joe’s final predicament in a prison cell, serve as critical reflections on his responsibility for the havoc he wreaked. The closing moments of the series, where Joe perceives himself as wronged by society rather than acknowledging his own malevolence, represent a significant commentary on toxic behaviors and societal complicity. The show garnered attention for its layered narrative, highlighting Joe's charm juxtaposed against his heinous acts. The conclusion aligns with the show's enduring theme of societal norms and reflections on violence, ultimately providing a powerful commentary on the character’s journey through obsession and crime. His arrest signifies an end to his reign of terror but also leaves viewers reflecting on the nature of accountability and justice.