Review - You Season 5 Has A Slow Start But Is A Thrilling & Satisfying End To Joe Goldberg's Story

Spoiler Alert: The following article contains spoilers for seasons 1-5 of You.It’s hard not to be intrigued by Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) in Netflix’s You season 1… which, of course, is the entire point of the hit Netflix series. The literary character and Mooney’s bookstore manager seems kind, polite, and intelligent… at least until he becomes interested in writer and grad student Guinevere Beck. Then Joe’s stalking and killing sprees become clear, and viewers are shocked by how dangerous he is. On You season 1, Elizabeth Lail, who will reprise her role of Vanessa Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, plays Beck with all the strength and innocence of a true final girl, and the other characters who Joe forms relationships with throughout the series are all equally well-written.

After watching the fifth and final season of You, it’s clear that there are only two ways Joe’s dark story can end. Will Joe die, or will he finally get punished for his crimes? The teasers for You season 5 showed Joe living in New York City again, and although the first five episodes of You season 5 are a bit slow, they do contain enough twists and turns to keep viewers engaged. Overall, You season 5 is a solid, satisfying, and well-crafted conclusion to Joe’s serial killer story.

Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg in season 4 of You

You Season 4 Finale Review

The season 4 finale of You, “The Death of Jonathan Moore,” wraps up this part of Joe Goldberg’s story in a brilliant and memorable way.

You Season 5 Starts Off Slow But Builds A Solid Foundation For The Fascinating Finale

You season 4 episodes 1 through 4 were a little slow, and the first half of You season 5 is also a bit repetitive. However, after watching the entire season, it’s clear that the first five episodes are a necessary slow burn that lead up to Joe Goldberg’s punishment.

Viewers quickly learn that Joe is trying his best to live a “normal” life without killing anyone, and he is enjoying the wealthy lifestyle that Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie) enjoys. This seemingly happy existence was teased in the You season 4 finale. Joe and Kate are living in luxury in New York City with Joe’s son Henry (Frankie DeMaio) while Kate runs Lockwood Corporation. Although it’s interesting seeing Joe try to fight his instincts, and this is the daily battle that fans have come to expect from him, it’s only when Joe learns that Bronte (Madeline Brewer) is catfishing him at the end of You season 5, episode 5 that the season kicks into high gear and becomes more compelling. Without this twist, the season might have felt a little stale. After all, Joe tried to be normal in London in season 4, but he couldn’t do it.

Two things make You season 5 episodes 1 through 4 must-watch TV: Anna Camp’s performance as twins Maddie and Raegan Lockwood and the big Bronte twist. Camp, who was also cast in Scream 7, seamlessly moves between kind-hearted, ditzy Maddie and diabolically evil Raegan, and it’s a joy to watch.

Bronte is also a smart addition to the cast as it’s satisfying to see a character who is aware of Joe’s true, dark nature. She’s also an imperfect and flawed character since she can’t help but fall for Joe’s charm. Although this can be frustrating to watch, it’s ultimately realistic. It’s not only an excellent TV plot twist to learn that Bronte set Joe up, but it’s also a clever twist that Bronte was Beck’s friend.

You Season 5 Part 2 Is Stronger Than The First & Joe Goldberg’s Ending Is Perfect

By You season 5, episode 6, “The Dark Face of Love,” the season has hit its stride, and the next part of the story is impressive and well-done. Ultimately, Joe needs to face the consequences of his actions, and when he ends up in prison in the series finale, it’s the perfect conclusion. Joe ends up in a cage he could never have anticipated as he’s forced to live with his daily loneliness. While it seemed like Kate might end up like Joe and embrace her darker instincts, watching her take Joe down is captivating.

If Joe had gotten away with his crimes, the ending would have been terrible, and more than a few fans would likely have complained. Instead, Joe proves that he still doesn’t understand why he needs to push down his instincts to commit murder. He reads letters from fans and says:

“Maybe the problem isn’t me, maybe it’s you.”

You season 5 features clever cameos from past characters like Paco (Luca Padovan) as they explain why they’re suspicious of Joe. It’s proof that more people have seen through him than he realized. Joe may never get out of prison, but he’s the same person he always was: a miserable charmer who thinks his tragic childhood justifies the crimes he has committed. This is a solid note to end on since You has always been about whether Joe can actually change. The smart series finale answers that question, and it’s a haunting answer that fans will think about for a long time to come.

You season 5 is streaming now on Netflix.