You Season 5 Episode 1 Recap: Joe Goldberg's Journey Continues In NYC

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for You season 5, episode 1.

Summary

You season 5 marks the final chapter of Joe Goldberg’s story, set in NYC.
Episode 1 introduces new characters and hints at Joe’s dark side still present.
Joe faces a threat, leading to old murderous instincts resurfacing.

Netflix’s You has always told a dark and complex tale about Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) quest for normalcy while living a double life, and You season 5 is the last chapter of Joe’s story. From the unforgettable teaser that was released, viewers could see that Joe is living in New York City again, which feels fitting since that is where he spent the first season and the start of his dangerous game.

While it’s uncertain if older characters such as Paco (Luca Padovan) will appear in You season 5, the first episode is as mysterious, action-packed, and terrifying as the previous four seasons. There’s a lot to know about the events of You season 5, episode 1 and how they set up the rest of the season.

What Happens In You Season 5 Episode 1?

You season 5, episode 1, “The Luckiest Guy In NY,” picks up three years after the dark You season 4 finale and this time, Joe Goldberg and Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie) are living a seemingly happy life in New York City. Kate figured out how to get Joe’s son Henry back, and they live in a fancy apartment while she is CEO of the Lockwood Corporation.

Joe reintroduces himself to viewers and explains that he wants to be a good father. He also shares that he and Kate are a famous couple now and the media often writes about them. Joe says, “the world loves a good love story” and he and Kate will “help each other be good.”

The beginning of You season 5, episode 1 is memorable and powerful because there are hints of the darkness still inside Joe. He says:

“There are times you miss who you used to be.”

Joe and Kate then attend a gala where Kate celebrates the new Lockwood Literacy Foundation and You season 5’s cast of compelling characters are introduced. The main drama of the season is the tension between Kate and her half-sister Reagan Lockwood (Anna Camp). While Reagan’s identical twin Maddie is fun-loving and free-spirited, as well as a big fan of Joe, Reagan hates both Joe and Kate.

Joe is as out of place in this fancy world as he was in Kate’s wealthy London social circle in You season 4 part 1, but now he has a big problem to focus on. Kate’s brother Teddy (Griffin Matthews) tells her that a hit piece is being written exposing the scandal that Kate covered up. Kate shared with Joe last season that the Lockwood Corporation helped a pipeline get built that gave children cancer. Joe wants to lean on his old murderous instincts to solve the problem. After he and Kate confront Reagan and she denies being the source, Joe grabs drinks with Maddie to get some information. While he comes up empty, Joe realizes Uncle Bob (Michael Dempsey) is the source and wants to kill him.

Mooney’s bookstore was an important setting in You season 1 as Joe met his first love interest/victim Beck (Elizabeth Lail) there and spent time there with Mooney when he was a kid. Now, Kate bought the building and Joe is going to open the store again. Joe meets a lonely woman named Bronte (Madeline Brewer) and they bond over books. Then, Kate finds Joe writing a story about murdering Bob and worries he will start killing again.

You season 5, episode does a great job of introducing new characters while showing that Joe hasn’t changed. Bob tells Kate he will spill about her dark past, including Rhys being murdered, and replace her as CEO. Kate tells Joe to kill Bob and Joe says he has “purpose” again. It seems that You season 5 will definitely revolve around Joe’s statement:

“I’ve always done what I felt needed to be done.”

How Does You Season 5 Episode 1 End?

You season 5, episode 1 ends with Joe feeling closer to Kate because she knows about his deep, dark secrets. Joe thinks that their marriage will work out because she knows every part of him. The You season 5 teaser has Joe in his cage, and it will be interesting to see who traps him in his own prison. But for now, he’s trying to live normally.

Then, Joe has a quick chat with Bronte, who he has hired to work at Mooney’s. She hints at her tough past when she asks if the offer is real because she’s had a challenging time. Joe thinks about the life he hopes to have and tells himself he will “protect your family.” This is a powerful scene because, at least a few times every season of You, Joe believes that living a dual life will be easy and sustainable. This time around, he’s still lying to himself and pretending that he isn’t going to get himself into some big trouble.

Joe has been the subject of many memes, as he’s a complex and unique character. He stands in the basement and he thinks to himself:

“You can be the new you and the old you. It’s all just you.”

You season 5 is now streaming on Netflix.