The Dark Side of Love: Unpacking the Ending of Netflix’s ‘You’
As the curtains close on the fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit series ‘You’, fans are left grappling with the complexities of the show’s conclusion. In a shocking turn of events, Joe Goldberg, the show’s protagonist and anti-hero, meets his match in Bronte, a catfish designed to take him down for his heinous crimes. According to an article on Netflix’s Tudum, the show’s co-showrunner and executive producer, Justin W. Lo, reveals that Bronte’s character was crafted to be a game-changer for Joe.
The article states that Bronte, played by Madeline Brewer, is a constructed character with a clear purpose – to bring Joe down for his crimes. As Lo explains, "Bronte’s mom’s death shatters her and creates this giant void in her life, which is when her obsession with taking Joe down takes firmer hold, and she decides to move to New York to catfish him." This backstory, which was a surprise to Brewer, adds depth to Bronte’s character and her motivations.
The dynamic between Joe and Bronte is complex, with Bronte falling for Joe despite knowing his true nature. As Penn Badgley, who plays Joe, notes, "She sees him as that broken boy, and it blinds her to the darker things that he might be capable of." This is a pivotal moment in the show’s journey, as it marks a shift in the audience’s perception of Joe. According to Sera Gamble, executive producer and former showrunner, the show has always avoided diagnosing Joe, but this scene provides a psychological explanation for his actions.
The article also reveals that Marienne and Nadia return in the final season, playing crucial roles in bringing Joe down. As Charlotte Ritchie, who plays Kate, notes, "There’s real power in the group effort to bring him down, and the fact that they’re all united by this common enemy." The season’s climax features a tense confrontation between Joe and Bronte, which ends with Joe being shot in the penis and arrested by the police.
In the end, Joe is forced to spend the rest of his life in prison, isolated from anyone who could be the object of his obsession. As Badgley notes, "I always thought somebody killing Joe wouldn’t be justice. It would be vengeance. Anybody who kills him would be brought down to his level, which is not justice for them." The series concludes with Joe reading a fan letter behind bars, still unrepentant and deflecting blame for his actions.
The final words of the series, "Maybe the problem isn’t me. Maybe it’s you," are a stark reminder of Joe’s unchanging nature. As Netflix’s Tudum reports, the show’s creators intentionally left Joe unrepentant, with Foley stating, "We knew we wanted to end with Joe having not changed. That was the most important thing."
As the show comes to a close, fans are left to ponder the complexities of Joe’s character and the implications of his actions. With its thought-provoking themes and complex characters, ‘You’ has cemented its place as one of Netflix’s most popular and enduring series.
