'Maybe it’s you': I think Joe Goldberg had the last laugh in You Season 5 (even after going to prison)

Netflix's You Season 5 finale finally saw an end to Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) and his killer ways in an explosive finale, where the serial killer is put behind bars for the multiple crimes he has committed through five seasons of the show.

While the series finale is being hailed as a 'befitting end' to Joe Goldberg and justice for the female victims he has slayed throughout, I cannot stop thinking about his last monologue.

His final lines in the You Season 5 finale were ironically his final act of manipulation —to call out society (especially women) for idolizing and thus justifying his actions:

''Maybe it's You.''

More on Joe Goldberg's final act of manipulation in the You Season 5 finale in our story.

*Disclaimer- This article is based on the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.*

I think You Season 5 ending with Joe Goldberg's words was twisted justice

Joe's inner monologues, a plot device since Season 1, have been a key part of his character since You's inception. He lets the audience privy to his darkest thoughts, sometimes even while doing the killing. While Joe is finally captured in a prison (mimicking his glass cage), the series ends with Joe's final monologue, which ironically shifts the blame from the villain.

As Joe sits alone in his prison with a shaved head and orange overalls in the final moments of Season 5, he reads the many letters he received from female 'fans' and says:

“Why am I in a cage when these crazies write all the depraved things they want me to do to them?”

He continues:

“Maybe we have a problem in our society. Maybe we should fix what’s broken in us. Maybe the problem isn’t me...''

While Joe was finally defeated by his new love interest of the season, Bronte/Louise, and he was put behind bars by her, the show somehow managed to justify Joe's every action through his simple claim.

The show has aimed to be a social satire on how women fantasize about crazy men like Joe, a theme that was explored in the series finale and one that Penn Badgley had been vocal about since the show's inception. The actor had also censured his female fans for their idolization of a crazy, albeit charming, serial killer.

However, I think the You Season 5 finale went too far in satirizing this societal problem, by shifting the narrative from the victim to the perpetrator. While women were initially drawn towards Joe, he presented himself in that way. Eloquent, charming, introverted, and a literature expert, Joe donned a facade while approaching women, which ultimately won him their attention and trust (because what harm can a literature geek do?)

I don't think it's fair to blame women for falling for Joe Goldberg, as he presented himself flawlessly. It was only afterwards that he let out the stalker in him, and before the women could realise the trap that had been laid for them, it was too late.

While the finale had its justifying moments, like Bronte forcing Joe to redact parts of Beck's book that he rewrote and shooting him down there and Joe's victims finally walking out free after being charged for the crimes he committed. The damage came in the final moments, with Joe's parting words to his female 'fans' and the audience.

It was jarring to see a psychopathic man shift the blame to the victim instead and show no remorse for his actions. Firstly, he physically erased all the women by killing them and his final act of manipulation is by vocalising his blame onto them, thus rendering them powerless.

You Season 5 ending with Joe's words seems like a twisted justice for all the victims that he had killed because ultimately, he got to have the final say.

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Also Read: You Season 5 originally had a different ending with a supernatural twist

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