You Season 5: Maybe the problem is us

Netflix’s popular psychological thriller television series “You” has returned for its fifth season after fans eagerly awaited its release. In this season, new characters are introduced, although many return from previous seasons to haunt central character Joe Goldberg.

Actor Penn Badgley returns as Goldberg in this final season, picking up after season four as Goldberg moves from London back to New York with his wife, Kate Lockwood (Charlotte Ritchie). As the season goes on, Goldberg encounters Bronte (played by Madeline Brewer), a young woman caught sneaking into his bookstore. What surprised fans the most was the unexpected appearance of his son, Henry (played by Frankie DeMaio), who Goldberg left behind in season three.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Badgley mentioned that Bronte is made to draw Goldberg in, creating a love dynamic that manipulates the audience early on in the season. He explained that while the audience expects the major twist at the end, it actually happens around episode five when the series starts to change to reveal Bronte’s true intentions and perspective.

In the beginning, Bronte looks like just another obsession for Joe, following the same pattern the show has shown us in the past seasons. But, the actual twist comes when the story changes completely and shows things from Bronte’s point of view, ultimately showing viewers the true side of Joe Goldberg.

In the same interview, Badgley reflected on how playing Goldberg taught him where desire intersects with love, and how possessive behavior is often romanticized in our society. 

Throughout the series, Joe’s actions seem genuine and romantic at first, but they often turn unstable and dangerous as he seems to justify every action of his out of love and protection for his love interests. 

For the past seasons of “You,” viewers have mostly sympathized, admired, and idolized Goldberg, dismissing his horrific crimes for the excuse of his attractiveness. This pattern has raised concerns about how society often overlooks dangerous actions and behavior when it comes from someone who appears attractive. 

The show picks up on this and uses it to connect with viewers, turning the ending into a shocking reality check. This makes viewers uncomfortable as they realize they’ve been rooting for a character who is, at his roots, an abusive person who can’t take accountability for his actions and often dismisses them for the “act of love.” 

As the seasons continue, “You” forces its viewers to face the harsh truth behind their delusions and fantasies with Joe Goldberg. 

OH freshman Sana Khulmi said, “At first, I didn’t like the way that season five ended, but now I am in utter awe because of how much meaning it had behind it.”

The ending of “You” fits perfectly with Joe’s punishment, as it forcefully allows him to confront and face the consequences of his actions in a way that is both suitable for him and inevitable. 

Throughout the series, Joe constantly avoids responsibility, justifying his behavior with excuses rooted in obsession and love. In the final season, all of his past actions and the people he has hurt in any way caught up with him in a way that feels like the only fair and suitable outcome. 

On Netflix Tudum, executive producer Michael Foley talks about how the team wanted to arouse the audience to the fact that they’ve been rotting for a deeply flawed character the whole time. 

In the end, maybe the problem is us: we’ve been rooting for a character who, at his core, represents everything we should be aware of and reject, such as manipulation, violence, abuse, and denial.

“You” forces us to look at how easily we can get manipulated as viewers in a story that makes us sympathize with the wrong person. 

Joe’s punishment feels deserved, a reminder that there isn’t an escape from the damage done, no matter how sympathetic, charming, or attractive an individual may seem.

The show doesn’t just punish Goldberg, it challenges us to reflect on our tendencies to ignore the red flags, make excuses for wrongful actions, and normalize inhumane behavior. 

Goodbye, “You.” And hopefully, good riddance.