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He Was Dead the Whole Time

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Ahead in You season 5, viewers will witness Joe Goldberg finally encountering repercussions for his actions, a necessary development considering the series was coming to an end. The story couldn’t have concluded otherwise, as allowing Joe to escape justice would have perpetuated the cycle of violence. Moreover, it wouldn’t have been fulfilling for fans who have watched him evade capture throughout all five seasons of Netflix’s You. Ultimately, Joe’s resolution required someone outsmarting him significantly – and even if one of his fixations were to kill him, it still wouldn’t have felt like sufficient retribution.

In essence, the fifth season finale of “You” serves as an ideal farewell since it imposes the harshest penalty on Joe: public exposure and a life spent in solitude. However, the final episode has sparked debate among viewers, with many desiring a somewhat contrasting outcome for Joe Goldberg. Yet, there’s no denying that the conclusion we received surpasses the alternative one the writers of “You” contemplated. Although it too ended with Joe being alone, it was overly eccentric — and diverged significantly from the rest of the series.

You Season 5’s Alternate Joe Goldberg Ending Was Much Worse Than His Actual Fate

The Finale Almost Saw Joe Realizing That He’s A Ghost

According to Michael Foley, showrunner of “You”, the final episode’s conclusion was uncertain until quite late during production. Justin W. Lo, another co-showrunner, disclosed they had contemplated various alternatives, one of which involved a surprising revelation – Joe might have discovered he was a ghost throughout the series finale. In other words, an unexpected twist for “You” season 5 considered having Joe realize that he was a spectral character in the final episode.

We explored numerous alternatives, one of them being his death at the hands of Bronte. There was also a scenario in which he was gunned down. What’s interesting is that viewers didn’t figure out he was the shooter until the final episode, and only then did he come to terms with being a spirit.

The ending we got for You would have been significantly different had it occurred, and unfortunately, not in a favorable manner. As the Netflix series seldom delves into characters’ experiences beyond life, such an alternate finale would have been discordant with the established tone throughout the series. Although Joe is plagued by his deceased victims, they primarily exist as figments of his imagination. Introducing ghosts as real entities and suggesting that Joe himself is a ghost would have been an unusual twist for the conclusion, and I’m relieved the writers opted against this choice. It strays too far from reality and leaves unanswered questions.

Why You Season 5’s Ending Has Been So Heavily Criticized

People Were Disappointed With Bronte Taking Joe Down

Although the finale for Joe Goldberg in You season 5 was a suitable conclusion, it has been met with criticism. The Rotten Tomatoes score for the latest season is significantly lower than previous ones, and many viewers are dissatisfied with the ending. While some found joy in seeing Joe escape his crimes, others felt that having Bronte apprehend him was lackluster. Some critics argue that given the number of people Joe has wronged throughout the series, including characters still present in season 5, Bronte’s role seemed unexpected and unnecessary.

In a different phrasing: Criticisms were levied against both Kate and Bronte surviving, despite these outcomes ultimately providing Joe’s victims with a sense of victory over him. However, the series does not delve into how Kate escapes the fire at Mooney’s or how Bronte avoids drowning, instead relying on convenient plot devices to lead viewers to a strong finale. While some viewers might find these conveniences questionable, it can be imagined that revealing Joe as a ghost would have exacerbated their skepticism even more.

Revealing That Joe Goldberg Is A Ghost Would Amplify Season 5’s Biggest Complaints

It Wouldn’t Fix Any Of Viewers’ Problems With The Ending

The alternate ending for Season 5 of the Netflix series would have been an unusual development, and it wouldn’t have addressed the main criticisms of the finale. In fact, it could have intensified these issues. Bronte would still be responsible for taking down Joe, leaving viewers unsatisfied with how his story concluded. Additionally, the timing of Joe’s death in this version might have prevented some of the poignant interactions that made the ending so impactful.

In summary, introducing Joe as a ghost in season 5 might have been too far-fetched for viewers to accept, much like if Kate or Bronte had survived. Consequently, it’s likely that the audience wouldn’t have welcomed this twist any more than the present ending. As a result, it seems wise for the show to steer clear of ghosts and instead go for a more plausible conclusion in season 5.

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2025-05-04 04:49

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