You Season 5 Almost Went Supernatural With Joe

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*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of You season 5.*

In an alternative conclusion, the destiny of Joe Goldberg might have taken a supernatural turn, leading to a unique twist in his final moments.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, the creators of While You, specifically Michael Foley and Justin Lo, had a fascinating twist planned from the beginning. Originally, the storyline envisioned Joe discovering his own spectral existence upon being fatally wounded by Bronte (portrayed brilliantly by Madeline Brewer). This early concept added an intriguing layer of supernatural mystery to the plot.

In an interview with the New York Post, Lo stated, “We explored numerous alternatives, one of them being his death at the hands of Bronte, but this is not confirmed.

In another scenario, I recalled an instance where his character appeared to be fatally wounded. It wasn’t until the final episode that viewers discovered he had been shot, only later to learn he was a spirit.

If the fifth season had concluded differently, it would have been a striking contrast to how it actually ended. This is because Joe, having been found guilty of numerous murders such as those of Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Benji Ashby (Lou Taylor Pucci) and Peach Salinger (Shay Mitchell), would have faced justice for his crimes.

In the closing stages of the season, Joe finds himself confined within his prison cell. There, he receives a letter from one of his admirers. He ponders aloud whether it’s just or fair that he is caged up while people like his correspondent walk freely, questioning if perhaps the issue isn’t with him, but with society at large.

In an interview, Foley expressed their satisfaction with keeping him imprisoned, as well as his lack of physical affection from a partner. He added that it was towards the end of the writing process when they had successfully established this situation.

The writers and creators consistently held a common conviction throughout the show’s run that Joe wouldn’t escape the consequences of his actions,” he explained.

Going into the season, it was clear that we had no intention of forgiving him, that he would eventually receive what was due, that he would encounter some of the people whose lives he devastated. Above all, we were certain that he would be forced to confront himself.

In a chat with Netflix’s Tudum, Foley shared that the entire team behind the series felt that “a death wouldn’t suffice” for Joe.

He believed that it wasn’t justice if someone were to take Joe’s life. Instead, it would be vengeance. Anyone who did such a thing would lower themselves to Joe’s level, which isn’t fair retribution for them, he stated.

He’s a bit of a conundrum, you could say. Determining justice for him seems challenging. I believe we can come as close as possible under the circumstances.

Penn Badgley expressed a similar thought when he told Deadline that it was the appropriate decision to make Joe face justice.

He asked: “What’s the most beneficial option, not only for Joe, but also for the one who would be tasked with this action later on? If someone were to take his life – and it would be a woman in this hypothetical scenario – then, in reality, you’ve placed upon her the responsibility of murder. I don’t find that fair.

Instead of calling it torture, let’s say it’s the same concept. As for prison, it seems insufficient. If that’s your question, I guess the answer would be castration.

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2025-04-29 12:34