You Won’t Like This: The Only Right Way for Joe Goldberg’s Story to End

by

In the series ‘You‘, Joe Goldberg’s intense romance left viewers hooked throughout the first three seasons. Joe tended to fall for women swiftly and without hesitation, sometimes overstepping boundaries in his pursuit of love. I recall watching him grow more attached to Beck during Season 1 of ‘You‘, initially admiring her from a distance, but gradually encroaching on her privacy as he relentlessly pursued her. Despite this, it was not uncommon to view Joe as a troubled yet endearing romantic lead in Season 1, even when he ultimately killed Beck and his past actions with Candace were exposed. It seemed that he made some errors but acted with good intentions.

In Season 2, though Joe chose to tread on a questionable path alongside Love Quinn, I found myself empathizing with him. With the background knowledge of his sorrowful childhood and past misfortunes, it was evident that there was goodness within Joe, despite his horrendous actions against women. As the series advanced, it’s become apparent that justice should prevail for Joe – being apprehended by law enforcement and held accountable through the judicial system. With the fifth season, the concluding chapter of You, fast approaching, viewers are eagerly anticipating the final outcome for Joe Goldberg.

Joe Is No Longer In Good Standing With Audiences

Fans Lost Sympathy For Him In the Last Two Seasons

In simpler terms, Joe Goldberg initially appeared to be a flawed yet endearing romantic hero, but his actions throughout the series in Madre Linda showed him to be a full-blown villain. His behavior swung between different women, first Natalie, then Marienne, while he neglected Love and their son Henry at crucial moments. In the end, Joe murdered his wife and Henry’s mother, showing no remorse whatsoever. He seemed unconcerned about anyone else’s welfare, focusing solely on himself, as evident in the Season 3 finale.

In much the same way, during Season 4, we witnessed Joe’s downward spiral. Initially, it appeared as though he was embarking on a path of redemption by lying low in London. However, his self-destructive tendencies eventually emerged, and he found himself associating with the city’s elite. Over time, these new acquaintances became victims of Joe’s twisted desire to punish the privileged, ultimately revealing that Joe was indeed the Eat the Rich killer, while Rhys was merely a separate persona.

After this incident, it became challenging to empathize with Joe due to his actions: framing Edward for murder, taking his life, and setting Nadia up to bear the blame. He had transformed from someone swayed by emotions into a cold-blooded serial killer, methodically eliminating individuals while showing no remorse. Despite him appearing troubled by his own depravity, I couldn’t muster sympathy for Joe because he was the one who betrayed and killed those who relied on him, after skillfully deceiving them.

Joe’s Fakeout In Season 4 Would Have Been a Cop Out

It Was Disappointing to See Him Survive and Thrive

Instead of serving time for his crimes in Season 4, Joe experienced a moment of terror and self-disgust when he realized the horrific acts he committed while in London. He became obsessed with Rhys, using him as an outlet for his own violent impulses, which eventually led to a series of murders. Even without Rhys present, Joe stalked and imprisoned Marienne, leaving her to suffer a slow, agonizing death because she didn’t want to be with him. Despite this, Joe convinced himself that he had let Marienne go unharmed. When the truth finally hit him, Joe leapt off a bridge in an attempt to end his own life.

In a twist that left many viewers dissatisfied, it appeared as though Joe had taken his own life, but surprisingly, he survived the fall and ended up in the hospital instead. This unexpected turn of events not only spared Joe from death, but also saw him winning over Kate’s affections – a seemingly undeserved reward for a man who had spent his life making wrong choices. I, for one, am relieved that Joe did not meet an easy death by jumping off a bridge. This plot twist has provided the writers with an opportunity to craft a conclusion that fits such a complex character – a man with a troubled past who ultimately became the embodiment of his own worst self.

However, while Joe’s experiences with his mother were undeniably traumatic, they did not justify the murder and injury of innocent people. The only way to bring Joe to account for his crimes is by subjecting him to the legal system and ensuring he faces consequences for his actions. Leaving him to die without facing justice would serve no purpose.

There Are Enough People Who Know About Joe’s Crimes

He Was Never Careful When He Killed Or Hurt People

I’ve always been reckless with my criminal activities, leaving a trail of people who are aware of my wrongdoings or have a strong suspicion about my murderous tendencies. It wouldn’t be challenging for the police to apprehend me, as there is a substantial body of evidence against me.

In Season 1, Paco was privy to the fact that I had murdered Beck. Although he might not actively betray me, Dr. Nicky, who was falsely accused of Beck’s murder, would likely expose me to avoid taking the fall. Additionally, the private investigator hired by the Salingers discovered my DNA at their residence during that same season.

Season 2 introduced Ellie and Detective Fincher, both of whom were privy to my crimes. Given that Ellie’s sister suffered because of me, she would undoubtedly seek revenge.

By Season 3, the Conrads, Theo, Matthew, and Marienne became aware of my actions, but chose not to speak up. However, this list continues to grow, and it’s only a matter of time before someone decides to take action against me.

In the fifth season of “You”, I believe it would be pivotal for certain characters to step forward. If the private investigator were to rally all of Joe’s victims, their families included, they could create a formidable force. Despite his protection by Kate’s wealth and influence in New York City, such a collective confrontation might prove too much for him to suppress.

Interestingly, even Kate herself might be driven to incarcerate Joe, given her unawareness of the fact that he had murdered her father before they married. She may have hoped to improve herself with Joe’s support, but his true nature eventually emerged, revealing his darkest self.

With this collective effort, it would be the families and friends of all of Joe’s victims who could bring him down in Season 5 of “You”.

Joe Needs to Be Caught So His Victims Can Get Justice

Death Is Not Enough For What Joe Has Done

Instead of giving Joe a grand death scene, I believe it’s more fitting for him to face justice instead. His violent and dark behavior over the years shows no lasting remorse or guilt for the harm he’s inflicted on many people. The series has glorified his brutal actions for too long, and portraying him as dying in a dramatic way would only continue this trend. A public trial, with all its humiliation, shame, and accountability, seems more appropriate for Joe Goldberg to experience the consequences of his actions.

It’s high time that the tales of women like Beck, Candace, Love, Marienne, Natalie, and Delilah are brought to light, revealing Joe for who he truly is – a danger to society. Though he may not have been the direct cause of all their deaths, they met untimely ends or suffered greatly due to their association with him. He even took the lives of Benji and Elijah, their friends. The final season of You should see Joe finally behind bars for good. This may not be the most sensational or dramatic ending, but it is fitting for someone who has been running free for far too long. It’s about time we acknowledge that Joe Goldberg is no romantic hero; instead, he is a serial killer who deserves to be exposed and punished appropriately.

Read More

2025-04-22 23:06