You Season 5: What Do Joe’s Letters Mean? Final Scene Explained

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Netflix’s gripping psychological thriller series, You, wrapped up after its fifth season, concluding the narrative surrounding Penn Badgley‘s character, Joe Goldberg – a seemingly amiable individual with a chilling secret as a serial killer. As the final episode of Season 5 came to a close, Joe received mysterious letters, leaving viewers curious about their meaning. Here’s our take on the matter.

Significance of Joe’s letters in the final scene of You Season 5 explained

In the end, Bronte, portrayed by Madeline Brewer, ultimately brings about Joe’s punishment for his past misdeeds. She masterminds his downfall, leading to his arrest and imprisonment. This action follows her rescue of him from a bookstore inferno, where she feels he doesn’t deserve an easy escape from justice.

In choosing to punish Joe by incarceration, Brontë ensures that he will endure a life of isolation. Even Joe acknowledges his sense of loneliness within prison walls. Despite his lack of remorse, it seems that Joe finds solitude particularly dreadful. Thus, it appears that solitary confinement is an appropriate punishment for him.

To be honest, as the last scenes unfolded, it was evident that there were individuals out there penning letters to Joe – a nod to the chilling reality of infamous killers having admirers. In the context of the series, this implies that even behind bars, Joe’s influence somehow manages to seep into the lives of others.

In simpler terms, the ending of “You” is thoughtful and self-aware, reflecting on its own themes. Joe’s final speech suggests that our society has become so damaged that it idolizes individuals like him. He indirectly accuses both viewers of the show and true crime enthusiasts as part of the issue. Essentially, he questions whether the real problem lies within himself or within the audience.

Although Joe’s observation about society’s tendencies might hold some truth, his repeated attempts to portray himself as an innocent victim fall flat. It’s undeniable that society can sometimes behave in a voyeuristic manner, but at the end of the day, he remains a murderer.

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2025-04-24 17:42