Reflecting on Netflix’s “You”: Penn Badgley Discusses Joe Goldberg’s Conclusion
This article contains spoilers for the finale of Netflix’s You.
The Journey of Joe Goldberg
Penn Badgley concludes his portrayal of Joe Goldberg in the recently released fifth season of You, a psychological thriller that chronicles the life of the seemingly perfect yet dangerously delusional character. Over the seasons, Joe has adopted multiple identities, including a bookstore manager in New York City, a worker at a health food market in Los Angeles, and a literature professor in London.
Returning to the character of Joe Goldberg in his final appearance, Badgley highlights the evolution of Joe into a married man and father who becomes tangled in a web of his violent past. In the grand finale, Joe is sentenced for his crimes, including the murders of Guinevere Beck and Love Quinn, and is seen in a prison cell, pondering his fate as he reads Norman Mailer’s The Executioner’s Song.
Final Words: An Introspection on Responsibility
In the dramatic closing moments of the series, Joe reflects, “So in the end, my punishment is even worse than I imagined. The loneliness, oh my God, the loneliness…” These words serve as a chilling reminder of his psychological state and also provoke deeper societal questions. Badgley comments on the challenge the show’s creators faced in wrapping up Joe’s complex narrative, emphasizing that the ending prompts viewers to consider the implications of male violence and accountability.
Badgley on Justice and Joe’s Fate
During an interview, Badgley deliberated over the concept of justice within the show’s context. He explored various potential outcomes for Joe, such as prison, death, or even worse consequences. Yet, he concludes that Joe’s imprisonment is a fitting resolution — one that allows for further contemplation on moral responsibility without resorting to spectacle or vengeance.
Creator’s Vision and Audience Reaction
The final season, spearheaded by showrunners Michael Foley and Justin Lo, approached Joe’s conclusion with an eye for thematic depth. Badgley remarks, “Thematically, that was where it had to go: him alone and alive.” He acknowledges the potential for mixed reactions from viewers but insists that the writers endeavored to explore every facet of Joe’s characterization, culminating in a nuanced portrayal that reflects deep societal issues.
Breaking Down Joe’s Characterization
Badgley expressed mixed emotions about portraying Joe throughout the series, revealing that by the end, he felt a sense of exhaustion from the role. “In those last moments, he’s uninteresting…I was just like, ‘I can’t do this man anymore.’” This sentiment encapsulates a key theme in the series: the deconstruction of Joe as a captivating figure to a more mundane, reptilian reality, surrendering his narrative power to more complex characters.
Reflections on Cultural Context
The series’ launch coincided with significant societal shifts, notably the #MeToo movement, prompting discussions on accountability and male violence. Badgley notes the cultural disillusionment that has emerged over time, suggesting that the series’ exploration of Joe’s character resonated more deeply as societal awareness grew. “The exercise of Joe as a protagonist wouldn’t have resonated if all of these really difficult truths weren’t difficult and true,” he explains.
Conclusion
As You reaches its conclusion, the series leaves viewers with profound questions regarding morality, redemption, and societal responsibility. Badgley’s portrayal of Joe Goldberg transitions from a charming romantic to a cautionary tale, emphasizing that the complexity of human behavior requires us to reflect not just on individual actions, but the societal structures that allow them.