Summary
Honestly, I’m glad You is over. It was an effective staple series for Netflix, but the storylines got weaker with each installment. Season 5 is anticlimactic and predictable, but it at least finishes Joe Goldberg’s story.
I don’t know how you will feel—you’re probably opposed to me—but I am glad that Netflix has finally decided to wrap up You. It has become a prolonged and uninteresting series over the last few seasons, and I expected Season 5 to be no different.
At least I was not disappointed, so kudos to the writers for maintaining consistency in their mediocre series. To me, the show continues to serve the same dish repeatedly; therefore, the same taste lingers in the mouth.
To give the season some positive notes, since I didn’t entirely dislike it, there were a couple of good episodes this season: Episodes 5 and 6. They were different and unique. However, I suspected that there would have been more suspense, chaos, drama, and so on for a show finale. But the producer decided to cram all of that into two episodes.
Another plus is that Penn Badgley’s performance as Joe Goldberg remains consistent. His onscreen relationships are also persistent, so I have no complaints on the acting front, either.
The final season introduces the character of Bronte. The risk to Joe’s life stems from fame, fortune, and his seemingly comfortable relationship with Kate. The storyline feels boring and, frankly, quite obvious. The writers wanted to play a clever trick in Season 5, but it didn’t escape my watch. However, if it does escape yours, then you may have a different experience of the show than I did.
I want to appreciate Madeline Brewer, as also seen in The Handmaid’s Tale (I also enjoyed her in the little unknown film Cam), who plays Bronte. She is a perfect supporting cast member for Penn Badgley, and they create a dynamic that is both crazy and psychotic together.
Their performances are among my favorite aspects of Season 5. I would be very excited to see them together again; hopefully, they recognize the chemistry they can create together.
I think that’s enough of the good points for now.
My biggest pet peeve with You is the lack of new elements over time. Season 1 was fantastic, alongside Season 2. Even Season 3 was good, but after a rinse and repeat of Joe continually chasing the next woman, I found myself getting bored. Again, Season 5 is no different. I understand that we are watching Joe’s mental instability getting progressively worse and more justifiable, but maybe everything needed to stop just working out for him.
Then again, Joe’s development up to Season 5 might be realistic for the kind of psycho/sociopath that Joe is. However, I think movies and television are places where we disturbingly push boundaries, so I ask why they haven’t done that with Joe?
Don’t get me wrong—I couldn’t have created better, but it’s not my job to do so. If you want to stand out with TV shows these days, viewers need to be shaken by what they see. They want to feel safely creeped out—they want to feel the danger safely; over time, You creates very little of that.
There was no shock factor (as the kids call it these days). As far as psychological thrillers go, Season 5 has moments, but I believe they needed to do more: add more suspense and create greater puzzlement for the audience. However, a lot is revealed in the script if only YOU listen closely.
My thoughts on the ending.. Without giving away any spoilers… Ambiguous – that’s all.
I will say that you have to watch You Season 5 purely to catch the conclusion of Joe Goldberg. Though I didn’t like the season, it would be criminal not to finish it. Only a person crazier than Joe Goldberg could do that.
