'You': The Final Season Review — “The Real You”
- Jazz
- Apr 26
- 3 min read
It's been a long time since You season four left off, with Joe fully embracing his dark side and nearly dying. He woke up with Kate at his bedside and managed to convince her that she could fix him. The two marry and through her resources he is able to regain custody of his son. He gets a clean slate and a new chance at life with his original name right in the city where it all began. He could finally be himself — or rather, a better version of himself.
Let dive into You The Final Season.
The final season picks up three years after the events of season four. Joe is still married to Kate and has become something of a celebrity. The couple are seen on red carpets and on the covers of magazines. Together, they are a privileged, high-society family, and Joe, now a "kept man," runs his bookstore while raising his son. On the surface, all seems well. Joe and Kate promise to keep each other honest and good, if not for themselves, then for the sake of their family. However, jealousy and power struggles within Kate's family threaten that delicate balance.
Throughout the season, Joe wrestles with his identity: Is he really good now? Urges surface, it has been a long time since he has satisfied them. A pattern that I have noticed with Joe. He tends to be okay with his new love for a couple of years before the familiar itch kicks in. Does he love his wife and son as well as the life that they built? Sure, but at his core he remains unfulfilled because he is hiding his true self. When the opportunity to indulge his darker impulses presents itself, Kate first indulges him for the sake of their family. Later when it seems to only have wet his appetite, Kate begins to question whether Joe’s sacrifices are truly for their family—or if something more sinister lurks beneath.
Unlike previous seasons, Joe’s obsession isn't with a particular person but with protecting his family and, ultimately, embracing the "real Joe Goldberg." Enter Bronte: a woman hiding out in Joe’s bookstore, searching for rare books to sell. By the end of episode two, it’s clear that Joe is drawn to her, though Bronte makes it known she does not date married men.
Kate dreams of the perfect life — a career-driven wife with a husband and child and the respect of a high society. But when people begin digging into her murky past, that dream unravels. In a desperate attempt to keep her secrets buried, Kate briefly entertains unleashing the "beast," only to regret it quickly. As threats mount, she demands that Joe keep his darkness firmly caged, reminding him that they are good people — that they must set an example, especially for their son. Conveniently, Joe feels increasingly unseen by her. One of the reasons he once loved Kate so deeply was that he believed she could truly see him — and love him anyway.
Many have labeled Joe an anti-hero over the years but make no mistake: Joe Goldberg is no hero. He’s a villain — a sociopath and a psychopath. He’s Dexter without a code. As we saw with Love in season three, Joe craves unconditional acceptance but still inevitably seeks out a new obsession, betraying the very people who offer him the love he claims to want. Joe justifies his murders under the guise of protection, but at his core, he remains deeply broken. His brokenness is briefly addressed this season but he has to keep face and quickly pulls himself together.
The season delivers plenty of twists and turns. Some are easy to spot, but a few surprises genuinely land. It also cleverly critiques the misogynistic undercurrent of today's "trial by social media," including fans who romanticize Joe and even Penn Badgley’s frequent reminders that Joe is not someone to root for. The show even sneaks a nod to this phenomenon into its final episode. As for Joe’s fate, after much speculation, I think many fans will find the conclusion satisfying. (I’ll save full spoilers for another article.) The conclusion of Kate’s story I did not find satisfying. It will be up to the viewer if they agree given what we know about Kate from season 4.
While the dynamic within Kate’s family is intriguing — particularly the tension around whether Joe’s true nature will be exposed — the storyline overstays its welcome. The heavy focus on family politics causes the pacing to drag in parts, especially early on. For that reason, I’m giving You's final season a 7 out of 10.
Stay tuned as we dive into the dark parallels between Joe and Dexter — and explore why audiences can't help but root for the villain.
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