After five seasons of obsession, murder, mystery and blank stares, Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) time in the limelight has finally come to a close. The final season of You attempts to do something new and simultaneously honour its roots all while avoiding feeling repetitive – something it largely accomplishes.
My relationship with You has been one of equal parts enjoyment and disappointment. Without fail, each and every season has kicked off on a high before eventually unraveling, losing its sense of direction and becoming a bit of a mess. I was fully prepared for that to happen when this season wowed with its first few episodes… but the quality drop never came. I’d go so far as to say this final season is the best of the entire series, while not without its issues. This season introduces a plenty of new character dynamics and types of relationships for Joe to navigate. From his new wife, Kate (Charlotte Ritchie), to his latest fixation, Bronte (Madeline Brewer), there’s a tight group of characters to focus on and all of them have engaging roles in the story. At multiple points in the season I would recognise narrative directions that could turn out to feel too familiar, and in most of those instances the writers pivot quite creatively. The focus and direction of this season shifts constantly from episode to episode, helping to create misdirects and surprises aplenty.
The inclusion of twins Maddie and Reagan, both played by Anna Camp, is the main source of so many of the season’s narrative shifts. They each bring an element of quirky chaos to the story, forcing Joe to constantly adapt his plans and in turn refocus the season’s trajectory. There is an episode or two that doesn’t hit quite as intended, but it’s far from the issue in previous seasons which would see entire arcs go down the drain. While the season’s story and character dynamics are largely fresh, it does have moments that cross the line from ‘honouring its legacy’ to ‘hey I’ve seen this before’, but they’re few and far between. I’m not criticising it too hard as you’re going to get that when you’re five seasons into a series with a one-trick protagonist. This season having a smaller main cast than last season helps it significantly – it’s not getting lost in countless sublots and always revolving around one or two core ideas.
Suspense, tension and occasionally the subversion of expectations has always been a strong suit of the series. This swansong comes out firing with nice bouts of tension whenever Goldberg’s ‘happily ever after’ is threatened. That suspense is nicely maintained even through some of the story’s biggest shifts in focus and carried through to the climax. Being the final season, it also has the task of bringing closure to the series as a whole, something that has ruined some of the highest profile series. While the finale is far from my favourite episode, the penultimate episode is the best hour of the entire series – it does justice to all of the characters involved in this season and seasons passed. It has a fitting ending which makes sense and feels fulfilling after nearly 7 years of development.
The few glaring issues are moreso isolated to specific episodes as opposed to being widespread through the season. Some potentially interesting narrative choices aren’t capitalised on and there is the occasional instance of over-explaining its story to the point of becoming tiresome. Tonally, You has always dabbled in some campy, quirky characters, but this season especially has sequences that feel a little too silly. Anna Camp’s twin characters are a shining light, but there are some subplots that get a little too “Desperate Housewives” for this psychological drama. Again, as much as the season has its issues, there’s nothing disastrous that occurs. It’s certainly the most consistent in quality from start to finish.
Penn Badgley is no stranger to the spotlight, and he’s as brilliant as ever when it comes to bringing Joe to life. Whether it’s via his blank stares, charming smirks or menacing glares, he has every one of Joe’s hidden personalities locked down and can switch between them on a dime. He’s one of those TV characters who is evil to the core but you still root for him because of is radiating charm. It takes a special kind of actor to pull off that vibe, and Badgley is just the man for the job. Charlotte Ritchie as Kate I’d have to say is fine, but it’s more a result of being held back by the limitations of her character. Early on in the season her character isn’t doing much in the way of critical thinking, which limits the range she’s able to show off. As her character’s motivations shift later on, there’s more to admire about her performance and she’s able to play off Badgley’s presence a little more.
Madeline Brewer enters the fold as Bronte, and she’s a spark of charisma that elevates so much of the season. One thing this series has always done well is differentiating the girl Joe has a fixation on from those that have come before. Brewer brings a lively energy to the role and makes you root for her wellbeing as well as Joe’s. Her chemistry with Badgley is electric from the start and shines throughout. However by far the biggest MVP of the season is Anna Camp. Her characters are the biggest highlight of the season, enhancing everything from the comedy to the drama, and Camp delivers with two performances that feel unique even alongside each other. There are subtleties between the way she plays both Maddie and Reagan which help differentiate the two even when it’s not initially spelled out. She does play it very campy at times, but it does nothing but add to the enjoyment.
In the end, You manages to avoid falling into the traps of seasons passed and delivers a final season that’s also its most consistent. It introduces new personalities while revisiting some familiar faces as it brings everything to a close. It harbours plenty of fun, entertaining interactions as Joe balances married life and obsessive killer life. As we’ve come to expect from the series, there are neat twists and misdirects to see us through to the end, turning the show’s farewell into a fulfilling one at that. If you’ve liked the series so far, you’re sure to get a kick out of this ending.
7.9/10
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