You Should’ve Aimed Higher
Here’s how Joe Goldberg’s story concludes: In a public trial, he receives a life sentence without the possibility of touch or women to fixate on. However, before this verdict, Bronte, his newest obsession, shoots him, leading to a graphic video of his arrest that goes viral. This form of justice aligns with the show You, which is known for romantic gestures and favorable endings for its antagonist-protagonist. In an interview with Deadline, Penn Badgley, who plays Joe, discussed this decision in relation to a broader cultural conversation about “bad men.” He questions, “What should we do with people like Joe?” If someone were to kill him (and it would be a woman), then she would bear the burden of murder. Torture or prison seem inadequate, so they settled on damaging his manhood.