Netflix's hit series, You, has been a fixture on the streaming giant's Top 10 charts since its acquisition after its first season. However, with the fourth season has come to a close, the future of the show has been in question, with hints from co-creators Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti that a fifth season would be the final chapter. This sentiment has been echoed by star Penn Badgley, who has expressed his desire for the show to end on a high note rather than risk becoming tired.
It's not difficult to see why the show's creative team would want to end the series with a fifth season. You's protagonist, Joe Goldberg, is a complicated and dark character who, by no understatement, is a very bad person. With each passing season, the show's writers have had to find new ways to justify Joe's actions and ensure that he remains a sympathetic character despite his numerous heinous acts. This balancing act risks pushing the boundaries too far, and it's important to recognize that Joe's story has to come to an end eventually.
The show's fourth season premiered in two parts and took a unique approach to its premise, which ultimately worked in its favor. There was even a self-aware moment when it seemed as though Joe had met his demise, only for the series to give him a second life and set him up for a return to where it all started in New York City. This move sets the stage for one final chapter in the series, and it's a good thing that the show's creative team understands that the story is much closer to the end than the beginning.
With the end in sight, the writers have the opportunity to tell Joe's story in any way they see fit, be it through reflection or the classic trope of showing the ending at the beginning and telling the story of how it got to that point. By recognizing that the show has to end and taking the time to craft a satisfying conclusion, You has the potential to deliver a new-look season that will leave viewers satisfied and cement its legacy as a standout series.
