Podcrushed Episode Summary: "YOU Finale Rewatch (with Lee Toland Krieger), Part 2"

In the finale rewatch of the popular series "YOU," hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari delve deep into the concluding episodes with special guest Lee Toland Krieger, offering insightful analysis and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. This comprehensive discussion captures their reflections on character developments, pivotal scenes, and the overall narrative closure of the series.

1. Revisiting Key Moments and Character Arcs

The hosts begin by reflecting on the intense and emotionally charged scenes that define the finale. They discuss the transformation of Joe Goldberg, the protagonist, and his interactions with other central characters.

• Joe and Bronte’s Final Confrontation

  The conversation highlights the climactic moment where Bronte confronts Joe, culminating in her taking decisive action against him. Sophie notes, “She's saying, how did you do it? … that was the first sort of unqualified admission of guilt from Joe” (05:24).

• Frankie Mao’s Emotional Impact

  A standout scene involves Frankie Mao, portrayed by a young actor, delivering a poignant line: “You’re the monster” (10:16). Penn praises the performance, stating, “That is one of the best moments, I think, in the entire series.”

2. Nuances in Acting and Directing

Penn Badgley shares his approach to portraying Joe Goldberg, emphasizing the balance between vulnerability and menace.

• Penn on Playing Joe

  “The reality of somebody like this is not necessarily as interesting and compelling as it’s always dramatized” (06:51). Penn discusses his intention to present Joe as uninteresting and deadened, making Bronte the more compelling character.

• Sophie on Directing Intensity

  Sophie Ansari sheds light on directing intense scenes, particularly the physical confrontation between Joe and Bronte. She explains the meticulous planning behind the choreography to ensure authenticity: “We wanted it to be as messy and nasty and … primal as it could be” (18:06).

3. Production Insights and Challenges

The hosts provide an in-depth look into the production aspects of the finale, revealing the challenges faced during filming.

• On-Stage Bedroom Set

  The decision to build the bedroom set on stage allowed for greater control over the environment. Sophie mentions, “We built this bedroom on stage, which really, we would not have been able to do everything we needed to do had we had to do it in that house” (05:24).

• Filming in Real Locations

  Attempts to shoot in real prisons posed logistical challenges. Sophie elaborates, “We took a tiny unit, literally about 10 of us, went to a prison in upstate New York … but they couldn’t get me a twink in a real prison” (41:42).

4. Thematic Exploration and Series Conclusion

The finale serves as a thematic culmination of the series, addressing issues of control, identity, and redemption.

• Erasure of Female Voices

  Nava Kaplan emphasizes the powerful depiction of female characters reclaiming their voices: “I feel like so many women feel that way that their intuition is erased, that their voice is erased” (04:09).

• Joe’s Downfall

  The removal of Joe’s most potent weapon symbolizes his ultimate downfall. “Nobody wants to see a dickless Joe. … that's the epilogue” (40:26) elucidates the final stripping away of Joe’s power.

5. Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes

Personal stories from the hosts add depth to the discussion, highlighting the arduous process of bringing the finale to life.

• Physical Demands on Penn

  Penn recounts the grueling filming schedule: “I spent every night in my underwear in the woods in the summer … by the end of these two and a half weeks … I started developing this new kind of laying down meditation practice” (30:56).

• Technical Challenges

  Filming the water scenes required creative solutions to maintain continuity and safety. Sophie details the use of wax to protect during water immersion: “We all had to like cover every orifice … and then spray our mouths and nose and ears with an antiseptic” (34:08).

6. Final Reflections and Series Legacy

As the discussion wraps up, the hosts reflect on the series' impact and the satisfaction derived from its conclusion.

• Satisfaction with the Ending

  Sophie expresses pride in the finale’s resolution: “This has been so much fun. It does feel like now really the end … of the 'YOU' journey” (50:32).

• Potential for Future Seasons

  While the finale provides closure, thoughts on the possibility of Joe’s return linger. “Nobody wants to see a dickless Joe … Another season? Never say never” (40:18) suggests openness to future storytelling.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Nava Kaplan at [04:09]: “I feel like so many women feel that way that their intuition is erased, that their voice is erased.”

• Penn Badgley at [06:51]: “The reality of somebody like this is not necessarily as interesting and compelling as it’s always dramatized.”

• Sophie Ansari at [10:02]: “What are you saying?”

• Nava Kaplan at [14:02]: “How could he actually love him? You have this image of himself as a great father.”

• Penn Badgley at [36:21]: “My name is Louise now. I'm done. I am done, Jo.”

Conclusion

The "YOU Finale Rewatch" episode of Podcrushed offers a thorough and engaging analysis of the series' conclusion. Through thoughtful discussion, the hosts and their guest dissect the narrative and thematic elements that brought "YOU" to a compelling end. The blend of critical insight and personal anecdotes provides listeners with a rich understanding of the series' final chapters, making it a valuable recap for both fans and newcomers alike.

Timestamp Reference:

• [MM:SS] indicates the minutes and seconds into the transcript where the quote or reference occurs.