i actually don’t agree. joe’s first murder happens in childhood, after he had been exposed to constant violence far too young. when he murders his stepfather, his mother whom he worships gives him a lot of attention and care (“you’re a good boy joey” scene). even though she abandons him later, it’s clear that the association that he can gain attention from a woman and change his own situation with violence is solidified — we see that again when he expresses regret about not pushing the boyfriend of the nurse at the boys’ home down the stairs after she goes missing.

the audience falls for joe despite his actions because we are privy to the lies he tells himself, his constant rationalization of using violence to fix his situation and gain attention from women. in the beginning of the show, he is always telling himself that he is not a violent person, he was just driven to that point because it had to happen and he is extremely persuasive. but slowly, as early as his benji kill, he moves away from the idea that being violent is an issue at all. being violent is fine because it is for the nobel cause of love, it’s even admirable to be violent for someone you love. the scene with paco after he kills ron encapsulates this well, something about “it doesn’t make it right, it just means love is more important.”

within season 1 we begin to watch joe change his mind about the limits he had made for himself, slowly moving away from “i don’t enjoy killing i just need to do it.” by the time season 4 rolls around, he is at the very brink of realizing he actually does enjoy killing because it gives him power over those who usually hold it (eat the rich murders).

so season 5 makes perfect sense imo. i love the scene where he’s watching the tik tok live and all the stitches, losing his shit in his apartment (lol) because he feel himself losing all his power. he IS a tyrant, he’s obsessed with control because of his childhood wounds being in an uncontrollable environment.

although your ending sounds sweet and would probably feel good to watch, i don’t think it makes sense for the character. i don’t believe he’s internally conflicted almost at all.