Stranger Things Season 5 Review

As Stranger Things has come to a close and we got to watch our favorite characters on the screen one last time, many people can’t help but feel let down by the final season. This shared sense of anticlimax and disappointment could stem from various factors, which we, two seasoned Stranger Things fans, discuss here. From poor pacing from episode to episode, not nearly enough character deaths and suspense, and massive plot holes, did Stranger Things 5 really live up to the hype? Or is there just a lot of unnecessary hate floating around the internet?

Photo via Kylelambertartist on Instagram

VOLUME 1:

After more than 3 years of suspense, Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 was released the day before Thanksgiving. Everybody was reunited by their TV screens, all of which unanimously played that familiar theme song; no one could doubt the 10-year-old show’s global cultural impact. I was so excited to finally watch the first few episodes of the season, waiting to see if any of my predictions would come true. As I cozied up on the couch, my snacks in hand, I began the first episode. Although certain aspects of the episodes felt weak, I was overall incredibly satisfied with the season's start. For instance, some character dynamics were off—Jonathan and Steve’s oddly macho behavior or Steve and Dustin’s decaying friendship—while others, like Robin and Will’s bond, felt adorable and unexpected. Will, who has been one of my favorites since Season 2, shocked me most when he was revealed to have powers, even though it was something that I predicted this season. Still, one major concern stood out: the pacing. The four episodes seemed both too fast and too quick, rushing past plot points or not allowing characters to fully process their emotions (I’m looking at you, Mike). Before Volume 2 came out, I could sense that the current pacing wouldn’t allow the Duffer Brothers to wrap up the 5-season show in a satisfying way. Nevertheless, Volume 1 left me eager for more, unaware of the drastic quality shift that would follow.  

VOLUME 2:

After the grand reveal of Will’s powers at the end of Volume 1, I had high hopes for Volume 2 that did not get fulfilled. There were many theories for the first episode, “Shock Jock”. Some interpreted it as death foreshadowing – maybe Robin the disk jockey, or Steve the actual jock, were going to die. Resuscitating Demogorgons was definitely not what I was expecting. I quite liked “Escape from Camazotz” and the whole Holly-Max dynamic. Meanwhile Nancy and Johnathan faced a near-death experience that, yes, might have allowed them to express their true feelings in an emotional conversation between the two former lovers, but I think it would have been much more effective to have at least one of them die in the end. The problem is all the characters have insane plot armor, and realistically a lot of them would not have survived this adventure seemingly unscathed (physically). Then again, there’s nothing realistic about this sci-fi show, so I can’t complain too much. Chapter 7, “The Bridge” was emotional, as Max and Lucas finally reunited, and the party came together for one last plan. I don’t think volume 2 was better than volume 1 or the finale. While watching the show I didn’t have many oppositions, but after looking back and hearing what my friends thought I started thinking more about the lack of anticipation I felt. 

FINALE:

While I was not as disappointed with the finale as with volume 2, I still thought many things could have been improved. I thought Eleven’s death was a cheap ending to the series. There was no buildup to such a dramatic scene, and because Mike and El’s relationship felt incredibly bland the entire season, it didn’t make enough of an emotional impact. I loved the use of “Purple Rain,” but the scene was underwhelming, as I felt like Finn Wolfhard’s and Millie Bobby Brown’s chemistry wasn’t reflected on screen. I thought Steve’s fakeout death was just as cheap. There were no stakes in the final battle, and Vecna died too suddenly, leaving no room for suspense or anticipation. There were also so many plot holes and oddly paced moments that it felt incomplete. One thing I will say is that the epilogue, especially the graduation scene, left me quite emotional, especially being a senior myself. It was sad watching a show that defined our childhoods come to an end, so I think it will always hold a special place in our hearts. Although the fifth season was underwhelming overall, it was still a fun watch.

CONFORMITY GATE

Some people thought the ending was so unsatisfying that a new theory emerged across social media platforms like TikTok, and that theory was Conformity Gate. The name stems from how people thought the characters were “conforming” in the finale. To what exactly, I’m still not completely sure. From what I’ve gathered, people seemed to think the ending was in fact a false reality, and the characters were still in danger which required a resolution in a secret 9^th episode they believed would air. 

Conformity Gate believers are usually also dissatisfied Byler shippers, who were mad Will only had an “epilogue boyfriend” and didn’t end up with Mike. Not only did this theory make no sense timeline-wise, but I found it obvious from the Tammy Thompson comparison to Mike and El’s tragic situation, that Byler was never really happening (sorry). People can wish whatever characters they want to be together – I've gotten into more than one quarrel over Stancy/Jancy or Mileven/Byler. But in the end, whether you liked or didn’t like the ending, you can’t deny that Stranger Things was iconic, and Season 5 marks the end of an era.