Stranger Things 5

 February 11 26

Life After The Upside Down

Why the Stranger Things final season left me forever changed

(CAUTION: Contains Spoilers)

🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇 (10/10 Waffles) 

Dear Viewers,

          After almost 10 years of supernatural events, 80’s soaked nostalgia, and kids on bikes, Stranger Things Season 5 didn’t just end a show- it ended an era. The Duffer Brothers,  the writers/creators of Stranger Things, left us with a catastrophic Season 4 cliffhanger where the alternate dimension also known as “The Abyss” continues to bleed into their world. Season 5 is a battleground that centers around Will Byers’ reckoning with his psychic link to Vecna, the villain.Whether it’s viewed as an ending or the beginning, Season 5 focuses on the power of friendship and is truly a heartwarming experience. If you grew up with these characters, you will want to visit Hawkins for the last time.

Picking up in November 1987 after the earthquake that changed everything. The season appears with Hawkins being under quarantine ordered by Dr Kay, a military leader, who is in search of Eleven, the hero of the story. The town itself struggles to survive as the supernatural dimension weaves its way into reality. A Demogorgon (a supernatural creature) attacks the Wheelers home, severely injuring Karen and Ted while trying to prevent the abduction of their child, Holly Wheeler. This event mirrors Will's original disappearance in Season 1 and raises multiple suspicions of the Hawkins Community. Moments later, Vecna sends out more and more Demo’s to kidnap 11 other kids to complete his ultimate plan, to take over the world. Steve, Eleven, Robin, Johnathan, Erica, Lucas, Will, Mike, Nancy, and Dustin with the help of Murray and Mr. Clarke launch a plan to save Holly and the missing children. Little do they know, Max finds Holly and plans to help her escape Camazotz, a place made of Henry/Vecna’s memories. Max is viewed as the bad person by the missing children, but at the end she is the real hero saving Holly. 

In the high stakes battle of Stranger Things Season 5, the core themes of loyalty and friendship are tested among the characters. The ultimate weapon against the world's end is the strength of friendship. The scene that destroyed me the most is in episode 6 at 41:27, when Steve and Dustin are trying to save Nancy and Johnathan. Steve is determined to save his friends by using a ladder over the melting staircase in Hawkins Lab. The staircase continues to melt as Steve takes a slow step forward.  All of a sudden, Dustin grabs Steve and says, “ If you go out there, you’re gonna die, and I can’t deal with it again. You can’t die ‘cause I can’t deal with it again. Don’t let it happen again. Please. Please don’t let it happen again. Not you”, then hugs Steve. My favorite part of the show is the character progression of Steve. Steve went from a jerk and not caring, to being one of the most valued and loved Stranger Things characters. This scene shows us a great deal of friendship and loyalty. The Duffer Brothers use the tool of character development to make Steve more lovable within a season. While the threat is darker and more personal in Season 5, it is the small moments of trust that defines their bravery. The Duffer Brothers did an excellent job portraying kids as heroes. 

The ending is a truly touching moment and one of the highlights of Season 5. Will’s mom, Joyce, is the one who kills Vecna with her own hands. With all the torment she suffered since her son Will was taken in Season 1, she got to end the Monster. The ending is just pure justice, like a little bit of ice cream with a chocolate drizzle and a cherry on top. The saddest part of the ending was Eleven. It touched me how she chose to give up her future to save her friends. It wasn’t too dramatic but like a silent goodbye. Again the theme of loyalty and friendship prevails. Season 5 isn’t about defeating Vecna, it is about friendship, growing up, and letting go.

Stranger Things’ final season incorporates great storytelling with a gripping plot set during November of 1987 in Hawkins, Indiana. The Duffer Brothers bring the 1980s setting to life through artistic portrayals that weave cinematic visuals with an eerie, synth-heavy soundtrack. Within this action packed supernatural horror and science fiction story, the relatable characters from Eleven and Mike to Dustin and Steve must defeat the ultimate threat-Vecna. Their friendship and loyalty are put to the test and powerfully displayed when they risk everything for one another. I would recommend this to ages 12 and up. It has intense violence and mature themes that might not be appropriate for young audience members. It has cinematic lighting mixed with high-end CGI. I would not recommend this for people who do not like strobing lights; however, if you enjoy a good show series then this is for you. 

Ultimately, the final season of Stranger Things acts as a tribute to the resilience of human power and spirit. The Duffer Brothers intertwine gripping plot, 80s nostalgia, and supernatural horror to deliver a message about what it means to be a hero. As the story comes to a close, the relatable characters leave you emotional in ways you could never imagine. They show strong friendship even when they are face to face with destruction and almost death. As the lights fade on Hawkins one last time, a group of ordinary kids turn the world UPSIDE DOWN and become their heroes. 

Sincerely,

Leven