Stranger Things has officially come to an end on Netflix after five wonderful seasons. After taking a few days to digest the finale and final moments of the hit Netflix series, I shared the six things I loved about Stranger Things season 5, along with a few things I didn't love so much.
Overall, I really liked Stranger Things 5! It left somethings to be desired, but I can't imagine a much better ending for the little show that could that became the biggest show in the world.
Without further ado, let's talk about what I loved about the final season.
What I loved: The Stranger Things finale and ending
I loved the finale! I loved the ending!
I don't think we see many endings like Stranger Things because there aren't many shows like Stranger Things. Overall, I thought the ending was as good as it could be. We got everything, basically, that we asked for as fans. The Duffers did deliver in the end, as I thought they would.
Were there some flaws? Of course! The Duffer brothers and the writers just did the Netflix equivalent of cramming 11 cookies into the VCR. There was so much to do to get to the end of this story, and they handled it in an excellent fashion.
Almost of the storylines were wrapped up in perfect ways! Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and Robin's rooftop pact was awesome. The graduation scene and season 2 callback was great. I loved Hopper and Joyce getting engaged and moving away from Hawkins. And, most importantly, the D&D campaign ending with Mike revealing Eleven's actually alive; that was the best scene of the season.
Was every storyline perfectt? No, but that's okay! We got to see the heroes of Hawkins finally win once and for all against the person and monster that took everything from them. And, they did it together with a major assist from the one and only, Eleven.
Loved: Eleven's ending
I know I might be in the minority, but I really loved Eleven's ending, too. I feel bad that this happened to her and that the character had to make the most of a bad situation, but I also think it's quite obvious that she did, in fact, live. There are so many hidden clues in the finale that suggest Eleven is still alive after everything that happened. So, maybe, that's why I like it.
To me, Eleven's ending means that she gets to chart the course of her life for the first time without having to be anything for anybody for the first time ever. Is it sad that she leaves behind her family and friends? Yes, but it also leaves the door open three inches for her to be with them again in when it's safe.
That's my answer, and I'm sticking with it.
What I didn't love: How many characters were involved in the final season
Now, for the main thing I didn't love about the finale. I didn't love all how many characters were involved this season in one location. It was really complicated to make the season come together, but I wish we could have seen fewer characters spread out all over the board. It was difficult, in my opinion, to keep track of where certain characters were at times.
I also felt like, because of the huge cast, we got some limited performances. We only saw some characters playing their hits, so to speak, rather than getting to see the well-rounded characters like we did in previous seasons.
It's not the worst thing in the world, and I think the Duffer brothers did this a lot better than other shows like Game of Thrones. When it comes to handling big ensembles as storylines wrap up, things get weird, and that happened in Stranger Things 5.
Loved: Derek Turnbow
Derek Turnbow, played by Jake Connelly, is easily my favorite new character in season 5. Nell Fisher was terrific and more impactful, but I haven't laughed harder in Stranger Things than I did when Derek your-mommed Vecna. It was hilarious and incredible.
Derek stole every scene he was a part of from basically the first moment we meet him. I loved his catchphrase. I loved him flipping off Mr. Whatsit. I loved when he waved to Mike on the way back from the Abyss. Derek is going to be a character I remember for a long time.
Loved: The Stranger Things spinoff tease
The Duffer brothers revealed that there would be a small tease about the upcoming Stranger Things spinoff in the finale. I think it was pretty obvious to most everyone who watched that it was about the rock Henry Creel finds in the briefcase in the cave.
I'm very curious to learn what that rock was, where it came from, and how Henry came across that specific scientist in the future.
Didn't love: How long it took for Max to get back to her body and out of
Don't get me wrong; Max and Lucas's moment when she finally returns from Camazots is amazing. I wouldn't change anything about him rescuing her at the hospital or anything like that. I just wish it happened earlier.
I just love the dynamic Max brings to the party. She and Holly were great this season, but I would have loved to see Sadie Sink acting alongside Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo like we got to see in that final scene.
Loved: Will's powers (and embracing his true self)
Will's storyline in season 5 was epic and the perfect ending for his character. Early in the season, I loved his adventures with Robin. Then, we got to see him truly embrace who he is, save his friends instead of being saved by his friends, let everyone accept him for who he is, and be the piece that eventually led to Vecna's downfall.
This all started with Will going missing. For him to be the one to bring Vecna down with Eleven, that was poetry and cinema.
Loved: Henry Creel's backstory reveal (and non-redemption arc)
For a second, I thought all this work through Henry Creel's memories would eventually lead to Henry being a victim of the Mind Flayer and him getting a big redemption arc. Luckily, that did not happen.
I enjoyed learning about Henry's past, and how he became one with the Mind Flayer. I also loved that Eleven and Will teamed up to give him the ultimate knuckle sandwich before Joyce chopped off his head.
Didn't love: The science-y stuff
Heading into the season, I wanted to know the origins of the Upside Down, how it all came to be, and why it all happened in the first place.
Heading out of the final season, I realized I really don't care about the all the wormhole, exotic matter, and science stuff.
In the words, I got the answer to the question I asked, but when I learned the answer, I realized I didn't actually want to know it.
Loved: The Duffers not wrapping up everything
There's been a lot of pushback against the Duffer brothers for not wrapping up every single story or answering every single question posed in the series, but I thought it was a good touch.
Do we need to know everything that happened with each romantic relationship or every conversation along the way? No, I don't. Do I need to know how and when everyone's life turned out after the events of the series? No, I can use my imagination, thank you.
I'm not advocating for giving them a pass or anything if the story didn't resonate with you, but I am saying that they don't need to address every single thing or storyline they worked away from.
Yes, there are plot holes. No, it doesn't all make sense. And, that's okay. It's art. Make your own.
Didn't love: The pacing
I don't know if it was the release schedule or just how things played out, but I felt like the one real complaint I have against Stranger Things 5 is that the pacing was off at times. We covered so much ground in like three or four days with these characters before the time jump, and I just felt they could have somehow slowed it down a little bit. There were pockets of downtime in these episodes, but it was pretty fast and furious once Hopper got lost in the Upside Down.
I feel like Vol. 2, which set up the finale, had the biggest pacing issues. It just felt disjointed compared to the rest of the season. Again, it makes sense why it felt like that. Moving so many characters around in such a short time was a monumental task. They pulled it off, ultimately, but I felt like there were issues.
Loved: How much fun the journey was along the way
Last but certainly not least, I loved how much fun Stranger Things 5 was along the way! I was so worried the tone would be so different after such a big and sad finale in season 4. There were some moments that were really hard to watch in season 5, but for the most part, it was a beautiful story with a bittersweet message about growing up, keeping the wonders of childhood alive, and the friends you meet along the way.
Basically, I'm trying to say what Dustin said in his speech at graduation only less well. Hellfire lives!
I hope you liked Stranger Things as much as I did. I'm really going to miss it.