When Game of Thrones wrapped up in 2019, the ending was so controversial that it's become the prototypical example of how not to end a hugely successful show. And now, as Stranger Things enters the final stages of its fifth and final season on Netflix, editor Dean Zimmerman reveals that creators Matt and Ross Duffer had Game of Thrones' mistakes in mind when crafting the show's endgame.
The final season of Stranger Things already feels better placed than Game of Thrones'. One of the biggest criticisms of Thrones was that its last couple of seasons picked up the pace too much, which perhaps could be chocked up to the creators running out of source material to adapt; author George R.R. Martin is still working on future Game of Thrones books to this day. But Stranger Things doesn't technically have any source material, and Matt and Ross Duffer have had the freedom to write an ending on their own terms; it's an ending they've been gradually working towards and perfecting since the beginning.
Speaking to Screen Rant about the final season, editor Dean Zimmerman revealed that the production is bigger than ever before. "Stranger Things is in full swing, it is bigger than anyone's going to ever imagine," he said. "Every season I am on that show, I don't think it can get bigger, and not only always proven wrong. It always just boggles my mind how insanely brilliant the Duffer brothers are coming up with new and crazier ways to do this."
Naturally, the team is feeling the pressure to deliver a satisfying endgame. Or to put it in other words: they're avoiding a Game of Thrones-style reception at all costs.
"Their whole mission is to stick the landing on this final season where, controversially, a lot of people say Game of Thrones did not; they don't want that, and they won't settle for anything but perfection."
As for what fans can expect, the final season will likely have even more content than season 4, which had some episodes that ran longer than most movies. "I can assure you that you will not be disappointed, and I can definitely assure you that you will have about the same amount, maybe a little more, content than we did season 4," Zimmerman said.
Season 5 has eight episodes, so prepare to be seated for what's essentially going to be eight movies!