Warning: Season Five Spoilers Ahead!
The wait is finally over and Netflix has once again opened up the gates to Hawkins with the release of Stranger Things season five. Volume one of this final chapter dropped on Netflix on Wednesday Nov. 26, just in time to give fans something juicier to devour than the Thanksgiving turkey. From the moment the show started, it’s clear this season isn’t just a continuation of the previous, but the beginning of the end of an iconic television show.
The three and a half year gap between season four and five was nothing short of painful, but stepping back into Hawkins feels like returning to an old and beloved world. Volume One came with the first four episodes of the season. Three more will drop on Christmas night, which then leads up to a big series final on New Year’s Eve.
Season five returns with all the beloved characters from the beginning– Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will and Eleven, along with the characters we have gotten to love throughout the seasons. The gang is getting ready to face their biggest challenge yet, finally defeating Vecna.
From the very first episode, Volume One gets the ball rolling pretty quickly. There is still a playfulness like the previous seasons, but the stakes are higher than ever and you can feel it. There is more gore, more danger and more emotions. It feels like anyone could die at any moment, because quite frankly, they could. It’s the final season and no one is safe. After a rough couple of years, the Hawkins gang is older and wiser, but the bonds between the characters remain strong as always.
A standout performance this season, in my opinion, is Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler. Wolfhard’s character started out very strong in season one and two but kind of fell flat in the past couple of seasons. He didn’t serve much of a purpose, especially in season four. But now, Mike is taking more of a central, leadership role, which I enjoyed. Steve Harrington, a beloved character by many, was always known as the “babysitter” to the gang, but now the role is getting taken over by Mike, as the kids grow up.
It’s clear that the Hawkins gang is no longer the group of kids we met in season one. They have really grown into their own. Showcasing this in another stand out role is Noah Schnapp as Will Byers. Will has always been known as the “odd” kid, who has endured many struggles throughout the show, but this season is hinting at him finding his own path and growing into himself.
The last scene of Volume One definitely proved that, as Will discovered, he has powers of his own, just like Eleven. Will saved three of his friends by controlling the Demogorgans, creating an epic cliff-hanger for the next episodes. The last 20 minutes of episode four were cinematic gold and had me at the edge of my seat.
Junior Emily Lamoureux is a huge Stranger Things fan, and was so excited to see Will’s surprise powers at the end of the episode. She has always loved Will and is really glad he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
She said, “I was shocked that Will had powers like Eleven, I really did not see this twist coming, but I’m so happy it did.”
Lamoureux has watched the show since the very beginning in 2016. The night before Thanksgiving, she was right on Netflix at 8:00 p.m. when the show dropped. She explained, “I binged all four episodes in one sitting! With this being the last season, I have to soak in all the Stranger Things I can before it’s gone.”
Lamoureux, like many fans, is eagerly waiting for Volume Two to drop on Christmas night. One of the most talked about predictions is who is going to die at the end of the season. With this being the last season, it is very likely we might see the end of multiple characters.
Lamoureux has a strong feeling that death will be knocking on Jonathan Byers’ (Will’s brother) door. She explained that, “I’ve been seeing on social media that everyone thinks Jonathan will die, and I agree with the way they are building up his character.”
I actually strongly agree with Lamoureux and the rest of social media. Jonathan seems like an easy choice to kill. Many fans of the show don’t feel connected to him as they do with other fan favorites. In Volume One, they showed him with an engagement ring in his coat pocket, which can be assumed to be for his girlfriend Nancy Wheeler. I predict that the ring will have significance later, with Nancy potentially finding it after he dies.
It’s a tough prediction to accept, but sounds like something realistically going to happen.
A lot of people on social media have been saying that Steve Harrington is going to sacrifice himself at the end of the series. Every season, people hold their breath for the heartbreaking possibility of Steve dying, me included. I honestly don’t see it happening, because he is such a beloved character. It would be a powerful end for Steve, but I really don’t want that to happen.
As Hawkins braces for its final showdown, fans everywhere are doing the same, counting down the days until Volume Two releases and mentally preparing for whatever chaos the Duffer Brothers have in store. No matter what fate awaits Jonathan, Steve, or the rest of the Hawkins gang, this season is shaping up to be one of the best. Since 2016, Stranger Things has brought pure 80s nostalgia, heart and horror, and this final chapter already feels like the perfect send-off.
