We are so close to reaching the conclusion of Stranger Things. It’s a sad prospect to know that this journey is ending, but the Duffer Brothers have been saving the best for last. Since the Season 5 Vol. 1 episode drop, fans have had major reactions to the explosive new season.
In only four episodes, the Duffers have dropped so many explosive moments that have caught fans by surprise. From a legendary actress joining the cast to the next generation of Hawkins’ kids becoming important players in the action, the shocking moments have led to a fantastic first batch of episodes that are continually being discussed.
8
Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay
Stranger Things is well-known for dropping ’80s references literally and visually. Since Season 1, it’s become a beloved game for fans to pick up on the subtle homages to pop culture found in the Stranger Things world. Well, for Season 5, the Duffer Brothers made a literal reference to a big-name star of the decade by casting her in a major role. Fans of science fiction and action films were pleasantly surprised to see Sarah Connor herself, Linda Hamilton. The iconic actress best known for her role in The Terminator, Hamilton took on the role of Major General Dr. Kay.
So, who is this mysterious Dr. Kay? The elusive new head scientist overseeing the military’s actions in Hawkins is leading the hunt for Eleven, who has been evading the military within the landscape of Hawkins. She is a hyper-intelligent, ruthless scientist who is pursuing Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) as a weapon. Lacking much of the humanity that Dr. Brennan (Matthew Modine) had, Kay is spearheading the development of technology, such as the sonic weapon that neutralizes Eleven’s powers. As we saw by the end of Chapter 4, Dr. Kay has a major secret hidden away.
7
Max Is Back!
When last we saw her, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) was in a coma at the hands of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Though Eleven was able to save Max’s body, her consciousness is trapped in Henry Creel’s mindscape, a psychic dimension, leading to her comatose state in the real world. As Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) has been our source of visitation at the hospital, we thought that was about as much as we might see of her. But this is Stranger Things, and we love a good surprise. As Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) was trapped inside Vecna’s mindscape, she went on a journey under the pretense of a map from Vecna. It was not him, but rather a ploy by our girl, Max!
At first, Holly was reluctant to trust Max despite her having been to her house on numerous occasions. Max had to earn her confidence, and she did so by telling her about Henry Creel’s memories. The psychic space that they’ve been occupying is the Creel’s house and the cave in which Henry first learned of his power. Fans of the stage play, Stranger Things: First Shadow, were given Easter eggs that connected the series to the show. Though Max may not be with her friends, she’s serving a major role in protecting Holly at all costs.
6
The Introduction of Mr. Whatsit
Just when you thought you knew all of Vecna’s secrets, he came back with one more — one that was perhaps the most sinister: that he goes by the name of Mr. Whatsit. Lifted from Madeleine L’Engle‘s A Wrinkle in Time, Mr. Whatsit served as a charming, dapper imaginary friend to trick and kidnap children into the Upside Down. Needing to feed off the minds of the naive, Vecna’s mission was to break these susceptible kids, control them, and add them to his growing hive mind, making them vessels for his power.
Almost mirroring the first season with Will, Holly Wheeler became the first and main target. What made this new iteration of Vecna so sinister was the way he was able to earn trust with such ease. While the kids believe they’re talking to a kind, well-dressed man, the adults simply think that it’s just another invisible friend. Once Holly was kidnapped, the gang understood Vecna’s intentions and set out to save the other elementary school children before he could reach them. Every individual fell for the same game Mr. Whatsit played. Truly one of the most devious villains we’ve ever seen.
5
Robin’s Clues on the Morning Squawk
When we began our fifth season, we jumped ahead four years since Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) was taken, which made sense since our kids turned into little men and women right before our eyes. Jokes aside, the town of Hawkins was under government lockdown, so not only was there a limit on what could come in and out, but access to information was also restricted. With the mission still being to defeat Vecna while keeping Eleven out of sight, Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton), and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) were in charge of the morning radio programming. Through the Morning Squawk, Robin was able to share crucial information through code with the gang. And let’s just say it’s done so with precision.
After Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) gives the team information about the next “crawl” during his Big Buy delivery, Rockin’ Robin gets on the airwaves and plays “Upside Down” by Diana Ross as the signal to pay attention. Through her oral history of the song, she layers in crucial information that allows Hopper (David Harbour) to sneak into the Upside Down while the military is burning. It’s not only a fun scene watching the various teams prepare for action, but it’s also a wonderfully acted scene by one of the season’s MVPs, Robin.
4
Erica Tricks the Turnbows
The gang has always been pretty inclusive, but for multiple seasons now, there’s one player sitting on the edge who has become the utility player deserving to be a part of the team: Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson). She’s not just Lucas’ kid sister — she’s a genius and, well, a sinister mastermind. Not only has she been an aggressive supporter of stepping up for her brother, but she’s also a willing player in any scheme that involves taking down her perceived enemies.
Once the gang realized that, after Holly, Vecna would be targeting Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly), they needed to prevent him from being taken without planting a tracker on the demogorgon to track it into the Upside Down. So, they had to use Derek as bait by drugging him and his family. How? Well, Erica was a classmate of his sister, Tina (Caroline Elle Abrams). Unfortunately, they were fighting, but when Erica figured out she could plant the drugs in a pie, she was on board. In one of the most comical “villainous” plans yet, Erica rose to the occasion, bringing her signature wit to the scene. Don’t sleep on Erica, or else she might make you sleep first!
3
Karen Wheeler Fights a Demogorgon
The Wheeler family has always been central to the story. While Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy have been out fighting to save Hawkins, their parents and youngest sister have feigned ignorance of the actions surrounding them. Well, for this season, the entire Wheeler is in on the action. After creating a connection with her invisible friend, Holly Wheeler was being pursued by a demogorgon on a crusade to whisk her away to the Upside Down. As she tried to escape the monster’s clutches, her mother was not going to let her daughter go without a fight.
A slightly tipsy Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono) came to the rescue by fending off the demogorgon with a shattered wine glass in the kitchen. Once a naive housewife, Karen became an action star. The scene was one of the most fantastic fight sequences thus far, simply because of who was battling. No longer just a random denizen of Hawkins, Karen turned into a major player in the action of the final season arc. Even though she failed to save Holly, Karen gets the Mom of the Year award!
2
Will ‘Comes Out’
There had always been speculation about Will Byers’ sexuality. Well, Stranger Things confirmed it! Sort of. In a beautiful metaphor, Will had a coming-out party of his powers that Vecna bestowed upon him. They came to full fruition when he saw his friends and family in danger, specifically Mike, whom he had feelings for. Now, not only does he potentially have the chance to defeat Vecna, but he’s also come to accept himself for who he is.
Throughout Vol. 1, Will had moments of learning to accept himself through the guidance of Robin, whom he saw kissing candy striper Vickie Dunne (Amybeth McNulty). As she helped guide him to understand his stirrings and what it meant to finally accept his identity, Will slowly accepted who he was. The brilliant scene is one of the best in Stranger Things. Though he didn’t say, “I’m gay,” it’s been implied and largely accepted.
1
Eleven Finds Kali Behind the Door
Prior to the season, the Duffers teased that a significant cameo would appear in Season 5. As much as fans flocked to the internet hoping it would be Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), they were in for the shock of their lives to learn that hidden behind the mysterious lab door was none other than Eight (Linnea Berthelsen), Eleven’s soul sister. The girl known as Kali was one of the other children experimented on at Hawkins Lab. Fans met her during Season 2 when Eleven was enticed to join Kali’s merry band of rebels and set out on a revenge plot against the people who wronged them. Though Eleven was nearly convinced to rebel alongside them, her morals gave in, and she left them to return home to Hawkins and save her real family. A plot line meant as a growth arc for Eleven, it only seemed as if it was a one-and-done for Kali.
After first appearing in Season 2, fans criticized the entire Kali/Eight storyline. But everyone in Stranger Things has a greater purpose. As the creators said, it was always going to be Kali. As we learned, Hopper and Eleven, upon breaching the Upside Down lab, discovered Dr. Kay was using Eight as kryptonite against Eleven. The scene was quick, but clearly, there is much more to this massive cliffhanger.
- Release Date
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2016 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
