Eleven's Spinoff Return Officially Continues A Stranger Things Season 5 Problem

Eleven is returning to the world of TV in Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, a prequel to the main series, but her involvement won’t redeem a season 5 issue. Tales from ’85 will take place after Stranger Things season 2 and will feature Eleven alongside other returning characters, like Hopper, Mike, Dustin, Will, Lucas, and Max.

Set during the winter of 1985, the Stranger Things prequel will be animated and more family-friendly than the main Netflix series. That said, Tales from ’85 will feature many of the same horror and sci-fi elements, including new threats from the Upside Down.

Knowing what happens to the characters in Stranger Things‘ series finale puts a bit of a damper on the upcoming series, though it will be interesting to see a younger version of the core characters again. That said, viewers hoping for more of Eleven and Max’s friendship might be disappointed.

Eleven & Max Won’t Be Friends Yet In Stranger Things: Tales From ’85

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Sadie Sink as Max in Stranger Things — stranger things – eleven and max hanging out

Seeing as Tales from ’85 takes place before the events of Stranger Things season 3, Eleven and Max won’t be friends in the animated spinoff. Max made her series debut in season 2, but she didn’t directly meet El until “Chapter Nine: The Gate.” Even then, El wasn’t too excited to get to know the newcomer after witnessing Max’s interactions with Mike.

At the beginning of Stranger Things season 3, Eleven’s jealousy lifted, allowing El and Max to bond over their respective boyfriend issues. They may have been more familiar with one another leading into the season, but they certainly weren’t friends yet. Unless Tales from ’85 retcons their relationship history, the tension between the characters will likely still be present.

Eleven & Max’s Dynamic In The Stranger Things Prequel Won’t Make Up For Season 5’s Problems

Not only did Max become Eleven’s first female friend, but she was also one of her best friends, in general. In Stranger Things season 4’s ending, El did everything she could to try to protect Max, later becoming the one to revive her. Despite saving her life, El and Max’s reunion in Stranger Things season 5 was underwhelming.

When Max woke up from her “coma” trance in Stranger Things, she quickly encountered Eleven at the hospital. Aside from a brief hug, their close friendship wasn’t on display. They later teamed up in the Stranger Things series finale, but the sequence in Henry’s mind was short-lived. Max was at the Gate when El revealed her plan to disappear, though the pair never had any more scenes together.

There was no question that El’s absence heavily affected Max, considering how emotional she became upon hearing Mike’s story about what he thinks happened to El. Still, it would have been great to have the duo interact more in the show’s final season, especially since the prequel’s timeline doesn’t allow for a real friendship if aiming for continuity.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Is Also Adding Another Young Female Character

The Stranger Things Kids tangled and in danger from a new monster in Stranger Things Tales From '85

Interestingly, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is rewriting the show’s lore by bringing in another young female character into the mix. The prequel will feature a new character named Nikki Baxter, who will join the young group when more Upside Down threats emerge in Hawkins.

If Eleven was hesitant to accept Max into the group, it’s safe to assume that it will be the same case with Nikki, at least at first. The character was never seen or mentioned in the main story, so Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will need to explain her fate. Even if she finds a friend in Max or Eleven, it won’t redeem the lack of friendship on display in season 5.