OPINION: The Finale of "Stranger Things" Raises Debate

What happens when a show about monsters and alternate dimensions leaves fans questioning its reality? “Stranger Things” has pulled its audience into a world where noth- ing, not even the ending, may be as it seems.

The show is a sci-fi horror television series that follows a group of kids in Hawkins, Indiana who discover and solve uncanny mysteries after one of their friends, Will (Noah Schnapp), goes missing. The kids find an alternate dimension, governmental secrets and a girl named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Eleven has psychokinetic and telepathic powers and helps them fight off supernatural, monstrous threats.

After watching the first two episodes of “Stranger Things” a year ago, I found the show boring and overrated. However, upon rewatching, I have become addicted to this show. In my opinion, “Stranger Things” is appropriately regarded; you just have to trust the process because it gets more interesting as you go along.

After four years of waiting for this season, what do the fans think? Longtime fan Margo Zimmermann ’28 shared, “Season five was worth the wait. It’s pretty interesting... The plot is faster-paced, making it better than last season.” Zimmerman also said that Volume I is “well made...The storylines are entertaining, and there are good relationship builds.” As Zimmerman explained, this season proved itself to be worthwhile through the engaging and intriguing character de- velopments and plots. However, opinions changed for some when volume II, specifically the finale, was released.

Some members of the “Stranger Things” fandom deemed the finale of the series disappointing. Some fans highlighted that the finale ended with one too many plot-holes and unex- plained character absences. Personally, I believe that the Duffer Brothers, the writers of the show, played it too safe.

This dissatisfaction led certain viewers to speculate that Netflix released a fake finale, according to “The Guardian.” This episode was an illusion to hide a darker secret episode, which some fans guess will come out soon. These conspiracies birthed the “Comformity Gate” theory: the idea that the seemingly happy-ending final episode that dropped on New Year’s Eve, was all an illusion created by Vecna, who actually won the fight. Netflix has denied this theory.

The finale was safe, and every character got a happy ending, a nice development; however, the final moments had many hints within Volume II, such as hidden messages, out-of-place objects and missing characters, that led some to believe the ending was fake.

All in all, “Stranger Things” remains powerful and has a lasting impact that continues to spark conversation to this day. The show has many strengths, with relationships, good character builds, and an addictive plot.

English teacher Maggie Spak shared, “I thought the ending either El was great because belief has always been a theme for the series. After all, the show really began with Joyce’s [Will’s mother’s] belief that her son was still out there. I love that message

of hope.”