Stranger Things Season 5: Our Ultimate Wishlist Before the Finale

Summary

Stranger Things season 5 needs to tie up loose ends, including resolving the threat of Vecna and healing Max's cursed state.

Despite the town's condemnation, there is a need to seek justice for Eddie Munson's death and solidify his hero status. Nancy should move beyond the love triangle and concentrate on her personal journey, while Will takes center stage, exemplifying his leadership in defeating Vecna.

As the release of its fifth and final season draws near, Stranger Things faces the challenge of tying up numerous loose ends. This Netflix sensation has captivated audiences with its thrilling blend of nostalgia and horror, weaving together an overarching mystery set in the town of Hawkins. Throughout the series, we have witnessed the transformation of the main characters, from their helpless and awkward beginnings in season 1 to their skilled monster-fighting abilities now. The growth in character arcs has been remarkable.

The bond between Mike and Eleven has deepened, only to be tested by a significant physical separation. Will has begun to embrace his true self and express his emotions, all while his connection to the Upside Down continues to strengthen. Along the way, new friendships have formed. However, season 5 has a lot to resolve, especially after the events of the season 4 finale, which revealed the terrifying blend of the Upside Down bleeding into the real world. The team must unite their efforts, confront the formidable Vecna, seek justice for those lost, and overcome the obstacles in their relationships if they hope to find any semblance of a happy ending in Stranger Things' final season.

10 Max Waking Up

9 Justice For Eddie Munson

Max, despite joining the Stranger Things series later than many other main cast members, has endured numerous trials at the hands of Vecna that she must now overcome and move forward from. Throughout a significant portion of the season, Max attempted to elude Vecna's clutches, only to find herself trapped in a peculiar state of curse, perhaps irreparable. If Max were to meet her demise, all the efforts the kids invested in season 4 would be rendered futile. Thus, Max's awakening and participation in the ultimate battle against Vecna are indispensable.

Eddie Munson skyrocketed to fame during season 4, quickly becoming an adored fan favorite. As the charismatic leader of the Hellfire Club and an early suspect in the Chrissy murder case, Eddie solidified his role as a pivotal character when he fearlessly battled a horde of demons in the Upside Down, using nothing but his electric guitar. Unfortunately, Eddie's time on the show was tragically short-lived. Nevertheless, it is imperative that his untimely demise is avenged and his heroic status is firmly established, despite the town's condemnation fueled by their ignorance of his harmless Dungeons & Dragons obsession and false accusations of demonic rituals.

8 Nancy Needs To Move Past The Love Triangle

Romance has always been a significant element in the series, involving various characters such as Hopper and Joyce, Mike and Eleven, and Dustin and Suzie. However, a particularly noteworthy romance revolves around Nancy, who finds herself entangled in a love triangle with Steve and Jonathan. Although Nancy's love life has remained an integral part of the series, seasons 3 and 4 allowed her character to undergo significant personal growth without the interference of her relationships. Nancy emerges as a strong, intelligent, and skilled investigative journalist, capable of facing Vecna and his malicious forces alongside her peers. While her love life adds an interesting dimension to her character development, it is certainly not the most captivating or crucial aspect. It is now time for Nancy to break free from the confinements of the love triangle and carve her own unique path.

7 Will Stepping Into The Spotlight

While many viewers may assume that Eleven or Mike is the main character in Stranger Things, it is actually Will Byers who proves to be the most important character in the series. In season 1, Will was trapped in the Upside Down, but his connection with Vecna is even stronger than Eleven's, despite their shared powers and history. Will plays a crucial role in severing Vecna's ties to the real world and it's time for him to take on a leadership role. In Stranger Things season 5, Will must step out from the background and receive the attention he deserves. His recent development of confidence, exemplified by his coming out to his best friend and crush Mike, even without reciprocated feelings, shows that he is ready to shine.

6 Eleven Finally Realizing Her True Potential

Life for Eleven has been a tumultuous journey, filled with the loss and recovery of two surrogate fathers, her existence as a government science experiment from a tender age, and the discovery of her own traumatic past. It has been far from easy. Nonetheless, it is evident that Eleven's extraordinary abilities have only begun to scratch the surface of her true potential in the series thus far. In Stranger Things season 4, Eleven grappled with her powers and underwent further experimentation in an attempt to reignite and amplify her abilities. Additionally, it was unveiled that as a child, she possessed the power to banish Vecna, who had taken on human form, into the Upside Down and reshape that alternate reality. Her capabilities extend beyond what has been witnessed, and season 5 represents the final opportunity to unveil the extent of her remarkable potential.

5 Steve Being A Hero, Not Stuck In Unrequited Love

Steve's character development in the series has been remarkable. Starting as a bully, he has transformed into a person of high morality and empathy. He formed a strong bond with Dustin, let go of his past with Nancy for her happiness with Jonathan, and built meaningful relationships with people like Robin. Alongside his friends, he courageously battled against the formidable Vecna and his demons. Undoubtedly a hero, Steve's potential is hindered by his romantic storylines with Nancy and Robin. His track record in love hasn't been very successful, and while season 4 hinted at a possible reunion with Nancy, it would disrupt the growth of both their characters.

4 What Do The Russians Have To Do With The Upside Down

The Russians played a significant role in Stranger Things season 3 as they attempted to open a portal to the Upside Down, becoming prominent antagonists. In season 4, they further heightened their influence by featuring prominently in the prison storyline involving Hopper. This storyline unveiled their captive creatures from the Upside Down, raising the question of the Russians' connection to this parallel dimension. While Eleven and her peers were subjects of a smaller experiment conducted in the United States, the Russians appear to possess extensive knowledge and interest in the Upside Down and its monsters. It is anticipated that in season 5, further revelations will shed light on this connection and their degree of involvement.

3 Dustin And Suzie's Happily Ever After

Suzie made her debut in season 3 as Dustin's long-distance girlfriend, leaving the rest of the gang doubtful about Dustin's sincerity. However, their doubts were shattered when they witnessed their unforgettable duet of "A Never-Ending Story" in the season 3 finale. Although Stranger Things season 4 showcased Suzie physically joining the team to lend a helping hand, Dustin was unfortunately absent at that time, preventing the pair from having their long-awaited on-screen moment. Known as one of the series' most beloved characters, Dustin consistently focuses on tackling the larger issues while his friends struggle to remain focused amidst their individual interests. It's high time for Dustin to finally have his much-deserved happily-ever-after with Suzie, allowing them to relish in some lighthearted fun without the troubling presence of Vecna and the Upside Down.

2 Joyce And Hopper Need To Make It Official

It is evident that both Joyce and Hopper have emotional burdens. They have experienced the pain of losing loved ones and the constant fear of losing their current loved ones. These circumstances have prevented them from fully exploring their relationship. However, now that Hopper has been rescued and Joyce has demonstrated her love by risking everything to save him, it is finally time for them to embark on a long-awaited date and formalize their romantic relationship.

1 What Is The Upside Down?

The Upside Down has played a vital role in the narrative of Stranger Things since its inception. This alternate dimension appears as a disturbing and twisted mirror of reality, frozen in time and inhabited by unsettling creatures. While some insights into its origins were unveiled in Stranger Things season 4 through the revelation of Vecna's true identity, there is still much to be explored in season 5 regarding how it came to exist and the reasons behind its eerie nature. The Duffer brothers now have the opportunity to bring the series to a satisfying conclusion by allowing the young protagonists to live the remainder of their lives in Hawkins, free from the malevolent influence of Vecna and the monsters. However, there are numerous plot points that need to be addressed and resolved before this outcome can be achieved. With luck, Stranger Things season 5 will tie up loose ends and deliver a deserving conclusion for all.