The Unforgettable Plot Twist That Will Make Stranger Things Season 5 Go Down in History

Summary

Possible Dissatisfying Conclusion: Similar to other disappointing TV finales such as Game of Thrones, the upcoming and final season of Stranger Things may encounter comparable issues, which could result in a potentially unsatisfying ending.

Stranger Things should conclude on a bittersweet note to introduce genuine consequences to the narrative and prevent the improbable survival of key characters. However, it should still remain faithful to the show's underlying principles and the nostalgia evoked by 1980s adventure films.

Satisfying every viewer with Stranger Things' ending is an unattainable feat since some may desire a cheerful resolution, while others seek a more realistic and down-to-earth conclusion. The show runs the risk of being regarded as a disappointing final act if it falls short of meeting these expectations.

Netflix's sci-fi hit Stranger Things has been confirmed for a fifth and final season, but there is concern that it may suffer from a similar issue as Game of Thrones. Drawing inspiration from Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, this popular original series follows a group of '80s kids as they navigate encounters with supernatural forces and government agents. While Stranger Things has had its highs and lows throughout its run, with some standout seasons and others less impressive, there is no guarantee that the upcoming final season will be a hit. It runs the risk of experiencing the same pitfalls as other underwhelming TV endings, such as Game of Thrones.

There are numerous reasons to be skeptical about the final season of Stranger Things, as it is rare for a beloved series to conclude in a manner that satisfies its entire fan base. While there have been universally praised finales like M*A*S*H and Breaking Bad, there are far more disappointing or divisive TV show endings, including Lost, Seinfeld, Dexter, and How I Met Your Mother, just to name a few. The rushed conclusion of Game of Thrones stands out as one of the most polarizing TV endings in recent memory, and Stranger Things seems to be heading down a similar path.

Stranger Things Needs A Sad Ending To Give The Story Stakes

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things must conclude the series with a somber and consequential tone, in order to raise the stakes of the story. While there have been numerous deaths of supporting characters along the way, such as Billy, Barbara, Bob Newby, and Eddie Munson, the main characters have always managed to survive their encounters with the Upside Down's monsters. Even when Max briefly died after a fight with Vecna, Eleven promptly revived her, weakening the sense of real danger for the protagonists.

In the final episodes of Stranger Things, it is imperative that these characters don't simply breeze through their most intense and supernatural battle to date without any consequences. It would be unrealistic for them to continually survive encounters with ghosts and demons, thus diminishing the dramatic tension. Notably, popular shows like Breaking Bad ended with the prophesized death of Walter White, while The Sopranos left Tony's fate frustratingly ambiguous after a potentially fatal situation in a restaurant. Another successful Netflix series, Ozark, even killed off its beloved character, Ruth Langmore, in the finale.

Stranger Things WILL Have A Happy Ending – It's That Kind Of Show

In keeping with the adventure movie spirit that fueled the Duffer brothers' creation of Stranger Things, it is almost unimaginable that the series would have anything but a happy, uplifting ending. While there have been moments of tragedy, each season has ultimately returned to the familiar and comfortable. The core characters, Mike, Eleven, Will, Dustin, and Lucas, have managed to stay out of harm's way thus far. Though they have encountered plenty of danger, such as Will's trip to the Upside Down in season 1, they have always emerged alive to preserve the series' enjoyable and pulpy tone.

Regardless of what unfolds in the final season, it is crucial for the ending of Stranger Things to uphold the show's core values, themes, and inspirations. The stories that have influenced Stranger Things are not the type where the heroes meet tragic ends. Elliott did not die in E.T., and Gordie did not die in Stand by Me. It would not align with these inspirations for Stranger Things to conclude with Eleven making the ultimate sacrifice or for Mike to be destroyed by a demonic spirit. However, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone may leave viewers feeling unsatisfied with the series' conclusion.

Stranger Things' Ending Cannot Please Everyone

Stranger Things is faced with the impossible task of ending in a way that will please all viewers. Some will desire a cheerful ending and see anything else as too gloomy, while others will prefer a more realistic conclusion and view a happier resolution as overly sentimental and far-fetched. Regardless of the choice made by the Duffer brothers, they will inevitably satisfy a portion of the fan base while disappointing the other. The conclusion of Stranger Things, like any globally acclaimed and popular TV show, is a lose-lose situation. Inevitably, there will be viewers who find the final episode unsatisfying.

The most successful TV finales, such as M*A*S*H, Breaking Bad, and its acclaimed spin-off Better Call Saul, have concluded on a bittersweet note. These shows did not have entirely happy endings, nor were they entirely tragic. Despite facing death and imprisonment, Walter White and Jimmy McGill achieved a sense of inner peace, providing a satisfying resolution to their character arcs. Stranger Things could attempt a similar bittersweet ending, striking a balance between joy and sorrow. However, if the show tries to have it both ways, it risks pleasing no one.

Why Stranger Things' Ending Risks Becoming The New Game Of Thrones

The main flaw of Game of Thrones’ final season was its disjointed pacing. The writers, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and their team, had to rely on George R.R. Martin’s plot outlines since they no longer had finished novels to adapt. However, they failed to fully develop Martin's story beats, leading to a rushed final season. This resulted in a lack of character development and abrupt personality changes for some characters. Thankfully, Stranger Things does not face this issue, as it is an original story without source material. However, it may still encounter similar controversy.

The final episode of Stranger Things is highly anticipated, comparable to the infamously divisive ending of Game of Thrones in 2019. Therefore, there is immense pressure for Stranger Things to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Game of Thrones' season 8, episode 6, "The Iron Throne," has become the epitome of a disappointing series finale over the years. If Stranger Things fails to end on a high note, it could take Game of Thrones' place as the prime example of a disappointing finale. For Stranger Things season 5 to succeed, it must remain faithful to its characters and conclude its story in a way that feels authentic, regardless of whether it is a happy or an unhappy ending.