Summary
Stranger Things season 5 should break away from the trend of relying on Eleven's powers for the season finale, as it has become repetitive and predictable.
The season 3 finale broke away from the usual formula, highlighting the talents and capabilities of all characters. It was a powerful and captivating episode, serving as a great source of inspiration for season 5. Incorporating a significant team battle in the finale would align with the show's theme of unity and friendship. This would give each character an opportunity to shine and introduce emotional tension to the outcome.
To ensure a satisfying conclusion in season 5, Stranger Things needs to break free from a recurring issue with Eleven's storyline in the finales. As excitement builds for the show's last season, all attention is focused on the Duffer Brothers to provide a satisfying ending that ties up the story of Hawkins. As creators of one of the most beloved shows in recent memory, it's impossible for the Stranger Things team to please everyone. However, deviating from this irritating trend in season finales could be a positive start.
Throughout the series, Eleven's quest to comprehend and control her telekinetic and telepathic powers has been crucial to the plot. Notably, her abilities have always played a pivotal role in concluding each season. Nevertheless, it would be a wise move for the Duffer Brothers to alter their approach for the final season in order to ensure the success of Stranger Things season 5 finale.
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Stranger Things Season 5's Ending Can't Rely On Eleven's Powers Again
The Stranger Things season finales have followed a pattern where Eleven, with her unique abilities, confronts and battles the main antagonist, becoming the central heroine and savior of Hawkins. While Eleven's powers are vital to the show, the repetition of having the final act solely focused on a psychic showdown between her and the latest threat has become predictable. To create a truly memorable season 5 finale of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers must break away from this formula.
Stranger Things' Ending Needs To Be More Like Season 3's Finale
The conclusion of the first season of Stranger Things depicts Eleven using her newly discovered abilities to defeat both Dr. Brenner and the Demogorgon that has been unleashed in the halls of Hawkins lab. While she receives increasing support from her friends, the conclusions of both the second and fourth seasons also heavily rely on Eleven's powers to save the day. It is only in the third season that a significant departure from the usual formula occurs.To conclude in a gratifying manner, Stranger Things season 5 should draw inspiration from season 3. Departing from the conventional finales of seasons 1 and 2, the conclusion of season 3, "The Battle of Starcourt," saw Eleven incapacitated. This unforeseen twist compelled the remaining members of Team Hawkins to unite their efforts in order to defeat the formidable Mind Flayer.
A Team Battle In Season 5 Would Honor Stranger Things' Biggest Theme
The combination of Eleven's usual role as the group's savior and her vulnerability in the finale of Stranger Things season 3 created a captivating dynamic. Her incapacitation allowed other characters to showcase their skills and abilities, such as Dustin utilizing his technological knowledge to transmit a coded message to Eleven, or Lucas using his slingshot expertise to divert Billy's attention. Each character had a crucial role to play in the episode's action, resulting in one of Stranger Things' most outstanding episodes to date. These elements would undoubtedly enhance season 5 and contribute to a compelling season finale.
In Stranger Things, the value of friendship and unity in the face of overwhelming challenges is consistently highlighted. To truly embody the core message of the series, Stranger Things season 5 should conclude with a collective battle instead of Eleven once again fighting alone. By doing so, the Duffer Brothers can emphasize the essential role of friendship and teamwork in overcoming difficult circumstances.
A grand battle that showcases the importance of each character, reminiscent of "The Battle of Starcourt" in season 3, would be an ideal way to honor this core value and give each member of Team Hawkins a chance to shine. By emphasizing teamwork instead of relying solely on Eleven's powers, Stranger Things can further develop its beloved characters right up until the show's final moments. This approach would also increase the emotional stakes if any beloved Stranger Things characters were to meet their demise in the season 5 finale, adding a heroic element to their tragic deaths similar to what happened to Eddie in season 4.
Although Eleven's journey to understand and control her powers has been crucial to the show, Stranger Things season 5 should aim to move away from the predictability of her individual heroic actions in the series finale. The show has a golden opportunity to capture the magic of the ensemble effort seen in season 3. By doing so, it would reinforce the central themes of Stranger Things and provide an emotional conclusion, regardless of the outcome.