Stranger Things’ New Spinoff Completes a Forgotten Season 4 Story

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The latest addition to the Stranger Things universe is crucial for understanding the full story, as it resolves a loose end from Season 4. While many know Stranger Things as a hugely popular TV show, it’s become much more than that. Netflix has cleverly expanded the narrative into other forms, like a Broadway play and several novels. These extensions haven’t always connected seamlessly (Season 4 had some inconsistencies with the comics), but Stranger Things Season 5 actually acknowledged the events of the Broadway show, showing how interconnected everything is.

A new book connected to Stranger Things has been released, filling in a gap between seasons four and five and even finishing a storyline the show left unfinished. Titled One Way or Another, and described as “A Nancy Wheeler Mystery,” the novel is written by Caitlin Scheiderhan, a writer for the show’s fifth season. It’s a compelling read that accurately portrays the characters and cleverly resolves a plot thread that was left dangling in season four.

The Relationship Between Jonathan and Nancy Has Real Problems

In the fifth season of Stranger Things (taking place in March 1986), the romantic tension between Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan is heating up. Jonathan and Steve are both vying for Nancy’s affection, and Jonathan is even considering proposing, though it feels like a last-ditch effort. However, viewers might remember that this situation started because Jonathan and Nancy were already having trouble in Season 4, struggling to maintain their relationship while living apart. Nancy had plans to attend Emerson College, not knowing that Jonathan hadn’t even applied to go with her.

Season 5 jumps ahead to November 1987. Nancy and Jonathan never made it to Emerson University. The Byers family returned to Hawkins right before strange particles started appearing from the Upside Down, and now the town is under quarantine, making it difficult to leave. While Nancy is capable of finding a way to go, she chose to stay and help her family fight Vecna.

Jonathan’s situation is different. He didn’t plan on attending Emerson University, not even when he lived in California, and hadn’t bothered applying. While he didn’t share Nancy’s ambition to go to college, he was mostly dodging a tough conversation about their differing life goals. This issue never got resolved, and the time jump makes it feel a bit strange because the original conflict about college seems to have been forgotten.

Stranger Things’ Tie-In Reveals What Happened to Nancy & Jonathan

“One Way or Another” picks up two months after the events of Stranger Things Season 4, focusing on the strained relationship between Nancy and Jonathan. Instead of openly discussing their futures, Jonathan simply stated he needed to stay with his family amidst the ongoing problems in Hawkins. He didn’t tell Nancy he hadn’t even applied to Emerson College, instead saying the attack by Vecna had forced him to give up his plans. While Nancy decides to stay and fight Vecna, she still dreams of a life beyond their town, leaving their issues unresolved.

Jonathan seems content, but Nancy senses a dishonesty in their relationship. She even questions if he actually applied to college, but avoids the uncomfortable conversation. Instead of addressing their issues, they’re letting them build up, which is damaging their connection and creating a pattern of unresolved problems. It’s no surprise, then, that Steve and Jonathan are still rivals by November 1987.

The first part of Stranger Things Season 5 is now available to watch on Netflix. You can also purchase the song “One Way or Another” from stores like Amazon.

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2025-12-04 17:46