Stranger Things is arguably one of the most influential TV shows of the past ten years. While Netflix had seen success before, Stranger Things truly established the current age of streaming, where platforms rely on consistently releasing new, original content. One report estimates that the show has generated over $1 billion in revenue for Netflix since 2020, even before the latest season aired. This created enormous pressure for the final season, as many worried it might disappoint fans like the ending of Game of Thrones.
If you haven’t been following pop culture, the ending of Game of Thrones is now famous as an example of a popular TV show that disappointed fans. Surprisingly, Stranger Things managed to avoid a similar fate. While its finale wasn’t flawless, most viewers reacted positively. This is likely because the creators of Stranger Things learned a crucial lesson that the showrunners of Game of Thrones didn’t.
Let’s Face It, Stranger Things Season 5’s Plot Was Bonkers
Let’s be honest, the plot of Stranger Things Season 5 was pretty wild. Many viewers noticed significant plot holes in the finale, despite the Duffer brothers promising to tie up all loose ends. While some of these inconsistencies are minor and even funny – like what happened to Delightful Derek’s family – others are major issues. When you really think about it, neither version of Eleven’s fate makes much sense, regardless of whether you believe she survives or not.
Season 5 of Stranger Things starts strong, but the plot begins to unravel if you examine it closely. Questions arise about inconsistencies like the lack of Demogorgons in the Abyss, the Mind Flayer’s easily defeated plan for Earth, and impossible events within Vecna’s memories. The season also abandons key storylines, making character deaths feel meaningless and highlighting criticisms of characters being unrealistically protected. Notably, Hopper and Nancy kill soldiers without facing any consequences for their actions.
Despite some genuine issues with the show, they haven’t significantly impacted its popularity. Episode 8 currently has a strong 7.9 rating on IMDb, based on over 116,000 reviews. While viewers are discussing plot problems, they haven’t overshadowed the show’s overall appeal. There’s a key reason why Stranger Things Season 5 remains enjoyable, even with its flaws.
Stranger Things Understands the Emotions are What Sell the Story
The creators of Stranger Things knew something important: feelings are more powerful than facts. That’s why Season 5 works so well – it simply feels right. The ending is deeply satisfying, giving almost every character a fitting farewell. We see Dustin pay tribute to Eddie in a perfect way, Will find his passion as a writer, and Max and Lucas finally get their happy ending. Steve embraces his role as a mentor. While some call it ‘safe,’ it’s ultimately incredibly rewarding to watch.
The show’s handling of Eleven’s storyline is its biggest weakness, and it clearly sparked debate among the writers themselves. The differing viewpoints of Kali and Hopper feel like the writers presenting opposing arguments directly to the audience. The show seemed to avoid fully resolving this by offering two possible endings – one shown and one implied – a choice that understandably caused division among viewers. However, this isn’t a major flaw, and it doesn’t lessen the impact of the show’s emotional final scene. Most viewers are able to focus on the ending they prefer and disregard the other.
The ending of Stranger Things succeeded where Game of Thrones failed because it prioritized characters. The Game of Thrones finale felt unearned, especially Daenerys’s abrupt turn, while the Duffer brothers crafted a finale that felt like a heartfelt tribute to the characters they’d developed over many seasons, giving most of them satisfying conclusions. While Stranger Things wasn’t perfect in terms of plot, the strong emotional connection ultimately mattered more to viewers.
Okay, I just finished the Stranger Things finale and I need to talk about it! What did everyone else think? Seriously, head down to the ComicBook Forum and let’s all chat about it right now – I’m dying to hear your theories and reactions!
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2026-01-03 02:42