It’s rare for a TV show to stay popular for as long as Stranger Things has – almost a decade – and it’s currently finishing up with its fifth and final season. While fans are excited to see how the story ends and are already reacting to the first four episodes, it’s too early to call it a perfect show. The show now has a lot riding on it: it needs to live up to almost three years of anticipation, a huge amount of promotion, and the promise of a satisfying conclusion. Considering how many big TV shows have ended disappointingly – Game of Thrones comes to mind – it’s best to wait and see if the final season truly delivers before declaring it a complete success.
The final season of Stranger Things arrives with a lot of expectations, both positive and negative. The creators, the Duffer Brothers, have made big promises, adding to the anticipation. Now, it’s just a matter of seeing how everything comes together. Early glimpses suggest whether the years-long wait will be satisfying, but fully understanding that will take some time and careful consideration.
Warning: Spoilers below for Stranger Things 5, Volume 1.
Was the Long Wait for Stranger Things Season 5 Really Worth It?
The first part of the season delivers what fans expect – a quick-moving plot, engaging characters, and a few surprising turns – but it doesn’t offer any huge, groundbreaking developments. However, it successfully brings everyone back together and feels like a setup for a more impactful final season, hinting that the payoff is coming. The creators clearly understand how to build anticipation, and they aren’t rushing to reach the climax right away.
So far, Stranger Things has shown us exactly why it’s become such a captivating and addictive show. The first episode perfectly sets the stage for the series’ signature style: impressive sets, a truly frightening monster, fast-paced dialogue that builds suspense, and moments of quiet character development. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it effectively delivers what fans loved from the beginning. This season starts strong, with a confident cast and a story that, while familiar, finally feels like it’s moving forward at a good pace – and the premiere makes that clear.
Despite being a familiar show, Season 1 of the latest volume still struggles with some recurring issues. Like before, the characters are often split into separate storylines, which lessens the immediate emotional impact. This was a problem in Season 4, where characters rarely interacted, but it felt forgivable because that season was generally considered the best. However, repeating this structure now feels repetitive – and the storyline involving an army is becoming predictable, especially with the continued focus on Eleven. While these issues don’t ruin the show, they highlight a need for more creative risks, particularly after a long hiatus.
Despite a somewhat slow start, this season of Stranger Things truly shines when it tackles bigger issues. The Duffer Brothers are finally addressing storylines they’ve previously avoided, giving characters like Will (Noah Schnapp) a more active and emotionally impactful role, with hints of exciting developments to come. Max’s (Sadie Sink) story, which seemed finished, surprisingly returns, now with the help of Holly (Nell Fisher), offering closure for fans eager to know what happens to her. It feels like the show is moving beyond relying solely on nostalgia and is now directly confronting its central themes with confidence.
One of the biggest improvements is how much more realistically the characters interact. It feels like the writers now understand they’re dealing with people, not just tools to advance the story. In earlier seasons, characters often felt one-dimensional, simply existing to solve problems or provide comic relief. Season 5 is different right away: everyone has clear motivations and makes choices that feel true to who they are. The characters’ past experiences have made them more complex, so their actions and the consequences feel earned and personal. Despite this more mature approach, the show still retains the lighthearted humor that’s always been a part of Stranger Things’ appeal.
Despite a few unnecessary jokes here and there, Volume 1 moves at a great pace and really draws you in. The show now feels more comfortable letting scenes play out, using silence and pauses to create tension in a more effective way.
Stranger Things Season 5 Still Has a Long Way to Go to Fully Satisfy Fans
Despite a promising start, it’s still unclear if this season lives up to years of anticipation. It’s a good beginning, with genuinely moving scenes and enjoyable moments, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The creators deliver a solid and fast-paced opening, as the characters quickly form a plan and begin to execute it. We see Dustin grappling with loss, a dramatic event at the Wheelers’ home, connections between Will and the villain Vecna, Max finding a way to cope, and the return of a familiar face, Kali – and there’s a lot more happening too.
While fans anticipated a grand return after the long break, this initial volume feels more like a setup for what’s to come rather than a satisfying conclusion. It’s as if the story is building momentum but holding back slightly, and that appears intentional. These episodes carefully lay the groundwork, establishing conflicts and hinting at bigger events, promising a worthwhile payoff later. Knowing the series is divided into three parts, with the final volume being the true finale, this approach works well. Essentially, these four episodes serve as a solid foundation, and while they don’t fully deliver just yet, that’s not necessarily a flaw – it’s just a partial fulfillment of expectations.
The biggest hurdle is likely what viewers expected. After such a long wait, people anticipated a really impactful beginning, and this season doesn’t quite deliver that initial burst. While it’s technically well-made, features strong acting, and it’s great to revisit familiar characters – with hints of more complex storylines to come – it doesn’t immediately feel like a monumental return. Though episode four ends with a major cliffhanger – which is currently the main topic of conversation – the season offers a solid, comfortable, and hopeful start, but it still relies a bit on familiar patterns.
After the long wait, does the first part of Stranger Things Season 5 deliver? On its own, not really. But as the start of what promises to be a huge and emotional ending, it absolutely does. While it mainly sets the stage for the finale, it’s a strong beginning, proving the show still has the energy, style, and charm to finish the story well.
What are your thoughts on Season 5? Share your opinions in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-30 02:41