The final season of Stranger Things is coming to a close, and Netflix is planning a big send-off with three parts. The first part of Season 5 started strong, but like past seasons, it tried to do too much with too many characters, which caused some issues. The second part still faces these challenges and repeats some of the same mistakes. Plus, the show’s focus on creating spin-off series that feel necessary might frustrate some viewers. Despite these problems, the lovable characters of Hawkins still manage to make this latest installment enjoyable.
Okay, so Volume 2 of Stranger Things jumps right back into the chaos where we left off, with everyone scattered and facing their own crises. These three episodes are long – well over an hour each – and spend a lot of time bringing characters together, then pulling them apart, and then back together again. Honestly, it feels like the Duffer Brothers are really rushing to wrap things up and set everything up for that big movie finale. That urgency leads to some weird choices, I won’t lie, but there’s still plenty to enjoy as we head into Stranger Things 5, Volume 2.
Rating: 3/5
| PROS | CONS |
| Consistent charm of the main characters despite narrative flaws. | Redundant and useless characters due to a bloated main cast. |
| Strategic resolution of side plots to prepare for the series finale. | Disrupted narrative flow caused by erratic editing and excessive exposition. |
| Inconsistent pacing that makes episodes feel both rushed and repetitive. |
Stranger Things‘ Highs and Lows Remain the Same
Throughout the four seasons of Stranger Things, the cast has become surprisingly large because the creators, the Duffer Brothers, consistently avoid killing off major characters. The show often introduces new characters only to eliminate them, while keeping the main characters safe. This has led to a bloated cast in Season 5, with some characters feeling unnecessary or simply not contributing to the story. For example, Lucas finally gets a moment to shine before being sidelined again, and despite efforts to make Mike more likable, he hasn’t played a significant role in the current season. The supporting cast fares even worse, as characters like Ted Wheeler are almost completely ignored.
With so much happening, not every character gets the attention they deserve, but certain actors really stand out. Maya Hawke as Robin and Amybeth McNulty as Vickie continue to be a delightful pair, and Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin and Joe Keery’s Steve are reliably excellent, even after their arguments dragged on a bit too long in the first part of the season. Noah Schnapp as Will gets a chance to develop his story, and his journey to self-acceptance is particularly moving. However, even the strongest scenes suffer from choppy editing and too much unnecessary explanation, likely because the overall story is too crowded.
Exposition and Choppy Editing Drag Down Stranger Things 5, Volume 2
Editing Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 is even more frantic than Volume 1, largely because the show has so many characters and locations to keep track of. Instead of letting storylines breathe and conclude, the series rapidly switches between different scenes, almost as if worried viewers will lose track of certain characters. This results in a lot of quick cuts and ultimately creates pacing problems.
The issue is made worse by Netflix’s tendency to over-explain things. Characters constantly narrate what they’re doing and repeat backstory, seemingly assuming viewers were distracted by their phones. This is especially noticeable in the second volume of Stranger Things, which introduces a lot of strange, fantastical ideas presented as science fiction, leading to an overwhelming amount of exposition. It’s already awkward when a show tells you what’s happening instead of showing you, but this volume takes it further by keeping important events hidden and having characters recount them later. A particularly powerful moment for Will, for example, loses its impact because we don’t actually see what leads up to it – we only hear him talk about it.
The creators of Stranger Things seem to have complicated the story, and now they need to wrap things up by answering all the lingering questions and giving each character a part to play in the final showdown. However, the episodes feel oddly paced – both too short to fully develop storylines and too long, leading to a lot of repetition. While the actors still do a great job, some of the show’s original spark is missing in the fifth season. Thankfully, the latest episodes tie up all the smaller storylines, which should make the final episodes feel more focused and satisfying.
The first two parts of Stranger Things are now streaming on Netflix, and the last episode will be released on New Year’s Eve.
What are your thoughts on the latest season of Stranger Things? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-26 04:14