Stranger Things’ Best Twist Had Nothing To Do With Vecna Or The Upside Down

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While Stranger Things had some great surprises with its monsters, alternate dimensions, and overall story, the most impactful moment wasn’t about the sci-fi elements. As Netflix looks for another hit like Stranger Things, it’s clear the show was a truly special and rare success.

Even though the actors were getting older by the last season and the show’s ending wasn’t universally loved, the first two seasons of Stranger Things brilliantly combined relatable characters, funny coming-of-age moments, science fiction, scary horror, intriguing mysteries, and thrilling conspiracy elements. It easily could have been a chaotic failure, but it wasn’t.

Stranger Things’ Best Twist Was Robin’s Coming Out Scene

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

Many fans still consider the first two seasons of Stranger Things to be the show’s best. Even season 3, which was more over-the-top, included a surprisingly great plot twist involving Soviet spies at the Starcourt Mall. While seasons 4 and 5 introduced interesting elements – like the villain Vecna and the origins of the Upside Down – they haven’t quite reached the same level of acclaim.

The most impactful moment of season 3 wasn’t a big plot twist, but a subtle character interaction that remains the show’s strongest. Throughout most of the season, the storyline focused on building a potential romance between Steve and Robin. However, the finale subverted expectations with a moving scene where Robin revealed she was gay to Steve.

Given the widespread prejudice against LGBTQ+ people in the 1980s, Robin’s coming out was a genuinely surprising moment in the show. While her later relationship on Stranger Things allowed for further exploration of her sexuality and strengthened her bond with Will, it was that initial, unexpected reveal that stands out as the show’s boldest move.

Despite Not Being A Stranger Things Original, Robin Became One Of Its Best Characters

Throughout season 3, Robin’s efforts to help Steve, Dustin, and Lucas’s sister Erica with the Russians provided some lighthearted moments. But it was a surprisingly sweet conversation with Steve that truly established her as a key character, paving the way for her expanded role in seasons 4 and 5.

Introducing new characters did mean some of the original characters in Stranger Things got a little less focus. But it was a worthwhile change, because Maya Hawke’s character, a unique radio DJ, turned out to be much more than just a source of humor. Her friendship with Will, especially in the fifth season, was a particularly touching and unexpected highlight.

By the end of Stranger Things, Robin felt like a core member of the group alongside Lucas, Dustin, and Mike when she joined them at Steve’s high school graduation. This highlights how well her brave coming-out scene was received, and it’s still considered the show’s most impactful surprise in its nine seasons.

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2026-03-21 15:08