Be warned: this article contains major spoilers for the fifth season of Stranger Things. Continue reading only if you want to know what happens, including secrets from the Upside Down.
As Stranger Things heads towards its finale, fans are still processing the first four episodes of the fifth season. The biggest shock was likely the reveal about Will Byers and his newly awakened psychic powers, which stem from the villain Vecna. But another surprise emerged in the fourth episode: the return of a character who hadn’t been seen in a long time. The show’s creators are now explaining their decision to bring this character back and are also dismissing a popular fan theory.
The season finale of “Sorcerer” shows Eleven and Jim Hopper breaking into a secret military base in the Upside Down, convinced Vecna is being kept there. Hopper asks Eleven to wait while he goes inside, intending to defeat the villain even if it means sacrificing himself. But Eleven is shocked when Hopper returns and reveals the prisoner isn’t Vecna at all – it’s Kali Prasad, also known as Eight, a childhood friend with psychic powers – a twist that came as a complete surprise.
Many viewers are aware that Kali appears in Season 2’s “The Lost Sister,” an episode that received a varied response. Since the episode aired, there’s been speculation that it was intended as a pilot for a potential spin-off series focused on Kali and her group, a theory I found believable. However, in a recent interview with SFX Magazine via TopMob, producers Matt and Ross Duffer, along with Shawn Levy, dismissed the idea of a spin-off.
Let’s clear that up right away. Trying a standalone episode with mostly new characters halfway through our second season was a real gamble. Some people loved it, others didn’t, but I admire the Duffer brothers for being so bold. And we definitely didn’t forget about Kali or any of the storylines introduced in that episode.
While there was speculation about a potential spin-off series, neither Shawn Levy nor the Duffer Brothers ever officially confirmed it. I always felt the Season 2 episode focusing on Kali seemed like a possible ‘backdoor pilot’ – an introduction to a new show. However, Levy recently indicated the Duffers were simply interested in creating a self-contained episode, shifting the action from Hawkins, Indiana, to Chicago. As for why they brought Kali back at this particular moment, Matt Duffer explained the reasoning behind their decision.
We’d been discussing bringing Kali back for a while, but hadn’t found the right way to do it. While working on season five and tying up loose ends, we realized Kali’s story felt unfinished and needed a proper conclusion. It was important to us to revisit her arc and give it the closure it deserved.
The last time viewers saw Eight, played by Linnea Berthelsen, she was fleeing the police with her group. What happened between that escape and when scientists began experimenting on her remains a mystery. However, Matt Duffer hinted at how Kali will be involved in the upcoming fifth season.
The second part of the story will feel quite different. Kali has a big impact on Eleven, and audiences will likely be surprised to see how her story unfolds. We’re really excited about this shift in direction, as it immediately alters the mood. Plus, the unresolved situation with Hopper creates a lot of tension and drama.
I’m also curious if the fifth season of Stranger Things – which has been incredibly popular – will bring back any characters we haven’t seen in a while. A coworker recently noted that Dr. Owens, played by Paul Reiser, hasn’t been accounted for since the end of Season 4. However, I’m happy Kali has returned and I’m excited to see how her storyline concludes.
The final episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 will be available on Netflix December 25th at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The very last episode will also be shown in some theaters on December 31st. You’ll need a Netflix subscription to watch.
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2025-12-06 21:08