Stranger Things Season 5 Is Already Wasting the Two Best Characters Introduced Since Season 1

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Season 5 of Stranger Things seems to be underutilizing two of its strongest characters, and it’s important that they get the spotlight they deserve. It’s amazing how much the show’s cast has grown since the beginning, with each season adding new faces and relationships. While the original Hawkins kids remain central to the story, the world around them has become much larger and more complex.

Okay, so season 5 of Stranger Things has a lot to live up to! It’s not just about giving Eleven, Mike, and the original crew a good ending. We’ve all gotten so attached to so many characters – Murray is amazing, and who doesn’t love Suzie? – that everyone deserves a proper farewell. It really shows how well the writers, casting directors, and actors have all worked together. But honestly, it’s already looking like a couple of our favorites might not get the endings they deserve, and that’s a little heartbreaking.

Max Has Become One Of Stranger Things’ Best Characters

Since joining the show in season 2, Sadie Sink’s character, Max Mayfield, has quickly become a fan favorite. Unlike the other kids in Hawkins who generally have normal (though sometimes a little strange) families, Max comes from a truly difficult and abusive home. A standout part of the show has been the complicated relationship between Max and her step-brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery). Though Billy was often a villain, Max’s emotional response to his death revealed the deep love that can still exist, even in damaged families.

The fourth season of Stranger Things centered a lot on Max and her struggle with past trauma, which made her a target for the villain, Vecna. Her friends in Hawkins fought desperately to save her, leading to a powerful scene where she escaped Vecna using the song “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush. Although Max survived, she was left seriously hurt.

That’s the difficult situation we’re facing. Season 4 of Stranger Things really delved into the lasting effects of trauma, and Max has experienced even more hardship. Based on what we’ve seen, it looks like Max will be in a coma for at least part of the final season, severely injured and emotionally scarred by Vecna’s attack. This is particularly heartbreaking for a character known for her energy and active role, and it sets a somber tone for season 5 regarding her storyline.

Robin, Too, Risks Being Wasted In Stranger Things Season 5

Maya Hawke joined the cast of Stranger Things in season 3 as Robin Buckley, who worked alongside Steve Harrington. Robin was a charming and quirky character, and her relationship with Steve was a standout part of the season—they both helped each other develop. A particularly well-executed scene showed Robin coming out as gay. Throughout much of season 4, Robin and Steve continued to team up with the younger characters to fight Vecna.

Robin is a really compelling character, and the show explored her relationship with Nancy Wheeler in season 4. A standout moment involved an uncomfortable conversation where Robin had to clarify to Nancy that she and Steve weren’t dating. While the scene was well-done, the chemistry between Robin and Steve was even stronger – the two actors have fantastic energy together and always make their scenes better.

This is also a concern. The trailers for Stranger Things season 5 hint that the Hawkins group will be working on separate missions – a familiar storytelling technique for the show. Robin and Steve appear to be apart for much of the footage, and Robin isn’t featured prominently in the promotional materials. Hopefully, the trailers are misleading and Robin will still have a significant role to play.

Has Stranger Things Grown A Little Too Big For Season 5?

The biggest issue with the upcoming fifth season of Stranger Things is that the show’s popularity has created a difficult situation for its writers. They’ve done a great job developing a large group of characters, but now they’re struggling to balance giving the main kids the focus they deserve while also giving other compelling characters the attention they’ve earned.

It’s incredibly challenging for a culturally important show to deliver a satisfying final season. Many have failed spectacularly, like Game of Thrones, where the ending ultimately damaged the show’s legacy. The creators of this series will be determined to avoid a similar fate, and to do so, they need more than just a grand story. They need meaningful character development and scenes that provide closure to storylines that have been building for five seasons. Whether they can succeed remains to be seen.

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2025-11-05 18:16