Stranger Things Season 5’s Best New Character Could Break a 9-Year-Old Series Tradition

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The fifth and final season of Stranger Things might finally break a painful pattern that’s been present throughout the show’s nine-year run. After revealing Vecna’s plans for Holly and the other children, and explaining the origins of the Upside Down, the show’s last episode is all that remains. Spoiler alert: The Hawkins crew will have to defeat Vecna for good, and hopefully close the door between their world and the Upside Down. The stakes are incredibly high, and they’ll likely encounter unforeseen obstacles and potentially have to make difficult sacrifices along the way.

Despite relatively few deaths in the first part of Stranger Things Season 5, it feels certain that someone will die in the final, longer episode. Ideally, the villains Vecna and Dr. Kay would be the ones to go. However, killing off one of the main heroes would have a much bigger emotional impact. The trailer for the final volume hints that a beloved character is in serious danger, and it’s likely to be someone we’ve known for a while – a break from the show’s usual pattern of killing off lesser-known characters.

Stranger Things Has Made a Tradition of Killing New & Beloved Supporting Characters

As a huge fan of Stranger Things, it’s honestly heartbreaking how often they introduce these amazing supporting characters only to… well, get rid of them. It started with Barb in the very first season – we barely got to know her, but everyone immediately loved her and wanted justice! It’s become a pattern, sadly. Bob, Billy, and Eddie – all fantastic characters who didn’t even get a full run before they were gone. It’s a risky move, but it really raises the stakes and makes you feel like anything can happen. Plus, it protects the main characters we’ve grown to love, even if it’s at the expense of these newer faces. It’s a tough trade-off, but it definitely works in keeping us hooked!

Now that the Netflix series is ending, the showrunners don’t have to worry about losing their main actors. This avoids the difficulties that would come with recasting and allows for bolder storytelling choices. While the show could easily write off some existing supporting characters, there’s only one new character getting significant attention this season. He’s been a fantastic addition to Season 5, so killing him off would be upsetting – though it doesn’t seem likely to happen.

Season 5’s Delightful Derek Could Break the Netflix Series’ 9-Year Streak

A likely candidate to become another beloved character tragically killed off in Stranger Things is Derek Turnbow, but he surprisingly seems safe in Volume 3. Initially known as the somewhat unpleasant “Dips Derek,” he quickly evolves into the charming “Delightful Derek” as we get to know him. He’s proven to be much braver and more capable than anyone initially thought, and his witty, sometimes sassy, remarks have quickly made him a standout character this season. (Seriously, who else could deliver a “your mom” joke to Vecna and actually pull it off?)

Derek could potentially continue the show’s pattern of killing off characters, as Vecna has kidnapped him and his life is at risk. However, it seems unlikely the show would actually kill a young, beloved character, especially considering Will’s concern for those Vecna has taken. I predict Holly Wheeler and her classmates will be safe. If anyone is likely to die, it’ll probably be a supporting character like Mr. Clarke, Kali, or Vickie—though I hope that doesn’t happen. It’s also possible the show will avoid killing off any supporting characters at all, and instead focus on a larger, more significant tragedy in the final battle of Season 5, Volume 3.

Stranger Things May Be Gunning for Bigger Deaths in Its Final Season

The fifth season of Stranger Things might not focus on killing off minor characters. Instead, the story seems to be building towards a much bigger sacrifice: Eleven. Kali is urging Eleven to give her life to finally end the cycle of danger. While it would be heartbreaking, Kali’s reasoning makes sense. If Eleven survives, Hawkins could remain at risk, and she’d continue to be a target, as the government still wants to create more people with similar powers. A major character death, like Eleven’s, would also have a greater emotional impact in the final episode. Ideally, no one would die, but if someone does, it will likely be Eleven or a long-standing supporting character.

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2025-12-31 05:40