Folks, here is my Stranger Things 5 review of the full season and I want to explore whether this was as bad a finale as everyone says? When I say everyone, of course I’m talking about those who are active online. Let’s face it, a usually tough and discerning crowd. Well, it’s not as bad as it might seems online, but there are definite issues with this finale.
I will say I’m going to go full SPOILERS here. I don’t think this review will be one that has any readers deciding whether to watch it or not. Let’s face it. if you watched Stranger Things 1-4 you either have watched 5, or will do.
Stranger Things has been incredibly popular among a wide demographic. I’ve said before that in my house my daughter is the biggest fan and had our watches of each volume over the holidays planned out. I think though, that perhaps the realization of this multi-demographic perhaps neutered a more mature ending.
My Review
Stranger Things 5 adds a lot of new information to the lore and the plot in Season 5. Frankly, it is a bit much and some of it, like the Mind Flayer suddenly being the big bad again, felt underwhelming. Season 4 saw the show build Vecna up as the big bad, and then in the final fight we discover the Mind Flayer is the power behind Vecna. Outside a giant (expensive looking) CGI monster that didn’t really provide much threat, the mission is still, defeat Vecna/Henry, save the world. A reveal that didn’t go deep enough for me.
For a moment I thought things were going to get very interesting when we discovered Henry was manipulated into being the way he was. I was hoping for the Mind Flayer to try and control El and the two have a mental struggle, where she succeeds in rejecting it’s control, unlike Henry.
Let’s explore this Mind Flayer more, what is it? Is it the only intelligence on its planet, is it a hive mind of the other creatures of this planet? How does it work?
Instead, the beasty is killed along with Vecna and it’s about escaping back home. Ultimately, the season felt much like this. Where Season 4 slowly built the threat of Vecna and his mystery, we also felt constantly under threat. Season 5, honestly I didn’t once feel like any of the main cast were in any kind of threat.
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The fact the entire main cast survived and the only bittersweet part of the ending was El maybe dying, maybe escaping speaks to me of aiming this at the kids who love it now, rather than the adults who began watching the show all those years ago. I also had some issues with the length of the Lord of the Rings style multiple endings where everyone gets their epilogue. The one that worked most was Mike and his interpretation of Eleven’s fate and the final D & D game. I’m not sure I needed to know what everyone else was up to and see the graduation. None of those epilogues elicited any emotion from me till the D & D game began. Also, where’s my man Murray at?
Ultimately, Stranger Things 5 is fun, it has some exciting moments in it and some good drama. Yet, I feel like the finale was aimed at my 11 year old daughter more than me. She was so concerned for who would die and thus pleased none of them did die. However, will she still feel that way in a few years when she matures and looks back at the series?
It was too much of a happy ending for me and not enough pain to bring that bitterness that makes a story epic and emotional and more importantly, matter.
So no, the final Season of Stranger Things is not as bad as the online community is making out. However, I doubt many adults will view the finale as a classic.
GRADE: B
Fun, but overly filled with new ideas and exposition, without actually building on that. Ultimately delivering a happy, rather than bittersweet ending that perhaps felt a little safe.
Season Rankings
Here are my Seasonal rankings for each season of Stranger Things, from best to worst.
1 – Stranger Things 3 – (‘do it Dustybun’) Still, in my opinion the best Season.
2 – Stranger Things 4 – (‘Running up that Hill’)
3 – Stranger Things 1 – (OG)
4 – Stranger Things 5 – (As covered above)
5 – Stranger Things 2 – (A sequel that didn’t know where to go yet)
As for any supposed spin-off’s? I’ll be a bit less interested than I was in the main series, but I’ll still check them out.
What do you think of my Stranger Things 5 review? As always, leave your own thoughts on Stranger Things 5 below.
