Final seasons of successful shows are always scary (especially after the mess that was Game of Thrones season 8), so there is a lot of pressure on Stranger Things to ensure it gets its last set of episodes right. Some of the most iconic TV series failed to stick the landing with their endings. From Game of Thrones‘ controversial finale to How I Met Your Mother‘s botched conclusion, it’s easy to be disappointed by endings that don’t live up to a show’s reputation (especially when they make no sense and/or kill off beloved characters for no reason other than shock value).

It certainly doesn’t help that the audience has been waiting in anticipation for the final season of Stranger Things for three years. Because it has taken so long to make, one would think that the Duffer Brothers and co. have given season 5 the love, care, and attention it needs to be great. They have had more than enough time to guarantee that Stranger Things‘ ending is a satisfying conclusion to the cultural phenomenon that began almost a decade ago. Thankfully, the Netflix sci-fi horror series has an advantage heading into its last season that Game of Thrones didn’t have.

Stranger Things Not Being Based On A Book Gives It A Huge Advantage Over Game Of Thrones

The Duffer Brothers Aren’t Weighed Down By Source Material

One of the main reasons attributed to Game of Thrones‘ messy finale is that showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss didn’t have source material for the ending. As many know, the HBO fantasy drama is an adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series. However, Martin hadn’t finished writing the series when Game of Thrones premiered. Many ᴀssumed the remaining novels would be published by the show’s finale, but that wasn’t the case. So, Benioff and Weiss started to go rogue and move away from the books towards Game of Thrones‘ ending.

Although the hated Game of Thrones series finale was unique to the show, fans could still compare its poor quality to Martin’s renowned novels. Meanwhile, Stranger Things isn’t based on a book series. Stranger Things‘ ending will be its only ending, unlike Game of Thrones, which should have two once Martin releases his last two novels. Consequently, the Duffer Brothers have free rein over their show’s finale, giving it an advantage over Game of Thrones.

If It Isn’t Very Good, Stranger Things Will Still Become The New Game Of Thrones, Book Or Not

Stranger Things Is On The Same Level As Game Of Thrones

Even though Stranger Things isn’t weighed down by source material, if its finale is bad, the ending will be just as controversial as Game of Thrones. Both TV series are held to high standards. When they’re good, they’re really good, as evidenced by their popularity and awards, meaning audiences have high expectations for the two shows. So, the Game of Thrones series finale disappointed audiences because they knew it could have been so much better than it was, and Stranger Things could easily suffer the same fate.

Stranger Things 5 must avoid Game of Thrones‘ finale troubles at all costs. Hopefully, the Duffer Brothers learned from the HBO fantasy drama’s mistakes and created an ending that pleases viewers (without falling into fan service territory), but also makes sense for the characters and their fictional world. Only time will tell if Stranger Things succumbs to the same mistakes that Game of Thrones made, though.