There’s a lot of pressure on Stranger Things season 5 to succeed, thanks to its reputation and long hiatus, but the final episodes can get off to a good start by fixing one of season 4’s biggest blunders. The Netflix sci-fi horror drama series is set to end with its fifth season, more than three years after season 4’s finale. Fans will soon have to say goodbye to beloved Stranger Things characters, and hopefully, watch a satisfying ending that serves as the perfect send-off for the popular TV show.
Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date for Stranger Things 5, but the final season is expected to arrive sometime in 2025.
The Stranger Things season 4 finale left the audience with many cliffhangers. From the Upside Down invading Hawkins to Max’s life hanging in the balance following her ᴅᴇᴀᴅly encounter with Vecna, season 5 has many questions to answer. Plus, not only does the last season have to address storylines set up in the most recent episodes, but it also must conclude overarching arcs, including one that made an unfortunate comeback in season 4.
Stranger Things Never Should’ve Revived The Nancy/Jonathan/Steve Love Triangle
The Love Triangle Hurts All 3 Characters’ Storylines
For some reason, Stranger Things season 4 revived the Steve/Nancy/Jonathan love triangle, which was first introduced in season 1. Long story short, the show began with Nancy and Steve dating, but the two broke up at the beginning of season 2. Nancy and Jonathan soon started dating and have been together ever since. However, despite the Stranger Things love triangle having a clear and satisfying conclusion in season 2, it was resurrected in season 4. Its return was a big mistake and only serves to regress all three characters’ storylines.
Despite Nancy’s actions, her suddenly gravitating back to Steve didn’t make sense, even if long distance affected her relationship with Jonathan.
Nancy and Jonathan’s relationship suffered from their newfound distance. Then, when Nancy teamed up with Steve for the show’s Vecna battle, she saw a different, more mature side to her ex-boyfriend that certainly piqued her interest. Despite Nancy’s actions, her suddenly gravitating back to Steve didn’t make sense, even if long distance affected her relationship with Jonathan. Ultimately, nothing happened between Nancy and Steve, and season 4 ended with Nancy still with Jonathan. Nevertheless, Stranger Things season 4 still rebooted the tired love triangle and must give it closure (again).
How Stranger Things 5 Can Undo Season 4’s Blunder
Season 5 Can Solve The Love Triangle Right Away
Since Stranger Things 5 begins with a time jump, the upcoming season can easily and quickly resolve the love triangle and fix season 4’s mistake. A year and a half will have gone by since the Upside Down invaded Hawkins in the season 5 premiere, and a lot likely happened during that missing time. For example, Nancy probably decided who she wanted to be with. So, season 5 should open with either Nancy with Jonathan or Steve, or she could be single.
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Stranger Things Season 5 Main Cast |
Role |
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|---|---|---|
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Millie Bobby Brown |
Eleven/Jane Hopper |
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|
Finn Wolfhard |
Mike Wheeler |
|
|
Noah Schnapp |
Will Byers |
|
|
Caleb McLaughlin |
Lucas Sinclair |
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|
Gaten Matarazzo |
Dustin Henderson |
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|
Sadie Sink |
Max Mayfield |
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|
David Harbour |
Jim Hopper |
|
|
Winona Ryder |
Joyce Byers |
|
|
Joe Keery |
Steve Harrington |
|
|
Maya Hawke |
Robin Buckley |
|
|
Natalia Dyer |
Nancy Wheeler |
|
|
Charlie Heaton |
Jonathan Byers |
|
|
Priah Ferguson |
Erica Sinclair |
|
|
Bret Gelman |
Murray Bauman |
Given that the revived love triangle was one of the worst parts of Stranger Things season 4, sweeping it under the rug and resolving it within season 5’s first episode is for the best. It would be lazy, but due to the circumstances, it would also be acceptable. The characters should have other, more important matters to worry about in Stranger Things‘ last season, after all.
