Merry Christmas, Hawkins fans! “Stranger Things” is back just in time for the holidays with season 5 part 2, and we’re updating you with our live reactions on everything that happens in the episodes that just dropped on Netflix.
The first part of “Stranger Things” season 5 delivered huge viewership numbers (of course). In its first five days after the November 26 release of the first four episodes, the season amassed around 59.6 million global views, making it the biggest premiere ever for an English‑language series on Netflix and one of the largest debuts in the platform’s history.
The three new episodes dropped today at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, and the season finale will be out on New Year’s Eve. So, now’s the perfect time to settle in, grab a warm drink, and jump into the chaos, scares and twists that await in “Stranger Things” season 5 part 2.
How to watch ‘Stranger Things’ season 5 part 2
“Stranger Things” season 5 volume 2 premiered on Netflix on Thursday, December 25, 2025, with the U.S. release at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. International release times vary. In the U.K., it drops early on December 26 at 1 a.m. GMT, and in Australia at 12 p.m. AEDT.
Part 2 includes episodes 5–7, with all episodes streaming exclusively on Netflix worldwide. The series finale (episode 8) is set to release later on December 31, 2025, at the same U.S. times, with select theatrical showings in the U.S. and Canada.
Welcome!
Merry Christmas! Our “Stranger Things” season 5 part 2 live blog is live today, bringing you episode previews, part 1 refreshers, release info, and ongoing updates as the next three episodes drop. We’ll be updating everything as it happens, so keep checking back!
Here’s when you can stream season 5 part 2
“Stranger Things” season 5 is being released in three parts. Volume 2 consists of three new episodes and premieres on December 25, 2025, on Netflix. The episodes drop at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT in the U.S.
For international viewers, release times vary. Those in the U.K. can watch it on December 26 at 1 a.m. GMT, while Australia sees them at 12 p.m. AEDT.
After that, the series finale — a standalone episode with a runtime of just over two hours — arrives on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025. This holiday rollout continues the season’s momentum following the first four episodes released in late November.
It will take you almost 4 hours to watch part 2
Now that you know when “Stranger Things” season 5 part 2 episodes arrive on Netflix, you may be wondering what the episode titles are and how long each episode will be. Those details have been revealed, and you’ll find the full list for part 2 below, along with the runtimes:
- “Chapter Five: Shock Jock” — 1 hour and 17 minutes
- “Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz” — 58 minutes
- “Chapter Seven: The Bridge” — 1 hour and 37 minutes
Watch the latest trailer for part 2 now
Netflix recently dropped a new trailer giving fans a glimpse of what’s coming in the show’s final chapter. Picking up from the cliffhanger at the end of episode 4, the teaser ramps up the tension and action. If volume 1 was all about setting the stage, this trailer hints at an all-out fight for survival. Steve fans might be holding their breath at one particular moment, though: around the 1:30 mark, he and Dustin exchange a chilling line — “You die, I die.” Could this signal danger for some of our favorite characters?
What happened in part 1?
Season 5 kicks off over a year after the destruction at the end of season 4, with Hawkins under military control. The government is secretly conducting experiments on Upside Down creatures and using Hawkins as a staging ground in the hunt for Vecna. The survivors are fractured but united by one mission — to find and kill Vecna.
Eleven has been training in secret but is kept out of danger until a Demogorgon abducts Holly Wheeler, forcing her back into the Upside Down in an effort to rescue her. At the same time, the group realizes that Vecna is kidnapping Hawkins’ children and using them in his larger plan to “reshape the world.”
Max remains alive but comatose in the real world, her body cared for in a hospital while her consciousness is trapped inside Vecna’s psychic mindscape. There, she hides in his twisted inner world before eventually encountering Holly, with whom she begins plotting a possible escape. Volume 1 also brings back Kali Prasad, also known as Eight (008) — a character first introduced in season 2 — when Eleven and Hopper discover her imprisoned by the U.S. military inside a secret Upside Down facility.
One of the biggest and most shocking moments comes near the end of part 1, when Will reveals his new powers linked to the hive mind, allowing him to defend his friends against a group of Demogorgons.
What’s your favorite moment from season 5 part 1?
Season 5 part 1 was packed with several shocking moments, from episode cliffhangers to intense character beats. We want to know which moment from volume 1 was your favorite — cast your vote below!
Character recap — Dr. Kay
Dr. Kay is a formidable new antagonist introduced in “Stranger Things” season 5. She’s a military scientist and leader overseeing the government’s occupation in Hawkins and the secret operations tied to the Upside Down.
Unlike past scientists like Dr. Brenner, Kay is ruthless and hyper‑focused on finding Eleven, viewing her less as a person and more as a powerful asset to be captured or controlled. Though she initially comes across as a villain obsessed with her mission, the show hints that she truly believes she’s doing what’s necessary to stop the supernatural chaos unfolding in Hawkins.
In the final episodes of volume 1, Eleven and Hopper infiltrate her secret military base in the Upside Down expecting to find Vecna, only to confront Dr. Kay and her soldiers in a heated fight. Eleven is weakened by the base’s anti‑power technology, but the pair manage to knock Dr. Kay unconscious (not kill her).
‘Stranger Things’ season 5 cast play a game
The cast of “Stranger Things” season 5 had a blast in a recent interview, putting their survival skills to the test in a game inspired by The Boat is Sinking — but with a twist: escaping the Upside Down.
Character recap — Holly Wheeler
Holly is Mike and Nancy Wheeler’s youngest sibling, who was a minor background character in earlier seasons but becomes a central figure in season 5. The Duffer Brothers elevate her role dramatically in volume 1: after living a mostly ordinary life in Hawkins, she starts talking to an “imaginary friend” named Mr. Whatsit, who is later revealed to be Vecna, manipulating her from afar.
A Demogorgon attacks the Wheeler home, injures her mother, and kidnaps Holly, taking her into the Upside Down. There, Vecna keeps her body and mind in a dreamlike realm built from his memories, treating her with false comforts to gain her trust. Her abduction becomes a key catalyst for the group’s fight against Vecna, and she even encounters Max within this mindscape as they both try to find a way out.
Why people think Eddie will return in season 5
Many fans still speculate about the return of Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) in “Stranger Things” season 5, even though the showrunners have confirmed his death. His heroic sacrifice in season 4 made him a fan favorite, and viewers are reluctant to see his story end so abruptly.
Some theories tie Eddie’s death to Dungeons & Dragons lore. Fans suggest a connection to Kas, a character who becomes a vampire and lieutenant to Vecna, imagining a supernatural twist that could allow Eddie to return in some form. Others think Eddie could appear in more grounded ways, such as flashbacks, visions, or dream sequences, particularly in scenes involving Dustin or other close friends.
Despite all the speculation, co-creator Matt Duffer and other producers have made it clear that Eddie is dead and will not physically return in season 5. I guess we’ll have to find out!
Which emoji best describes how you felt about season 5 part 1?
Stranger Things season 5 part 1 packed a lot into a few episodes. Pick the emoji that best captures your reaction!
Character recap — Kali Prasad / Eight (008)
Kali Prasad / 008 is a former Hawkins Lab test subject introduced in “Stranger Things” season 2, where she and Eleven were both abducted as children and forced into experiments that awakened psychic abilities. Unlike Eleven’s telekinesis, Kali’s power lets her create vivid illusions that alter what others see, hear, and believe, including making herself and others appear invisible. After escaping the Lab, she formed a group of outcasts and briefly became a mentor and “sister” figure to Eleven before they parted ways.
In season 5, Kali returns in a dramatic scene where Eleven and Hopper find her imprisoned by a military outfit in the Upside Down, hooked up to machinery. Her reappearance resolves a long‑dormant storyline from season 2 and promises to play an important role in the final chapters.
What could happen next? Online fan speculation for part 2
Even though volume 2 hasn’t dropped yet, fans are already buzzing with theories about what might happen next. Here’s a look at the most talked‑about predictions circulating online:
Vecna, the Upside Down & volume 2: Fans speculate that Max and Holly’s psychic journeys inside Vecna’s mindscape could reveal weaknesses in the villain, possibly key to defeating him. Others think the Upside Down might involve time manipulation or wormholes, or that it could be a psychic snapshot of Hawkins frozen in time. Some even hope Eleven could “flip” the Upside Down into a world of light and healing rather than destroying it. (h/t ibtimes)
Character & plot theories: Will’s connection to the Upside Down has led fans to theorize that his emerging psychic abilities will be very important, potentially allowing him to control or even invert the Upside Down. Kali (008) is also expected to play a bigger role, using her illusion powers to protect the group or confuse Vecna. Some fans speculate there could be an even larger villain behind Vecna, pulling the strings all along.
Wild & fun speculation: Other theories are more outlandish. Time loops sending events back to 1983, revivals of characters like Eddie in unexpected forms, or shocking family revelations connecting Eleven to Henry Creel/Vecna. While these ideas are popular online, the Duffer Brothers have confirmed that not all fan theories will come true.
The ultimate soundtrack showdown for ‘Stranger Things’
“Stranger Things” has always been defined by its unforgettable music, from ’80s classics to perfectly timed hits that make every twist and turn so much better. Which season do you think has the best soundtrack?
The Duffer Brothers said your ‘Stranger Things’ theories are ‘wrong’
Matt and Ross Duffer, the minds behind “Stranger Things,” reflect on the show’s surprising rise to fame and reveal an exclusive sneak peek at season 5 vol. 2. During their appearance on The Tonight Show, they also addressed fan theories, noting that most of the speculation circulating online tends to miss the mark.
Watch the ‘Stranger Things’ cast try to finish their lines!
The “Stranger Things” cast joined in on a fun game where they attempted to complete lines from the show, revisiting some of their characters’ most memorable moments.
One hour to go!
It’s almost time. In just one hour, “Stranger Things” season 5 part 2 drops on Netflix with three new episodes. Get ready to head back to Hawkins!
Volume 2 promises ‘bigger stakes’ and more intensity
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, co‑creator Ross Duffer warned fans that “it does not scale down,” emphasizing that the final episodes only get bigger and more intense in terms of action, emotion, and stakes as the story races toward its conclusion — and that volume 2 isn’t just delivering more of what viewers loved in volume 1, but “expanding it on every level.”
‘Stranger Things’ season 5 part 1 quiz — test your memory
Test your memory with this “Stranger Things” season 5 part 1 quiz, a fun refresher to jog your mind on all the key events, twists, and character moments before volume 2 hits.
The cast and creators talk about what to expect
In a recent Deadline preview of “Stranger Things” season 5 volume 2, one of the most striking teases comes Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays Vecna. He said: “They [viewers] should feel like what they’re doing is holding onto their chairs going, ‘No, no, no,’ that’s how I want them to feel, particularly with what I’m up to. I think Volume 1 is, it’s funny, because it’s like, I want to call it a setup, but it is an explosive setup to what continues to happen in volume 2 and subsequently [the finale].”
Matt Duffer also teased: “Especially as we get into volume 2, we start to answer more and more why Will was kidnapped and how it ties in with Holly and all of this. Everything sort of comes full circle.”
The show is about to start!
The final chapter of “Stranger Things” will begin streaming in about 10 minutes. Streaming managing editor Kelly Woo will be taking over live-blogging the episodes the instant they drop on Netflix.
So, hit the bathroom, gather your snacks and beverages, and adjust the lights to your preferred settings. Are you ready for it? Because we sure are!
Are you ready for it?
Kelly here, totally ready to live-blog these three middle-child episodes. And yes, I'm a Swiftie, so this is a fantastic week for me — the finale of "End of an Era" and volume 2 of "Stranger Things" season 5. Baby, let the games begin ....
Picking up where we left off ...
OK after a very short reminder of why Vecna is targeting kids, Will is beating himself up because he didn't save all of the kids. Twelve of them are in the Upside Down — including Derek, noooo! — subject to Vecna's diabolical plans.
Gaslighting much?
Henry telling the kids that they are in a place where there are no monsters is just ... bro, you are the monster.
Just an illusion
Dr. Kay storms into the room where she was keeping Kali, but turns out, the "Kali" that's there is just an smoke screen. She's safe with Eleven and Hopper, but is anyone truly safe anywhere?
Can Will the Wise really change the game?
Lucas is so pumped that Will has powers like Eleven, but no — Will explains that he's just siphoning off Vecna. And as many fans thought, Nov. 6 is an important date. It is, of course, the day Will disappeared in season 1. But what else? Is it Henry Creel's birthday or something?
Like father, like daughter
Eleven has it out with Hopper about his attempted sacrifice. But girly, you would do it, too. You may not be related by blood, but both of you have a gigantic hero complex.
Star Wars reference!
LOL gotta love this debate about shields and whatnot, related to "Return of the Jedi" (and how kids love it).
Every child's dream (or nightmare)
Endless treats, popcorn, TV, clothes ... Henry has created an ideal playground. But Holly knows nothing good is coming of this. She sneaks out to tell Max to reveal that Henry is trying to draw another world of some kind to Earth. As they scheme, Derek happens upon them. And you know what? In this instance, they need Dips--- Derek!
Back in Hawkins
I'm glad Winona Ryder has had more to do this season, but Joyce's plan to defeat Vecna is, as Paul Hollywood might say on "Great British Baking Show," terribly underbaked.
Sibling rivalry
Lucas has a genius idea (to revive demogorgons a la Dr. Frankenstein), Erica has a different genius idea (get help from Mr. Clarke). They're both great ideas. Let's do both!
Is this the time for the talk? Really?
Jonathan, your timing is terrible. Why are you bringing up your jealousy and relationship issues now? Nancy can't believe and neither can I. Dude: Read. The. Room.
Sibling rivaly, part II
Eleven and Kali have a heart-to-heart, the former asking the latter to help find Henry and stop him once and for all. But Kali is cynical that they can do anything. I get it; she hasn't had the same kind of found family that El has had these last few years.
Interesting pairings
One thing I've really enjoyed about season 5 is the various new pairings we've seen, particularly Robin and Will. I think I'm not alone in loving their deep conversations about who they are and how they're different.
Exit this way
With Derek hopefully distracting Henry, Max and Holly have found a door that might be the exit back to Hawkins. But first, they must venture through a series of terrifying memories. My first scary memory is watching "Gremlins" as as a child at a way-too-young age. Didn't sleep much that night and never saw that babysitter again.
Stop fighting!
Steve and Dustin's argument is like a dagger to the heart. Guys, please! Don't hurt us like this. Please hug and make up.
Though Steve really did deserve a punch for talking smack about Eddie like that.
What in the Upside Down is happening?
Is it dark magic, like Nancy says? Why did Dustin find a copy of their real-world Hawkins plan in the Upside Down? Why are Nancy and Jonathan seeing melted everything?
I have so many questions. I'm sure I won't get any answers anytime soon.
Child's play
So now we get more insight into what Dr. Kay is up to. Kali reveals she found a bunch of pregnant women, who were meant to give birth to superpowered babies. But Kali's blood didn't work; that's why Dr. Kay is looking for Eleven.
Frankensteining it
Reviving a demogorgon: such a bad idea. Have they just not read Mary Shelley's novel yet? Obviously, it's a few decades before Guillermo del Toro's Netflix adaptation, but have these kids been going to English class or what?
Running up that hill
Max and Holly have found the exit from Henry's dream world, but he's found them. Their only hope is that Will has sort of mind-melded with the revived demogorgon. Help them!
Let's go, Will!
Just when I thought Max was about to die (again), Will comes through to save the day. He mind-melds with Vecna and loosens his grip on Max, then warns both her and Holly to runnnnn (up that hill).
At what cost?
Max and Holly are safe (for now), but Vecna booted Will out of their mind-meld, and now Will is unconscious. Crossing my fingers he'll be OK.
Everyone will die
Dustin has realized the shield generator isn't a shield generator. In fact, if they do anything to it: everyone will die! But he can't get the message to Jonathan and Nancy, and she shoots at it. And that's how we end episode 5. Yikes!
Episode 6, here we go ...
Nancy has shot the "shield generator," Will is down, everyone may die. But Erica is knocking on Mr. Clarke's door. And he's apparently a "snookums" to the librarian? OMG.
It's not dark magic
So the Upside Down is actually just ... science? Something called "exotic matter"? I guess I should've paid more attention in physics class.
A bridge, about to collapse
Dustin explains what the Upside Down is, finally: "It isn't another dimension. It's not another world. It's a wormhole; a bridge, between two points in time and space, between our world and another."
And if the bridge collapses? "It will take all of us with it."
Back to the cave
Oh, so Max and Holly didn't escape back to Hawkins. They're still in Henry's dream space, but have managed to flee to the cave. But he's trying to manipulate Holly into coming back with him — by killing Max. But the cave is safe? Max dares him to try, and Henry reveals there's a way to hurt her beyond the cave. Lucas?!
November 6
So it's November 6, as a title card tells us. The endgame is truly upon us.
Will the Builder?
Vecna has Will captive and is spilling some tea. Apparently, Will built the Upside Down tunnels. And now, Vecna is going to make him spy for him again, one last time, by getting Max.
You are your brother
Max does not mean this as a compliment, but I gotta give Holly props. She's a brave kid!
Reunited and it feels so good
Eleven and Hopper have a much-needed reunion with Mike and Joyce. Kali is there too, lol.
Can you hear me?
Eleven puts on an eye mask and some headphones in order to "find" Will. You can do it, El!
It's you and me
Lucas is on a mission to get through to Max. Meanwhile, she and Holly are wandering in the desert beyond the cave, hoping to find ... something. And then Holly finds an oddity with her telescope. X marks the spot.
They're melting ...
Meanwhile, Nancy and Jonathan are stuck in a room that's melting down all around them into a big, gluey puddle. It's not looking good for the at-odds couple.
'They can make more monsters'
Eleven ... sorry, Jane ... knows she's not a monster. But with her blood, Dr. Kay (or someone else) can make new ones. New numbers. And ElJane needs to stop it before it happens.
Down the hatch!
OK there's no hatch, but Holly literally stumbles upon a hole with a ladder leading to ... an exit? Let's hope.
Don't die on me
Dustin pleading with Steve not to die ... is it suddenly dusty in here or is it me?
'I don't like The Clash'
I guess Nancy and Jonathan's airing of grievances is meant to be romantic. Like "I hate this thing you like but I love you." But actually, it just makes me feel like this relationship is toxic.
An unproposal
OK, fine, this is kind of romantic. I'm impressed Jonathan has actually listened to Nancy and her needs/wants, and he proposes not to marry her forevermore. And somehow, their kind of happily ever after has fixed the melting room.
Tank girl
El-Jane enters the tank Hopper made to find Will: "Show me where you are." But he's all wrapped up in Vecna's vines. Is she powerful enough to free him from this trap?
Dead ends
Did we just see the original memory of why Henry turned out the way he did? I'm not sure who that man was (some kind of doctor? with a briefcase?), but he's the subject of Henry's first killing. Just as Holly is about to glimpse into the briefcase, Max finds a way out of Camazotz.
Time to save Max
Max may have found a way out, but Vecna knows where she is in Hawkins. The demogorgons are already at the hospital. Run, Robin, run!
Mrs. Wheeler, hero
Never would've guess at the beginning of "Stranger Things" that the boozy Mrs. Wheeler would kick some demogorgon butt!
Holly the Heroic
Like mom, like daughter. As Max heads off to Kate Bush and Lucas, she tells Holly she needs to find her own way back to her body. And that way is via her Dungeons and Dragons token: Holly the Heroic. Because of her, they're going to get out of Camazotz. "Holly the Heroic is not just a toy; she's you."
Beep beep beep
And as Max and Holly run up that hill, so ends episode 6.
Back to reality
Max wakes up. Her body in the real world has been in a coma for a long time, but she's there. Lucas is overjoyed. But what about Holly?
Where's Holly?
Max is back in Hawkins, but Holly is still trapped in the Upside Down. She's stuck in the sticky vines where Will used to be. Though she frees herself from them, she's still nowhere close to home.
At least there's one more rescue
Holly may be fleeing from Vecna, but Steve and Dustin break through into the room holding Nancy and Jonathan. Dustin shows them Dr. Brenner's journal, which has so much info to digest. Apparently, Holly isn't in the Upside Down. So, where exactly is she?
Break on through to the other Upside Down
Well, wherever Holly was, she literally broke through the floor and fell through into the Upside Down as we know it. And her sister, Nancy, can hear her screams. Let's hope another family reunion is in store.
99 Luftballons
Mr. Clarke has rigged up a kind of balloon system and it may just track Dustin. I'm getting the feeling that this penultimate episode might get the whole gang back together again.
So, Mom, let me explain ...
It's both hilarious and heartbreaking how much Mrs. Wheeler (and Mr. Clarke) do not know about the Upside Down. And trying to explain it is a bit of a joke.
You coming, Snookums?
Another thing I'm really liking about season 5 is how they're incorporating all of these supporting characters, like Mr. Clark and Mrs. Wheeler. They seemed like throaways but now they're playing real roles in events.
Back in the trap
Holly didn't escape Vecna, after all. She was sooo close, enough for Nancy to see her, but Vecna managed to pull her back into his world.
The Abyss
So, a bit of exposition from Dustin: The Upside Down is a bridge between Hawkins and what Dustin labels "The Abyss." It's where Henry was banished to by El-Jane, and when the gang defeated him previously, he fled back to the Abyss. And he's taking kids there to prey upon their minds and amplify his abilities. To do what? As Max explains: He wants to move worlds. He wants to merge Hawkins and the Abyss into one, destroying humanity in the process.
And he's going to do it tonight, November 6.
Back to the light
It's late in my time zone and the kids chanting they'll bring Holly "back to the light" really creeped me out.
The team (and plan) come together
Steve has an idea; Dustin builds on it; and Eleven, Kali and Max will execute it. They're going to let Vecna merge the worlds just until Eleven can invade his mind. I'm sure this plan will go off without a hitch (narrator: there will totally be a hitch).
These kids are not alright
Holly wakes up to find all of the other kids have teamed up against her. Even Dips--- Derek. They attack her and rip off her necklace, her Holly the Heroic totem.
'You die, I die'
Finally, we get the context of the line "you die, I die" from the trailer that had fans spinning. It's about what most of us figured: Dustin and Steve are prepping for battle, and they've reaffirmed their bond. I'm crossing my fingers neither of them dies.
Another death pact
Another set of quasi-siblings agree to a "you die, I die" pact, but this one is different. Kali suggests that she and Eleven stay when the Upside Down is blown to smithereens, so that their blood/powers can't be propagated again. Hopper is not going to like this.
Will stands proud
Sure, there's a battle coming up, but Will's internal one has been just as fraught. So, while the whole gang is together, he takes a moment to acknowledge he's different.
"I don't like girls," he states. "Not like you guys do."
Vecna tried to get in his mind that if Will told the truth, they would all drift apart. And a heartwarming group hug follows. They support him, they love him, they stand with him. Now, Will is not afraid to face off against Vecna. He's going into the Upside Down with El.
Into the Upside Down we go
With an assist from Mr. Clarke and a lot of shooting by Hopper and Commando Nancy, the whole gang rides a truck into the Upside Down.
The plan is in action.
It's time ...
Meanwhile, Henry lights candles as the kids sit around the table. They hold hands. "It's time," he says. Their eyes roll back in their heads.
And now we must wait to find out how it all ends ... in volume 3, the series finale on Dec. 31
My takeaways from 'Stranger Things' seaosn 5, volume 2
Whew! So ... much ... happened. A lot of action was stuffed in this middle section of the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things." I will need to mull it over for a few days to really make sense of it all, but in the meantime, here are some initial thoughts:
Everything's coming full circle: The gang is all back together again! Reunited and it feels so good. This season has scattered the main group to the winds, but now, they're all headed into the Upside Down, ready to take down Vecna. I love it when a team and plan come together.
New and old pairings: We got healthy doses of fan-favorite team-ups like Dustin and Steve, but also some new pairings, like Will and Robin. It's nice to mix and match to keep things fresh.
Hello my old friend: Speaking of keeping things fresh, it's a great move to integrate supporting characters like Mrs. Wheeler and Mr. Clarke into the main plot. They've been sidelined as NPGs in previous seasons, but each have gotten their moment in the sun (in Mrs. Wheeler's case, several).
Cut the shipping: Look, I get that most shows of this scale have to feature some kind of romance. But honestly? In the case of "Stranger Things," less is more. Nancy and Jonathan's interactions give me cringe, and Hopper and Joyce have zero chemistry. The only couple that feels real and romantic is Max and Lucas. I hope the series finale keeps the shipping to a minimum.
Nobody died!: I'm a little shocked by this one, because I totally thought at least one of the main characters would be killed off before the finale. I was wrong, and I'm not sorry about it.
I'm sure I'll have more thoughts later, but lemme submerge into a tank full of water first.
Favorite moment from volume 2
So much happened in episodes 5-7, and there were many great moments. What's your fave?
Noah Schnapp on Will's coming out: 'It was perfect'
One of the most emotional scenes of volume 2 was Will coming out to his friends and family just before they head into the Upside Down to defeat Vecna.
Actor Noah Schnapp knew the scene was coming, and when the Duffer brothers finally revealed it, he told Variety, "I was just in tears. It was perfect."
Schnapp also delved into Will's choice of words in the scene, saying "I don't like girls" instead of "I'm gay."
"We have to remember that it's the 1980s. When I came out, I didn’t say the word “gay.” It’s hard, and it feels scary to say it," he noted. "In the ’80s, I can’t imagine how much more pressure there was and how much more there was to lose."
When is the 'Stranger Things' series finale dropping?
A reminder that the series finale (season 5, episode 9) will be released on Netflix on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
We're hoping to see a trailer or some kind of teaser in the next few days.
Is anyone going to die in the finale?
I was surprised that nobody died in volume 2 — not even a red shirt like Murray or Mr. Clarke. But it's pretty much guaranteed that someone (likely a few someones) will be killed off in the series finale. The Duffer brothers love to punctuate their story with big deaths (see: Billy, Eddie). So, who do you think it will be?
The Upside Down, explained
Something huge happened in this batch of episodes: "Stranger Things" finally explained what the Upside Down really is.
As the Duffer brothers told Entertainment Weekly, Netflix kind of forced them to write out the show's mythology. A big portion of that is revealed in volume 2, when Dustin discovers Dr. Brenner's journal.
So, the Upside Down is not another dimension; it's a wormhole made of "exotic matter" that leads to another dimension, which they're calling "the Abyss."
The Abyss is where Henry Creel wandered around alone for years, and where the demogorgons originate.
The gang's plan is to destroy the wormhole (Upside Down) with Henry/Vecna trapped in the Abyss with no way out.
What's in the box ... uh, briefcase?!
In "Chapter Six: Escape Camazoz," Max and Holly encounter one of Henry Creel's more disturbing memories. As a boy, he finds an injured man holding a briefcase. The man shoots Henry in the hand to protect the case, but Henry ends up killing him. When he opens the briefcase, some smoke emerges. So what's in there?
The answer comes from the Broadway production "Stranger Things: The First Shadow."
The play reveals that 8-year-old Henry disappeared for about 12 hours near a military base in Lincoln County, Nevada. He eventually resurfaced outside a cave with a cut on his hand and no recollection of where he’d been or what had happened. Around the same period, a Russian scientist stationed at the nearby base also vanished. His body was later discovered within the same cave system.
That briefcase contains technology related to Dimension X (what our heroes call the Abyss). Dr. Brenner links Henry to the dead Russian and takes the boy to be part of his experiment, making him subject 001.
The Duffer brothers warn fans to 'brace themselves' ahead of series finale
A series finale hasn't been this anticipated since "Game of Thrones" ended in 2019. When "Stranger Things" wraps up on New Year's Eve, fans should expect fireworks.
"I want people to brace themselves as they go into the finale,” Ross Duffer told Today.com. “But I can promise you it’s not a 'Red Wedding' situation, like from ‘Game of Thrones.’ We’re not gonna wipe out eight of our characters.”
Matt Duffer added they are "not doing anything for shock value."
Whew! Still, it's likely that at least one or two fan-favorite characters die, as Ross said it will be an "emotional ending."
Let's hear it for Karen Wheeler
Now we know where Nancy, Mike and Holly get it from. All three Wheeler children have shown a lot of bravery over the course of "Stranger Things," and it's clear they inherited their commando qualities from their mom, Karen Wheeler.
Not only did she kick a demogorgon's butt trying to protect Holly, Karen saved Max, Lucas and Robin by blowing up a few demo-dogs in the hospital laundry room. Too bad she's not healed enough to join the gang in the Upside Down, but at least two of her kids are fighting to save the third. Vecna should be very afraid.
Stay safe, Steve
So far in our poll of who's most likely to die in finale, Eleven is edging out Steve by a few points. Then again, she's all but declared she's ready to sacrifice herself for the good of the world, so it wouldn't be a huge shock if that happened.
But Steve? Sweet, spiky Steve "The Hair" Harrington? Please, Duffer brothers, keep him safe. I need Steve and Dustin to continue their bromance into adulthood and beyond Hawkins.
