The three-year wait is over. “Stranger Things” season five has finally come out. I have been a Stranger Things fan since the day it was released, listening to the soundtrack on replay and even dressing up as the character “Eleven” for Halloween. Volume one is the first part of the season, releasing on Nov. 26, and including four episodes that were each at least an hour long. Some Stranger Things lovers, like myself, watched part one right when it came out. As it has only been out for a week, I have already watched it twice, and I can say this season is going to be filled with experiences, events and possibly multiple deaths.
The first episode was more of a refresh for me, helping me remember where the characters left off and what their goals are. All of them have the same goal: to defeat and kill Vecna. In the four episodes, I liked how all of the characters were used. In season four, the character Robin Buckley, who is played by actor Maya Hawke, wasn’t shown a lot, but she is very prominent in these new episodes. She is a great actor and portrays her character’s emotions really well. Adding onto characters, a new main character was added, Derek, played by actor Jake Connelly. He is a fan favorite to many, as well as to me. His character brings a lot of laughter. I feel that if he does die, it will be sad because in this season he has not only helped out the other characters, but also built bonds with them.
There are also a lot of unexpected characters who were used more often this season, like Mike Wheeler’s sister, Holly Wheeler played by actress Nell Fisher. She is in every episode, as she is one of the main people the characters are trying to save after she was taken by Vecna. I think it was cool to utilize her more this season because in prior seasons, people only saw her eating dinner at the table or interacting briefly with the characters.
Before the season started, I had my speculations about what would happen to each character. I still don’t know who will die at the end of the season, but what I did suspect correctly was that the character Will Byers, played by actor Noah Schnapp, got powers from Vecna, which is revealed at the end of episode four. I feel like it was bound to happen. In past seasons, Byers had this feeling whenever Vecna was around or close because Vecna is inside him. The last episode was really full of suspense and action. I liked how there were different scenes, switching between Wheeler with Vecna and the fighting with the Demogorgons.
The visuals in this season were strong as they always are, but after not watching the show for three years, it brought back a lot of memories of how great this show truly is. I’m sad, as are many others, that the show is ending. The actors in the show grew up during the making of it, so it was their childhood. I do think it is good that they are ending it this season, as most of them started off around the ages of ten and 11 and now most are in their 20s and have families. For part two, after watching part one, I think Steve Harrington will die, along with either Eleven, or Will. I think it will be one or the other between Eleven or Will because they both have powers, which may lead them to sacrifice themselves for their family and loved ones.
Volume two will be released on Netflix December 25.
