There’s a lot of pressure onStranger Thingsseason 5 to succeed, thanks to its reputation and long hiatus, butthe 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 tobelovedStranger Thingscharacters, 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 forStranger Things 5, but the final season is expected to arrive sometime in 2025.
TheStranger Thingsseason 4 finale left the audience with many cliffhangers. From the Upside Down invading Hawkins to Max’s life hanging in the balance following her deadly 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 Thingsseason 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, despitetheStranger Thingslove 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 Thingsseason 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
SinceStranger Things 5begins 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.
Bret Gelman
Murray Bauman
Given that the revived love triangle was one of the worst parts ofStranger Thingsseason 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 inStranger Things' last season, after all.
