Stranger Things as a whole is a huge show. It started in 1983 in Hawkins, Indiana. Kids searched for their lost friend Will Byers. They found Eleven, a girl with powers and the scary Upside Down. The show was a mix of 80s fun,horror, and friendship. It was a cultural hit.

But this new volume felt different. My opinion is that the nostalgia is missing.

Better Seasons

My biggest let down is the feeling of the show. Past seasons felt colorful and warm. They have that specific inviting 1980s glow. This final season however, feels too grim. It was always dark,covered in ash and under military lockdown.

It simply doesn’t give that nostalgic feeling anymore. The show has become a huge high stakes horror epic, which is a stark change from the small town mystery it started as. For me, that shift sacrifices the charm that made the origins; seasons so special.

Comparing it to earlier seasons, this one felt disappointing. Others were way much better. The pace of this final conflict often feels heavy, and the tone is so much more serious. Overall, it’s just okay but I walked in expecting the series to deliver its absolute best for the final. I expected more.

The Last Episode Saved it

However, I have to give credit where it’s due. I only really liked the last episode of Volume 1.The episode finally delivered the emotional and action packed punch we needed. It set up the main conflicts perfectly for the remainder of the series.

The final scene was an insane cliffhanger. The remaining heroes are forced to confront the impossible. The Upside Down is not just in Hawkins, it is Hawkins. The military quarantine failed. The town is physically tearing apart, mixing with the dark dimension. It’s an incredible set up that makes the wait for volume 2 exciting.

The cliffhanger was truly masterful, but one great episode can’t carry an entire season. I hope the final episodes of Season 5 bring back some of that original magic while giving the insane conclusion we deserve.