'Stranger Things' S05: Recap of key moments before finale drops
What's the story
The much-awaited fifth season of Stranger Things is just around the corner. To help you brush up on the previous season, here's a brief recap of where we left off in Season 4. The first three episodes of the new season will premiere on Netflix on November 27 at 6:30am IST. Let's go!
Plot twist
Vecna's victory and the Upside Down invasion
The fourth season ended with a major development as Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) successfully opened four gates to merge the Upside Down with the real world. This allowed the Upside Down to invade Hawkins, with the largest gate located at the Hawkins Library. Will (Noah Schnapp) sensed something was off, indicating that Vecna wasn't dead but severely injured.
Character arcs
Max's fate and Eleven regaining her powers
Max's (Sadie Sink) tryst with Vecna was one of the most heartbreaking moments of Season 4. Despite Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) forcing Vecna out of Max's mind and reviving her heart, she ended up in a coma. Meanwhile, Eleven struggled to regain her powers throughout Season 4 but mysteriously got them back after Dr. Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine) died. In Season 5, her powers are expected to evolve even further.
Character developments
Joyce and Hopper's return; Eddie's absence
Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) returned to Hawkins after their ordeal in a Russian prison. They reunited with the group, while the Russians discovered how to isolate particles from the Mind Flayer. However, one character won't be returning for Season 5, that's Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), who sacrificed himself last season to save Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo).
Relationship dynamics
Nancy's love triangle: A potential plot twist
Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) are still together, but her chemistry with Steve (Joe Keery) from Season 1 was reignited in the fourth season. Will Stranger Things 5 be the season they get back together? The final season promises to answer this question and more as it delves deeper into the lives of its beloved characters. Following the first batch, the next three episodes will be out on December 26, with the finale set for January 1.