After almost a decade, Stranger Things has finally come to an end, and with it, one of Netflix’s biggest shows. It is hard to know whether any series could ever live up to those expectations, but it is clear from the final episode, which runs more than two hours, that the Duffer brothers tried to pull out all the stops. Having watched it and taken some time to think about how it all came to a close, and whether the show delivered, I have to admit that, no matter your takeaway, it was one hell of a ride and well worth the wait.
That does not mean the series has been flawless. Over the years, it has made missteps, and this final season has had to compensate for them in order to tackle long-standing issues. I do not think it tied everything up as neatly as many will hope, but I am not sure that was ever possible. The series evolved from a small, intimate show about strange things happening in a small Indiana town to a big-budget blockbuster that felt like a collection of mini-movies, all working together to build a complex narrative.
In that transition, some of the special sauce was lost. This last episode works hard to bring some of that feeling back, wrapping up with a strong message and focusing on the core group of friends that made the show so special to begin with.
I will do my best to avoid major spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 episode 8 and to focus on the core elements that make this last episode work, and not work. There may be some mild spoilers from the first part of this season to give context for what I am talking about, so if you have not watched the season up to this point and want to go in completely blind, I recommend waiting before reading this review. With that out of the way, let’s dive into Stranger Things 5, episode 8, The Rightside Up.
“There is no question Stranger Things is looking to go out with a bang, and it delivers.”
This episode wastes no time jumping into the action that Episode 7 set in motion, with our (very large) gang of characters all starting their mission to end everything that has caused so much trouble for Hawkins, Indiana. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Hopper (David Harbour) and Eight (Linnea Berthelsen) are heading to the Upside Down version of the lab to try to enter Vecna’s mind.
Will (Noah Schnapp), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) are waiting for the worlds to come close enough. When that happens, they plan to jump into Dimension X, also called the Abyss.
Vickie (Amybeth McNulty) and Max (Sadie Sink) are hiding out at the radio station until the time is right. All of this is happening while the military works to stop whatever they have planned and take Eleven into custody. I will be honest: there is a lot going on, and the Duffer brothers work to make the most of the runtime.
There is no question Stranger Things is looking to go out with a bang, and it delivers. This is one of the more elaborate and visually stunning episodes of the full season, both cinematically and in terms of effects. It has complex monster fights, sizable battles and even some explosions for good measure. Yet what matters most is that it all seems to serve a purpose. While it is easy to throw in some fireworks to keep things exciting, that can feel pointless, just visual spectacle; I did not feel that here.
The series has suffered from this in the past, but, thankfully, there is a measured level of restraint that helps the overall feel of the episode. It makes it feel epic without making it seem as though nothing has meaning. There are character deaths, consequences for the events that happen and catharsis in the overall outcome, but the episode manages to avoid the easy crutch of making it all feel like a giant showpiece with no substance.
I also love that almost half of this final episode is devoted to the aftermath of everything that happened. We see what has happened to the characters we have grown to love over the years, and we get payoff from all the events we have experienced with them. While not everything ends on a happy note, it still feels complete, as if this is how the series needed to end.
I also like that most people, yes, even the villain, get some time to shine. We gain a much better sense of what is behind the many actions we have watched over this nearly decade-long adventure, learning more about Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), the Mind Flayer, Dimension X and even how Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) played such a major part in the main cast’s lives. It all wraps up in a way that feels earned and complete, without fully falling into the trap of a sappy, sweet ending that does not deliver what fans have come to the show for.
“I am glad I went on this strange adventure, and I wonder if we will see a show like this again anytime soon.”
Of course, not everything works, and that mainly comes down to the bloated cast we have going into this season. It is nearly impossible to give everyone time to shine and matter when there are so many moving pieces, but I will say they did the best they could with the hand they dealt themselves. There are plenty of dangling threads and unresolved issues with characters who are never really touched on or explored when the credits finally roll. At least the main cast we have grown to love over these years feels complete, and the payoff works for me, at least.
Stranger Things is a show I did not expect to run this long or become this elaborate, but it is one I have enjoyed for the most part over these years. The concept was brilliant and felt incredibly special in the way it was brought to life on the TV screen. While some of that magic was lost going into Season 5, there was still enough there for it to deliver in a way that worked.
I do wish the Duffer brothers had been a bit more restrained with the character bloat, of course, but the end result works and wraps up the story neatly, giving just enough pathos for the years of adventure to feel worth it and important. I am glad I went on this strange adventure, and I wonder if we will see a show like this again anytime soon.
