Sean Reagle ’27
As Netflix prepares to release the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, excitement and anticipation are spreading throughout the EA community. With the episodes premiering on November 26 and December 25 and the finale set to hit theaters on New Year’s Eve, fans are bracing themselves for what promises to be an emotional conclusion to one of the most iconic shows of the decade.
Season 5 picks up in Hawkins, Indiana, where protagonists Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will, return to face the scary monsters of the alternate universe, the Upside Down. Last season left fan-favorite Max Mayfield and Hawkins itself in critical condition, leading the friends to team up with friends Steve, Nancy, Jonathan, Robin, and others. They must stop the antagonist Vecna, protect their families, and prevent the Upside Down from taking over the world. Fans can expect crazy battles, tender moments, and twist endings for the characters that people have loved and watched grow over nine years.
Many students and teachers shared their thoughts on the show’s upcoming end. Maraki Solomon ’27 said she was deeply moved by the Season 4 finale. “I was really sad. I actually cried,” she admitted. “It was super shocking, especially when the city of Hawkins split in half. I went through a lot of emotions.” Though she’s been a loyal fan since early seasons, Solomon confessed she’s nervous for the finale: “I feel like everyone’s going to die. I don’t think it’s going to have a happy ending.” She and millions of fans online predict that core characters like Eleven, Will, and Lucas will have to make major sacrifices to keep their hometown and the world safe.
Photo courtesy of Pitchfork
This jumbled mix of excitement and anxiety is echoing throughout EA. Andrea Yu, Upper School Librarian, noted her thoughts on the nail-biting ending: “Season 4 definitely ended on a cliffhanger… I almost expected one of the main characters to die, so I was a little disappointed they didn’t go further with it.” Despite her worries about the writing of the plot, she’s confident that the Duffer Brothers will deliver a satisfying finale. “They’ve done such a great job every season. This show has been nine years in the making, and I’m honestly ready to have my heart broken.”
Lawson Cale ’26 watched the first season when it premiered and has been keeping up with it since. He’s curious to see how audiences respond to the finale. “I really enjoyed the first season,” he explained, “and I’m excited to see what the world thinks of the conclusion of the series.” Similarly, Cai Parker ’27 shared her excitement for the highly anticipated final season. “I’m really excited for Season 5. I’ve already seen all the other seasons,” she said. “I don’t think they should kill off people unless it really helps the plot. Let’s keep our favorites safe, like Steve Harrington and Max Mayfield.” Still, Parker admitted she’s bracing for some heartbreak. “Max is probably going to die, but other than that, I’m really excited.”
Meghan Limaye ’28 hopes for an iconic end and opens up about her opinions on Season 4’s ending. “I was pretty upset about Eddie’s death. I think he was a really interesting character… I loved the theories about the couples and how Will and Mike are standing next to each other, and how Eleven is isolated in that stance when they’re all standing separately.” On Season 5, she said, “I’m 100% excited to see where all the characters end up and who ends up dying and who ends up surviving.” She added, “I feel like everyone thinks everyone’s going to die, but I feel like that’s not actually going to happen. I’m totally hyped!”
Darkness is creeping into Hawkins, and with the final season almost here, EA students and teachers are gearing up to see their favorite characters face horrifying monsters, make tough decisions, and fight for their town one last time. Now is the perfect time to rewatch the show, or binge it if you haven’t already!
