All the thoughts I had while watching ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Volume 1

Warning: Spoilers from Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 ahead!

Time to head back to Hawkins for the latest chapter of Stranger Things. It has been a while since we met Eleven and co. and lot has changed. For starters, a massive rift has opened up across town, blurring the boundaries between the real world and the Upside Down. Things are looking bad, dystopian even, as the gang goes up against Vecna and a horde of demogorgons who now have easy access to the living. The Duffer Brothers really have dialled up the stakes for one last season.

Here are all the thoughts I had while watching Stranger Things season 5 volume 1:

1. Getting all excited for Stranger Things season 5, only to realise that this will be the last run.
2. Back to Hawkins at last (after Netflix crashed for a bit). It feels familiar, except the gang’s all grown up.
3. Did the release model kill some of the buzz for the new season? Yes. But am I just happy to see Steve and Robin again? Also, yes.
4. Eleven gaining control of her powers and getting better every day makes me weirdly emotional.
5. Anyone else struggling to keep up with all the analogue tech jargon?
6. The way I’m rooting for Steve to win the reckless radio tower climb against Jonathan.
7. Wait, who is Mr Whatsit?
8. I’m team Steve through and through!
9. Steve and Dustin fighting like an old couple while Jonathan is struggling to find a signal to the Upside Down is my favourite thing.
10. El and Hopper’s heart-to-hearts will never not make me tear up.
11. They’re really going to make us relive Will’s trauma? The Duffer Brothers are brutal.
12. I just know Will and Robin’s friendship is going to be elite.
13. They’ve really outdone themselves with production. The season looks and feels grander than ever.
14. Two episodes in and I haven’t seen a single Eggo. The Duffer Brothers really meant it when they said this season is dark.

    

15. Not Will being more afraid of his mom than of Vecna.
16. Poor kid can hardly catch a break since season 1. And now he’s an “antenna” for tracking Vecna in the Upside Down?
17. Okay, I get that Henry Creel is a bad guy, but bro knows how to serve. The lewks!
18. Finally, Erika’s stepping in to save the day.
19. That goddamn bowlcut!
20. The devil works hard, but Murray works harder. What do you mean he gets them all their ammo and sweet treats in the middle of dystopian Hawkins?
21. Is that… another tiny ring? Belly’s ring has competition.
22. I’m team Steve through and through!
23. This is the kid they’re trying to save? Let Vecna have him fr.
24. Mrs Wheeler was drunk when she managed to not only fight but also injure a Demogorgon (her first time seeing one BTW)? Iconic!
25. A demogorgon falling for a Home Alone-level mannequin trick is hilarious.
26. Time travel fan theorists, take a bow.
27. Nope, not buying the whole Derek redemption arc.
28. Screaming, crying cuz Max is back!
29. A reminder, Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill is such a jam, I’d be following the music out of a coma too.
30. It’s giving “You’re a wizard, Harry.”
31. Will unlocking his powers after Robin’s pep talk is the most iconic thing to happen to Stranger Things.
32. Is he as powerful as El? Is he more powerful than El?
33. I was NOT ready for that ending.
34. The ending saved Part 1 tbh.
35. I cannot wait for Christmas!

Stranger Things season 5, volume 1, is currently streaming on Netflix. Volume 2 is set to release on December 25, 2025.

Hero and featured image courtesy: Netflix Media Centre