Did 'Stranger Things 5' meet expectations? Part 1 offers clues, not conclusions

Season 4 of Netflix’s blockbuster 'Stranger Things' ended with the kind of cliffhanger that almost guaranteed sky-high expectations for its final chapter. Hawkins was left in ruins, split open by the rifts Vecna created as his long-gestating plan finally succeeded. Max was barely clinging to life after her brutal encounter with him, Eleven pushed her powers to the limit to pull her back, and the gang reunited just in time to witness the Upside Down bleeding into the real world. The last images of Season 4—ash drifting through the air and fire spreading across the fields—made one thing clear: the final battle had only begun.

Naturally, audiences stepped into Season 5 with enormous anticipation. This is the last season of one of the most defining shows of the decade, a series many people grew up watching. Every dangling mystery, every emotional arc, every shadowy threat from the Upside Down, fans expected answers, closure, and spectacle. Season 5 Part 1, which consists of the first four episodes, finally dropped. But the big question remains: did it deliver what we’ve been waiting for?

The honest answer is: not entirely.

Part 1 is definitely not bad. In fact, visually and technically, this may be the Duffer Brothers’ most ambitious work yet. The scale is massive, the world-building richer than ever, and the production value feels closer to a blockbuster film than a TV series. But in terms of storytelling, the season starts off shakier than expected. The first three episodes move slowly, almost too slowly, as though the show is circling around the real story instead of diving into it. Episode 4 picks up a bit, but even then, it never quite hits the emotional or narrative punch fans might have anticipated.

One of the biggest issues is the lack of meaningful character development. By now, every major character has been through so much—loss, trauma, supernatural battles—but Season 5 Part 1 doesn't take their arcs anywhere significantly new. The story feels stretched thin, as though it’s buying time before the real climax arrives. For a final season, where every moment should feel loaded with urgency, the tension isn’t as strong as it should be.

That said, the continuity from Season 4 is handled well. There is no major time jump, which helps maintain the emotional momentum from last season’s devastating ending. The characters are clearly still shaken, still processing what happened, and the danger around them feels immediate. We also get a few much-needed explanations about how the Upside Down works and why certain events unfolded the way they did. These moments help fill in some long-standing gaps, even if they aren't as earth-shattering as fans might have hoped.

Plot-wise, the characters are scattered once again. Eleven and Hopper find themselves navigating the Upside Down—this twisted, dark mirror of Hawkins—while inching closer to Vecna. Hopper continues to act like a man ready to sacrifice himself at any second, which adds emotional weight even when the plot slows down. Meanwhile, Mike, Dustin, Lucas and the rest of the gang are caught up in their own mission involving demogorgons, the terrifying humanoid predators from the Upside Down. Joyce, Will, Robin, and the kids of Hawkins have threads of their own to follow, making the season feel chaotic but not always purposeful.

Still, there are moments of nostalgia that land beautifully. Flashbacks remind us that the first season aired nearly a decade ago, and watching these kids grow into young adults has become part of the emotional core of the show. The callbacks, the music, and the emotional beats occasionally stir that original Stranger Things magic.

Season 5 Part 1 may not be the explosive start fans were hoping for, but it sets the stage for a potentially gripping conclusion. The pieces are all on the board—the real question is whether the Duffer Brothers can pull them together for one last unforgettable checkmate.