stranger things season 5 volume 2 — Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 Review: A Major Blunder by Makers or the Perfect Setup for the Finale?

Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 Review: Did Netflix Blunder the Release? The Truth About the Finale & Death Theories

Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 (Episodes 5, 6, and 7) has officially dropped. Since 6:30 AM, I’ve been glued to the screen, and to be honest, the internet is already flooded with mixed reactions. We have three new episodes that promise to answer the burning questions from Part 1, but did the makers drop the ball with their biggest franchise?

As a long-time viewer and critic, let’s take a deep dive into the story, the flaws, and the heartbreaking theories for the finale that these episodes have set up.

The “3-Part” Release Strategy: A Major Miscalculation?

Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately: Netflix’s release strategy.

Breaking this season into three parts feels like a mistake.

Breaking the Flow: The first four episodes were pure setup. Episode 4 ended on a massive cliffhanger involving Will Byers and his connection to Vecna.
* The Disconnect:* Episode 5 starts exactly where the previous part ended. However, because we (the audience) had a long gap between releases, the beginning of Episode 5 feels disjointed and disconnected.
Designed for Bingeing: It is painfully obvious that the makers designed this show to be binge-watched in one go, not fed to us in fragments. Had these episodes been released together, the pacing and impact would have been flawless.

Story Breakdown: Answers vs. New Questions

While Part 1 was all about raising questions, Part 2 (Episodes 5-7) finally starts giving us answers.

Vecna’s Motive: We finally get the backstory and the truth about the “desert-like landscape” inside Vecna’s mind. His goal is clear: to merge the two worlds permanently.
The Military Problem: Linda Hamilton’s character gives off strong “Terminator” vibes, but the writing fails her. Her character feels “one-dimensional.” The entire military force has a single-minded, almost robotic goal—to kill Eleven—without any strong emotional backing, which feels like a letdown.
Will’s Central Role: Will Byers is back at the center of the plot. His deepening connection with Vecna is clearly the key to how this entire story will end.

Character Highlights: The Good, The Bad, and The “Plot Armor”

The performances in Part 2 had some incredible highs and some frustrating lows:

Karen Wheeler (Mike’s Mom): She was the absolute surprise package. Seeing her finally pick up a gun and defend herself was a satisfying, cheer-worthy moment for fans who have waited years for her to get involved.
Lucas: There is a specific scene where Lucas kicks a ‘Demodog’ that stands out as pure entertainment.
Nancy and Eleven: Unfortunately, the writing here suffered from “Plot Armor”. In one sequence, a military truck is right in front of them, yet they escape. It felt unrealistic and took away from the tension.

The Finale Theories: Who Dies? (Spoiler Warning)

Episode 7 ends with a massive “Avengers Assemble” style moment where all the main characters are finally united. Based on the clues dropped in these episodes, here are the top 3 theories for the finale:

1. Steve Harrington is Doomed

Steve gave a very specific, emotional speech to Dustin: “Don’t be a hero.”. In cinema history, the character who says this is usually the one who ends up sacrificing themselves to save others. Prepare yourselves; Steve might not make it.

2. Eleven’s Ultimate Sacrifice

There is a massive “Wormhole” or “Flesh Gate” open in Hawkins that cannot be closed from the outside. The theory is that Eleven will have to sacrifice herself to close it from the inside. This mirrors the Season 1 ending, but this time, it could be permanent.

3. Closing the Loop

To truly end the series, the “Upside Down” loop must be sealed. Will Byers and his connection to Vecna will likely be the mechanism used to break this loop forever.

Verdict

Is Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 good? Yes.
Despite the frustrations with Netflix’s release schedule and some pacing issues where things felt a bit too fast, the show remains top-tier in visuals, acting, and production quality.

The ending of Episode 7 leaves you completely hyped for the finale. Now, we just wait to see if the makers give us a happy ending or break our hearts.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)