What I’d change about season 5 of stranger things. Now, I’ve been a fan of the show since it came out, I’ve accepted the ending but I do realise that it had so much potential and it did feel a bit rushed compared to other seasons. No hate against the 5th season but this is what I’d do;
-I would not base the whole storyline on Holly, this wasn’t her show, she got more screen time than the main characters. It’s the final season of them finally beating vecna but her disappearance took away everything.
-wouldn’t have done a huge time jump, it took away the anticipation and cliffhanger the fourth season gave us.
-Would’ve kept argyle, he was such a funny character that was added to the show. That poor actor, he wasn’t reached out to after that season like they left him in the dust.
—more elmax scenes, they went through so much together and the sisterhood was all thrown out the window. They didn’t have a full conversation or a hug. They were best friends and max had been in a coma for ages and all they give us is “you’re here, you’re really here- im here” They were a crucial duo and they got absolutely no scenes together
—Wills coming out scene felt like too much, even Noah who is actually gay wasn’t 100% with it. He had to go to the Duffers in hopes to add a scene that closes the conversation. It should’ve been with a way smaller crowd, with people he’s closest with because a moment like that is very vulnerable.
-the final battle and vecnas death was TOO easy. Vecna is fucking powerful and hard to beat.. but it was over like that 👏 Its the final season and the final battle and he got defeated no problem. Like what?
That also goes along with ⬇️
-more people should’ve died. Its the final battle, going out with a bang. Vecnas powers and motives are difficult to beat. - it should’ve been like a massacre. As disappointing as some deaths might be, it should’ve been like a war.
-El was very undervalued this season. She barely got any good scenes. She’s up there with Vecna, and she got little to no scenes that show how powerful and badass she is, they dulled her powers down.
I grew up with this show, so mine and others relationship to it is shaped by waiting between seasons, watching characters change slowly, revisiting earlier moments with new context, and letting the story become part of your own timeline. That does change how the ending lands.
I've accepted the ending for what it is, could some things have been handled better? Absolutely. You can acknowledge flaws and still appreciate the outcome. You can be disappointed and still appreciate parts of the ending
So don’t come at me saying “it was a shit ending” or “only true fans appreciate the ending” ya ya ya- I’m 50/50
If you disagree with me on any of these, opinions are valid but leave me be istg
