A lot of my friends weren’t that keen to watch the final season of Stranger Things.

I get it.

It kind of feels like it wore out its welcome after a few seasons. I wouldn’t say I was counting down the days until it was released, but I was excited to cross the series off my list once and for all.

Season five picks up shortly after the events of season four. The military has the town on lockdown while investigators look into the portals opening up around Hawkins. Meanwhile, the gang is up to their old tricks. They’re plotting and scheming to triple-check that Vecna is dead. 

Eleven is being hunted by the military, Max is in a coma and the others are finishing up high school. Although the 4K resolution gives away their age and their three-day growth. I can’t talk since I had the early stages of a moustache at the end of primary school.

For a season that only has eight episodes, Stranger Things doesn’t muck around. It jumps straight into the action and gives you a rough idea of where it’s headed. When those plans succeed or fail, the next strategy builds on the last one rather than sending the plot in a whole different direction. The show always feels like it’s moving forward, something I feel is lacking in Peacemaker season 2 and Fallout season 2, which I’m watching now.

Every character’s story progresses a little more in each episode, with different group dynamics to mix it up. Robin (Maya Hawke) and Will (Noah Schnapp) were probably the most interesting. I also enjoyed the banter between Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). 

The character that stood out most to me was Dr. Kay, played by Linda Hamilton. She kicked ass in every scene she was in and emerged as a legitimate threat, which is pretty cool for someone who’s almost 70.

Brett Gelman also had his moments as the comic relief. If you like his comedy, I strongly recommend checking out Eagleheart and his Comedy Central specials.

There are some things I didn’t love, if you’ll allow me to nitpick a little.

I did get tired of the action boom sound every time something was slammed on a surface. You know the one I’m talking about. The loud beat when a superhero lands on cement. It’s overused in Stranger Things season five. One of the kids kicked out their kickstand. BOOM. A map was slammed on a desk. BOOM. Someone tied their shoelaces. BOOM. Ok, maybe that last one didn’t happen. I eventually tuned out the action boom sound every time something was slammed on a surface, but it still stuck with me.

The show also tends to cut away from characters mid-story and jump to another scene. Eventually those characters would return to a different location and pick up the story where they left off. Did they just walk in silence between the two scenes? I know I shouldn’t really question realism in a TV show about another universe, but it just felt weird. Blame Conan O’Brien. I’m pretty sure he brought up this common plot hole in an interview and it shattered my world.

As I said, I’m nitpicking. Every episode of Stranger Things season five had a purpose and kept both the characters and plot moving. Even if it took 90 to 120 minutes for a couple of them. Most importantly, I think Stranger Things stuck the landing in the final episode. I’ve been disappointed by so many series finales that I go into them cautiously. It’s a hard thing to end a show, but Stranger Things wrapped up nicely.

I’m not sure if it needed 40 minutes after the final battle to tidy everything up, but I’ll let that slide considering the last episode had some great music choices. 

If you’ve been holding off on Stranger Things season five, I would say knock it off now before someone spoils it for you. It’s got some fun moments, epic scenes and quality tunes. I don’t think you’ll regret it when the credits roll for the last time.

12 Angry Men, High Potential Season 2, Cyberpunk 2077, Skate Story, Spider-Man 2 (the game), Fallout Season 2, Peacemaker Season 2, Inside Number 9 Season 7, Bachelor Party, Resident Evil Village, and more.

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