The first part of Stranger Things Season 5 has a couple of issues. One is the unexpectedly large role given to Kali, also known as Eight. She only appeared in one episode over the first four seasons, but now she’s a major player in the final story. The first episode, “Chapter 5”, focuses on her for too long. While her storyline isn’t without purpose, it’s still a bit frustrating for viewers.
Kali/Eight’s surprisingly large role in the second part of Stranger Things 5 exists for two main story reasons (be warned: major spoilers ahead!). One reason is particularly annoying – it’s not only slow-paced, but it actually diminishes another character’s importance. The other reason is more compelling, adding a significant twist to the finale that could create a very powerful emotional moment. Hopefully, this will make all the less exciting scenes with Eleven’s sister worthwhile in the end. Right now, though, every scene with Kali feels like a distraction from the main action.
Okay, so as we get closer to the end, my biggest issue with the show is that it’s trying to manage way too many characters. It feels like they’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. Honestly, the whole military storyline is still dragging on when it really doesn’t need to be, and they just keep repeating the same mistakes. Look, Stranger Things 5, Volume 2 does give us some important info – and thankfully doesn’t explain everything – but it also answers questions that, frankly, nobody was even asking. It’s like they felt the need to tie up every loose end, even the ones we didn’t care about.
The final episodes of Stranger Things 5 mostly make sense of everything that’s happened, even though the show had a lot of story to work with already. While Volume 2 is a bit more focused than Volume 1, it still has to deal with all the new plot points introduced earlier in the season. At the same time, it finally explains the mysteries of the Upside Down and Vecna.
The second part of Stranger Things 5 quickly picks up the pace, heading to the fireworks factory in the very first episode. Once it gets there, things really explode with action. The final episode, “Chapter 5,” is truly outstanding – a thrilling, scary, and intense culmination of everything that makes Hawkins and the Upside Down so captivating.
The final episode of Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, is truly exceptional – arguably one of the strongest and most emotionally resonant episodes the series has ever produced. The performances are outstanding, and the episode is filled with incredibly powerful, moving, and often heartbreaking scenes. These moments feel deeply earned, because they come after years of watching and caring about these characters. It’s everything I love about Stranger Things, and I’m eager for everyone to experience it.
Chapter 7 isn’t packed with action, but it’s still deeply moving and captivating. It’s a cleverly done episode, setting the stage for the finale. This penultimate episode of Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, clearly lays out the plans of both sides, explains how everything came to this point, and emphasizes what’s on the line. While some mysteries remain for the final episode, they won’t leave viewers feeling unsatisfied. It’s truly impressive how Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, manages to deliver so much information while still focusing on its characters and their development, making for a very rewarding experience.
The final episodes of Stranger Things 5 get off to a slightly rocky start, but ultimately deliver on the promise of the series. It skillfully brings together all the different storylines, creating a cohesive and satisfying whole. What really stands out are the incredibly emotional and well-acted scenes focusing on the characters, and I found myself enjoying the episodes more and more as they went on, leaving me eager to see what happens next.
Mikey Walsh is a writer for TopMob who’s always working hard. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s also likely participating in any online discussions about ranking the Targaryen kings.
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2025-12-26 04:03