What Is Dr. Kay Really Up to in STRANGER THINGS 5 and How Does Kali/8 Fit in?

The first part of Stranger Things 5 hinted at a significant guest appearance, which turned out to be Kali, Eleven’s sister, held captive by Dr. Kay in the Upside Down. The show revealed this late in the season, leaving viewers wondering why Dr. Kay was imprisoning the young psychic. Now, the second part of Stranger Things 5 explains Dr. Kay’s motives – and why she’s so determined to capture Eleven. The reason is dangerous and could lead to Eleven’s death, though not in the way you might expect. Be warned: this explanation contains major spoilers about Eleven, Eight, and Dr. Kay. If you want to avoid spoilers, check out our spoiler-free review instead.

What Is Dr. Kay’s Plan in Stranger Things 5? Volume 2 Reveals the Purpose of Kali’s Cameo

Initially, in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1, it seemed like Dr. Kay was researching the Upside Down to figure out why people were dying in Hawkins. However, we soon learned her main goal was actually to find Eleven, believing she was responsible for the town’s troubles. Dr. Kay made it clear she didn’t care if Eleven was a hero or villain—she simply needed her. We assumed this was because she wanted to stop the Upside Down, regardless of the consequences. But in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, we discover Dr. Kay’s real plan, and why she kidnapped Kali/Eight and is so desperate to find Eleven… and it’s far more sinister than anyone imagined.

The final part of Stranger Things Season 5 explains that Dr. Kay’s goal—and why Kali, also known as Eight, appeared—is to revive Dr. Brenner’s program. She wants to create more children with psychic abilities who can open gateways to the Upside Down, the Abyss, and potentially other dimensions. Absolutely not!

Dr. Kay Wants to Resurrect Brenner’s Program and Make More Psychic Children Like Eleven and Eight in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2

In the final volume of Stranger Things 5, Kali/Eight shares the full story of Dr. Kay’s villainous plan with Eleven. She explains that Dr. Kay kidnapped her and was responsible for the deaths of everyone she cared about – her entire found family. Dr. Kay had somehow obtained Dr. Brenner’s research and decided to continue his work. At first, Kali/Eight only knew that Dr. Kay had kidnapped her and was constantly taking her blood, leading her to believe Dr. Kay was like a vampire. Ultimately, Kali/Eight believed the only way to escape was through death, so she faked a collapse, fought back, and managed to flee. Dr. Kay, however, proves to be an even more monstrous creation than Dr. Brenner himself.

Is Dr. Kay a Vampire on Stranger Things 5?

We’re mostly kidding, but it’s hard not to wonder – could Dr. Kay be a vampire in Stranger Things 5? Her very pale skin now seems like a possible hint, and she really does look the part! It’s probably not true, but the thought definitely crossed our minds.

Dr. Kay Is Trying to Infuse Pregnant Women with Kali/Eight’s Blood to Make More Psychic Kids

Although Dr. Kay isn’t a vampire, she’s clearly involved in sinister activities. In Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Kali reveals she witnessed something terrifying through the door to her prison: Dr. Kay continuing Dr. Brenner’s work. Kali discovered a room full of pregnant women and realized why Dr. Kay had brought them to her Upside Down compound: Dr. Kay and her followers were injecting them and their babies with Kali/Eight’s blood, as seen in Stranger Things 5.

This mirrors Dr. Brenner’s old experiments, where he gave pregnant women Vecna’s (formerly Henry/One) blood, hoping to create children with psychic abilities like Eleven and Eight. However, in Dr. Kay’s program, the blood wasn’t working – all the pregnant women and their babies were dying because Eight’s blood wasn’t strong enough to create new psychics on Stranger Things season 5.

Kali’s Blood Is Not Powerful Enough to Create New Psychic Children, Dr. Kay Needs Eleven

Vecna/Henry/One Recieved His Blood Straight From the Upside Down

Unlike Dr. Kay, Dr. Brenner had a child—Henry Creel, also known as Vecna—who gained his connection to the Upside Down directly from the source, as shown in the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The play reveals that when Henry was initially infected by the Mind Flayer, it physically altered his blood, giving him powers. Dr. Brenner then used Henry’s changed blood to create other children with similar abilities. In Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Dr. Brenner tells Henry, “We’ve successfully transfused ten children so far, all with unique gifts. None of this would have been possible without you, without your blood. You’re as much a father to these children as I am, Henry.”

Even Henry/Vecna/One’s unique blood, recently obtained from the Mind Flayer, could only grant his psychic children a limited level of power.

Kali/Eight’s Blood Is Not Strong Enough to Create New Psychic Kids on Stranger Things 5, Volume 2

In Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Kali explains that Dr. Kay’s attempts to recreate Brenner’s methods using Kali’s blood failed. Even Henry/Vecna/One’s blood only resulted in one successful subject who wasn’t a weak copy of him – and that child was Eleven.

It’s now clear why Dr. Kay is so determined to find Eleven in the upcoming season of Stranger Things. She needs Eleven to rebuild Brenner’s program and create more children with psychic abilities, like Eleven and Vecna. Eleven’s unique blood – the only blood besides Vecna’s that has a direct connection to the Upside Down – is essential for creating these powered children. However, this also means Eleven will always be in danger, simply because of the power within her blood.

What Makes Eleven’s Blood the Most Powerful on Stranger Things?

I’ve always wondered what makes Eleven different. Dr. Brenner’s program produced a lot of kids with powers, but she’s the only one who’s strong enough to create other psychics. Honestly, we don’t have a clear answer yet. But it’s fascinating to me that Vecna – or Henry, or One – clearly saw a lot of himself in her, in terms of their abilities. I think that’s why he chose to spare her during the Hawkins Lab massacre. I’m really hoping the final season of Stranger Things will finally reveal what makes Eleven so uniquely powerful, even among all those other gifted children.

Why Does Dr. Kay Want to Restart Dr. Brenner’s Program and Create More Psychic Kids?

Okay, I’m officially convinced Dr. Kay is the villain! After watching Volume 2 of Stranger Things 5, it’s so clear she never got the message. She was totally trying to bring back Brenner’s program and make more kids with powers, all so the US military could exploit the Upside Down – and other dimensions, apparently – for its own gain. Seriously, even after everything that happened, she’s still upset they couldn’t weaponize the Demogorgons against the Russians! It’s just…wake up, Dr. Kay, and see the damage you’re causing!

Kali Wants Her and Eleven to Die Alongside Vecna to Prevent New Portals Opening Into the Abyss

So, what does this mean for Eleven? Kali, also known as Eight, believes she has the answer in the upcoming second volume of Stranger Things 5. She thinks both she and Eleven should sacrifice themselves along with Vecna. This, she argues, would eliminate the special genetic lineage that gives rise to psychic abilities, preventing the creation of more children with powers, opening of portals, and ultimately, another catastrophic event like the one unfolding.

Eleven believes she and Kali have a chance at survival, but Kali disagrees. She warns Hopper that defeating Henry won’t solve the problem, explaining that as long as Eleven lives, the Upside Down and The Abyss can always be reopened. Later, in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Kali tells Eleven that even destroying Dr. Kay’s lab and stopping Brenner’s program won’t break the cycle. Someone will always target Eleven and her powers, harming those she cares about like Mike, and using her blood to create more children with psychic abilities and open new gateways. Ultimately, all their efforts would be meaningless.

A grim prediction for the final part of Stranger Things season 5 suggests Kali and Eleven might sacrifice themselves along with Vecna and the Upside Down when the others destroy it. While dark, the idea feels plausible given the events of the show.

Will Eleven Die in Stranger Things 5‘s Ending?

Will Eleven follow Kali’s plan and sacrifice herself in the final episode of Stranger Things Season 5? It initially seemed like she might run away with Mike, who was trying to convince her they could build a happy life together, emphasizing that they deserved to finish their own story. However, Eleven’s desire to live appears to be fading as Kali reveals the dangers she faces – being exploited for her blood and potentially causing more monsters and death. The reality of these threats seems to be changing Eleven’s mind.

Currently, Eleven and Kali are venturing into the Upside Down so Eleven can try to defeat Vecna by entering his mind in the final part of Stranger Things 5. It’s an incredibly difficult task, but we expect Eleven will ultimately face a heartbreaking choice in the show’s ending: sacrificing herself to ensure no one ever creates another psychic child or opens a gateway to another dimension again. And we’re pretty sure it will be an emotional moment.

The final season of Stranger Things is now available on Netflix. Volumes 1 and 2 are streaming now, and the concluding volume, titled either Volume 3 or The Finale, will be released on December 31st at 5 PM Pacific Time / 8 PM Eastern Time.

Rotem Rusak, who leads the team at TopMob, wishes Eddie Munson had been the character who appeared behind Dr. Kay’s door in the upcoming season of Stranger Things.

2025-12-26 10:05