AsStranger Thingsheads into its final episodes, the Netflix series has many plot lines to wrap up, but one can be settled offscreen between seasons 4 and 5. The science fiction horror drama TV show has become a cultural phenomenon in the past eight years, and its impressive run is finally coming to a close.TheStranger Thingsseason 4 endingfeatured several cliffhangers, including Vecna’s win and the Upside Down merging with Hawkins, Indiana, meaning season 5 has many conflicts to address. However,one story that began inStranger Thingsseason 1 can be left in the past.
Stranger Thingsseason 5 will premiere sometime in 2025 and consist of eight episodes — “Chapter One: The Crawl,” “The Vanishing of [TBA],” “The Turnbow Trap,” “Sorcerer,” “Shock Jock,” “Escape from Camazotz,” “The Bridge,” and “The Rightside Up.”
Over the course ofStranger Thingsseason 4, Vecna almost killed Max (a few times), Vecna was revealed to be Henry Creel/One, Joyce and Murray saved Hopper, Will all but confirmed his feelings for Mike, and much more. So, it’s safe to say that season 5 has a lot of work to do to answer season 4’s questions and solve the show’s overarching mysteries. But if there is one story that doesn’t need to be whollyexplored inStranger Thingsseason 5, it’sthe love triangle that has been plaguing the series since the beginning.
Stranger Things Should Just Resolve Nancy’s Love Triangle Offscreen
Season 4 Brought The Nancy/Jonathan/Steve Love Triangle Back
As many know,Stranger Things' resident love triangle includes Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve, and it can be traced all the way back to season 1. It was seemingly resolved in season 2 when Nancy broke up with Steve and later started dating Jonathan. However,Stranger Thingsseason 4 resurrected the love triangle (for no good reason).Now, the Netflix series must address the question of who Nancy will end up with (or if she will end up with either of them). This resolution can easily happen offscreen before season 5, especially because the premiere will feature a time jump.
Nancy’s love triangle is just a bad story thatStranger Thingsnever should have brought back, and she might be better off single during the show’s last season.
Stranger Thingsseason 5 will take place one and a half years after season 4, as the last episode’s events transpired in March 1986 andseason 5 will pick up in the fall of 1987.So, it would make more sense to end the love triangle before season 5’s events. It would be rather strange (pun not intended) if Nancy hadn’t decided between Jonathan and Steve by then. Ultimately, Nancy’s love triangle is just a bad story thatStranger Thingsnever should have brought back, and she might be better off single during the show’s last season.
10 Most Important Stranger Things Episodes To Rewatch Ahead Of Season 5
Stranger Things season 5 will arrive three years after season 4, and viewers can watch these episodes to refresh their memories before diving in.
Stranger Things Already Has Way Too Many Stories For Season 5
Season 5 Has Too Much On Its Plate To Worry About A Tired Love Triangle
Stranger Thingsseason 5 already has enough to deal with without having to worry about resolving a love triangle that many agree is frustrating and uninspired. As mentioned above, season 4 ended with Hawkins in flames.The next episode must explain what happened after Vecna began merging the Upside Down with reality,especially since the hour’s beginning will feature a lengthy time jump.TheStranger Thingsseason 5 premierehas to explain the events between the season 4 finale and season 5 (without using too much exposition) and reveal where the characters are now, both physically and emotionally.
Alex Breaux
TBA
Aside from disclosing what happened after season 4’s ending and addressing its cliffhangers (e.g., if Max survived),Stranger Thingsseason 5 must also reveal the fates of every characterand solve some of the show’s biggest mysteries (e.g., the origin of the Upside Down). So, a tired love triangle should be the least of the writers' concerns.They would be wise to simply resolve the question of who Nancy ends up with offscreen,whether that means her fully committing to Jonathan, leaving Jonathan for Steve, or becoming single. Whatever the case,Stranger Thingsseason 5 has to leave the love triangle in the past.
Stranger Things
Cast
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
