Stranger Things came out in 2016 on Netflix and became extremely popular very fast. The show has high ratings and a large fanbase, reaching over 105 million total views in its last year (The Hollywood Reporter). With its final season recently airing, fans have a lot of opinions, speculations, and theories on the show’s finale. An alleged 9th episode was rumored to come out after the final episode, but it did not happen, and the Duffer brothers had already announced the 8th episode as the finale. Some fans say that the 8th and final episode was “perfect” and could not have been better. However, other fans are expressing disappointment surrounding the final season and especially the last episode. The episode was good, but not as emotional as the producers and cast were claiming it was, in my opinion.
If you have not watched the last episode, don’t continue reading, as there are spoilers ahead. The characters who died were very predictable and not very shocking. It was definitely sad, but not a surprise. Eleven and The Mind Flayer both died. The Mind Flayer also killed Vecna. Some people believe that Elle isn’t even actually dead. Even in the show, Elle’s boyfriend Mike has a theory that she’s still alive. The ending is really up to the watcher’s interpretation.
Because of this, we asked students at Lincoln-Way West, their thoughts on the ending, and this is what they had to say.
What do you think happened to Eleven at the end of the show?
Half of the students who responded believe she died. 25% do not watch the show or haven’t watched the end of season 5 yet, and 25% choose to believe she made it out alive. Neveah Montes said, “I think she’s actually dead and Mike’s theory is just a way to convince himself that’s she’s still alive. I like to believe she’s still alive though.” Sophie Thomas had a similar observation. “I refuse to believe Eleven is dead and the entire ending was fake and Mike and Eleven will end up together forever and ever and no one can convince me otherwise.”
Was the finale episode done poorly or perfectly?
The majority of students responding thought the finale was poorly executed. Five of the 30 students who answered did not watch it yet and five students found it just okay or somewhere in the middle.
Is there anything else you would like to say about Stranger Things?
“Max Mayfield is the best stranger things character and Molly is cool!”
“It’s a masterpiece”
“Great show, but the last season ruined the series.”
“They kind of messed up the ending and there are so many plot holes.”
“I love it so far and am excited to finish season five!”
“The first three seasons were good. After that it went downhill. They left so many plot holes and it became too modern.”
“It’s like they used Chat GPT to create the ending because they used up all of their ideas to pander to people.”
“More episodes!”
