Hawkins Faces Its Final Chapter
Stranger Things has officially returned with Season 5 Volume 1, marking the beginning of the end for one of Netflix’s most popular shows. Since its debut in 2016, the series has followed a group of kids in the small town of Hawkins as they uncover secret experiments, supernatural creatures, and an alternate dimension known as the Upside Down. With this, fans are now waiting to see how the group resolves these problems.
In Season 3, the group faced the Russians, who were secretly operating a lab under the Starcourt Mall to open a portal to the Upside Down. Eleven and the gang, including Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Max, had to stop the Mind Flayer, which was possessing townspeople and creating a giant monster.
This season ended with the destruction of Starcourt Mall, Hopper presumed dead in a Russian lab, and the Upside Down continuing to threaten Hawkins, showing that the town was far from safe.
Season 4 introduced Vecna, also known as Henry Creel or One, the most dangerous villain the group has faced. This season explored Eleven’s past at the Hawkins Lab and revealed how Vecna is connected to her powers.
The group was separated across different locations, Max was left in a coma, and Eleven temporarily lost her powers. By the end of Season 4, Vecna is badly injured but still alive, and large cracks appear in Hawkins, letting the Upside Down start merging with the real world.
Season 5 Volume 1 picks up right after these events, with Hawkins left damaged. Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and others must figure out how to reunite and plan for the final fight against Vecna. The final episode of Volume 1 reveals Will’s new powers, meaning Eleven is no longer the only one in the group with abilities.
Maikel Legra, a sophomore at Barbara Goleman Senior High School says , “The most interesting character this season so far would probably be Will, in my opinion. I actually think it’s crazy how he got powers at the end, and I lowkey wasn’t expecting that. But overall, I think he’s going to get more interesting in Volume 2.”
With Volume 2 releasing on December 25, most think that things are going to get way crazier. A big plot point is that Max’s mind is still trapped inside Vecna’s hidden world, which could make Eleven dive back into the Upside Down like she did with the sensory deprivation tank to save her.
Some also think Will’s connection to the Upside Down will matter even more, especially since he showed new powers in episode 4 that helped fight the Demogorgons and could play a role in stopping Vecna.
Sophomore Amy Sanchez gave her thoughts on what she expects from Will in Volume 2, “I feel like Will Byers definitely will play a big role during volume two. Although he does already play a big role during all these seasons, I feel like now he will have more screen time than usual.”
“The fact that Will got similar powers as Eleven is crazy, and also the theories out there are really spicing everything up. During volume two, the entire squad will eventually probably find themselves upside down or back to Hawkins, so they can find out the power that Will truly holds.”
Volume 1 showed a lot of crazy events, including Vecna and Max returning, Dustin trying to revive Hellfire, and Will’s new powers. Fans are now waiting to see what happens in Volume 2. With so much left unresolved, it’s clear the final episodes are going to be intense, and everyone is excited to see how the story ends.
