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Season 5 of Stranger Things came back with its second batch of episodes that featured a major breakup, possible deaths — and Will opening up about his sexuality.
The second part of the show’s final season premiered on Thursday, December 25, with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) trying to remain in control of the Upside Down. Max (Sadie Sink) and Holly (Nell Fisher) make the difficult for him and he soon figures out that Will (Noah Schnapp) has access to his mind as well.
Luckily, Max was able to find her way back to Hawkins — but Holly couldn’t. She instead gets even more trapped as all the kids — except Derek (Jake Connelly) — turn against her. The rest of the group has to find a way to take down the big bad as they figure out more about his backstory.
Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) pieces together that the Upside Down is actually a bridge between the real world and a place full of exotic matter a.k.a The Abyss. Vecna’s final plan is to merge the two worlds together, which they have to stop.
Before they go off into battle, El (Millie Bobby Brown) is convinced by Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) that they can’t save the world and return. Kali instead tells Eleven to stay back and vanish for their own good.
There’s also Will, who realizes he has to be honest about his biggest fear before meeting Vecna again. He tells his loved ones that he is gay and receives support from them as they prepare to risk their lives one final time.
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of where each character ended up — including if they are still alive or dead — in part 2 of season 5:
Joyce Byers
After she discovers her son’s powers, Joyce (Winona Ryder) convinces Will to embrace them. This pushes Will to help Holly but it also briefly traps him. Joyce gets support from boyfriend Hopper (David Harbour) and she is there when Will returns. Joyce is also there for Will when he comes out to everyone.
Jim Hopper
David Harbour Courtesy of Netflix
Hopper and Eleven start out at odds when she realizes he was planning to help save her — but not himself. The rift gets worse when he sees Kali influencing Eleven … more on that later.
Mike Wheeler
The second part of the final season shows Mike there to help when needed. He also has a conversation with Eleven about their future where he remains more optimistic while she isn’t as sure that she will be safe once Vecna is destroyed. Mike is also there when Will comes out — and mentions his crush on a close friend — but it isn’t clear if Mike realizes it was about him.
Eleven
Back to Kali’s conversation with Eleven, part 2 shows Kali telling Eleven she will never escape from people like Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton). The new villain used Kali’s blood to try to create new “weapons” in the form of kids with psychokinetic and telepathic powers. To make that happen, Dr. Kay pumps pregnant women full of Kali’s blood but she realizes she actually needs Eleven’s blood, who was created through Henry’s blood.
Dustin Henderson
Following an emotional fight, Dustin and Steve (Joe Keery) hash out their issues. Steve insults Eddie (Joseph Quinn) for being a hero that got himself killed but Dustin admits he can’t lose Steve the same way. Dustin also figures out that exotic matter surrounds the Upside Down and is covering up the fact that the Abyss exists right above it.
Lucas Sinclair
As Max returns to the real world, Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) plays a big role in being there for her. He carries her body to make sure Vecna doesn’t get to her first and is there once she needs help adjusting.
Nancy Wheeler
Natalia Dyer’s Nancy is finally able to talk to Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) about their stagnant relationship. When she admits she doesn’t know what she wants, she breaks up with Jonathan in a subtle moment.
Jonathan Byers
Similarity, Jonathan confesses to Nancy about everything he kept from her — including his plans to propose. They don’t actually get engaged but they break up instead. He is present and supports Will as his brother comes out to everyone.
Will Byers
A conversation with Vecna makes Will realize he helped build the Upside Down when his mind was possessed all those years ago. He feels bad about the part he played and is even more determined to make sure Vecna loses his powers.
Before that though, Vecna makes Will see a version of a future where his loved ones don’t accept him for who he is. That inspires him to face his fear and come out to them — and he is met with support and love.
Max Mayfield
After two years in a trance, Max is able to return to the real world. She first spends time with Holly though and convinces her she can return from the Upside Down too. That doesn’t happen because Vecna has a strong hold on Holly so Max is left feeling guilty. She is able to reunite with Lucas though and is in a wheelchair as she regains her strength.
The Stranger Things universe is getting bigger and bigger — and Us Weekly is overflowing with suggestions for potential spinoff ideas. Viewers have been compelled by the mysterious town of Hawkins, Indiana, since Stranger Things debuted in 2016. As the Netflix series continued to find success, the Upside Down and the supernatural entities that came […]
Steve Harrington
Keery’s Steve lives to see another day as most of part 2 is him minding his issues with Dustin. He also thinks of the plan that is set into motion at the end.
Robin Buckley
In the new batch of episodes, Robin (Maya Hawke) gets to tell Vickie (Amybeth McNulty) the truth about what is going on.
Erica Sinclair
With help from Erica (Priah Ferguson), Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens) finally gets clued in on everything that has been happening in Hawkins.
Henry Creel and One and Vecna
Vecna’s backstory is revealed as Max and Holly see him in the cave trying to help a man. The unknown stranger shoots Henry as a kid and Henry then beats him to death. The rest of the second part shows Vecna trying to control the situation as Holly, Max and Will complicate his plan. The final scene is Vecna holding a séance where he takes over all the children.
