It has been nearly 10 years since Stranger Things first brought viewers into the fictional town of Hawkins and introduced a group of friends who would literally turn the world upside down.
From Seasons 1 to 4, the show has delivered several major revelations, but there’s no denying that the penultimate season dropped the biggest bombshells and cliffhangers, from Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) true identity to the arrival of the Upside Down in Hawkins.
After three years of waiting after Season 4, the story of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her battle against Vecna is coming to an end. So, here are five big things to remember before watching the highly anticipated Stranger Things Season 5.
The Fate of Max
Stranger Things Season 4 featured several deaths, thanks to Vecna. Each of his victims was revealed to open a new gate to the Upside Down, and he needed only one more kill to merge Hawkins with his evil realm.
Because Vecna preyed on individuals with significant emotional trauma and guilt, and Max (Sadie Sink) carried deep guilt over her stepbrother Billy’s (Dacre Montgomery) death, she became an easy target.
However, while she served as bait in the plan to kill Vecna, she ended up becoming a real victim herself: her limbs were snapped, she was blinded, and her heart stopped.
Although Eleven tried her best to find Max in the Void, Max was nowhere to be found, and her physical body in the real world remained in a coma.
The Upside Down is Already in Hawkins
Although Hawkins and the Upside Down have always been connected since Stranger Things began, the Season 4 finale revealed that the two worlds have now merged – the Upside Down has already begun bleeding into Hawkins.
After a massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake destroyed the town, killed several people, and left Hawkins in ruins, the invasion truly began. Upside Down spores drifted into the small town, signaling that the nightmare was only just beginning.
Vecna is One
If Eleven is the 11th test subject at Hawkins Lab, Stranger Things Season 4 revealed that Vecna is One and Dr. Brenner’s (Matthew Modine) very first test subject.
Eleven recalled how One, also known as Henry Creel, manipulated her into removing the Soteria device that restrained his powers. Once freed, he massacred the other children at the lab and later asked Eleven to join him.
When she refused, an intense battle broke out between them. Despite being nearly killed, Eleven managed to overpower One. But in defeating him, she accidentally opened the first gate to the Upside Down and, in doing so, transformed One into Vecna.
The Return of Eleven’s Powers
Eleven lost her powers at the end of Stranger Things Season 3, and many believed it was because of her battle with the Mind Flayer.
However, the truth is that her powers were only suppressed. Dr. Brenner, who returned in Season 4 after being presumed dead following a Demogorgon attack in the first season, helped her regain her abilities with the assistance of Dr. Sam Owens (Paul Reiser).
Through the Nina Project, the two scientists forced Eleven to confront her most traumatic memories in order to restore her powers. As she succeeded, she emerged stronger than ever.
Will is Still Connected to Vecna
Despite Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Steve (Joe Keery), and Robin’s (Maya Hawke) efforts to kill Vecna in Season 4, he survived the fire and will return in Stranger Things Season 5.
And how did the group know he was still alive? Through Will (Noah Schnapp).
Will sensed Vecna in the Season 4 finale, establishing a lingering connection between them that will be explored in the fifth and final season.
It was also revealed that the Upside Down is permanently frozen on November 6, 1983, the same day Will vanished. Since no one yet understands the cause of this phenomenon, the series finale is expected to reveal all.
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 (Episodes 1–4) is set to release on November 26, followed by Volume 2 (Episodes 5–7) on December 25, and Volume 3 (Episode 8) on December 31.
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