On December 31st, from 5 pm to 8 pm, many die-hard and longtime fans of Stranger Things gathered on a cold winter night to finally conclude the show. However, things took an unexpected turn as many fans were left underwhelmed by its conclusion.
As viewers watched the once-legendary show known for its great budget, drama, and memorable moments, they felt the finale was flat and lacked depth, leaving many longtime fans confused and upset. How could a show, which once broke Netflix, now be reduced to such a bland finale? The thrill between the finale and its anticipation did not meet the expectations of what was once, and arguably still is, proclaimed as the “best Netflix show.” The finale left viewers debating whether the show’s reputation truly lived up to its former glory.
It’s odd, to say the least, when it comes to Stranger Things, but universally, it can be agreed that, whether someone liked it or not, it is a show many people grew up with. It’s been nine years since the first episode premiered and went viral. Admittedly, as its epic run came to an end, the series had its ups and downs. But regarding the finale, it was more down than up. Many fans were disappointed by the unresolved plot holes and inconsistencies. Kevin Defreitas-Lee, a student from UC, called the ending “disappointing and lame” and added, “The fan theories were better than the finale.”
Similarly, a review from Script by Rahul Menon stated, “The writing this season often feels messy and overexplained. Characters repeatedly spell out emotions and motivations that the audience already understands.” Why has this once highly regarded show been left with a tainted legacy?
As mentioned, the first point leading to its downfall is the inconsistency, not just in the finale, but throughout the season. Clear answers were elusive, and inconsistencies worsened during the final season. For example, the military appeared as a threat, poised to affect everyone, yet disappeared after El “dies.” This doesn’t even account for characters committing mass genocide and breaking into government property without repercussions. Additionally, the final fight with Vecna, who was the show’s biggest threat, lasted only about 15 minutes. The inconsistencies extend beyond this, suggesting an explanation of why the finale failed despite its budget.
There’s no doubt about the extensive budget, evident in the finale’s stunning visuals. However, the primary issue was the short amount of time allowed for the finale to cover so many elements. The finale was only two hours long, which was insufficient to resolve all plot points. This is a significant reason for its failure. Had the writers taken more time to explore unresolved issues, the finale might have lived up to the show’s potential and its previous reputation. The finale was treated more like a service to fans, yet even that didn’t resonate with viewers.
Besides the short length, another issue was the failure to answer lingering questions. A controversial choice was making El’s death ambiguous. Leaving it to the viewer’s interpretation removed any real risk-taking on the part of the writers and directors. No significant characters died, which removed the story’s impact. Towards the end, everyone is fine despite the trauma from the Upside Down, undermining the dramatic effect it was meant to create.
Ultimately, Stranger Things can serve as an example for other shows to learn from its mistakes. The final episode wasn’t bad, but the way it was written and directed led fans to create their own theories for a true finale. Other shows and creators can analyze what went wrong with the Stranger Things finale. For a show regarded as one of the best on Netflix, a decent finale was expected. Despite the missteps, the series remains highly regarded.
In conclusion, mistakes can be made, big and small. Stranger Things made significant errors given what they had accomplished in previous seasons. The miscalculations don’t make the show bad or horrible, but they highlight the inconsistency that occurs when writing goes awry. Fans, though upset, can still appreciate growing up with Stranger Things over the past nine years. While the writing may have been upside down for this finale, the memories will always be right-side up for us fans.