The most-streamed series of 2022 is finally coming back with another season this November. Stranger Things fans are stoked to see how the show will end in the upcoming Fall and Winter months. The final season will be divided into three parts: the first two will have four episodes each, and the last will have only one episode. On November 26th, the first part is released, followed by Christmas Day, part 2, and the final part will air on New Year’s Eve. With the fourth season being over 12 hours long, it is expected that, although this final season only has nine episodes, it might be the longest season yet, possibly ranging from 13 to 14 hours, which many, including myself, can’t wait to see.

For those who are as excited as I am for the new season but honestly don’t remember what was happening last in the series, let me give you a summary of the events of season 4.

As many remember, this was the season of Vecna, the new villain from the Upside Down and the biggest threat to Hawkins. Vecna targeted people with past traumas and could only be stopped by having the person inflicted listen to music. This season went heavy into the themes of mental health with Vecna targeting Max, who had lost her brother in season 3 and still hadn’t come to terms with his death. We are also introduced to the new character of Eddie Munson, a friend of Dustin, and a man suspected of murder due to Vecna’s killings. 

While the primary focus is on Vecna, the Byers’ family has also moved to California with Eleven this season. They were living happily until a lab organization had to take Eleven to a secret Nevada lab to help her regain her powers and uncover her past and Vecna’s past. A third storyline was also seen in season 4, with Hopper still alive and trapped in a Russian prison. Joyce and Murray find this out, try to rescue him, and discover more demogorgons at this Russian prison. The season ends with each storyline reaching a climax. Eleven remembers her past and gains more power, Vecna opens four gates to the Upside Down at his victims sites in Hawkins, Eddie is assumed to be killed in the Upside Down, Max is still alive but on life support because of her encounter with Vecna, and Hopper finally kills the demogoron at the Russian prison as well as gets back to America with Murray and Joyce. Finally, the season ends with everyone in Hawkins gazing at the portals and chaos that is Hawkins.

Season 4 was packed with action and an intriguing storyline, and I can’t wait to see where they take it in season 5. So far, all we know about season 5 is the release dates for episodes and that this will be the final season. Many fans want this season to bring back actor Joseph Quin for his role as Eddie Munson, following his death last season. Knowing this show, I don’t think this will happen unless there was a plan in their written story for him to return. They will kill off whoever is necessary to show how dangerous the Upside Down creatures can be and to build other main characters by giving them a reason to keep fighting. No matter what happens in this final season, I can’t wait to see what they have prepared for the ending and what fate will meet Vecna and Eleven.