After years of anticipation and speculation, Stranger Things Season 5 has finally landed on Netflix, and with it, a whirlwind of emotions for fans who have grown attached to the residents of Hawkins, Indiana. As the penultimate batch of episodes (Episodes 1-7) dropped, viewers braced themselves for heartbreak, wondering which beloved character might meet their end in the show's grand finale. But so far, the Duffer Brothers have been surprisingly merciful—no major characters have died yet, though the sense of impending doom hangs thick in the air.
According to Decider, the season opens with high stakes but unexpected reprieves. Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), harnessing his newfound "Sorcerer" powers, steps in just in time to save Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Robin (Maya Hawke) from the clutches of Demogorgons. Meanwhile, Mrs. Wheeler (Cara Buono), defying her own frailty, rises from her hospital bed to fend off Demodogs sent after Max (Sadie Sink), who remains in a comatose state. Even Mr. Wheeler (Joe Chrest), though left in a coma offscreen, manages to survive a harrowing monster encounter. These moments of salvation have left fans both relieved and anxious—surely, not everyone can escape the Upside Down unscathed forever?
Yet, it’s the fate of Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) that’s drawn the most attention this season. In Episode 5, aptly titled “Shock Jock,” the pair find themselves trapped as chaotic matter threatens to melt the room around them. In what could have been their final moments, the two open up about the cracks in their long-term relationship. Jonathan, in a bittersweet twist, reveals he’s been carrying an engagement ring, and in a moment of gallows humor, asks, "Nancy Wheeler, will you not marry me?" Nancy accepts, but then drops the ring, which pings across the now solid floor—miraculously saving them both from certain death. It’s a scene that, according to Decider, felt like a beautifully written goodbye, only for the show to pull back at the last second.
But was this a romantic gesture, or something far more final? According to PEOPLE, co-creator Matt Duffer has cleared up any confusion: "That's a breakup ... They are broken up." The scene, which some fans interpreted as a sign that Nancy and Jonathan would work through their differences, was in fact the end of their relationship. The Duffer Brothers had been building toward this moment for some time, with Matt Duffer explaining, "It’s hard to recall when exactly that idea came, but I think us—and the writers—all felt that Nancy needed to end up on her own and be independent and have an opportunity to find herself." Ross Duffer added that their connection was more of a "trauma bond" than a lasting romance.
This breakup marks a significant turning point in the series’ ongoing love triangle between Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve (Joe Keery). The triangle, which began in Season 1 with Nancy and Steve dating before Nancy moved on to Jonathan in Season 2, has been a source of both drama and fan debate. Steve, who developed feelings for Robin (Maya Hawke) in Season 3 only to learn she was gay, has since become an integral part of the Hawkins crew, and his fate in Season 5 has been a particular cause for concern among fans.
Rumors of Steve’s demise were fueled by a playful but ominous moment on a late-night talk show, where the Duffer Brothers tossed his Funko Pop figure off a table while teasing the finale. But as reported by Times Now News, fans can breathe easy—for now. Steve survives Episodes 5, 6, and 7, spending much of Vol. 2 in the Upside Down alongside Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Jonathan, and Nancy as they search for a generator in the old Hawkins lab. Tempers flare between Steve and Dustin, culminating in a physical fight, but the two eventually reconcile, with Dustin gifting Steve the sphere and shield once wielded by Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) in Season 4. Their pact—“You die, I die”—underscores the ever-present danger, but also the deep bonds of friendship that have defined the series.
Steve’s leadership shines as he devises “Operation Beanstalk,” a bold plan to lure Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) using the WSQK radio tower, while Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) prepares to use her powers to infiltrate and defeat the villain. The group’s strategy is clear: draw Vecna out, let Eleven strike, and then detonate a bomb to close the portal between Hawkins and the Upside Down once and for all. It’s a plan fraught with risk, and with the finale looming, the stakes have never been higher.
Throughout its run, Stranger Things has drawn heavily from 1980s pop culture and the supernatural thrillers of Stephen King and Steven Spielberg. The show’s blend of nostalgia and horror has captivated audiences, but it’s also led to criticism that the main characters are too often shielded from real consequences. As Decider points out, while supporting characters like Barb Holland (Shannon Purser), Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine), Eddie Munson, Bob Newby (Sean Astin), and Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) have met tragic ends, the core cast has largely escaped permanent harm. Even Eleven and Hopper (David Harbour) have survived apparent sacrifices, only to return in later episodes.
With just one episode remaining, fans are left to wonder if the Duffer Brothers will finally deliver the gut-punch they’ve been teasing since the show’s inception. Will Eleven make the ultimate sacrifice, or will Hopper’s long-running flirtation with death finally catch up to him? And what of the love triangle—will Nancy and Steve find their way back to each other, or will Nancy’s newfound independence take her down a different path entirely?
One thing is certain: Stranger Things Season 5 has masterfully set the stage for a finale that could redefine the series’ legacy. Whether the Duffer Brothers choose to spare their heroes or force them to face the ultimate cost, the emotional groundwork has been laid. Fans have been given time to say goodbye, to grieve lost relationships, and to brace themselves for whatever comes next. As the clock ticks down to the final showdown, all eyes are on Hawkins—and the monsters, both literal and metaphorical, that threaten to tear it apart.
After years of near-misses and last-minute saves, the fate of Hawkins hangs in the balance. The only question left: who, if anyone, will make the ultimate sacrifice when the curtain falls on Stranger Things?
