While Stranger Things has had a shorter run than The Walking Dead, which aired for 11 seasons, the two shows still have several compelling things in common. The hit Netflix series and the long-running AMC zombie apocalypse drama have captivated viewers with well-written villains who are more engaging than the average big bad, along with fairly realistic and terrifying settings. Two Stranger Things season 5 episodes will also be directed by Frank Darabont, who developed and produced The Walking Dead season 1.
Since Stranger Things and The Walking Dead share many similarities, it would be cool if the Stranger Things season 5 finale took some cues from the end of Rick Grimes's (Andrew Lincoln) journey. This storytelling device would help make the final episode memorable and moving.
Stranger Things Season 5 Needs To Give Nancy And Jonathan An Actual Storyline
Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers are two important Stranger Things characters, but they need a lot more to do.
The Stranger Things Season 5 Finale Should Feature Flashbacks Like The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead season 11, episode 24, "Rest In Peace," features several flashbacks of characters who have passed away, which could also work in the Stranger Things series finale. This includes Glenn (Steven Yeun), Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), and Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs). This storytelling technique is effective, powerful, emotional, and exactly what viewers want to see. When it's time to say goodbye to beloved characters like Rick Grimes, fans also want to remember characters who didn't make it. Even though The Walking Dead universe has continued spinoffs like The Walking Dead: Dead City, this was still an excellent finale.
Many characters have tragically passed away on Stranger Things, from Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn)'s heavy metal season 4 send-off to Barb Holland (Shannon Purser) being pulled into the Upside Down in season 1. It would be disappointing for Stranger Things to end without giving them a proper farewell. It would be great to see flashbacks of these characters in the last episode. Fans would be thrilled to see Barb again since everyone misses her and wishes that she had gotten more screen time. Maybe some brief flashbacks of Eddie and Barb could share some more information about their backgrounds or tease a big reveal about Vecna (Jamie Campbell Brown) and the Upside Down.
Perhaps every character who has died is together now in a happier version of the Upside Down and there could be a flashback about how they all got there. While this would be a little corny, it fits the emotional tone of the Stranger Things finale. Eddie, Barb, and Bob Newby (Sean Austin) could reassure the others that they're fine now, which would help the show come full circle.
Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) also needs closure after her brother Billy Hagrove's (Dacre Montgomery) disturbing death. No one is certain if Max will live in Stranger Things season 5. However, if she lives, she could have a flashback of one happy memory with her brother, which would help her move on. Although the siblings didn't have a good relationship, it would be nice to know that they had at least one good day or even an afternoon together.
What Has The Cast Said About Stranger Things Season 5?
While the Stranger Things cast hasn't talked in detail about the last episode of the series and it remains to be seen if there will be any flashbacks, the actors have said some compelling things about the end of the show. David Harbour called the finale "rich" and "satisfying," which makes viewers even more confident that they will enjoy the final episodes.
In a July 2022 interview with Deadline, Sadie Sink was asked about Max Mayfield's health in the final season. Sink said:
"I have no idea what’s coming in five and what that looks like. Max’s storyline is very up in the air, ’cause obviously she’s in a coma and Eleven can’t find her in the void. So who knows where she is and what state she’s in."
Fans are, of course, curious about the final scenes, and everyone also wants to know how the cast members felt about finally finding out the characters' and Vecna's fates. In a 2024 interview with Backstage, Gaten Matarazzo talked about this unique experience. The actor mentioned the table read for the Stranger Things series finale and said:
"It was a beautiful moment that I’m really glad that I have. After we’ve finally seen how it’s wrapping up, it really is just like: OK, now let’s just focus on doing it, now that we know what this arc is from [Season] 1 to 5.”
Netflix's Stranger Things Spinoff Needs To Be Radically Different In Order to Be Successful
Stranger Things season 5 is coming in 2025, and after watching the conclusion to this epic story, fans are curious what the spinoff could be like.