Stranger Things season 5 volume 2’s big twist could tear the fandom in two

This review does not contain major spoilers for Stranger Things season 5 volume 2, but there are spoilers for volume 1.

Stranger Things has a lot to live up to when it returns for season 5 volume 2.

Is this film on par with the level of greatness that the sci-fi films achieved in the previous four episodes? Less precise. Will the new series still wow fans? Very.

However, the incredible changes revealed in these new episodes have the potential to divide the fandom, almost as badly as Vecna ​​caused a rift in Hawkins.

Many people may love how the storyline unravels… but others may be annoyed that so much of what they thought they knew about Stranger Things has been turned upside down.

Split into three parts, the Duffer Brothers gave fans a hard time with the release of the fifth and final season of their Netflix phenomenon.

The second volume was released early on Boxing Day in the UK, consisting of three more episodes: Chapters Five to Seven, entitled Shock Jock, Escape from Camazotz, and The Bridge.

Chapter Five begins right where we ended last time, as the finale features one of the most iconic scenes in Stranger Things history – Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), wiping blood from his nose after using his new superpowers to kill three Demogorgons.

We arrive after a battle between Vecna ​​(Jamie Campbell Bower), the gang, and the military. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Will’s mother Joyce (Winona Ryder) are shocked by Will’s new powers, and Will praises his best friend as a real-life ‘wizard’.

However, a wave of sadness also washes over the group, as they come to terms with the fact that the children they were trying to protect have all been kidnapped by Vecna. Although they did everything in their power to stop their capture, it was not enough.

If you thought Noah stepped up his acting game in the first volume of season five, then you’ll be even more impressed when you watch these three new episodes.

Besides the fact that she is now a super-powered being like her friend Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), she is also affected by a valuable conversation she had with Robin (Maya Hawke) after accidentally discovering that he had a girlfriend.

After volume one came out, many people said that Stranger Things season five made them realize that Eleven wasn’t the main character of the show – Will was the main character of the show. And I’m starting to agree with them.

In the new episode, the group of everyone’s favorite party members grows in size as the search for missing Vecna ​​and Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) intensifies.

One of the most disappointing parts of volume one is the seemingly deteriorating relationship between Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Steve (Joe Keery), former close friends who were previously inseparable.

The volume two trailer reveals some resolution to their relationship, with them promising each other: ‘You die, I die.’ I’m going to make my own promise to you now – if you’re a huge fan of Dustin and Steve, then their reconciliation will make you cry your eyes out.

After watching the first part of season five, I can think of three actors for standout performances: Noah, Gaten, and Cara Buono, after Karen’s epic fight against the Demogorgon to defend her daughter.

I now name one more person to my MVP list – Caleb McLaughlin. Boy, does he really act like Lucas in volume two. His talent tore my heart apart, shattered it into a million shards, then put it back together again. Good.

Back to the twists and turns I won’t go into detail here. Right now, I’m not sure how I feel about it. It was one of those, ‘Everything you thought you knew was wrong’ moments, and I’m sure watching the final episode of Stranger Things will give me more clarity.

Similar to the title of Chapter Seven, ‘The Bridge’, volume two does feel more like a bridge between volumes one and three, but that doesn’t mean it’s without merit. I’m especially happy that Eleven’s sister Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) is back, because I think her storyline in season two received unwarranted backlash at the time.

Volume two may not have reached the same level of greatness as volume one in my eyes, and its storyline has the potential to divide the current fandom, but I optimistically remain steadfast in my belief that the upcoming two-hour episode on New Year’s Day will be one of the best TV finales of all time. I just hope I’m right.

Stranger Things season 5 volumes 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix. Volume 3 premiered in the UK on New Year’s Day.

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