“Stranger Things” is undoubtedly one of the most watched shows, especially considering its release as a Netflix exclusive. The fifth season is one of the most anticipated events of the year with over a three-year gap from the conclusion of the fourth season to the beginning of this new era. That leaves everyone wondering what could happen after all that time, and what kind of ending would be satisfactory for such a triumphant show?
The show could take one of two routes for handling the main crew’s outcomes. I strongly believe that the kill count for main characters will either be very low or very high, due to the fact that up until now they’ve all remained alive. Max Mayfield was brought to a near-death state throughout season four, so it’s definitely possible that we could be losing some of the original characters. For that reason, Will Byers has the greatest chance of being killed off in some way. He’s always been a catalyst for the upside down and the related villains through all the seasons and is showcased still being afflicted in the trailers for the upcoming season.
For similar reasons, I can see the same fate for Eleven. She is responsible for opening the gate to the upside down and causing a majority of the show’s conflict, and originally, she was supposed to be dead by the end of the show. When “Stranger Things” was still fresh and new and only had one season planned, the Demogorgon was killed in an act of self-sacrifice by Eleven. So I strongly believe the very end of the final episode will have her either dead or having to return to the upside down.
I also have some safe bets for who I believe will stay alive. Jim Hopper already had a period where he was pronounced dead and that was a major part of his character development, so I don’t think it would make a lot of sense to kill him again. It would take away screen time for other potential developments for the rest of the cast, and he better suits the role of a side character.
I can use most of the same reasoning for Lucas Sinclair. He is one of the original four boys that the show was focused around, but he has always had the least development and screen time, and I believe he is destined to have a happy ending with Max. Even though she is already hospitalized in critical condition, I feel like the writers would have her die between seasons if they planned on her not being around the final season. I think both of them will be safe, primarily due to other couples having more unfinished business.
Lastly, that brings me to Mike Wheeler. I saved him for last because I think it’s a little tricky to predict his fate for season five. Canonically, he is dating Eleven, but it’s an extremely popular fan and cast theory that he will end up with Will. “Byler” has been heavily hinted at throughout the whole show subtly, but has never been made official. In my personal opinion, I think a confession scene from Will to Mike will occur right before Will dies. I’m on the fence if those feelings will be reciprocated, but it would be a fitting and very cinematic end to their intertwined story.
It is hard to say exactly what will happen because the production of season five has been kept tightly under wraps, but it’s safe to say that there’s a lot of potential to conclude a long timeline of events. Whatever route the producers choose, it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
