Few shows have captured the minds of audiences for nearly a decade, and none have come close to the fame that the Netflix hit show, Stranger Things has procured. Since its debut in 2016, the series has become a huge cultural phenomenon, popular for its 80’s nostalgia, remarkable characters and intriguing storyline. This year, the final season of the iconic show premiered, causing fans to buzz, in part because of the endless theories that are keeping the show alive.
Much of the speculation centered around the powers of the characters. Eleven, the series’s iconic protagonist, had been a main point for fan theories. From her telekinetic theories to her psychic connection to the Upside Down, audiences debated how far her powers would grow. Will Byers also became a subject of discussion this season. Many people speculated that he might develop powers similar to Vecna, the series main antagonist, after several plot points hinted at a connection between them.
Milo Rios (12) said, “I totally thought Will would get powers, I mean, he was constantly paralleled to Vecna, it would’ve made total sense.”
Another fan-favorite theory involves the idea of a ‘secret episode’. The theory, nicknamed ‘Conformity Gate’, circulated on the internet, providing hope for people who expected more out of the final season.
Kylie Curtis (11) said, “I was honestly just hoping that a final, mystery episode could save the writing this season; it was so rough, and the ending felt out of place for the characters.”
The secret episode, set to release on January 7th, offered the prospect of unseen content that could explain unanswered questions from the finale, or even expand the show further. The speculation sparked numerous discussions, ranging from TikTok to Reddit. While Netflix remained tight-lipped, some debunked the theory, including directing duo Ross and Matt Duffer, and actor Jamie Campbell Bower, who plays the main antagonist of the show, Vecna.
Fans also speculated greatly over the fate of Eleven, especially on whether or not she would sacrifice herself to save the town of Hawkins, Indiana. The final season left her ending as vague and highly ambiguous, which caused both outrage and hypotheses online. Many viewers expected the selfless act, but the question of whether or not she was still alive caused many fan discussions to continue after the finale aired. The penultimate episode ended with a scene in which the original cast discusses Eleven’s fate, and they declare, “I believe.”
Jana Gonswa (12) said, “I did expect her to sacrifice herself because I thought she was gonna just save everybody else over her, but I definitely still think she’s alive!”
Part of the magic of the phenomenon show is within the fan-spun theories. Even after the series finished, fans continue to explore the mysteries behind the episodes, causing frequent rewatches and discussions about the theories. The excitement surrounding theories including Will’s powers, Eleven’s fate and Conformity Gate, demonstrates how Stranger Things is more than just a TV show. Stranger Things is an experience that can be shared with viewers to engage them beyond the screen itself.
