Stranger Things Season 5: Every Major Spoiler & Reveal In Volume 1

by

Be warned, this contains spoilers for the first part of Stranger Things season 5! The first four episodes of Stranger Things season 5 were full of big plot twists. Even though some time had passed since season 4, the main characters were still focused on defeating Vecna as the final season began. This first volume delved deeper into Vecna’s story and what drives him, and also revealed surprising things about other characters.

We’re halfway through the final season of Stranger Things, and many questions still need answering about the main characters. While the first part of the season revealed some secrets and solved old mysteries, it also introduced new ones that will be important as the story concludes in the last four episodes.

Vecna First Met Will In Season 1

Before the premiere of Stranger Things season 5, the first five minutes were released, revealing a crucial piece of information about what happened to Will when he disappeared in season 1. The scene showed that almost a week after going missing, Will had been hiding in a Demogorgon-inhabited version of Castle Byers in the Upside Down. The flashback explained how he ultimately ended up at the Hawkins library and what occurred there.

The Demogorgon brought Will to a library in the Upside Down, which was actually Vecna’s hideout. We learn that Vecna first met Will in 1983. After saying, “We can begin,” Vecna used vine-like tentacles to inject something into Will, establishing the connection to Vecna and the Upside Down that’s been shown throughout the rest of Stranger Things.

Will Can Tap Into Vecna’s Powers

Image via Netflix

In the latest season of Stranger Things, episode 4 revealed a connection between Will and Vecna that fans had suspected for a while. Will discovered he could enter Vecna’s mind – the same one experienced by his victims and the Demogorgons – and even use Vecna’s powers himself. He was able to use this ability at a crucial moment to help save his friends.

Once Vecna explained his scheme and highlighted Will’s vulnerability as proof of its success, Demogorgons began attacking Mike, Robin, and Lucas in different parts of Hawkins. Mike had theorized that Will possessed magical abilities and could connect to the hive mind, but Will surprised everyone. He somehow accessed Vecna’s own power, using telekinesis to stop and destroy all three Demogorgons. The effort was so intense that Will suffered a nosebleed.

The Military Has Kali In The Upside Down

Image via Netflix

The biggest surprise in the first part of Stranger Things season 5, besides Will’s ability to copy Vecna’s powers, was discovering that the military had been holding Kali—Eleven’s “sister” from season 2—captive. Hopper and Eleven originally found Kali, also known as Eight, while investigating a secret military lab studying the Upside Down. They were expecting to find Vecna behind a secure door, but instead found a former test subject of Dr. Brenner’s.

El believed something that weakened her – her “kryptonite” – was locked away in the vault. It’s still a mystery why the military has Kali and what their intentions are. However, Kali had her head shaved and was held captive, suggesting they might have been trying to force her to help find Eleven.

Dr. Kay Still Has The Military Searching For Eleven

Following the events of Stranger Things season 4, Eleven had to remain in hiding when she returned to Hawkins, largely due to the increased military presence. After nearly capturing her in the desert during the previous season, Lt. Colonel Sullivan continued to pursue her. With the military now controlling Hawkins following the “earthquake,” Hopper limited Eleven’s movements to the town’s underground tunnels for her safety.

Dr. Kay, played by Linda Hamilton, was urgently demanding that Sullivan and his team locate Eleven, repeatedly stating, “I need the girl.” While the military set up operations in the town center, Dr. Kay worked from a hidden lab within the Upside Down, a space that also held strange samples like plant-like vines.

Max & Holly Are Stuck In Henry Creel’s Mindscape

Image via Netflix

Even though Max remained in a coma throughout the first part of Stranger Things season 5, she found a way to reappear in the story. After Vecna captured Holly, she ended up inside Henry Creel’s mental world. Henry tried to keep her trapped in the Creel house, but Max managed to guide Holly to a rocky area outside the woods.

Max explained that she had died but somehow returned to life, becoming trapped inside Henry’s mind. After searching for a way out without success, she hid in a cave where Henry couldn’t reach her, and she’s been there ever since. Now that Holly is also a prisoner of Vecna, Max insists they need to collaborate on a solid escape plan before it’s too late.

Vecna Is Taking Children For His Master Plan

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

After Holly was kidnapped by the Demogorgon, Will figured out Vecna’s plan to take more children from Hawkins, including Derek Turnbow. Using his connection to the hive mind, Will discovered Vecna had already captured four children, Holly among them, but he wasn’t stopping there. The military noticed the pattern of disappearances and began gathering children aged 9 and 10.

In the first part of Stranger Things season 5, Vecna explained that he targeted specific people because they were vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. He intended to destroy their existing selves, rebuild them, and use them as ideal hosts to take over the world. He also revealed that Will Byers was his first successful subject, demonstrating the potential of controlling others.

Ted & Karen Are Nearly Killed By A Demogorgon

©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

While no major characters died in the first part of Stranger Things season 5, Ted and Karen Wheeler came very close to losing their lives. The Demogorgon attacked Holly, and both parents bravely tried to protect her, resulting in serious injuries for both of them. Karen fought harder to defend Holly, but both she and Ted were badly hurt during the encounter.

Nancy and Mike raced home, hoping to help their family, but they arrived too late. Their parents needed immediate hospital care, and Holly was nowhere to be found. This prompted Eleven to venture into the Upside Down to search for her. They soon learned that Ted was in a coma, but thankfully, Karen was able to assist Nancy and Mike after her surgery, revealing that the mysterious “Mr. Whatsit” was actually Henry Creel.

Dustin Has Changed Since Eddie’s Death

Image via Netflix

Eddie’s death in season 4 of Stranger Things was deeply upsetting, and Dustin is still feeling the loss. In the beginning of season 5, we see Dustin wearing a Hellfire Club shirt, and he shares that he wanted to bring the club back as a way to remember Eddie. Sadly, this made him a target for the school bullies, who still held Eddie responsible for the events that happened in Hawkins.

Things got even more complicated because Dustin has been acting completely different lately. He provoked Andy and the bullies so much that they ended up attacking him at the cemetery, forcing him to miss their next adventure. He also wasn’t truthful with Steve or his friends, claiming a bike accident caused his injuries instead of a fight. Steve suspected he was lying, but it’s unknown how long it will take for everyone else to find out the truth.

Jonathan Plans To Propose To Nancy

In season 4, Steve admitted he still had feelings for Nancy, so it wasn’t shocking to see the romantic tension between him, Nancy, and Jonathan continue in season 5 of Stranger Things. Even though Nancy and Jonathan were still a couple when the new season began, Steve kept trying to win Nancy over, sometimes even when Jonathan was around.

It turned out Jonathan was planning to propose – he’d even bought a ring. But Steve reminded everyone that they were both unhappy together, which Jonathan couldn’t disagree with. The rest of season 5 will show what happens to them, but it looks likely they won’t stay together.

Hopper Thought His Daughter Would Live

Image via Netflix

The first part of Stranger Things season 5 featured a lot of flashbacks, including scenes showing what happened to Will in the Upside Down and revisiting moments from earlier seasons. Throughout these episodes, Hopper remained focused on protecting Eleven, and the dangerous situations they faced often made him remember his daughter, Sara.

We learned in season 1 of Stranger Things that Sara had died, but Hopper later shared details about her final days. He told Eleven that doctors initially believed Sara could survive because she was fighting so strongly. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it, and Hopper was determined to prevent the same thing from happening to Eleven, which is why he was so overprotective of her in season 5, Volume 1.

The first part of Stranger Things season 5 is now streaming on Netflix. The second part will be released on December 25th, and the very last episodes will air on December 31st.

Read More

2025-11-27 13:11