Nancy Wheeler’s Crucial Realization In Stranger Things Season 5

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Warning: spoilers for Stranger Things season 5, part 1.

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things has begun, with the first part now available. Throughout the show’s four successful seasons, many mysteries have unfolded, and now, as the story concludes, Nancy Wheeler (played by Natalia Dyer) offers a thoughtful observation about family. This final season is being released in three parts.

Season 5 of Stranger Things picks up a year after the events of season 4. The town of Hawkins is under military quarantine, and Eleven and her friends are working together to figure out how to defeat Vecna. But their plans hit a snag when Vecna unexpectedly targets the Wheeler family.

A truly shocking scene in the latest season of Stranger Things showed the Demogorgon attacking Ted and Karen Wheeler, and kidnapping Holly, Nancy and Mike’s little sister. After this frightening event, Nancy made a powerful observation about family.

Nancy & Mike Should Have Made Their Family Leave Hawkins

©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

Despite a brave fight against the Demogorgon by Ted and Karen to rescue Holly, both are severely injured and Holly is taken to the Upside Down. Meanwhile, the Hawkins group discovers, through Will’s connection to Vecna, that the Wheelers were the target, but Nancy and Eleven arrive at their house after it’s too late.

Nancy discovers her mother severely injured, and at the hospital, Ted falls into a coma while Karen has emergency surgery. While waiting for updates, Nancy, Mike, and Lucas struggle to understand the events surrounding Ted, Karen, and Holly’s injuries, with Nancy blaming herself and the others, though not for being late.

Nancy believes they should have confided in their parents, even if it would have been difficult to convince them. She thinks their parents could have then taken steps to help them leave Hawkins and find a safer home. While Vecna is solely responsible for his actions, Nancy raises a valid point about the importance of seeking help.

A major question fans have about Stranger Things is why the adults of Hawkins—aside from Joyce, Hopper, and Murray—don’t acknowledge or take action against the strange and frightening events. It’s also puzzling that the parents of the main kids and teens don’t seem concerned about their activities, even though they know their town is dangerous.

Ted and Karen might have been skeptical of Nancy and Mike’s story initially, but they likely would have believed them if presented with enough evidence, and perhaps even left Hawkins. It’s sad because, despite being unaware of the danger, they didn’t deserve the terrible fate that befell them.

How Vecna Warned Nancy What Would Happen To Holly & Her Parents

Nancy feels even more guilty and determined to get revenge on Vecna because he actually warned her what he planned to do to her family. During season 4 of Stranger Things, Vecna entered Nancy’s mind, showing her pieces of his past. However, he also tormented her with terrifying images, like Hawkins engulfed in flames and covered by dark clouds.

In season 4, Vecna traumatized Nancy by showing her a vision of her entire family deceased, fueling her desire for revenge. This vision now seems less like a depiction of reality and more like a chilling premonition. Although her parents are currently safe, their future remains uncertain, and they could still be targets for Vecna.

Over just four episodes, Stranger Things has significantly increased Vecna’s power and made him truly frightening. While the attack on the Wheelers was terrifying, Nancy is now focused on both finding her sister and defeating Vecna.

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2025-11-29 19:01