Stranger Things Season 5: Jonathan and Nancy’s Relationship Evolution

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for the second part of Stranger Things season 5! For years, fans have followed the relationship between Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers, and the latest episodes finally give their story the attention it deserves. Episodes 5, 6, and 7 were released on Christmas Day, and while the show’s ending still has some mysteries, these installments featured several key moments.

One of the most impactful moments in Volume 2 was a scene between Nancy and Jonathan where they openly discussed the secrets that had been building between them, all while in a dangerous situation. But this conversation wasn’t just about their relationship; it was a significant development overall.

Jonathan’s “Proposal” To Nancy In Stranger Things Season 5 Explained

While exploring Hawkins Lab in the Upside Down, Jonathan and Nancy find themselves stuck in a room that starts to fill with a strange substance. The doorknob breaks off, leaving them with no obvious escape, and they begin to share their feelings with each other as they face a potentially deadly situation.

The show features a mix of confessions, ranging from significant issues like Jonathan’s deception about applying to Emerson to be closer to Nancy, to lighter revelations about Nancy’s musical preferences. Ultimately, the conversation culminates in a surprising turn: Jonathan reveals the engagement ring he’d hidden all season, but instead of proposing again, he asks Nancy if she doesn’t want to get married.

Okay, so things got really emotional – Nancy actually called off her wedding with Jonathan, which honestly surprised a lot of us watching! But then, right as everything felt super heavy, the weird, gooey stuff that was taking over the room just… stopped. It hardened instantly, and suddenly, they had a way to actually survive. It was a total game changer!

Stranger Things Made The Right Choice By Not Making Jonathan & Nancy An Engaged Couple

Although Jonathan and Nancy are a fan-favorite couple on Stranger Things – with many viewers also hoping to see Nancy with Steve – the show made a good decision not to have them get engaged. Considering how their relationship had been developing, Jonathan proposing a ring felt surprisingly sudden.

Season 4 showed that Jonathan and Nancy had grown distant, and though the Byers family moving away played a role, it seemed like their relationship just wasn’t working anymore. That’s why Jonathan suddenly proposing felt so unexpected.

The talk between Nancy and Jonathan makes it clear they shouldn’t marry. They both realize their connection is based on past trauma, which offers some comfort but ultimately holds them back. Marriage wouldn’t fix their problems, and Jonathan himself acknowledges this.

Are Jonathan & Nancy Still Together?

There’s a lot that can happen between a couple splitting up and getting married. Nancy and Jonathan could have stayed together as they were, acknowledging they weren’t prepared for marriage. However, the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, have stated that they’ve actually broken up. That moment where Jonathan didn’t propose was, in fact, their breakup.

The news sparked a variety of responses, particularly because a lot of viewers didn’t realize the couple had broken up during a private conversation on the show. While some fans are still hoping Jonathan and Nancy might get back together in the final episode, it doesn’t seem very probable, as Nancy appeared to be moving towards a more independent life by the end of the season.

While many viewers will be sad to see Jonathan and Nancy split up, it’s actually a better outcome for the show than if they had gotten engaged or married. It avoids a potentially less interesting storyline for their characters on Stranger Things.

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2025-12-27 17:48