Stranger Things Season 5: Unresolved Plot Holes & Questions

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Warning: major spoilers for Stranger Things season 5.

After a nine-year run and five seasons, the hit show Stranger Things has come to an end. While the finale provided a satisfying conclusion, some viewers have pointed out a few unanswered questions and plot inconsistencies. The series, known for its action, mystery, horror, and 1980s setting, consistently topped Netflix’s charts and captivated audiences for years.

Season 5 of Stranger Things picks up a year and a half after the events of season 4. The town of Hawkins is now under military quarantine, and soldiers have even established a base in the Upside Down. Despite this, the group of friends from Hawkins are constantly devising complex plans to enter the Upside Down and locate Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower).

Wow, after learning everything about the Upside Down and how Vecna started it all, we finally saw the plan to take him down and destroy that awful place come together! It was amazing to watch, even though it meant Eleven had to make a huge sacrifice. The ending really focused on what happens to everyone next, but honestly, it left me with a few questions and some things that didn’t quite add up. Still, it was a pretty satisfying conclusion!

What Happened To Dr. Owens

Over its five seasons, Stranger Things said goodbye to several characters, including Dr. Sam Owens (Paul Reiser), who had been a recurring figure since season 2. Although connected to the controversial Hawkins Lab, Owens consistently aided Eleven and her friends, offering support in seasons 2 and 3, and even collaborating with Brenner in season 4 to help Eleven regain her abilities.

As a huge fan of the show, I was really disappointed by what happened to Dr. Owens in season 4. It felt like a real betrayal when Brenner had him chained up just because Eleven wanted to go back to Hawkins. Then, to have Colonel Sullivan show up and completely disregard Owens’ desperate plea to protect Eleven… it was heartbreaking. Sadly, we haven’t seen or heard anything about him since, not even a mention in season 5, so I’m left wondering what ultimately happened to him. It’s a loose end that really bothers me!

The Pregnant Women In The Upside Down

Image via Netflix

A major discovery at the Upside Down base was Kali, but what was even more disturbing was the purpose behind her captivity. After a short escape, Kali found a room where pregnant women were being subjected to experiments. She discovered that her blood was being given to them in an attempt to create more children with special abilities.

Following that event, the women left at the base were essentially forgotten as the show concentrated entirely on stopping Vecna. It’s probable they were never rescued from the Upside Down and perished when the bridge collapsed. Even if they had been evacuated, a full recovery would have been very unlikely.

The Tank Full Of Water In The Upside Down

Image via Netflix

To defeat Vecna, the plan relied on Eleven entering his mind, which meant using a sensory deprivation tank. However, this tank needed to be in the Upside Down. Luckily, the Upside Down version of Hawkins Lab, mirroring Hawkins as it was on November 6, 1983, still had the tank necessary for Eleven to begin this crucial step.

The tank in the Upside Down was strangely prepared for use, already filled with water. This is a problem because we previously learned the Upside Down is completely dry – there are no lakes, ponds, or any water sources at all. It’s unclear why this tank was full, but the water even appeared clean, which is unusual for that dimension.

The Lack Of Demogorgons & Other Monsters In The Abyss

Image via Netflix

The discovery that the Upside Down is actually a connection to another dimension – nicknamed “The Abyss” by the kids – finally explained the origin of creatures like the Demogorgon and Demodogs. This dimension wasn’t just their home; it was also where the Mindflayer lived and where Henry Creel had been exiled.

When the Hawkins group finally reached the Upside Down’s core, the Abyss, they didn’t find any Demogorgons or other monsters. This was surprising, and could have made the finale more exciting and less rushed. Adding those creatures would have created more action, adventure, and tension – elements some viewers felt were missing.

What Happened To Dr. Kay After Eleven’s Death

Image via Netflix

Dr. Kay, played by Linda Hamilton, appeared in season 5 as a villain intended to fill the role previously held by Dr. Brenner, trying to continue his research. With Hamilton’s casting, viewers anticipated a truly formidable and unlikeable antagonist. However, the show didn’t fully utilize her potential as a villain.

Dr. Kay wasn’t featured much in the fifth season and had limited screen time. More frustratingly, the show didn’t resolve her storyline. Following Eleven’s sacrifice, Dr. Kay and her team were just dropped from the narrative with no explanation.

Max Graduating With Her Class

The latest season of Stranger Things jumped ahead 18 months, revealing the characters preparing for high school graduation. This was a particularly meaningful moment for Will, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Max, considering all they’d faced over the past five years. Notably, Max was among those graduating with her class.

Max spent 18 months in a coma, and her recovery took an unknown amount of time. Considering she hadn’t been a strong student before, it’s amazing she was able to graduate with her classmates after being out of school for a year and a half. It’s probable the school made allowances for everything that happened in Hawkins between 1986 and 1988.

What Happened To Murray After The Bridge’s Destruction

Murray was a fan-favorite character in Hawkins. Starting as a journalist, he quickly became a valuable ally to Joyce, Hopper, and the others. He played a crucial role in their plans when Hawkins was isolated, even venturing into the dangerous Upside Down with the team. Though he survived the trip, his fate after those events remains a mystery.

The last time anyone saw Murray was at the graduation, where he was sitting with Mr. Clarke and enthusiastically supporting Dustin during his speech. It’s unknown what Murray has been up to since then – whether he still lives in Hawkins or what he’s doing now – but it’s safe to assume he’s doing well.

Joyce & Hopper Not Acknowledging Going To School With Henry Creel

Netflix

Season 5 of Stranger Things is closely connected to the earlier play, The First Shadow, which has confused some viewers who haven’t seen it. A key reveal from the play – and briefly shown in the new season – is that Joyce, Hopper, Karen, Ted, Steve’s father, and Eddie’s father all went to school with Henry Creel.

Henry was once the lead in a school play organized by Joyce, but surprisingly, neither Joyce, Hopper, nor Karen ever mentioned knowing Henry Creel from school. Some viewers see this as a mistake in the storyline, but the show never actually depicted them discovering that Vecna was Henry Creel. Because of this, there was no narrative need for them to acknowledge having gone to school with him.

Eleven’s Fate

Image via Netflix

The biggest mystery remaining from Stranger Things is whether Eleven survived. In part 2, Kali suggested that the only way to stop the creation of more children with powers – like those created by Dr. Kay and her team – was through self-sacrifice.

Honestly, even though Eleven went along with the plan, it really got to me when Hopper questioned her about it. Seeing her just standing there as the Upside Down finally collapsed was incredibly sad. And then, right at the very end of Stranger Things, Mike finally explains everything he knows about Eleven – what he thinks really happened to her, and it was a beautiful moment.

Basically, Kali—possibly using trickery to make it seem like Eleven was hurt—created a convincing illusion of Eleven at the gate, allowing the real Eleven to slip away unnoticed. Mike and his friends choose to believe Eleven staged her own disappearance and is now living a quiet life, even if it means she’s doing so in solitude.

We don’t know for sure if the events unfolded as shown, or if it’s Mike’s interpretation of what happened, leaving viewers to decide Eleven’s fate at the end of Stranger Things.

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2026-01-03 00:51