The Boroughs Directly Recreates Stranger Things Season 1’s Ending In One Crucial Moment

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Be warned: this article contains major spoilers for the show The Boroughs. The very last scene in The Boroughs directly references the ending of season 1 of Stranger Things.

The creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, are executive producers of Netflix’s new sci-fi series, The Boroughs. The show concludes with Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina) and his companions celebrating, but a strange moment occurs: when Sam looks in the mirror, his reflection flickers—a glitch similar to the visions experienced by those affected by Mother’s blood, and by Sam himself regarding his late wife, Lilly (Jane Kaczmarek).

Jeffrey Addiss, co-creator of The Boroughs, revealed to ScreenRant that the show’s final scene includes a subtle reference to Stranger Things. He mentioned a mirror is involved, but didn’t elaborate for viewers who haven’t finished the series. The scene, featuring Sam looking into a mirror, intentionally echoes the ending of Stranger Things season 1, where Will Byers coughs up a creature and sees a frightening vision while looking in a bathroom mirror.

The scene involving Will is designed to demonstrate that even after being saved from the Upside Down, he remains linked to it, which foreshadows his future conflicts with the Mind Flayer, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), and the hive mind in later seasons of Stranger Things. Similarly, in The Boroughs, because all the strange occurrences were tied to Mother or those who consumed her blood, Sam’s reflection probably means he’s still connected to the alien creature, even though she appears to have died in the Cave of Wonders.

In an interview with ScreenRant, co-creator Justin Addiss revealed that he and Will Matthews have a clear plan for the future of The Boroughs if the show gets renewed. This means they intend to explain the mystery of Sam’s distorted reflection and the threat it represents. Given that Sam was near Mother when she was destroyed, it’s possible a piece of her remains within him, though, like those who consumed her blood, this will likely have significant repercussions.

Although the final mirror scene leaves things open-ended, the main story of The Boroughs wraps up after the first season. Sam and his neighbors uncover the truth behind the conspiracy, overcome the Shaws, and restore peace by liberating Mother and allowing her to pass away with her children. Personally, Sam has also moved on, finally accepting his wife’s death and realizing she remains with him in spirit. He’s now looking forward to the future with his daughter, Claire (Jena Malone), and the family he’s found in the retirement community.

The first season feels a lot like Stranger Things: the main monster is defeated, the secrets of Hawkins Laboratory are revealed, and the season ends on a cheerful Christmas note. Details like Jim Hopper leaving Eggo waffles in the woods strongly suggest Eleven is still alive, and the mysterious situation with Will sets the stage for future storylines – which ultimately led to the show lasting five seasons.

The quick popularity of The Boroughs on streaming platforms suggests it might get a second season, but it’s still too early to say for certain. The show has been praised by both critics and viewers, earning a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 95% from critics and 84% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast includes a talented ensemble featuring Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, Bill Pullman, alongside stars like Molina, Kaczmarek, Daly, and Malone, as well as Eric Edelstein, Carlos Miranda, Alice Kremelberg, Seth Numrich, and Ed Begley Jr.

All episodes of The Boroughs are now streaming on Netflix.

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2026-05-23 20:18