Stranger Things season 5 part 2 ending explained: Who broke up? Did Will come out?
Season 5 of Stranger things returned with its second set of episodes with a major breakup, possible deaths – and Will opening up about his sexuality.
The second part of the show’s final season premiered on Thursday, December 25 with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) try to maintain control of the Upside Down. Maximum (Sadie Zink) and Holly (Nel Visser) make things difficult for him and he soon finds out that Will (Noa Schnapp) also has access to his mind.
Fortunately, Max was able to find his way back to Hawkins, but Holly was not. Instead, she becomes even more trapped, as do all the children – except Derek (Jake Connelly) – turn against her. The rest of the group must find a way to take down the big bad while learning more about his backstory.
Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) piece together that the Upside Down is actually a bridge between the real world and a place full of exotic matter, also called The Abyss. Vecna’s ultimate plan is to merge the two worlds, which they must stop.
Before they go into battle, El (Millie Bobby Brown) is convinced by Kali (Linnea Bertelsen) that they cannot save the world and return. Kali instead tells Eleven to stay behind and disappear for their own good.
There’s also Will, who realizes he must be honest about his greatest fear before meeting Vecna again. He tells his loved ones that he is gay and receives support from them as they prepare to risk their lives for the last time.
Keep scrolling for a breakdown of where each character ended up – including whether they’re alive or dead – in Part 2 of Season 5:
Joyce Byers
After discovering her son’s powers, Joyce (Winona Ryder) convinces Will to embrace them. This prompts Will to help Holly, but it also traps him for a while. Joyce receives support from friend Hopper (David Haven) and she is there when Will returns. Joyce is also there for Will when he comes out to everyone.
Jim Hopper
David Haven
Thanks to NetflixHopper and Eleven get into an argument when she realizes that he intended to help save her, but not himself. The rift worsens when he sees Kali influencing Eleven… more on that later.
Mike Wieler
In the second part of the final season, Mike is there to help when needed. He also has a conversation with Eleven about their future, where he remains more optimistic, while she is not so sure that she will be safe once Vecna is destroyed. Mike is also there when Will comes out – and says he is in love with a good friend – but it is not clear whether Mike realizes it was about him.
Eleven
Back to Kali’s conversation with Eleven, part 2 shows Kali telling Eleven that she will never escape people like Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton). The new villain used Kali’s blood to create new “weapons” in the form of children with psychokinetic and telepathic powers. To make that possible, Dr. Kay pregnant women full of Kali’s blood, but she realizes that she actually needs Eleven’s blood, which was created by Henry’s blood.
Dustin Henderson
After an emotional fight, Dustin and Steve (Joe Keery) solve their problems. Steve insults Eddie (Joseph Quinn) because he was a hero who got himself killed, but Dustin admits he can’t lose Steve the same way. Dustin also discovers that exotic matter surrounds the Upside Down, obscuring the fact that the Abyss exists just above it.
Luke Sinclair
As Max returns to the real world, Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) plays a big role in being there for her. He carries her body to ensure that Vecna doesn’t get to her first and is there if she needs help adjusting.
Nancy Wieler
Natalia Dyer’s Nancy can finally talk to Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) about their stagnant relationship. When she admits that she doesn’t know what she wants, she subtly breaks up with Jonathan.
Jonathan Byers
Parable, Jonathan confesses to Nancy everything he has been hiding from her, including his plans to propose. They don’t actually get engaged, but break up. He is present and supports Will as his brother comes to everyone.
Will Byers
A conversation with Vecna makes Will realize that he helped build the Upside Down when his spirit was possessed all those years ago. He feels bad about the role he played and is even more determined to ensure that Vecna loses his powers.
But before that, Vecna shows Will a version of a future where his loved ones don’t accept him for who he is. That inspires him to face his fear and come to them – and he receives support and love.
Max Mayfield
After two years in a trance, Max is able to return to the real world. However, she spends time with Holly first and convinces her that she can return upside down too. That doesn’t happen because Vecna has a strong hold on Holly, so Max feels guilty. However, she is able to reunite with Lucas and is confined to a wheelchair while she regains her strength.
The Stranger Things universe is getting bigger and bigger — and Us Weekly is overflowing with suggestions for possible spinoff ideas. Viewers have been drawn to the mysterious town of Hawkins, Indiana, since Stranger Things debuted in 2016. As the Netflix series continued to find success, along came the Upside Down and the supernatural entities that were coming […]
Steve Harrington
Keery’s Steve lives to see another day, as most of Part 2 is him dealing with his issues with Dustin. He also thinks about the plan that will eventually be put into motion.
Robin Buckley
In the new series of episodes, Robin (Maya Hawke) can tell Vickie (Amybeth McNulty) the truth about what’s going on.
Erica Sinclair
With help from Erica (Pria Ferguson), Mr Clarke (Randy Havens) finally gains insight into everything that happened in Hawkins.
Henry Creel and One and Vecna
Vecna’s backstory is revealed when Max and Holly see him in the cave trying to help a man. The unknown stranger shoots Henry as a child and Henry then beats him to death. The rest of the second part shows Vecna trying to take control of the situation while Holly, Max and Will complicate his plan. The final scene is where Vecna holds a séance in which he takes over all the children.
