As the first episode of Stranger Things' fifth season unfolds on November 12th, 1983, Will finds himself within the treacherous confines of Castle Byers, deep in the ominous Upside Down. His desperate attempts to evade the relentless Demogorgon's relentless pursuit serve as a chilling reminder of his harrowing disappearance in season one. The creature's swiftness and strength prove to be insurmountable, and Will is swiftly taken to Vecna, who imbues the boy with a hive mind connection through an unseen transfer.
Cut to November 3rd, 1987, and Holly has grown into a young woman. The Byers have made the Wheeler's residence their permanent home, and the chaos of their breakfast routine underscores the stress on both Ted and Karen. Hawkins has been cordoned off, and the military has stepped up their operations, sealing the gaps left by the "earthquake" with metal plates. The kids find creative ways to amuse themselves, using these plates as a makeshift skatepark—a pastime that doesn't sit well with the soldiers who have imposed mandatory medical check-ups on everyone.
Robin now co-hosts a radio show alongside Steve, marking her 500th broadcast as she urges listeners to steer clear of the off-limits Military Zone. However, technical difficulties force Jonathan to intervene alongside Nancy, as both boys compete for Nancy's affection by racing to the top of the radio tower. Meanwhile, the girls' interest lies with Murray, who has smuggled in contraband after navigating the treacherous Military Zone. Among the contraband is a manifest revealing a supply run set for that night at 10pm.
Robin's DJ gig also serves as a conduit for communication between the gang in Hawkins, who receive the message once the signal returns. These supply runs are a regular occurrence, and the group has become adept at intercepting them. The ultimate goal is to use these trucks as a means of ingress into the Upside Down.
This season, Dustin has embraced the persona of Max, struggling with Eddie's tragic demise. He strolls into school wearing a fiery Hellfire shirt, unafraid to stand up to anyone, especially the Hawkins Tigers, now led by the formidable Andy. While his friends urge him to blend in, Dustin has other ideas. Unfortunately, his defiance leads to a beating at the hands of the Tigers, fueled by his confrontational attitude towards Andy.
Meanwhile, the military continues its relentless pursuit of Eleven, who is currently honing her skills to evade their troops and control her extraordinary abilities. Hopper and Joyce are there to support her, but they fear she's pushing herself too hard.
El's motivation for this intense training is simple: she wants to join the group on a supply run. The only way to earn her place is to beat a seemingly insurmountable time set by Hopper. Despite smashing that time with ease, Hopper clings to his protective father role and refuses to let her go.
Joyce speaks to Hopper in private, and he admits his concerns. Given the recon mission's nature and the military's specific interest in her, he doesn't see the benefits of sending her into harm's way. However, they eventually concede, and El is allowed to join the gang.
Leading the charge after her is Dr Kay, who appears to be the lead scientist behind whatever the military has brewing with the Upside Down. I anticipate we'll learn more about her in the episodes to come!
Holly's journey with Mr. Whatsit continues, a mysterious figure whose existence remains unfathomable to all around her. Time and again, she finds solace in his presence, only for her peers to dismiss it as a product of her imagination. Her teacher, caught red-handed observing Holly in whispered conversation with herself by the school gates, grows increasingly concerned. She enlists Karen's help, hoping for a rational explanation. However, it is Mike who steps in as the voice of reason, offering Holly words of encouragement that resonate deep within her. As a token of his support, he presents her with a figurine from the Dungeons & Dragons game, which she cherishes as a necklace at home.
Amidst Holly's inner turmoil and the desire to retreat from the world, the dynamic between Ted and Karen takes a turn for the worse. Their heated arguments downstairs hint at a stormy relationship, adding another layer of complexity to Holly's already tumultuous emotions. As she cries alone in her room, the rest of the group makes their move, preparing for the supply run. Four trucks arrive, with Hopper hidden away in one of them. Once the burners do their job, the trucks venture into the Upside Down.
This time, the gang keeps the signal going with a van tracking it from above, driven by Jonathan and Steve. However, when the truck suddenly slams on the brakes, it becomes clear that Vecna is preparing his strike. Things go awry as Will experiences goosebumps similar to those in season 2, collapsing to the ground in a seizure. In the chaos, Hopper takes a bullet while other soldiers spray bullets at a horde of Demogorgons that emerge.
When Hopper's truck crashes and the radio signal is lost, he finds himself alone in the Upside Down. Meanwhile, Will regains consciousness with a chilling realization: the Demogorgon is coming for the Wheelers. The others rush to save them, but their efforts are abruptly interrupted when a Gate opens in Holly's ceiling, and a Demogorgon bursts forth.
