Some shows stay with us for years, becoming part of our lives in small, familiar ways. Stranger Things is one of those shows, and after nearly a decade, fans were eager to see how the story would end. But now that season five has arrived, many viewers are sharing the same frustration.

The new season brings back all the beloved characters—Eleven, Hopper, Dustin, Mike, and the rest of the Hawkins crew—as they face their biggest threat yet. The town is breaking apart, the Upside Down is spreading, and new faces, like Linda Hamilton’s mysterious Dr. Kay, add fresh tension. On paper, it should feel like the grand, high-stakes finale fans were promised.

The turning point comes with the reaction. While critics offer mixed reviews, fans seem focused on one thing: the show refuses to say goodbye to anyone. Several moments appear to set up major character deaths, only for everyone to walk away mostly unharmed. Viewers who expected a final-season body count feel let down.

Some fans argue that real danger needs real loss, pointing to scenes they believe should have ended differently. Others, however, say killing beloved characters is just shock value and doesn’t always make the story stronger. The debate has become one of the loudest conversations around the season.

Despite the complaints, many still praise the emotional moments, the nostalgia, and the big swings the show continues to take. And with volume two still ahead, there’s hope the finale will find the right balance.

As the story of Stranger Things prepares to close for good, one thing is certain—few shows have sparked this much love, debate, and excitement all at once.