If there’s one recurring problem in Stranger Things, its name is Fear. The Duffer Brothers seem determined to save the show’s true sense of sacrifice for the very last episode, which means that all the back-and-forth, elaborate plans, tears, and frantic running feel largely pointless; no one is ever in immediate, real danger.

After the shot that should never have happened, Dustin panics. There was no time to personally warn Nancy and Jonathan not to touch anything. At least he managed to find Dr. Brenner’s diary, containing all the explanations they needed. How convenient. After all, they were going in circles and losing to Vecna by seven to one.

Erika wakes up the science teacher to activate Plan C, while Vecna once again threatens Max and Holly, but still doesn’t enter the cave. At the same time, he captures Will, demanding that he resume “spying.” Once again, it becomes clear that Will was used all along to build the tunnels. When he refuses, he’s tortured. Vecna can operate on every front without much resistance.

After the shot, Nancy and Jonathan wake up to the universe literally melting around them. They try everything, but death feels imminent.

Lucas heads to the hospital to try to bring Max out of her trance by playing Kate Bush, unaware that Vecna is also on his way. If he can’t reach Max outside the cave, he’ll kill her physical body in the Upside. Meanwhile, Holly connects to the villain’s memories and finds an escape route from Camazotz.

Joyce regrets putting Will in danger after protecting him his entire life, but Hopper comforts her, saying she did the best she could.

Eleven prepares to enter the bathtub to save Will and the others. Under pressure, she explains to Mike the government’s project: using her blood, which comes from Henry, to create new Vecnas. Mike insists they’ll manage to save everyone, starting with Will. Eleven isn’t so sure.

Robin and her girlfriend have a relationship talk at the worst possible moment. Vicky doesn’t believe anything Robin says about what’s happening in Hawkins — which is bizarre, since a town under military lockdown and monster attacks hardly sounds like a delusion. But to the nurse, it apparently is. The argument delays their escape, and Robin ends up captured by the soldiers.

Dustin and Steve try to help Nancy and Jonathan, but hope is running thin. They make peace when Dustin breaks down in tears, saying he can’t lose him.

Nancy and Jonathan finally voice long-buried truths, bringing them closer than ever. When the end seems unavoidable, Jonathan finally proposes. And, miraculously… they survive. Ah, yes, plot armor.

Eleven enters the bathtub to find Will. By this point, her personal drama interferes very little with the final storyline.

Holly and Max enter a tunnel that turns out to be one of Henry’s memories — something that makes far more sense if you’ve seen the stage play, which is definitely not the case for billions of viewers around the world. Still, Max hears Kate Bush and finds a way out. What she doesn’t know is that Vecna is sending demogorgons toward the hospital.

In yet another moment of plot armor, a pack of demogorgons invades the hospital — but attacks only the soldiers. Robin manages to warn Lucas to remove Max’s body from where it is. Yes, as mentioned before, it’s tense in theory, but we know there’s no real danger for the main characters, so every escape feels artificially prolonged. Max will be saved. Lucas and Robin will make it out. The only one facing genuine risk is Vicky. Maybe.

Robin cries when she realizes that, to escape the demogorgons, they’ll have to turn off the music — the sound that gives away their location —, but if they do, Max won’t come back. Until someone solves everything by planting a bomb in a washing machine: Mike’s mom. How did she learn how to do that? It doesn’t matter. Plot armor! Everyone is saved! Yay…

Except that, in the episode’s most painful moment, Max realizes the exit is meant only for her. Holly has to find her own way out. The farewell is emotional. Max promises she’ll save her. The two part ways. If I didn’t know there’s narrative protection for all these characters, I’d be far more afraid for both of them.