For a series built around a supposedly “simple” plan — and five seasons carefully avoiding the sacrifice of any major character — Stranger Things now seems determined to over-explain Vecna’s grand design. Every villain wants to destroy the world and rebuild it in his own image. We get it.

Max wakes from her trance, though recovery is slow and physically painful. She tells Lucas that what truly saved her wasn’t the music, but his belief. Mike, Hopper, and Eleven arrive at the hospital just as everything appears settled, until it isn’t. Holly is still missing.

She awakens inside the grotesque cocoon where she was bound to Vecna and tries to escape. Naturally, he’s right behind her. She tears open an exit and falls, discovering that the distance between worlds is far greater than anticipated.

Jonathan and Nancy remain trapped until Steve and Dustin pull them out. From here on, the show’s internal logic settles in: everyone runs, everyone suffers, but once plot armour has been fairly distributed, tension becomes theoretical. Nancy believes they’re still in the Upside Down; Dustin insists they’re not. The real mystery is location and escape. Then Holly screams. She’s falling straight towards them. Convenient.

Back in Hawkins, Plan C is activated under Erica’s leadership, with Mr Clarke’s help. Will, meanwhile, is overwhelmed by guilt at having been used by Vecna. Joyce reframes it: Will isn’t weak, he’s heroic, and dangerously underestimated.

At the hospital, now flooded with soldiers, the group regroups. Mike convinces his mother to stay put, promising he’ll find his sister. She believes him.

Contact with Dustin finally comes: they have Holly. A reunion follows, with a cruel twist. Holly isn’t with them after all. Vecna has taken her back. Once again, effort leads nowhere.

Lurking persistently on the edges, Dr Kay refuses to let go of her fixation on Eleven. Obsession doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Max struggles with the weight of leaving Holly behind. This gives way to the long-winded explanation of Vecna’s “simple” goal: destroy the world, rebuild it in Hawkins. Stop him within hours. Easy.

Henry manipulates the children with chilling ease. Holly tries to warn them, but only Derek could help — and fear makes him lie. Her escape attempt fails. She can’t catch a break.

Steve presents the perfect plan, with a final detail involving Dustin. And let’s be honest: Kali’s sudden willingness to help feels deeply performative.

Still, with the group finally aligned, there’s time for Dustin and Steve to reconcile. Kali, however, keeps insisting that nothing matters unless she and Eleven are willing to sacrifice themselves. Convenient framing.

Will decides to find Vecna’s weakness, but first, he tells the truth about who he is. He’s gay. He feared rejection and found acceptance instead. The moment is tender, affirming, and mercifully uncomplicated. With that weight lifted, action resumes.

They invade the military base yet again and enter the Upside Down. Eleven and Kali share a look. A silent pact: they’ll sacrifice themselves when the moment comes. Whether that’s truly Kali’s intention remains very much in doubt.

From his lair, Vecna addresses the children.

It’s time.

We will find out how it ends on December 31.