Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2: Upside Down Secrets and Will’s Big Reveal
Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 brings major twists: Nancy nearly ends the world, Dustin uncovers the Upside Down’s truth, and Will’s emotional coming out scene takes centre stage.
Heads up: this piece is packed with spoilers for Stranger Things season 5. If you’re not caught up and want to avoid finding out what happens, best to give this a miss for now.
There’s no denying that the latest batch of episodes in Stranger Things season 5 Vol. 2 is chockers with drama. Over just three instalments, Nancy comes dangerously close to triggering a global catastrophe, Dustin finally gets to the bottom of what the Upside Down really is, and Max manages to claw her way back to her own body. Meanwhile, Will steps up and shares his truth with his mates and family, hoping to break free from Vecna’s grip. The Duffer Brothers have said that this particular moment was the toughest to nail down in the entire series.
Will’s Moment: A Scene Years in the Making
Matt Duffer explained,
“We were so concerned about getting it right. There were a lot of things that went into it. I mean, we're definitely nervous about how it's going to go over with everyone. But not as nervous as we were handing it over to [Will Byers actor] Noah [Schnapp]. Because ultimately, it needed to resonate and be truthful for him. We really were writing it to and for Noah. He wrote us sobbing after he read it. So it really worked and resonated for him, which was great.”
Ross Duffer added that Will’s coming out was originally meant for season 4, but with so much of the story focused on setting up Vecna, it was pushed back.
“We just realised we didn't have the space to do it properly,”
he said.
“I'm glad we didn't, because it really gave us time to arc an entire season toward this – toward this one moment. And yes, he is starting to embrace himself, which we see in Vol. 1.
He went on,
“But what he realises is that there's still something in there that Vecna exploits – which is that he hasn't told anyone about this. That ultimately led to the coming out scene. Originally, it was just going to be Joyce in the original draft of the outline and the scene was not hitting properly. We realised that Joyce is an important part of this, but he really needed to do it in front of everyone.”
The Big Scene: Will Faces His Fears
In episode 7, titled ‘The Bridge’, Will gathers Joyce, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, and the rest at The Squawk’s HQ. He opens up about feeling out of step with his D&D-loving crew. Through tears, he admits,
“I haven't told any of you this, because I don't want you to see me differently. But the truth is, I am. I am different. I don't like girls. I mean, I do, just not like you guys do.”
He describes how Vecna has haunted him with visions of coming out and the fallout, imagining some friends worrying and others pulling away.
“I'm alone, and I know none of that has happened and I know Vecna can't see into the future but he can't see into our minds, and he knows things, and it felt so real.”
Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, is the first to reassure him, promising that none of those fears will come true. Jonathan, his brother, backs her up, and soon the rest of the group chimes in with their support.
What’s Next for Hawkins?
Both volumes of Stranger Things season 5 are now streaming, with the finale just around the corner. If you’re keen to keep up with the release schedule or need a refresher on what’s gone down, there are guides and breakdowns available to help you piece it all together.
So, which season do you reckon stands out as your favourite so far?