Stranger Things Finale

After 10 years, Stranger Things has ended. And we are not okay. Threads members are asking, "Is there a support group?" People are sad, and upset over the ending. I too was sad and upset. Why are we so devastated over these fictional characters? I have some thoughts.

The Duffer Brothers set out to make a series that honored the movies and popular culture of the 80s. I am Gen X, and remember the movies, music, and pop culture the Duffer Brothers were inspired by. I saw E.T. in the movie theater 13 times! I had Journey's album which featured "Separate Ways," used in season 4. I too rode my bike with friends all over town, not checking in with any adult until dark. Stranger Things captured my childhood, and brought back great memories.

The nostalgia was a huge factor for me in getting hooked on the show. The acting, and story were outstanding as well. Stranger Things exploded in popularity during the first season, and it never dwindled. People of all generations loved it.

With each season, the original group consisting of Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin encounter new challenges. In season 1, it was learning to trust Eleven. In season 2, it was accepting Max into their group. Season 3 introduced Suzie and the iconic duet with Dustin singing the Never Ending Story, as well as Lucas dating Max, and Mike dating El. Season 4 brings in Eddie and the Hellfire Club and an increasingly frightening Vecna. The seasons revolve around the friendships of these characters. There are also the stories of the adults, older teens, and younger siblings.

The Duffer Brothers scared us with the death of Will, which turned out to be fake. Later, Hopper was presumed dead but was really living in Russia, having been captured in Hawkins Lab. Eddie, though, really dies on the show. Going into season 5, fans were anxious to know who would survive the final showdown.

Eleven dying in season 5 was too much for fans, including me. The devastation on the faces of Hopper, Mike, and the others while she is standing in the Upside Down while it is about to be destroyed was heart breaking. Eleven deserved a happy ending and so did Mike. When I watched that scene I was mad.

Then in the last scene, Mike gives a theory about El being alive. The theory made sense to me. I became a believer! Still, I was not relieved. The show ending was making me feel sad. Online, people everywhere were saying the same things about the finale. A collective grief had settled on many of the fans.

I cannot speak for others, but I think I felt down because I don't like endings. I want good things to go on. Maybe it reminded me that my wonderful, feral childhood was over. That we all grow up and lose the magic of being young.

What helped me was to remember that I never lost my spark of wonder. I believe in the magic of life, whatever my age. I became a mom at 22, and I loved playing with my kids. Playing, laughing, smiling don't end after childhood.

I loved that Mike was called the story teller at the end, and that he became a writer. The world needs epic stories to inspire, to teach, to represent. Stranger Things was a great story that touched people all over the world. It came to an end and we feel bad about it. And that's okay. It's hard to lose something you love or loved. For a decade we have been invested in this show. So if we need support, that's okay too.