How Stranger Things Season 5 Can Redeem The Show’s Most Controversial Episode

Stranger Things season 5 will be ending the sci-fi horror series, but before it does, it has a chance to redeem the show’s most controversial episode. The final stretch of episodes will feature all of Stranger Things‘ important characters defending Hawkins from Vecna. As the end of Stranger Things season 4 implied, this will be their most difficult battle yet.

With the series ending, so too are the many character storylines that have been ongoing since the show began. Important characters will finally see their stories come to a close after nine years of being onscreen. However, Stranger Things season 5 also has an opportunity to redeem one character whose first appearance in the show was highly controversial.

Kali Should Return In Stranger Things Season 5 To Redeem Her Season 2 Introduction

Eight Is Still A Loose End The Show Hasn’t Come Back To

Stranger Things season 2 introduced Kali, another child around Eleven’s age, who was designated Eight during Hawkins Lab’s experiments on children. While Eleven has telekinetic powers, Kali is able to warp people’s perception of reality. After her escape, she formed a small gang that’s been hunting down and killing associates of the lab as revenge for their actions.

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Her introduction in season 2 was controversial because of season 2, episode 7, “The Lost Sister,” which focused only on her and Eleven. The episode drew criticism for pausing other stories to focus on a standalone adventure, becoming the lowest-rated episode on IMDb. Since then, Kali has not returned, but has been mentioned at least once per season.

While she’s only been in the periphery of the show after season 2, she could still return and redeem her debut appearance. Since Stranger Things season 5’s battle with Vecna will require everyone to be part of the fight, Kali could return and contribute. However, the show would need justification for why she should come back into the fold.

How Stranger Things Season 5 Can Convincingly Bring Kali Back

The Battle With Vecna Could Use Another Super-Powered Individual

Kali is a loose end in the story, someone who could be an unexpected problem for Vecna’s plans if she was to return. If she came back in a larger capacity, this time as part of the main story, she might be more well-received than when she interrupted the flow of events in season 2.

Stranger Things season 5 could also have her show up for one episode to give her a proper sendoff. Since her story didn’t get fully resolved in season 2, just having her appear and confirming her whereabouts would allow the show to conclude without any loose ends. An amicable end for Kali would make for a satisfying redemption.

Stranger Things

8/10

Release Date

2016 – 2025

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz

Writers

Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock