The highly anticipated conclusion to Netflix's flagship series, Stranger Things Season 5, has finally premiered, but it is now embroiled in a storm of controversy. The finale, a sprawling 2 hours and 8 minutes episode titled 'The Rightside Up', is being heavily criticized by a section of fans who are drawing unflattering parallels to the infamous ending of HBO's Game of Thrones.
A Wave of Fan Disappointment and GoT Comparisons
Across social media platforms, viewers have expressed their dismay, labelling the finale as "too safe" and, in a damning indictment, "worse than GoT". Many have pointed out specific scene similarities with the fantasy epic, mentioning elements reminiscent of the Night King, White Walkers, and characters like Arya Stark and Jon Snow.
"I'd give credit if it were 11 years wasted and not 9. This is Game of Thrones all over again, but worse," one netizen commented. Another user elaborated, stating that while Stranger Things declined in quality over seasons, its ending was still more forgivable than the perceived deliberate missteps of Game of Thrones' final season.
The criticism has been sharp and widespread. "Much worse than the Game of Thrones finale," claimed one viewer. Another disappointed fan remarked, "Y'all just made the final season of Game of Thrones look like Shakespeare." A common sentiment was that the finale played it safe, with one fan noting, "This doesn't feel like a carefully crafted ending; it's a guidebook of safe, cowardly choices."
Defending the Ending and Creative Intentions
However, not all reactions have been negative. A loyal segment of the fandom has rushed to defend the series conclusion. "Now the ending was not like GOT as some people predicted. This is the best series ever made," one supporter wrote. Another praised the final act, saying, "Well, that's how you end a show... the final 2 hours sure as fuck didn't disappoint. 100/10."
This debate was somewhat anticipated by the creators. Even before filming began, director Dan Trachtenberg had highlighted a key difference between the two shows in an interview with Variety. He argued that Stranger Things maintains a consistent pace of "rock and roll throughout the entire season," unlike Game of Thrones' structure which often builds towards a climactic battle.
Promises Kept and Expectations Subverted
The show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, had previously assured fans that the Stranger Things finale would not feature a Red Wedding-style massacre of main characters. They promised an ending that felt 'inevitable'. The final season appears to have stayed true to this word, effectively tying up loose ends, closing character arcs, and giving the town of Hawkins a semblance of peace.
The official plot synopsis for Season 5 set the stage: "The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred... our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna... The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they've faced before."
While the narrative delivered closure, it arguably failed to deliver the "unexpected" twists and bold narrative risks that the show had cultivated over its five-season run. This contrast between a neatly wrapped conclusion and the audience's appetite for a groundbreaking finale lies at the heart of the current controversy, ensuring that the discussion around Hawkins' final chapter will continue long after the credits have rolled.
