The Stranger Things series finale was released to mixed reviews. Many fans felt disappointed, saying that the final battle felt rushed and underwhelming. Others, however, loved the finale and were left in tears.

Personally, I share a mix of the two as I feel that the fight with Vecna shouldn’t have ended so quickly. I think it would have had more of an impact if it had taken longer for the characters to defeat him. However, El sacrificing herself at the end as the Upside Down collapsed was devastating. The acting from Finn Wolfhard in that scene especially added to the weight of the scene. Adding to the emotional damage was the song playing as she does this, “Purple Rain” by Prince. That song was perfect for the scene, and I can no longer listen to it normally without thinking of that scene anymore.

I also enjoyed the extended epilogue. It nicely wrapped up every character’s story. With the older kids promising to get together every month, Hopper and Joyce getting engaged, and of course, the final scene with the party— a scene that prompted many emotions. It felt very nostalgic as the scene mirrors the first scene of the entire show, with the kids playing Dungeons and Dragons. It was nice to see what Mike thinks, and what all the viewers hope will happen to the party in the future. Especially what he and the rest of the members want to believe happened to El, that she gets to live a happy, peaceful life far away from Hawkins. However, it is up to the viewer what they want to believe happened to her.

The last few moments before the show ends are absolutely gut-wrenching as each of the kids puts their DnD binders away for the last time. They know it very well could be the last time they ever play Dungeons and Dragons, a game that shaped their entire lives up until this point.

Right before the show ends, Mike watches his sister and her friends play DnD for the first time, “passing the torch” to the next generation. He watches them for a few seconds and then closes the door, symbolizing the end of both the characters’ and viewers’ childhoods.

I know that the finale is divisive and many people hated it, even coming up with “Conformity Gate”, believing that there was an “actual” final episode. I personally feel that with the epilogue, the show ended perfectly.