Stranger Things: Saying Goodbye to a Show That Meant Everything
- Screens in Focus
- Jan 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 10
I didn’t expect the Stranger Things finale to hit me as hard as it did, but here I am, still carrying it days later.
This wasn’t just the end of a show. It felt like the end of an era. Not just for Hawkins, but for a kind of storytelling that feels rarer now. Kids on bikes, found family, big emotions, synth-heavy nostalgia, and genuine heart.
I’ve heard the conversations. Some people felt the finale leaned into fan service. Others thought it didn’t fully stick the landing. And honestly, I get that. We all connect to stories differently. But for me, this ending worked, emotionally, thematically, and spiritually. It reminded me why I fell in love with this series in the first place.
Why This Show Always Worked for Me
At its core, Stranger Things was never just about the Upside Down or Vecna. It was about love, loyalty, and growing up, about holding onto the people who make you feel safe in a world that keeps changing.
The friendships. The sacrifices. The way these kids grew up onscreen together. The show never lost sight of that, even as the stakes got bigger and the world got darker.
And the finale honored that.
Character arcs were tied up with care. Relationships mattered. Quiet, tender moments were given as much weight as the big, epic ones. It knew when to slow down, and that balance is something I really appreciated.
Mike and Eleven: The Heart of the Show
No matter how wild things got, Mike and Eleven were always the emotional anchor for me.
Watching them grow from innocent first love into something deeper and more complicated felt real. Messy. Earned. They loved each other as kids, struggled as teenagers, and kept choosing each other through fear, distance, and chaos. That throughline kept me coming back season after season, and seeing it honored in the end absolutely broke me, in the best way.
The Music: A Love Letter to Nostalgia
Stranger Things has always understood the power of music, not just as background, but as storytelling.
If I had to pick my top three needle drops that define the series for me:
Kate Bush, “Running Up That Hill” (Season 4) Max’s moment wasn’t just iconic. It was emotional storytelling at its finest. Music as survival. Music as memory. Music as hope.
Journey, “Separate Ways” (Season 4)That sequence with Max, Lucas, and Erica stepping out of the motorhome and into danger was pure adrenaline. The song choice elevated everything and made the moment unforgettable.
Prince, “Purple Rain” (Finale) This one got me. Deeply. It felt like sacrifice, loss, and letting go all wrapped into one... a perfect emotional punctuation mark for the weight both Mike and Eleven have to bear. Still not over it.
And honestly, the list could go on. Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” deserves its own moment. Eddie’s performance in Season 4 wasn’t just unforgettable, it was defiant, electric, and emotional, a scene that instantly became part of television history.
David Bowie’s “Heroes,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide,” and so many others added layers of meaning across the seasons.
There’s a reason these songs surged on Spotify after the episodes aired. Stranger Things didn’t just use music. It reintroduced it, revived it, and attached it to powerful emotional memories for an entirely new generation.
A Proper Goodbye
What struck me most about the finale was how warm it felt. Yes, it was epic. Yes, it was intense. But it was also tender. It let us sit with these characters one last time. It understood that endings aren’t just about defeating the villain. They’re about letting go.
With Stranger Things ending, alongside shows like Cobra Kai and The Walking Dead (yes, it's been a minute, but still feeling the loss). I feel a quiet sadness knowing there may not be many stories like this again. Not quite like this. Not with this mix of nostalgia, sincerity, and heart.
This show has my whole heart.
Five stars. No hesitation.
And I’m really going to miss it. 🥹💜
Diana
Screens in Focus
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