Stranger Things Season 5 Sneakily Resolves a Season 4 Plotline Everyone Overlooked

This article contains spoilers for Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5.

The opening episodes of the final season follow the residents of Hawkins as they attempt to uncover the next move of the sinister Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Following the unexpected disappearance of Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), it becomes clear that Vecna, operating under the mysterious persona of Mr. Whatsit, is targeting more children.

The group identifies Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly), Holly's school bully, as the next potential victim and must find a way to intervene before Vecna strikes. Directly confronting Derek is risky, so the team enlists the unpredictable Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson) for a more unconventional plan.

One of the season's standout scenes involves Erica arriving at the Turnbow household with an apology pie for her distant friend Tina (Caroline Elle Abrams). Her thoughtful gesture allows her entry, and soon everyone at the table indulges in the pieexcept Tina. One by one, the Turnbows collapse, while Derek finds the situation amusing before succumbing to the effects himself. Erica, however, is prepared for those who did not consume the pie, discreetly administering a syringe to ensure the plan succeeds.

Interestingly, Erica's decisive action echoes a line from Season 4. During a Hellfire Club D&D campaign, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) recruit Erica to fill in for absent players. Initially dismissed by Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) as too young, Erica impresses him with her character's stats: a chaotic, skilled rogue who would sneak behind enemies and strike them with poisoned weapons while maintaining a cheerful demeanor. This playful self-description mirrors her bold approach in Season 5 when handling Tina.

The scene is both suspenseful and humorous, showcasing Erica's resourcefulness and confidence. Her familys obliviousness to her plan only heightens the moment, making it a memorable example of her underestimated cunning.

Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 is now available for streaming on Netflix.

Author: Olivia Parker