Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2: Upside Down Secrets and Will’s Revelation
Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 delivers high-stakes drama as Nancy faces catastrophe, Dustin uncovers the Upside Down’s truth, and Will’s emotional coming out scene takes centre stage.
Warning: Major spoilers for Stranger Things season 5 ahead. If you’re not fully caught up, you may wish to look away now.
It’s fair to say that the latest instalment of Stranger Things is packed with pivotal moments. Over the course of three episodes, viewers witness Nancy teetering on the brink of unleashing disaster, Dustin finally unravelling the true nature of the Upside Down, and Max making a remarkable return to her own body. Meanwhile, Will steps into the spotlight with a deeply personal admission, coming out to his friends and family in a scene that, according to the Duffer Brothers, proved the most challenging to script in the show’s history.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Will’s Story
Matt Duffer, one of the show’s creators, explained to Variety just how much care went into writing Will’s moment.
“We were so concerned about getting it right,”
he shared.
“There were a lot of things that went into it. I mean, we're definitely nervous about how it's going to go over with everyone. But not as nervous as we were handing it over to [Will Byers actor] Noah [Schnapp]. Because ultimately, it needed to resonate and be truthful for him. We really were writing it to and for Noah. He wrote us sobbing after he read it. So it really worked and resonated for him, which was great.”
Ross Duffer added that the original plan was to include Will’s coming out in the previous series, but the narrative focus on Vecna meant it was postponed.
“We just realised we didn't have the space to do it properly,”
he noted.
“I'm glad we didn't, because it really gave us time to arc an entire season toward this – toward this one moment. And yes, he is starting to embrace himself, which we see in Vol. 1.
The Scene That Changed Everything
Will’s journey reaches its peak in episode 7, ‘The Bridge’. He gathers Joyce, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, and others at The Squawk’s headquarters. There, he opens up about feeling out of step with his Dungeons & Dragons-loving mates. Through tears, he confesses,
“I haven't told any of you this, because I don't want you to see me differently. But the truth is, I am. I am different. I don't like girls. I mean, I do, just not like you guys do.”
He goes on to describe how Vecna has tormented him with visions of coming out and the imagined fallout, where some friends worry and others drift away.
“I'm alone, and I know none of that has happened and I know Vecna can't see into the future but he can't see into our minds, and he knows things, and it felt so real.”
Support and Fallout
Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, is the first to reassure him, promising that such fears will never come to pass. Jonathan, Will’s brother, quickly follows suit, and soon the rest of the group – Lucas, Dustin, and the others – offer their support as well.
Both volumes of Stranger Things season 5 are now available to stream. The finale is just around the corner, and for those needing a refresher, a detailed breakdown of the latest developments is available. Which series has been your favourite so far?