The first four episodes of “Stranger Things” season 5 were released Nov. 26, more than 1200 days since season four aired. Beloved recurring characters are finally back on our screens, along with some other familiar faces taking on larger roles this season.

It has been quite some time since the release of season four, so Netflix provided a recap to refresh viewers’ memories. I’m glad I made use of the feature, and I would recommend that others do the same, because season 5 jumps right into action.

The first part of the season focuses on tying up loose ends from season 4 while also building an unexpected twist. The main goal remains defeating the evil Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), but the monster’s typical tactics have taken a turn.

I have always enjoyed the unpredictability of “Stranger Things” and how viewers can unravel the mysteries along with the characters. This season is no different, as it kept me guessing at every turn, racing to figure out a solution.

In the beginning, it is revealed that Mike Wheeler’s (Finn Wolfhard) sister, Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), is the next target of Vecna. I thought this was a really random twist, as Holly was not at the forefront of any of the previous seasons.

Although this twist seemed out of place at first, I was very impressed with how it tied into Vecna’s psyche and his predisposition to encroaching on vulnerable minds. Holly quickly became a new favorite of mine, and I found myself rooting for her as she was preyed on by Vecna, who presented himself as an innocent young man named Henry.

Another new aspect of this season is the friendship between Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), Vecna’s first victim in season one, and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), a goofy but determined teenager. The two seem like an unlikely pair, but ultimately prove essential in unraveling Vecna’s tangled web.

Robin and Will team up to decipher Will’s remaining connection to Vecna’s mind. This discovery leads to them uncovering Vecna’s future targets, which proves to be helpful as they get closer to locating and defeating the monster.

But apart from just monster hunting, the two also bond over a shared sense of identity.

Robin is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is not out to anyone besides her best friend, Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). In past seasons, there have also been hints to Will’s sexuality being further explored, with a possible romantic interest in Mike. 

Robin supports Will and shares a heart-warming story of her own journey of self-acceptance. I am glad to see that Will is getting more screentime and that the writers are giving him a more defined personality. 

Another notable duo are fan-favorites Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) and Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson), who also made a return this season. They always pack a punch with their snappy one-liners and outlandish schemes. Although these two are still as funny as ever, they seem to be maturing this season and taking on a larger role in defeating Vecna.

In particular, Dustin tugged at my heart strings as he grieved the death of his close friend Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn). Dustin visited Eddie’s grave and was jumped by a group of school bullies. This scene reminded me why Dustin is my favorite character. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and always stands up for what he believes in, which are admirable traits for someone so young.

Although I found the first four episodes of season 5 to be entertaining, I initially felt that the plot could’ve easily been condensed into two episodes instead of four. I held that opinion until the very end of episode four, when Will’s integral part in this season was revealed.

In the final minutes of episode four, it is unveiled that Will has supernatural powers. As he is taunted by Vecna, he recalls his motivational conversation with Robin. This sparks his powers and helps him muster the courage to demolish the encroaching demogorgons with his mind. 

The final episode ended with a cliffhanger that will definitely hold the audience’s attention until the second part of the season is released. Three more episodes will be released on Christmas Day, with the final episode airing Dec. 31.