8 Stranger Things Characters We Hope Season 5 Doesn’t Forget About

Stranger Things season 5 will be the show’s final installment, and there are eight characters the show can’t forget about before it wraps up for good. ​​​​​​Stranger Things has become one of Netflix’s most popular original series ever, taking over as one of the major forces in streaming originals. As Stranger Things season 5 prepares to bring the epic series to a conclusion, there is no shortage of loose ends to tie up and characters to say goodbye to.

Stranger Things season 4’s ending left Hawkins in a precarious position, creating speculation about who might return to Stranger Things‘ cast in its final season. There are plenty of characters who are certain to play a major role in the series’ final installment, but there are also loads of intriguing side characters who might not get to do much. With that in mind, Stranger Things season 5 should hand significant roles to eight characters who deserve to play a part in the show’s conclusion.

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8

Argyle — Jonathon’s Friend

First Appears In Stranger Things Season 4

It’s hard to know if Stranger Things season 5 has a plan for Argyle, but as one of the best additions to the show’s cast in season 4, the hope is that he will play a role in the show’s final season. Argyle is a goofy, lovable character who fits in perfectly with the rest of Stranger Things‘ cast, adding a valuable bit of comic relief to the show. He also proves his bravery and loyalty by helping Jonathan, Mike, Will and the others track down the Nina project where Eleven is being trained to reconnect with her powers.

Argyle might not be a character who is crucial to the story, but Stranger Things’ success is about more than just the plot. The show has an uncanny way of creating meaningful characters, whether they are single-season — or even single-episode — characters, or primary protagonists. Argyle is the perfect example of that, so Stranger Things season 5 would do well to bring him back into the fold for the big finale and use his comedic relief to soften the tension of what is sure to be an explosive season of television.

7

Victor Creel — Vecna’s Father

Falsely Accused Of Murdering His Family

Victor Creel is the biological father of Henry Creel, the boy destined to become Dr. Martin Brenner’s first test subject and eventually be thrown into the Upside Down, turning into the supervillain known as Vecna. Victor is a big piece of the puzzle in Stranger Things season 4, and though he did not turn out to be the murderer that Nancy expected, he sets the gang on the path toward discovering Vecna’s past. While it’s possible that Victor was introduced solely for that purpose, it’s intriguing that he remains alive beyond season 4.

As Henry/Vecna’s father, it seems entirely possible that Victor could have an important piece of information that the gang needs in order to take down Vecna. With Brenner dead, Victor is the only link to Vecna’s past, and the only source of information on the villain, even if he only knew him as a boy. It feels like there is going to be one or two more major revelations about Vecna before Stranger Things concludes, and Victor Creel is the best character to deliver them.

6

Vickie — Robin’s Friend

Member Of The Hawkins High Marching Band

Vickie is another recurring character from Stranger Things season 4 who needs to be included in the show’s final season. Vickie is introduced as a love interest for Robin, though she quickly dashes Robin’s hopes by mentioning having a boyfriend. However, Vickie and her boyfriend break up shortly thereafter, and Robin and Vickie rapidly grow close, sparking hope among fans that their friendship could blossom into a romance. Indeed, a romance between the pair is the Stranger Things ending many crave for Robin’s character.

However, even if no romance develops between Vickie and Robin, the former is an intriguing enough character to deserve a spot in Stranger Things season 5 anyway. Her chemistry with Robin is undeniable, and a storyline focused on their friendship could be just as rewarding as a romance. Further, Vickie is clearly dominating Robin’s thoughts at the end of Stranger Things season 4, which would make it odd if she didn’t return for the show’s final season to resolve Robin’s internal conflict.

5

Kali Prasad — Dr. Brenner’s Eighth Test Subject

Escapes From Brenner’s Lab And Starts A Gang

Kali is one of Stranger Things‘ most intriguing characters, and as one of the few other people in the world with the same abilities as Eleven and Henry Creel, she could play a massive role in season 5. Eleven first meets Kali outside of Brenner’s lab in Stranger Things season 2, and though she has not returned to the show since then besides in a flashback during season 4, she could turn out to be a crucial backup for Eleven in the fight against Vecna should she return.

Eleven is likely to need all the help she can get in Stranger Things season 5 after the Upside Down began spilling into Hawkins in season 4’s finale, so it would make sense to bring Kali back for that purpose. With such a remarkable fight ahead of her, it wouldn’t be surprising if Eleven gathers something of a “dream team” to help her take down Vecna. If that were to happen, Kali would surely be part of it. Further, Kali’s story has always felt destined to collide with Eleven’s again, so it would be disappointing if she doesn’t return.

4

Sam Owens — Contributor To The Nina Project

Helps Eleven Regain Her Powers In Stranger Things Season 4

Sam Owens is another layered side character from Stranger Things who deserves to be included in the show’s final season. Owens first appears in Stranger Things season 2, replacing Dr. Brenner as the Director of Operations at Hawkins Lab. Though Owens fails in that capacity, as he cannot contain the Mothergate and his entire staff is slaughtered by demogorgons, he is a much more sympathetic character than Dr. Brenner. Additionally, in Stranger Things season 4, Owens returns and helps Eleven regain her powers, proving that he’s one of the few government officials that fully understands the situation in Hawkins.

Owens also ends Stranger Things season 4 on a mysterious note, as Lieutenant Colonel Jack Sullivan invades the Nina Project’s bunker, killing almost everyone. Owens seems to survive the attack, but it’s unclear what happens to him after Eleven escapes the bunker with Mike, Will, Jonathon, and Argyle. With that in mind, Stranger Things season 5 would do well to give Owens an appearance and let fans know what happened to him after Sullivan’s attack.

3

Suzie Bingham — Dustin’s Girlfriend

Lives In Salt Lake City

Suzie Bingham, Dustin’s girlfriend, is another character Stranger Things season 5 shouldn’t forget about. She is a great character on her own, and her relationship with Dustin is probably the show’s most solid romance. The love triangle between Nancy, Jonathon, and Steve might get more attention than Dustin and Suzie do, but their relationship is refreshingly uncomplicated. As the show’s more volatile romances come to their conclusions in Stranger Things season 5, Suzie’s appearance can at least ensure that one couple finishes the show on a happy note.

Suzie also proves helpful every time Dustin recruits her to help them in their missions, so she could become a useful member of the party if she returns to help defeat Vecna and save Hawkins. Although she lives in Salt Lake City in Stranger Things season 4, she could potentially help from afar, or hear about the danger threatening Hawkins and choose to go help Dustin. Additionally, including Suzie would be a boost to Dustin’s character that he absolutely deserves.

2

Holly Wheeler — Mike And Nancy’s Sister

The Youngest Of The Wheeler Children

Holly Wheeler has remained on the periphery of the story for most of Stranger Things, but the show can’t afford to forget about her in its final season. Holly has made some sort of appearance in all four seasons of Stranger Things, and she has begun to grow more independent as the show has progressed. Though she is still around six years old in Stranger Things season 4, there is expected to be a time jump in the show’s final season, so Holly will likely be approaching ten during season 5.

With that in mind, she will still be too young to take part in the fight against Vecna, but she’ll be old enough to comprehend the catastrophe occurring in Hawkins. Stranger Things season 5 needs to be careful to portray the effects of the Upside Down’s incursion on the citizens of Hawkins, especially those who are connected to other characters, like Holly. This will also be the show’s final chance to show what Holly is like as she grows up, so it will be interesting to see if she is bold and intelligent like her siblings.

1

Terry Ives — Eleven’s Mother

Stuck In A Severe State Of Catatonia

Eleven’s mother, Terry Ives, is another character that Stranger Things can’t afford to forget about in its final season. Terry remains in a permanent state of severe catatonia in Stranger Things after Dr. Brenner put her through cruel electroshock therapy, but Eleven manages to communicate with her on a psychic level when she visits her during season 2. Eleven has always struggled with her lack of proper parents, and though Hopper adopts her and becomes a caring guardian, he is presumed dead at the end of season 3 and spends most of season 4 in Russia.

With that in mind, Terry remains extremely important to Eleven, even if she’s not capable of raising her. Eleven needs to find some sort of closure with her mother and her general lack of a childhood, and Terry should play a big part in that. At the least, Eleven should get a chance to visit her mother one final time in Stranger Things season 5, even if it doesn’t result in anything. However, after she successfully communicated with Terry psychically in season 2, it’s possible that her mother could make a final contribution to the story if she appears.