Stranger Things Season 5 Has Already Avoided One Mistake That Killed Game Of Thrones Season 8

Stranger Things season 5 will mark the end of the Netflix show, but the concluding chapter already avoided a misstep that plagued Game of Thrones season 8. The eighth installment marked the end of Game of Thrones, which overwhelmingly spawned disappointment from viewers. Though there are high expectations about how Stranger Things will tie up loose ends, the show doesn’t look like it will repeat a mistake made by Game of Thrones‘ controversial season 8, at least regarding a critical character.

Stranger Things remains one of Netflix’s most popular series, but the end is near. The show’s conclusion was actually delayed a bit due to the Hollywood labor strikes, meaning Stranger Things season 5 might not even be released until 2025. Still, no matter when the installment drops, the show has the arduous task of satisfyingly concluding a story that began in 2016. Aside from the expansive set of characters in Stranger Things, the show has a deep lore involving Eleven, the Upside Down, and the primary antagonist, Vecna. Interestingly, Vecna is proof that Stranger Things season 5 has a leg up on Game of Thrones‘ final season.

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Stranger Things Has Explained Vecna Far Better Than Game Of Thrones Did The Night King

One of the biggest criticisms of Game of Thrones season 8 is how the installment failed to properly explain the Night King. Much of his existence and portrayal in the show leading the White Walkers seemingly set up some sort of conflict with the living. Aside from visions seen by Bran and run-ins with Jon Snow, the conflict came to an end in season 8 when the Night King led his army to Winterfell. Even with a major battle, there was never any real explanation for the Night King’s motivations. Thankfully, Stranger Things isn’t experiencing the same mistake with Vecna since the show has done a much better job explaining its main antagonist.

Stranger Things effectively told the story of Henry Creel, who went on to become Number 1 at Hawkins Laboratory. His initial plan was thwarted when Eleven sent him to the Upside Down, where he transformed into Vecna and ended up controlling the dimension’s horrors in the form of Demogorgons and the Mind Flayer. As elements from the Upside Down spilled out through Gates, Vecna’s powers and influence grew. Though Vecna targeted Eleven and Hawkins due to his connection to the town, his plan to take over the world was more clearly laid out compared to the Night King.

Vecna’s Eventual Death In Stranger Things Can Beat The Night King’s Fate

Eleven and the group may have bested Vecna at the end of Stranger Things season 4, but the villain wasn’t defeated for good. Aside from leaving Max in a coma and destroying areas of Hawkins, Gates were left open, allowing the Upside Down to further creep into the real world, hinting that Vecna still has a shot at his ultimate plan. Still, season 5 will likely pin Vecna against Eleven yet again since she was the one who caused his Vecna transformation. Considering how long he’s been plaguing Hawkins and Eleven’s allies, his probable death will be much more satisfying compared to the Night King’s.

The Battle of Winterfell in Game of Thrones season 8 ended with the Night King searching for Bran before Arya Stark surprisingly assassinated the leader of the White Walkers with a Valyrian steel dagger. While exciting, it was an odd way to tie up the Night King’s story, considering his actual plans for Westeros were never fully explained. Whereas elements of the Upside Down made more sense with Vecna reveals in Stranger Things, there were still so many unanswered questions surrounding the Night King after his death that Game of Thrones never attempted to answer.