HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

Does Holly escape Vecna? ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 finale’s Abyss mission puts Hawkins’ kids in grave danger

'Stranger Things 5' Volume 2 breaks down the Losers' strategy to take down Vecna and put an end to his twisted plan

The finale of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Volume 2 finally gives answers about the true intentions of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). The high-stakes final episode of the second volume reveals how Vecna plans to merge the two worlds to remake a new realm. Not only that, but the episode also splits the group into two critical missions. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), and Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) head to Hawkins Lab, while the others make their way to the radio tower to descend into the Abyss, perfectly setting the stage for the final chapter of the beloved series.

The episode showcases how Vecna's plan goes beyond targeting vulnerable minds, as volume 2 reveals how he intends to fully take over the world by merging two realities. Vecna uses possessed children as 'vessels' to increase his powers, holding them in his lair within a separate realm. Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) calls the Abyss the same world Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower) was sent to after his defeat at Hawkins Lab. So, what truly is the Abyss? Dustin uncovers the true nature of the Upside Down, revealing it to be a wormhole made of exotic matter that connects Hawkins to another realm known as the Abyss.

This bridge, created when Eleven first made contact with Henry for Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine), allowed creatures like the Demogorgons and the Mind Flayer to reach the human world. Notably, the Abyss and the real world are connected by a bridge that forms the Upside Down, which Vecna uses as a passageway to weaken both dimensions. As the barriers collapse, the two worlds are set to collide, giving Vecna the chance to "remake the world," as per ScreenRant. 

When damage to the exotic matter destabilizes the wormhole, it becomes clear that anything pulled through its breach is lost forever, leading the group to realize that the only way to stop Vecna's plan is to destroy the already-fragile bridge linking the two worlds. Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) then devises the group's bold plan to reach the Abyss and confront Vecna by waiting until the radio tower breaks through the rift between worlds. The strategy hinges on Eleven entering Vecna's mind from the Upside Down's version of Hawkins Lab, guided by Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and aided by Kali, while the rest of the group climbs the tower into the Abyss to rescue Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) and the other captive kids.

As a final, high-risk move, Dustin suggests planting a bomb near the exotic matter to destroy the bridge between worlds, an idea made even more dangerous by the fact that Jim Hopper (David Harbour) already has the explosives in hand. Will also comes out as gay through an emotional coming-out to his loved ones, a moment that also weakens Vecna's hold over him by stripping the villain of a fear he once exploited.

Reclaimed confidence and acceptance empower Will to join Eleven in the Upside Down, where he can help guard against attacks Vecna might launch into the physical world via the hive mind. The last scene of 'The Bridge' shows  Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) leading the group through the rift into the Upside Down. Once inside, the team splits into separate missions, with Eleven, Will, and Kali heading to Hawkins Lab. Others move toward the radio tower to reach the Abyss, and another group prepares the bomb.