A popularStranger Thingstheory is risky, even though it would be a cool addition to the story. Since it first debuted in 2016, theories and the discussion surrounding them have become an integral part of the show. Many of thesetheories relate to the Upside Down, the mysterious alternate dimension that is central to the overarching story. Even afterStranger Thingsseason 4’s ending, manyquestions still remain about the Upside Down, its connection to Hawkins, Indiana, and what will happen to the alternate dimension in the show’s final season.
The three-year wait leading up toStranger Thingsseason 5’s releasehas provided ample opportunity for speculation, not only about the Upside Down, but about what the ultimate fates of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will Byers (Noah Schapp), Jim Hopper (David Harbour), Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), and the rest of the cast will be. While some theories feel relatively safe, others feel more outlandish, including a popular one that would be risky to introduce in season 5.
Stranger Things Introducing Time Travel Has Been A Popular Theory For A While
It Could Fit With Other Elements Of The Show
Bringing time travel intoStranger Thingsis not a new theory and has been popular for quite some time. With the show already including elements such as alternate dimensions, telekinetic powers, and monsters like the Demogorgon, it has beensuggested that time travel could be incorporated into the storyas well. With season 5 being the end of the hit Netflix series, the upcoming episodes are the final opportunity to introduce time travel and confirm whether there is any merit to this longtime theory.
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There are some great theories about Stranger Things season 5 out there, but some seem more likely to come true during the final episodes than others.
While time travel may not be possible in Hawkins, perhaps it can be harnessed in the Upside Down, with the alternate dimension containing energy that can defy the laws of time and space. Time travel could explain whyEleven goes missing in season 5, as the phenomenon could be the source of her disappearance. Some theories have gone even further and posited that Linda Hamilton, whose role has not yet been confirmed, will be playing a future version of Eleven. This could be a way of exploring the younger characters at a different point in their lives before the series ends.
Season 5 May Be Too Late For Stranger Things To Introduce Time Travel
Such A Big Twist Has Not Been Earned
While season 5 is the show’s last opportunity to introduce time travel, it is arguably already too late to incorporate such a game-changing element into the show. The story’s other fantastical aspects, like the Upside Down and the telekinetic powers, have all been present since season 1, and each successive season has gradually shed more light on them. The developments regarding the Upside Down and the telekinetic powers feel earned because of this foundation, but introducing time travel would not feel earned, and could end up being jarring for both the characters and the audience.
Stranger Thingshas not done the work in previous seasons for time travel to feel like a natural inclusion in season 5.
Other shows, likeLost, did not feature time travel at first, only for it to later become a major part of the story. The difference is thatLostbegan planting the seeds for time travel as early as season 2and continued to make it more prominent, including in the season 4 episode “The Constant.” By season 5, the heavy emphasis on time travel worked because of whatLosthad done to reach this point in previous seasons.Stranger Thingshas not done the work in previous seasons for time travel to feel like a natural inclusion in season 5.
Stranger Things Season 5 Using Time Travel Would Risk Ruining The Show
It Could Undermine Previous Character Deaths & Major Events
Time travel has the potential to ruin the show, especially if it means changingStranger Things' timelineor resurrecting characters who were previously killed. The deaths of fan-favorite characters like Barb Holland (Shannon Purser), Bob Newby (Sean Astin), Dr. Alexei (Alec Utgoff), Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery), and Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) are still impactful years later, and they have significantly influenced the development of other characters. The impact and consequences of their deaths would be cheapened if time travel suddenly allows their fates to be reversed.
Eddie Munson
Season 4
From the childhood of Henry Creel (Raphael Luce) to the moment Will Byers disappeared,Stranger Thingshas been intentional about crafting a timeline that serves the story well. Time travel has the potential to destroy this carefully curated timeline and to undermine previous developments. Beyond resurrecting beloved characters, time travel could mean erasing pivotal moments from the show. Not only would this be frustrating for season 5, but it would also diminish the value of rewatching the other seasons.
How Stranger Things Season 5 Could Make Time Travel Work
Back To The Future Could Be The Answer
Even though introducing time travel comes with inherent challenges, it would be cool to see, and it is feasible in a universe where alternate dimensions, telekinetic powers, and Demogorgons already exist. Just as it has been exciting and terrifying forStranger Things' characters to see creatures and concepts fromDungeons & Dragonscome to life, the same would be true for time travel.
This would particularly be the case for Will, Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) given their interests, and they could help other characters better understand the rules of time travel.
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Before Stranger Things ends with season 5, the series needs to do one thing it’s avoided since it premiered — and it would shock everyone.
Considering all ofStranger Things' classic sci-fi movie referencesand nostalgia for the 1980s, it alsomakes sense to introduce time travel as aBack to the Futurehomage. The rules for time travel vary depending on the story, but it could work ifStranger Things' time travel goes by the same rules asBack to the Future. The original movie is seen playing at the Starcourt Mall movie theater in season 3, meaning the show has already set a precedent for the characters having seen it, and knowing about the rules of time travel that the movie uses.
Only the firstBack to the Futuremovie has been released at this point inStranger Things, as the second movie did not debut until 1989.
Another previously introduced element that the show could use to make time travel work isthe Upside Down being stuck in 1983. There are reasons unrelated to time travel as to why the Upside Down is frozen in time. However, the show could introduce a retcon that enables the Upside Down’s timeline to explain the existence of time travel.There are ways to make the popular theory come to fruition inStranger Thingsseason 5, but there are also numerous issues with introducing time travel, and it may not be worth the risk.
