I watched Strangers Things 5 volume 1, these are the moments you don’t want to miss

After three years of waiting, Stranger Things 5 dropped its first volume on Netflix, unleashing another thrilling sci-fi horror adventure that has taken the world by storm. So far, the show’s fifth season has depicted the heroes of Hawkins as they search for Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) in the Upside Down while eluding the U.S. military.

Season 5 of Stranger Things packed so many spectacular moments into its first four episodes that it was a Thanksgiving feast in itself. There is surely more excitement to come later this year, with volume 2 set to premiere on Netflix on December 25. In the meantime, audiences won’t want to miss these incredible moments from volume 1 of Stranger Things 5.

Vecna infects Will

Season 5 begins with a flashback to 1983, showing how the Demogorgon chased young Will (Luke Kokotek) through the Upside Down. Will puts up an incredible fight as she shoots the beast in the mouth and jumps from tree to tree. It’s now pretty clear how he was able to survive a week in this dangerous dimension.

But as we saw in season 1, Will ends up knocked out with a tendril attached to his mouth. However, we learn in this scene that Vecna appeared to Will in person and infected him, having always planned to make him his spy in Hawkins. This unsettling moment sets the stage for years of torment for Will as a member of the Upside Down’s hive mind, as well as greater developments later in season 5.

The taking of Holly Wheeler

This scene probably ruined ABBA for a bunch of people. Season 5’s second episode saw a Demogorgon appearing in the Wheeler home to kidnap young Holly (Nell Fisher), who runs to Karen (Cara Buono) for help. We are then treated to a suspenseful scene in which mother and daughter hide underwater as the beast breaks into the bathroom, with Fernando playing in the background.

Though the series repeatedly presented Karen and Ted (Joe Chrest) as an unhappy couple, this episode showed them at their best as they fight the Demogorgon to protect their daughter. Things naturally get dark as the creature mauls both parents and takes Holly, leaving the Wheeler children filled with palpable horror.

The Turnbow Trap

After realizing a Demogorgon will try to kidnap Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly), the heroes plan to bring him and his family to safety and ambush the beast in their home. Erica (Priah Ferguson) hilariously turns into a slasher villain when she helps drug and kidnap the Turnbows.

We then see the gang go Home Alone on the Demogorgon, surprising it with a variety of traps and implanting it with a tracking device. It’s a thrilling action piece that gets even more exciting as Steve (Joe Keery), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) chase the Demogorgon across Hawkins.

Max returns

As the kidnapped Holly explores the world inside Vecna’s mind, nicknamed “Camazotz,” she finds herself chased through the forest by a stranger. We then see that her pursuer is none other than Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), who has also become a prisoner in Camazotz after her “death” in season 4.

It was pretty obvious that Max would come back in some form in season 5. Nevertheless, her return provided a surprising twist to wrap up the third episode and build more excitement in Holly’s storyline.

The Great Escape

The fourth episode shows the military detaining all the children in Hawkins, thinking they will be targeted by Vecna. Hoping to save them from the Demogorgons, the heroes try to break the kids out with a plan straight out of The Great Escape.

Derek “the Delightful” shines throughout this scheme, hilariously leading a cult of kids chosen by Mr. Whatsit to salvation through a hole in the bathroom. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Will (Noah Schnapp) add an extra layer of humor as they try to fix a leaking sink, making for a silly, surreal, and suspenseful scheme.

Eleven reunites with Kali

Season 5 saw Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Hopper (David Harbour) break into the military base in the Upside Down, believing that Vecna is imprisoned there. However, they instead discover the prisoner is Eleven’s “sister” from Hawkins Lab, Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), leading to a heartwarming reunion for the two kids.

It’s no secret that many audiences disliked Eleven’s storyline with Kali in season 2. This mind-blowing twist could pay off this plotline after all these years by having Kali finally join the fight against Vecna.

The Battle at Hawkins MAC-Z

After the plan to rescue the children of Hawkins from MAC-Z goes wrong, Vecna unleashes a swarm of Demogorgons on everyone, turning the place into an all-out war zone. The show immerses audiences in the chaos through frenetic long takes and brutal, explosive action. Will pulls us deeper into the horror as he writhes in agony, feeling the Demogorgons’ pain.

At the same time, we see a bunch of Demorgorgons chasing characters through the tunnels and streets of Hawkins. This already made for a thrilling climax to the season’s first volume.

However, the show turns the dials up to 11 (pun intended) when Vecna appears from the Gate, blowing things up and stabbing people in the face. After delivering a chilling monologue to Will, he just walks back into the Upside Down, proving once again that he is one of the most fearsome villains in television history.

Will the Sorcerer is born

The fourth episode saw Will learning to accept himself thanks to some wise words from Robin (Maya Hawke), with whom he had forged an incredible bond. As the Battle of Hawkins MAC-Z reaches a terrifying apex, we’re suddenly treated to home movie-style footage of young Will (Miles Marthaller) growing up with his family and becoming friends with Mike (Max Rackenberg).

As we watch this heartwarming sequence, Will finally learns to accept himself and unlocks his true strength. He thus harnesses the full power of Vecna’s hive mind to stop the Demogorgons in their tracks, using telekinesis to snap their bones and save his friends. After Will spent so much time struggling with his trauma and feeling out of place in the world, Stranger Things gave him the hero moment that he deserved, ending the episode and volume 1 on a high note.