Stranger Things may have released its final episode last week but many fans are not convinced the show is over.
A viral online theory is gathering steam claiming that Netflix actually released a ‘fake ending’, stating that everything we saw in the finale and some of the penultimate episode was actually a vision shown to the party by Vecna.
The theory, called ‘Conformity Gate’, suggests that Stranger Things is set to have a secret episode nine in which the ‘real’ finale will take place.
‘Conformity Gate’ follows the idea that the ending to Stranger Things saw characters who spent the entire TV show avoiding conforming to society doing exactly that, and thus was actually a vision shown to Mike by Vecna.
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The idea goes that tomorrow, January 7, Netflix are set to announce or release a secret new finale episode and, while there are signs it’s true, there are some definite issues with this theory.
Key part of Stranger Things fan theories online are not true
There are a few parts of Stranger Things fan theories online which have been quoted as key parts of ‘Conformity Gate’ which are unfortunately false.
The most talked about of these is a WSQK Flashlight which, when a UV light is shone on the box, shows messages saying ‘Vecna Lives’ and ‘Hellfire Lives’.
Fans online have been presenting these as newly released and signs that Vecna’s death in the finale was not what it was chalked up to be. The issue: these flashlights came out over a month ago, indicating Vecna’s return at the start of the season as he was technically thought to be dead from the end of season four.
While this is not the only sign fans are relying on, it is one of the major ones being cited to have come from Netflix.
A Stranger Things secret finale would massively confuse casual fans
If Netflix were to release a secret finale episode of Stranger Things, diehard fans of the show unhappy with the ending would be thrilled. More or less everyone else though would simply be left going: “Huh?”
Netflix have invested millions in promotion for the finale, all of which were focused on letting everyone know that the episode was coming out New Year’s Eve, or in the early hours of New Year’s Day in the UK.
If Netflix did a U-Turn and decided to go with the theory that the finale was fake and actually never happened, it would undo months of promotional work, millions of dollars, and mean that the first time Netflix have ever allowed a show to appear in cinemas was for an episode that wasn’t real.
Sometimes mistakes are just mistakes, not part of a wider conspiracy
Much of ‘Conformity Gate’ hinges on two things: a quote from Lucas at the start of season five saying: “I don’t believe in coincidences, not anymore”, and inconsistencies fans have noticed in the show.
With Holly having found her way through Vecna’s memories by spotting inconsistencies in her memories the story goes that the errors in the show are not coincidences, but proof of breaks in reality.
Lucas’ quote has been taken out of context though and was more so referring to Vecna having an overarching plan.
Some of the mistakes being pointed to as signs, such as the changing colour of a WSQK prop and Will’s everchanging birthday, are far more likely to simply be mistakes rather than secret hints.
By tomorrow though, we will find out whether I’m going to be left with egg on my face or if there is really no secret ninth episode.