Stranger Things released the series finale episode on Dec. 31, but not everyone was happy with the ending. Instead of ringing in the New Year satisfied with its conclusion, many Stranger Things fans took to the internet to voice their grievances with how the Duffer Brothers ended the five-season journey. In the process, Conformity Gate was born. What is Conformity Gate, you ask? Let’s get into it.
Spoiler Warning: Spoilers for the Stranger Things series finale follow. Although the finale had happy moments — like seeing Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and Robin make a plan to meet up in Philly once a month, and Hopper and Joyce getting engaged — fans (myself included) were emotionally wrecked by what seemed like Eleven’s death. Despite seeing her “death,” her fate was left ambiguous, as Mike shared a theory during a Dungeons & Dragons game with Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max in his basement— El’s death could’ve been an illusion by her sister, Kali, and El actually escaped.
Aside from El’s ending, some fans also thought the final battle between the Party and Vecna was underwhelming, and the finale left many questions unanswered. (Why didn’t Will die with Vecna and the Mindflayer? Where were the Demodogs in the Abyss? Whatever happened to the pregnant women in the Upside Down?)
To cope with their disappointment, fans created a theory dubbed “Conformity Gate,” believing that there is a secret ninth episode of Stranger Things Season 5.
What is Conformity Gate?
#ConformityGate became popular on TikTok and X not long after the finale was released. The theory is that the characters are trapped in Vecna’s mind. Fans say certain moments in Season 5 are proof of it — claiming things like how the characters pose at the graduation, breaks of the fourth wall, and incorrect details in character dialogue (Will talked about going to Melvald’s for milkshakes — a general store in the show, but a diner in the Stranger Things: The First Shadow play) and more are proof of it.
When Do Fans Theorize The Secret Episode Will Be Released?
Fans believe the secret episode will be released on Jan. 7. Why this date? In the D&D game in the finale, a seven is rolled, which is also what Will rolls in Season 1 before he is taken to the Upside Down by the Demogorgon. Jan. 7 is also seven days after Episode 8 came out, which would fit into the show’s release schedule through the holiday season.
Despite Conformity Gate being a popular theory, it is likely not real. According to the Duffer Brothers, this epic journey with the Party is over. “This is a complete story. It’s done,” Matt Duffer told Variety in October. The brothers also shared with Deadline that they didn’t want any filler in the finale, and there is no missing footage from that episode.
In the days since the show ended on New Year’s Eve, the Duffer Brothers have been answering questions about the finale, but some fans are not satisfied with their responses. So, I don’t blame fans for having hope in this secret episode. I believe.