The Bridge: Stranger Things Fans Voice Their Least Favorite Episode of Season 5

Fans of the popular series Stranger Things have voiced their least favorite episode of the latest season just before the finale is set to air. The second part of season five was released recently, and some viewers were left disappointed with the new episodes. The season kicked off with a cliff-hanger as Will discovered his superpowers, leading to a series of events that revealed the Upside Down as a wormhole connecting Hawkins to a monster-filled land known as the Abyss.
Despite the action-packed scenes and character deaths, the penultimate episode titled 'The Bridge' received the lowest rating in the show's history on IMDb. This episode, with a rating of 5.8 out of 10 from 47,000 reviews, has been deemed the least favorite by fans. Interestingly, the previous lowest-rated episode was from season two, titled 'The Lost Sister', which scored slightly higher at 6/10. Both episodes feature the controversial character Kali/Eight, who has divided opinions among viewers.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment with episode seven and the overall writing of the season. Some viewers criticized the Duffer Brothers' storytelling, speculating that crucial scenes may have been cut before the episodes aired. Additionally, there was anticipation surrounding the 'Byler' ship, hinting at a romantic relationship between Will and Mike, but the outcome in the latest season did not meet fans' expectations.
Despite the mixed reviews and criticisms, some fans believe that the negative reception of 'The Bridge' may be influenced by certain fan expectations not being met. As the series heads towards its finale, viewers are eager to see if the upcoming episode titled 'The Rightside Up' will redeem the season and leave a lasting impression on fans. Stranger Things season 5 volumes 1 & 2 are currently available for streaming on Netflix, with the series finale set to premiere on January 1st, 2026, at 1am GMT.