Stranger Things | S5 E1 | "The Crawl" Recap & Review

*SPOILERS AHEAD

Season 5 of Stranger Things opens with “Crawl,” an emotional and ominous premiere that sets the tone for a final season already shaping up to be the darkest yet. The episode blends grief, new mysteries, and escalating threats as the characters try to navigate a Hawkins that’s barely holding together.

Dustin’s emotional state is one of the earliest and strongest threads in the episode. It’s clear he’s still deeply struggling with life after Eddie’s death. His grief feels heavier now—quiet, internal, and overwhelming. Small details, like him shutting down when certain memories resurface or retreating when his friends try to pull him back into normal routines, show how much he’s still carrying. His arc is already heartbreaking, and it sets a somber tone for the season.

Another major surprise is Holly Wheeler, who finally steps into a bigger spotlight. The younger Wheeler sister, long treated as background, suddenly becomes one of the show’s biggest mysteries. She’s caught whispering to someone unseen, drawing strange pictures, and slipping away from her family without explanation. The episode hints that she may be communicating with someone from the Upside Down—or perhaps even Henry in his human form—leaving viewers uneasy about what she knows and who has been reaching out to her.

Will’s connection to the Upside Down also intensifies dramatically. His familiar tingly feeling grows stronger and more intrusive than ever. For the first time, he seems able not just to sense the Upside Down, but to partially see through it—sometimes even slipping into the viewpoint of a demogorgon. It’s frightening, unpredictable, and suggests that Will’s role this season will be pivotal, whether he wants it to be or not.

Meanwhile, the military presence in Hawkins becomes impossible to ignore. The government has fully taken over the town, shutting down entire blocks, building fences, and actively entering the Upside Down itself. Their new operations signal that the threat is no longer contained, and whatever they’ve discovered has pushed them into full-scale action.

Hopper also makes a bold move this episode by embarking on something referred to as a “crawl”—a dangerous, tactical maneuver into the Upside Down that even seasoned personnel hesitate to attempt. Seeing him prepare for it, gear up, and vanish into the darkness shows just how far he’s willing to go to protect everyone, and how desperate the situation has become.

El spends much of the episode training with a fierce determination to become stronger and faster. She’s pushing herself harder than ever because she desperately wants to accompany Hopper on his next crawl and confront Henry once and for all. Her frustration, fear, and resolve give her scenes an emotional charge that mirrors the escalating stakes around her.

Overall, “Crawl” is a gripping premiere that sets up mystery after mystery while anchoring everything in the characters’ emotional journeys. If Episode 1 is any indication, the final season is going to be a wild, heavy, and unforgettable ride.