Netflix's release of the final three episodes of Stranger Things season five, volume two has sparked intense debate and confusion among fans, particularly surrounding the fate of one of the show's core couples. The series, which will conclude with its finale on New Year's Day for viewers in the UK and Ireland, has left audiences questioning the status of Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers's relationship after a pivotal, near-death scene.
The Confusing 'Un-Proposal' in the Upside Down
The ambiguity stems from a crucial moment in the Hawkins Lab within the Upside Down. Trapped on a melting table as exotic matter consumed the room, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) were forced into a raw, honest conversation. Jonathan revealed an engagement ring, but instead of a traditional proposal, he asked Nancy "will you not marry me?", framing it as an attempt to finally get something right after feeling he had screwed up.
Nancy accepted this unconventional "un-proposal" and the pair declared their love for each other. However, the nature of their future together was left deliberately vague, leaving viewers to wonder if they had reaffirmed their bond or mutually agreed to part ways.
Creators Set the Record Straight: "That's a Breakup"
Thankfully, the show's creators have now provided a definitive answer. In an interview with People magazine, Matt Duffer stated unequivocally: "That's a breakup. They are broken up." He and his twin brother Ross explained that the decision to separate the long-standing couple had been developing for "a while" within the writers' room.
The driving narrative force was the belief that Nancy "needed to end up on her own and be independent" to truly discover herself. This character arc was hinted at when Nancy confessed to Jonathan that she didn't know what she wanted, especially after Steve Harrington's revelation about wanting a large family.
Ross Duffer elaborated that while Nancy and Jonathan shared a powerful "trauma bond" forged through their experiences in Hawkins, they were fundamentally different people from the teenagers who first got together. The natural evolution of their characters logically led to this separation.
Behind the Scenes of an Emotional Farewell
Charlie Heaton shared insights into filming the emotionally charged scene in a Still Watching Netflix behind-the-scenes video. He revealed it was the last scene he and Natalia Dyer shot together as their characters. The pair meticulously rehearsed the moment "beat-by-beat for a good month" to ensure they could deliver the raw truth required, focusing solely on each other during the final take.
Natalia Dyer added that after spending a season apart in the storyline, it was "really nice for our characters" to have such a significant, concluding scene together. Interestingly, while Jonathan and Nancy's romance has ended on screen, the actors portraying them have been in a real-life relationship since 2017, after meeting on the set of the hit series.
With the final chapter, Stranger Things season 5, volume 3, arriving on Netflix UK & Ireland at 1am on New Year's Day, fans will now watch the show's conclusion with clarity on this key relationship, even as other mysteries of Hawkins await their resolution.
