'Stranger Things' Finale Commits TV's Ultimate Crime

The final episode of Netflix's hit series 'Stranger Things' has divided fans. Some were deeply moved, while others are frustrated by unresolved storylines. This split reaction means the show did one thing perfectly: it ended exactly as it began. The finale avoided a sudden change in tone or a disappointing twist. There was no dream-sequence cop-out or a last-minute massacre of characters. Instead, the show finished with its signature mix of big spectacle and emotional heart. It also carried over its known flaws, including a complicated mythology and a very large cast of characters. For a story about a never-ending threat from the 'Upside Down,' the show's ending felt fittingly familiar. How you feel about that likely depends on how you felt about the entire journey.