Netflix has released a new video for Stranger Things Season 5, calling it a “protectors of our party” reel. The video is a strong nod to the show’s emotional core, focusing on the adult characters who have consistently fought to keep the kids of Hawkins safe. It highlights Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper, and two more familiar faces, stirring nostalgia among fans as the series prepares for its final chapter.
The new reel arrives as a thank-you to the dedicated fanbase, reminding everyone of the characters who form the backbone of the story. These “protectors” have been essential from the beginning, often putting themselves in danger to ensure the younger group’s survival. This focus on the core adults feels like a warm tribute to the relationships that have defined the show, just as the final battle for Hawkins approaches.
The Core Protectors in the Spotlight
The video specifically celebrates Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper, two original characters whose dedication has saved Hawkins multiple times. Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, first fought to rescue her son, Will, from the Upside Down, refusing to believe he was dead despite everyone thinking she was having a breakdown. Her determination has been a driving force of the series.
Jim Hopper, portrayed by David Harbour, is the Hawkins Chief of Police who has evolved from a cynical man into a dedicated father figure. He has repeatedly risked his life, facing down creatures from the Upside Down and a Russian conspiracy to protect the town and his adopted daughter, Eleven. The reunion of Joyce and Hopper, after she worked to rescue him from a Russian prison, sets them up as a united front for the final season.
Two More Familiar Faces Join the Tribute
While the reel strongly features Joyce and Hopper, it also gives special attention to two other key characters who have stepped up as protectors. Though not explicitly named in the initial report, the description of “familiar faces” strongly suggests the video includes Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley.
Steve Harrington, once the popular high school jock, has transformed into the group’s dedicated babysitter. He has consistently put himself in harm’s way, fighting Demodogs and Russians to protect the kids. His friend, Robin Buckley, introduced in Season 3, quickly proved her value. Her intelligence and quick thinking were crucial in cracking a secret Russian code, and she has remained a loyal member of the team.
Their inclusion makes perfect sense. As one character description notes, Robin is “funny, intellectual, and adventurous,” and despite being new to the strange events in Hawkins, she “proves herself to be a loyal friend.”
A Nostalgic Look Before the Final Fight
This nostalgic reel comes at a pivotal moment. The show is set to return in the fall of 1987, and the final season will see our heroes united by a single goal. The official synopsis states they must “find and kill Vecna,” who has vanished. Complicating their mission, “the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven.” The final battle is looming, and they will need everyone—”the full party”—standing together one last time.
The “protectors of our party” video taps into the deep sense of nostalgia that has always been a key part of Stranger Things. The show has masterfully used 1980s setting and pop culture to create a feeling of looking back. As one analysis of the show’s themes points out, the series itself is interested in “the notion of moving on,” while also acknowledging the powerful pull of the past. This new reel seems to honor that very idea, celebrating the history and relationships built over the past four seasons before the story concludes.
The final season will debut in three volumes, with the first four episodes starting on November 26, 2025, three more episodes released on Christmas, and the finale episode arriving on New Year’s Eve.
Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5 Trailer Out: Are the Parents the New Heroes?
Credits: Netflix Tudum, Stranger Things Wiki
