I'm a Stranger Things fan and this is why 'conformity gate' doesn't make any sense

Stranger Things is over and you need to accept it
Cameron Frew
By Cameron Frew

Stranger Things is officially over… unless you’re one of the fans who believe in ‘conformity gate’ and the imminent arrival of a secret episode.

Don’t get your hopes up for season 5 episode 9. There is no ‘surprise episode’, nor is there any reason to believe Stranger Things hasn’t ended.

Yet, if you look on TikTok and X, you’ve probably seen ‘#conformitygate’ attached to several posts theorising that the whole finale is a fugazi. Could this be true: will there be another episode that continues the story and changes everyone’s fate?

In short, absolutely not. It’s a load of nonsense conjured by embittered fans and viewers who can’t let go.

Max wearing an orange graduation gown in Stranger Things
Why are they all wearing orange? (Credit: Netflix)

What is the Stranger Things ‘conformity gate’ theory?

If the conformity gate believers are right, the Stranger Things finale’s epilogue isn’t real. Instead, it’s an illusion created by Vecna.

If you look closely (and mute the rational part of your brain), there are several clues in episode 8 to support this theory.

For example, the Whatzit? board game can be spotted in multiple scenes – and Mr. Whatsit was Vecna’s child-gathering alter ego in season 5.

During the graduation scene, all of the students and most of the adults are (apparently) sitting like Henry and Billy. They’re also wearing orange, despite Hawkins High School usually using green, suggesting everyone could be a prisoner.

The ‘evidence’ goes on. Unlike past finales, the Stranger Things logo in the last episode’s opening credits doesn’t feature the season’s number. “Why would that be if that is the final episode?” one user asked.

In a scene from season 5 volume 1, Lucas seemingly breaks the fourth wall and says, “I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t believe in coincidences.”

Fans have also pointed to an inconsistency with a dial. In one scene, the pointer is red, but it changes to grey. This could be similar to Holly noticing the grey panel on the roundabout.

Finally (not because this is the last clue, but because there are too many to list), when you see all of the crew’s Dungeons and Dragons books, the letters almost line up to spell “XALIE”. Fans think this means Dimension X – also known as the Abyss – was a lie.

Lucas, Max, Will, and Dustin playing Dungeons and Dragons in the Stranger Things season 5 finale
Could Episode 8’s epilogue be an illusion? (Credit: Netflix)

Why is it called conformity gate?

According to conformity gate supporters, the Stranger Things finale gave each character a ‘conformist’ ending.

By that, they mean everyone became boring or predictable versions of themselves, rather than breaking free from society’s expectations and living their own lives.

Take Mike, who joined the Hellfire Club in season 4. By the end of season 5, he’s got shorter hair and wearing a blue polo shirt, styled not dissimilarly to his own dad. Eleven, who spent her life either on the run or being mistreated by the government, ends up alone in a faraway land.

Here’s the big thing: despite fans’ predictions, Mike and Will did not end up together. If you were already aware of conformity gate, you almost definitely know about ‘Byler’ and a vocal minority of viewers who really wanted them to become a couple.

However, due to the fact the show never gave any real indication that Mike had any feelings for Will, this never came to pass. So, for some fans, the show has ‘conformed’ by keeping them apart.

Mike and Will holding a leaking pipe in Stranger Things season 5 volume 1
‘Byler’ was never real (Credit: Netflix)

Is there a secret Stranger Things episode on January 7?

Not only is ‘conformity gate’ completely made up, but Stranger Things is not dropping a secret episode on January 7.

That’s not to say nothing will happen on January 7. A video posted by Netflix in December teased a major announcement on this date, and given it had “#whatnext” attached to it, it’s probably a peek at the year’s movie and TV slate.

This is pure speculation, but if the Stranger Things franchise were to drop any sort of surprise, it could be a recording of The First Shadow stage show. However, don’t pin your hopes on this happening.

Plus, we already know that there is more to come from Stranger Things. Specifically, a documentary about the making of the final season will be released on January 12.

Two spin-offs are also in the works: Tales from ’85, an animated series, and an untitled live-action show.

Who knows; maybe I’m completely wrong… but I doubt it.

Eleven hugging her friends in the illustration from the Stranger Things season 5 finale credits
Stranger Things is over… for now (Credit: Netflix)

Why you shouldn’t believe in conformity gate

Once upon a time, people accepted a TV show’s ending, even if it was divisive (or just a bit rubbish).

For example, How I Met Your Mother was met with overwhelming resentment when its finale aired, and The Sopranos left people baffled. Yet, life went on.

Something has changed: now, more than ever, entitlement plagues the response to any big pop culture event. Fans don’t just want to be heard: they believe they’re owed something for their devotion to a show.

One could argue Game of Thrones, which had one of the most disastrous finales in TV history, is to blame. It broke people; even today, there are petitions campaigning for season 8 to be remade.

However, you could also point your finger at Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The once-mythical director’s cut became the ultimate exercise in vindication when it was released.

It was everything fans could have asked for, but more dangerously, it gave people a reason to believe there could always be a secret, better version of something if you’re loud and obnoxious enough.

If Netflix drops a secret episode that completely upends the finale’s epilogue, fair play. It’d be an extraordinary surprise, and I’d giddily tune in to find out what happens. But it won’t happen: you should make peace with the ending we got.

Stranger Things is over, and to borrow Prince’s words from ‘Purple Rain’, “times are changing, it’s time we all reach out for something new.”

Read more: The 10 most unforgivable Stranger Things plot holes from seasons 1 to 5, including the finale

Stranger Things seasons 1-5 are available to stream on Netflix in their entirety now.