Stranger Things Season 5: The Wheeler women deserve more credit, and here's why we think so

If the Demogorgons or even Vecna are absolutely terrified of something in Stranger Things Season 5, it isn't El, Will, or even Kali; it's the Wheeler women. Karen, Nancy, and Holly have been bold and fearless throughout, and they are some of the most well-written characters.

From stabbing a Demogorgon with a wine bottle to blasting the demidogs, Karen Wheeler made one thing clear: you do not mess with her kids.

For the seven-year-old Holly, things didn't look pleasant from the start. From being manipulated by Mr. Whatsit, aka Vecna, to being trapped in Camazotz, it looked like Holly would not make it. However, with a little push from Max, Holly rebuilt her confidence, and there was no looking back. Even when Max was able to escape the Camazotz, and she was trapped with the remaining kids, she did not lose her calm and guided the children to escape, even though they were constantly manipulated by Vecna.

Nancy had been one of the strongest characters of Stranger Things, and Season 5 proved it further. She stepped up when she realised Holly was missing. In the finale, it was Nancy who chose to be bait and divert the mind flayer's attention, so that the others could escape. She fought till the end and smashed bullets one after the other until she was cornered. Here's why we think The Wheeler women deserve more credit than anyone else on the show.

Read More: Stranger Things Season 5 finale: Five questions that the show left unanswered

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Karen Wheeler proves she's the real badass in Stranger Things Season 5

Mrs. Wheeler might not be a pivotal character of the series, but Season 5 proves that she's the real badass character of the series. When the Demogorgons attacked the Wheelers, she tried her best to save Holly. She tried to sneak underwater with Holly in the bathtub. But when that plan failed, and the Demogorgon attacked them in the kitchen, she took a wine bottle, broke it off, and stood right in front of Holly, threatening the Demogorgon,

"Stay away from my daughter."

It's only Karen Wheeler who can be this fearless, and that too on her first encounter with a Demogorgon. She didn't think twice before jumping in front of Holly to save her, and maybe that's what a mother's love is.

She kept stabbing the Demogorgon's head; however, the Demogorgon fought back and stabbed Karen in her stomach. Nancy found an injured Karen lying on the kitchen floor.

However, her fearlessness doesn't end here. When Vecna sent three demidogs to the hospital to find Max, Karen sensed something was wrong. Still recovering from her wounds, she made a power move that none of us expected. She took the oxygen cylinders, loaded them in the washing machine, and the blast killed the demidogs instantly. The demidogs were quite near to Lucas and Max, and Karen saved the day.

Read More: Stranger Things Season 5 finale’s Eleven sacrifice scene has a major plot hole, details explored

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How does Nancy Wheeler become the show's most relentless fighter?

In Stranger Things Season 5, Nancy has been a pivotal character who aided Team Hawkins in bringing down Vecna. When the Demogorgons attacked the Wheeler, and Holly went missing, Nancy knew she had to step up. But she also proved that she's a relentless and brave fighter in the finale of Stranger Things Season 5.

She bravely shot the military men down so that they could drive to the Upside Down smoothly. Next, she bravely shot the exotic matter (even though it did more harm than any good).

In the finale, it was Nancy who stepped up and willingly became bait to distract the mind flayer and help others escape. She shot it repeatedly until she was cornered and the bullets were over, but she didn't lose hope. Her friends attacked the mind flayer from a cliff, and Eleven continued to attack Vecna inside it. Finally, along with Will's powers, they successfully killed Vecna and ended the mindflayer.

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Holly Wheeler proves herself

When Vecna takes in Holly Wheeler and traps her in Camazotz, it seems like he has completely manipulated her. But Holly sees through Vecna's lies, and with Max, she finds a way to escape from the mind prison. Even though Max successfully comes out of it, Holly couldn't escape.

Back at Vecna, aka Henry's house, Holly tries to make her friends understand that Vecna is a monster, but her friends initially do not believe her. But when they do see the real face of Vecna, Holly bravely leads them to Max's hideout, the cave. She almost gets caught by Vecna, but Derek pulls her in. When Vecna steps into the cave after fighting his inner demons, Holly guides the kids further to safety. She knows that Vecna is much stronger than her, but she does not step back. She might not have several fight scenes like her mother or sister, but it's her confidence that helps her face Vecna. She stays behind and makes sure her friends are safe. She tries to smash Vecna with her wand, but he brings her down.

If Season 5 proved anything, it's that The Wheeler women were the backbone of the story.

Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5: What happened to Murray? Character’s fate explored

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