Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1, one of the biggest productions on television, has shifted its tone, stakes, and mythology in its final season, prompting the internet to react with both excitement and nerves. The season has delivered huge plot twists, mind-blowing scenes, and plenty of spoilers, and one episode in particular has been at the centre of fan discussions.The fourth episode of the first volume, titled “Sorcerer,” is now the most liked episode according to user ratings, and is the highest-rated one in the entire series. Some fans were surprised at the jump, and some were excited. Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 features major character reveals, high-concept sequences, and an emotional payoff. It clearly resonated with viewers, despite the ongoing debate among critics over the final season as a whole.Why audiences loved Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 1 Episode 4Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 presents two hits in one: a huge character revelation and a monumental, cinematic action scene. The episode does not spill the whole plot, but it brings back an old face from Season 2. Kali, or Eight, the other kid held prisoner with Eleven in the Hawkins lab, is back, and this only means tensions will rise.Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 also focuses on Will Byers, a character fans have been following since Season 1. The episode gives him an opportunity that completely changes how we perceive his relationship with the Upside Down and the main villain of the story. It combines nostalgia and something new: a kid we have seen grow up before us is revealed to be instrumental in the final battle.From the very beginning of Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1, we see Will being able to tap into Henry/Vecna’s hive mind and help his friends by secretly spying on his next moves. In the last episode of the first volume, three Demogorgons attack his friends, Mike, Lucas, and Robin, in three different locations. He somehow accesses Vecna’s superpowers and, in a surprising turn of events, is able to defeat all three at once.The episode is also heavy-handed on spectacle. It has monsters, military pandemonium, and a dramatic climax that appears bigger than what Stranger Things typically does on TV. When emotional payoff and big visuals are put together in a popular show, ratings usually tend to soar. This is why Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 rose up user-rating charts so fast, almost immediately after its release.The ratings climb View this post on Instagram Instagram PostBy stating that an episode is the highest-rated, people often refer to its rating on websites such as IMDb, where every user is free to rate a particular episode. These scores are useful, although not totally neutral. Immediately after an episode has been released, those who are the first to watch it are the very people who are in the most excited state and are also the first ones to rate it. Their high reactions are capable of driving the score to a high point.This timing and the huge twists that took over social media gave Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 a boost. The more the buzz spread on the internet, the more fans visited IMDb to rank the episode. This created a cyclical effect: the hype pushed the votes, the high rating generated further hype, and the momentum continued to grow.Because the evaluation of the user rating is based on the voter and the number of voters, a 9.8/10 IMDb rating is only an indication of intense fan interest and not an ultimate or rigid conclusion. Nevertheless, the rapid leap for Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 is quite spectacular. As thousands of votes come in within a short period of time, the rating in itself becomes news, and such a headline usually attracts even more viewers.What this moment means for Stranger Things’ legacy View this post on Instagram Instagram PostOne episode with as high a rating as 9.8/10 on IMDb is enough to alter the perception of the entire series for its fans and peak their anticipation of what is to come. In the case of Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1, the abrupt rise in viewership for the 4th episode demonstrates that returning to the subjective feelings and the origin of trauma worked well with the audience. This includes focusing on Will’s story and the deeper secrets of the Upside Down.However, it also adds pressure on Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2. With an episode in the middle of the season becoming the most viewed, the grand finale now faces even greater expectations. This is especially true given its massive theatrical and streaming debut.This moment is more than hype or figures and demonstrates something fundamental: fans will connect most when a show rewards their long-time interest and love for the characters. Whether Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 1 Episode 4 stays the best episode in the entire series is a matter of personal taste. However, one thing is obvious: it generated a massive shared experience that many viewers enjoyed discussing.For more such insights on Stranger Things Season 5, keep following SoapCentral.