Stranger Things Season 5: Mr. Clarke Finally Learns About The Upside Down

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things, season 5, volume 2

A major supporting character in Stranger Things has finally discovered the existence of the Upside Down. Now, almost all of the show’s main characters understand the real danger facing Hawkins from Vecna and the Upside Down. It’s taken a while, but this character finally learned the truth in season 5.

The second part of Stranger Things season 5 continues the desperate search for Holly Wheeler and the others kidnapped by Vecna. At the same time, the group is also trying to find Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan. This leads to a welcome new member joining their efforts: Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens), the science teacher from Hawkins Middle School.

After Nine Years, Stranger Things’ Mr. Clarke Finally Knows About The Upside Down

When Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan get stuck in the Upside Down, Erica understands they need help – and a smart plan to find them. She suggests getting Mr. Clarke, Dustin’s old teacher, involved. As soon as he finds out Dustin is in trouble, Mr. Clarke quickly builds a device to track them down.

Throughout the series, Clarke eventually discovers the secrets of Hawkins – the hidden gateways beneath the town and the creatures that have been causing fear for years. That’s why it’s so satisfying to see him become an official member of the group by the end of the seventh episode of Stranger Things season 5.

Stranger Things Season 5 Proves Mr. Clarke Should Have Joined The Party WAY Sooner

Mr. Clarke was a consistently dependable and informative supporting character on the show, often explaining complicated ideas like alternate dimensions and wormholes. Despite his knowledge, he never fully understood the true events unfolding in Hawkins.

Season 5 of Stranger Things really shows how strange it was to not include Mr. Clarke more in the past. He’s incredibly smart – he was key to locating Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan – and he just naturally clicks with the main group of kids.

The chemistry between Clarke and Murray is immediately funny. Clarke is a total nerd himself, quickly understanding that a mention of “The Abyss” is a nod to Dungeons & Dragons. What’s even cooler is when Clarke opens the MAC-Z security gate and says “Mellon” – the Elvish word for ‘friend’ from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, just like the phrase that opens the doors to the Mines of Moria.

Ultimately, the fifth season of Stranger Things reveals something many fans suspected from the beginning: the character of Mr. Clarke deserved to be more involved in the story much earlier on.

The series finale of Stranger Things releases on New Year’s Eve.

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2025-12-29 01:28