Stranger Things Season 5’s Will & Robin Connection Referenced Heartbreaking Real-Life History

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1.

While the developing relationship between Robin and Will is a highlight of Stranger Things season 5, the most touching moment between them is a quiet one that some viewers might overlook. The first part of Stranger Things season 5 has arrived, and the concluding season of Netflix’s popular sci-fi series is delivering on the high hopes of fans around the globe.

Despite previously saying they wouldn’t add new characters, the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, managed to give most of the show’s main characters a significant moment in the first four episodes of the fifth season. Jonathan Byers isn’t featured prominently yet, but there are still four episodes left to tell his story.

Will, the younger brother, has a particularly strong storyline in season 5. Through his friendship with Robin, he’s able to openly discuss her sexuality, which helps him understand his own feelings as well. This growth is incredibly impactful in episode 4, ultimately giving them a key advantage against Vecna.

Robin Shares Will’s Interest In Alan Turing In Stranger Things Season 5

Okay, so there’s this incredible moment in Stranger Things where Will, who Vecna’s been trying to paint as weak, completely flips the script. He digs deep, remembers everything that’s made him who he is, and then – get this – uses his mind to destroy three of Vecna’s Demogorgons all at once! It’s a huge, satisfying shock, though honestly, the show does a pretty good job of hinting that something like this was coming.

As a longtime fan, I really appreciated how the show built up to Robin’s reveal. Will and Robin had been talking a lot about accepting who you are in earlier episodes, so it felt earned. While her sharing about Vickie was cute, it was a smaller moment earlier on – them both being into LGBTQ+ history – that really got to me, honestly. It was a beautiful little detail that hinted at their connection and felt super genuine.

Robin urgently tells Will that the Enigma machine was key to winning the war, all while trying to persuade him to use his abilities to help locate the missing Derek. She manages to convince him, and Will secretly leaves home, using his connection to Vecna to try and find out where Derek disappeared to.

Robin is likely correct that the codebreaking machine was incredibly important during World War II, but Will might be particularly drawn to this idea for another reason. We learned in season 4 that his high school history project focused on Alan Turing and the Enigma machine.

The students had to write about someone they admired, and Eleven chose her adoptive dad, Hopper. This led to some really mean bullying from a classmate named Angela. We don’t see Will’s presentation, but it’s revealed he wrote about Alan Turing, a famous British mathematician.

Will’s Alan Turing Project Was One Of Stranger Things Season 4’s Subtlest Easter Eggs

While Stranger Things season 5, volume 1 doesn’t mention Alan Turing directly, the appearance of the Enigma machine is a clear reference to his work. Turing was a pioneer in computer science and invented what is considered the first computer, known as the Turing machine.

Early in his career, he worked for the British government, helping to develop codebreaking techniques and contributing to the creation of the Enigma machine, which was used to decipher German naval codes. Throughout his career as a scientist, Turing also made significant advances in fields like logic, theoretical biology, and the development of the first computers.

Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Alan Turing’s life was tragically cut short because of his sexual orientation. In 1953, he was prosecuted for homosexual acts and, instead of being imprisoned, he was forced to undergo chemical castration. This ultimately led to his suicide. Furthermore, due to secrecy laws at the time, his groundbreaking work wasn’t fully appreciated until after his death.

Stranger Things Season 5’s Turing Nod Helps Rewrite Tragic Real-Life History

The story of Alan Turing is a tragic example of how the British government historically mistreated people, but there have been recent efforts to acknowledge his incredible achievements. In 2021, his face appeared on a British bank note to honor his birthday, and a new law, often called the “Alan Turing Law,” officially pardoned men previously convicted under old laws that criminalized same-sex relationships.

The popular Netflix series has joined the recent wave of interest in the life and work of Alan Turing, with seasons 4 and 5 referencing his accomplishments. While season 5 of Stranger Things mixes sci-fi with horror and fantasy, its nods to Turing and the Enigma machine are based on actual historical events.

Alan Turing never received the recognition he deserved while he was alive. Tragically, he was driven to his death by a government and legal system that wouldn’t accept him for who he was. Despite his brilliance and crucial role in helping defeat the Nazis, his country largely rejected him, particularly because of his unconventional beliefs as an atheist.

As a huge fan of Stranger Things, I’ve always loved how the show highlights its outsiders. It really makes sense to me that characters like Robin and Will, who don’t quite fit in Hawkins, feel connected to that sense of being different. Especially Will – even after everything Hawkins put him through, the ending of volume 1 in season 5 showed he still had the heart to protect it. It’s a really powerful moment!

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2025-12-05 17:09