Stranger Things — Series 5 Chapter 1 — The Crawl — A Review

7th February, 2026.

“The Crawl”.

An Introduction.

I’ve officially been putting things off for a while.

Yes: I’ve officially been doing things!

Things that meant finding time to do other things was tricky.

You know, now I see that written down, it occurs to me that it’s not the most informative thing I’ve ever put to paper!

Let me put it this way: I’ve been busy … 

No, that doesn’t work, either … 

Let me put it like this: I’ve not watched a TV show, nor reviewed it, since Christmas.

So … ?

I’m going to remedy that, tonight: by starting on Stranger Things 5: the five and last series of Stranger Things.

Once I’ve had dinner, obviously!

~≈🐙≈~

Just as a thought for newcomers to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, or my @MrCuddy2977 YouTube channel?

I’ve been writing this blog since 2008: and in all that time … ?

Done written reviews of the whole series.

But only done video reviews of the fourth one.

When I first got a webcam.

I’m might add more Stranger Things content: but there seems little point doing so respectively.

At any rate, I’ve started this review of “The Crawl” on Saturday, 7th February: and should have it finished by Tuesday 10th February.

I’ll hopefully see you then … 

~≈🐙≈~

8th February, 2026.

Part One.

The Summary.

Chapter 1 — “The Crawl” — opens with an inter-title: telling us it’s the 12th November, 1983, and showing us a young Will Byers (with Noah Schapp’s face on the body of Luke Kokotek) hiding in the Upside Down.

Only to be captured by a Demogorgon: and brought before Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), himself.

The scene shifts to the opening credits for this episode, then to the Wheeler family home, on 3rd November, 1987.

Showing that Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and her family have temporarily moved with Ted and Karen Wheeler, after the Byers family home was destroyed in series four.

Things are looking tough: especially as the town of Hawkins has been quarantined by the US army.

Giving Joyce, Hop (David Harbour) and the rest of the gang little option: but to try and deal with the monsters from the Upside Down, by sneaking into the army base … without soldiers noticing, or the Wheelers, objecting.

And doing this only after Robin (Maya Hawke), now acting as the town’s one radio broadcaster, gives them coded details of when the next Army patrol goes into action.

That patrol, to Hawkins’ own hell dimension?   Is something that Robin and Steve (Joe Keery) have found takes place, tonight … 

~≈🐙≈~

Part Two.

Thoughts.

Now … what did I make of this opening episode of Stranger Things Five?

And what on earth is meant by the episode’s title, “The Crawl”?

The definition is easy.

Don’t forget, our main heroes — Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will — all play Dungeons and Dragons, together.

So call Hop’s (David Harbour)’s missions to the Upside Down, ‘crawls’: as the tern is a shortened version of ‘dungeon crawl’: as well as the title of a song by Essex based blues band, the Motel Kings.

As for the plot … ?

This first episode is nicely done: it re-introduces us to the main cast, introduces us to new characters: and ends on a cliffhanger: one I’m looking forward to seeing resolved, next week.

“The Crawl” is a nice opener: as well as a good tune.

~≈🐙≈~

Part Three.

A Brief Side Step.

Just as a side step?

As I’ve said, we’re reintroduced to the regular cast: and see how all are growing since the last season.

Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), for example, is becoming more of a soldier, whilst Will (Noah Schnapps) is facing his ever growing powers.

They were prominent for me: although the rest of the characters are growing, too.

Dustin?   Has become angrier, since the death of Eddy Munson in Series Four.

Whilst Hop … ?

Is ever more protective of his adopted daughter, Eleven.

We’re introduced — or re-introduced — to Holly Wheeler, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy’s (Natalia Dyer) younger sister.

Holly … ?   Is unnoticed by her uncaring parents and busy siblings, and is talking to someone only she can see: not the most reassuring of things in a town like Hawkins.

Meanwhile … ?

We’re also introduced to Dr Kay (Linda Hamilton).

About all we know about her … ?

Is that she’s interested in someone she refers to as ‘the girl’.

Given we see the soldiers working for Dr Kay hunting for an Eleven look-alike, but also have been watching an episode that seems to focus on Holly Wheeler?

I have to wonder which girl Dr Kay’s talking about … 

~≈🐙≈~

9th February, 2026.

Part Four.

Finally … 

So: finally … ?

What did I think of “The Crawl”?

Of an engrossing opening episode, one that’s very watchable … ?

I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Granted, I don’t I was an engrossed as I could’ve been.

And, granted: I would have preferred series five to pick up from 2022’s series four

But … ?

“The Crawl” is a good opening episode: one that kicks off this fifth series in good style.

“The Crawl”

★★★☆

~≈🐙≈~

Part Five.

Until Next Time.

That is where I’m going to leave things for now.

I’ll leave you with my thanks for reading this: or for watching the video version, if that’s what you’ve done.

However, before I go?

I’ll also tell you one last thing.

I’m going to be watching the next episode of Stranger Things Five, “The Vanishing Of Holly Weaver” on Saturday, 14th February: and will have my written and video reviews, up by next Tuesday.

Feel free to have a look at the rest of my content, to subscribe to my YouTube channel: and follow Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar.

I’ll see you next time.