After a lengthy break, fans are once again diving into the eerie world of Hawkins and the Upside Down in “Stranger Things.” For a detailed breakdown of the final episode of Season 5 Part 1, including every thrilling twist and turn, check out our comprehensive video above.

In the climactic episode, “Chapter Four: Sorcerer,” Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) and Jim Hopper (David Harbour) believe they’ve pinpointed the location of the sinister Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) at a military outpost in the Upside Down. However, instead of confronting their nemesis, Eleven is unexpectedly reunited with an old ally—Kali (Linnea Berthelsen). Kali, who last appeared in Eleven’s rebellious arc in Season 2, is a fellow survivor from Hawkins Lab and is being held captive. Eleven appears determined to rescue her friend.

Meanwhile, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) experiences a pivotal moment as he discovers he possesses abilities akin to Vecna’s. With his nose bleeding and eyes turning a stark white, Will taps into newfound power, managing to repel a Demogorgon with sheer determination and a wave of his hand. This revelation is poised to significantly alter the dynamics for the group as the season progresses.

In another part of the Upside Down, Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) and Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) find themselves ensnared in Vecna’s mindscape. Holly watches as Max delves into the depths of Vecna’s memories, witnessing glimpses of his past life as Henry Creel while searching for an escape route. Max comes close to breaking free, aided by Lucas Sinclair’s (Caleb McLaughlin) musical intervention, but the gate slams shut as the tape rewinds, trapping them once more.

Elsewhere, Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) and Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) are trapped together in Vecna’s mental prison. Holly learns that Max has traveled deep into the recesses of Vecna’s memories, seeing flashes of his life as Henry Creel while probing for a way out. Max nearly escapes thanks to Lucas Sinclair’s (Caleb McLaughlin) musical intervention, but the tape rewinds, closing the gate.

Vecna finds Max and gives chase. While trying to outrun him, she realizes there’s one place he won’t go — a mountain with a cave that Max can squeeze into. It’s a place that visibly fills Vecna with fear, and so Max has been living there ever since. Now that Holly’s arrived, hope springs anew, and the girls team up to find a new exit. Don’t be surprised if that mountain provides a major clue toward defeating Vecna in Season 5, Part 2.

And then there’s Hopper, who plans to make the ultimate sacrifice and blow himself up after entering the vault where he believes Vecna’s hiding. Viewers and El alike hear an explosion, making them think he’s chosen a martyr’s death — but in the end he surfaces alive and well to support his adoptive daughter. That’s just some of what happens during “Sorcerer.” Want to know everything about the final episode of the first part of “Stranger Things” Season 5? Click our video above.