Anticipation is higher than ever forStranger Thingsseason 5 now that trailers have been released, but their absence of one Wheeler family member is glaringly apparent. The fifth and final season, which will see the town of Hawkins fighting against the encroaching Upside Down andThe Party battling Vecnafor the last time, will release in three installments starting on November 26.
Mike and Nancy Wheeler have been central characters throughout the entire series, while their mother, Karen, was given a subplot in season 3, in which she developed an intense infatuation with Billy Hargrove. Meanwhile, kid sisterHolly and Wheeler patriarch Ted have existed largely on the fringes.Stranger Thingsseason 5looks to continue that trend for one of the latter characters — even if it doesn’t make sense.
Ted Wheeler Is Completely Absent From Stranger Things Season 5’s Trailers
The Wheeler Home Appears Under Attack & He’s Nowhere To Be Found
TheStranger Thingsseason 5 trailerspoint to the whole Wheeler family being involved in the story in a big way — except for Ted, who is nowhere to be seen.Holly, in particular, appears to be getting a storyline upgrade, as she’s prominently featured alongside Karen.
One trailer shows a terrified Karen holding Holly close to her chest as lights flicker, potentially signaling an invasion from the Upside Down. The most recent trailer has mother and daughter hiding underwater in the bathtub, whichsuggests that a malevolent presence breached the Wheeler home.
There could be a darker explanation for Ted’s absence in the trailers.
Thisbegs the question of where Ted Wheeler is during this apparent attackon his home, as it appears that Karen is the sole person protecting Holly. While it’s very possible that the perpetually exhausted patriarch sleeps through the whole thing, there could be a darker explanation for Ted’s absence in the trailers.
Fans have been focusing on onemoment concerning Nancy in theStranger Thingstrailers, in which she tearfully washes blood off her hands. This seems to suggest thatperhaps someone close to Nancy has died, or at least been severely hurt.
Though much of the speculation is around more prominent characters — Jonathan, Steve, Karen, or Mike —Nancy’s reaction would make sense if something bad happened to Ted. It would also explain why he’s nowhere to be seen in theStranger Thingsseason 5 promotional materials.
Stranger Things Season 5 Should Have Been The Perfect Time To Give Ted More Involvement
The Town Of Hawkins Is Blatantly Under Attack
Up until recently, The Party seemed to be the only Hawkins residents whoknew about the Upside Down. Back then,it made sense that Ted’s role in the story was limited, as he’s a stereotypical ignorant dad, oblivious to the goings-on of his children— even when they’re fighting paranormal creatures.
But now that the Upside Down has loudly announced its presence, its threats are unavoidable, soTed really should be more involved in the battle to save Hawkins. As lazy and apathetic as he may be, he also has definite “Get the hell off my lawn” energy, so he likely wouldn’t take too kindly to evil forces invading his town.
Ted may have been the butt of the joke in seasons gone by, but times are dire, and the time for jokes is over. Unfortunately, if theStranger Thingstrailers are any indication, it doesn’t look like Ted will be fighting to defend his town — or even his family home.
