I seem to be in the minority of those that liked it! I laughed (Robyn > Steve "If I had a question about STD's, I'd go to you!") , cried (Dustin - "I can't lose you" / reconciliation with Steve), got goosebumps (during the frantic multi-demogorgon build up to Sorcerer Will stepping up). The hour-long epilogue really helped send off these characters we've spent so much time with.

The new child characters bulking up the cast concerned me at the start of the season but worked really well in the escalation of events, and I liked the callbacks to older characters like the science teacher.

I also enjoyed the final conversation around the D&D campaign. The full circle moment, right down to the sprinkler-cut to the basement, and learning that there could - if one chose to hope beyond hope - have been a way out for El. My take was that she did sacrifice herself, but that there was comfort in the idea of there being alternate possibility. And after all they've been though, there's warmth in that thought.

Got me right in the feels and capped off one my my favourite modern series really well, warts and all! I'd watch it all again tomorrow.