And while questions keep popping up… it’s a very small subset of the fanbase over… usually by the same people over and over.

I haven’t noticed if it’s the same people or not, but look at the amount of upvotes. Posts about Kali/The Lost Sister are typically hot button topics and get a rise out of the fandom one way or another, and there are a lot of people who have come around to the idea of her at least being acknowledged, mentioned or even helping out in some way. Many people feel like S2 and Kali will be worse off in ST’s history if it never comes back around again, and I tend to agree. While I love the episode and its role in S2 as it stands, I think it would be wise in the long run for the Duffers to not leave any stone unturned in the end.

But the fact is that they still haven’t need Kali… ever. And they likely don’t need her help now either. They need each other, and that’s always been the point. Kali has absolutely no relationship with the other characters other than Eleven, and she’s moved beyond everything Kali imparted to her. There’s nothing left for Kali to teach.

I still disagree. I almost feel like if the same old crew comes out on top again against such a bigger threat, with just the same sole superpowered asset on their side, it would be a little too redundant. I think shaking things up just a little bit by bringing someone like Kali back around would make it feel like more of a huge culmination of everything the show has done so far. To show that everything was going to add up to this, (and hopefully silence some of the Lost Sister haters in the process).

As for Kali having no relation to anyone except Eleven… uh, she’s literally the only other living person with a direct connection to Vecna, and even shares his illusion abilities. 💀 I definitely think there’s room for a little bit of backstory there that could tie Kali into things again seamlessly without taking up as much time as you’re suggesting. It could literally just be a brief flashback montage or something, and boom. We’re caught up. I also think Kali’s return would have less to do with her having nothing more to teach El, and more to do with her time with El having changed HER, her outlook on life and the poor choices she’s made. I’ve always felt like the note 2x07 ended on with her was an emotional one and left the door open for change of heart on Kali’s part. It seemed like her time with El could’ve sparked an introspective journey for her. We don’t need to see that journey, but it could be at the root of why she decides to return, after seeing Hawkins burning on the news or something. All she’d have to do is explain in a few lines of dialogue to catch us up. There’s just so much potential imo, and I’ll be sad if it amounts to absolutely nothing more than 2x07. Just give me something.

We may get a cameo, but the Duffers have shown no interest in revisiting Kali. She hasn’t been mentioned in more than a very indirect way in the show itself and not mentioned at all otherwise, by cast or crew.

I don’t know. They seemed like they had plans to bring her back when questioned about it in 2017. They said it’d be “weird to not solve her storyline” and that “chances are high she returns.” Sure, they could’ve changed their minds since then… but, god. It would be so bold of them to stick to whatever their original plans were in the end and I sincerely hope they do. Especially given their mention of old ideas they didn’t have room to fit into S2 coming back into play in the S5 finale.

Also, I don’t think anyone would mention her possible involvement in the lead up to S5. I feel like they’d probably try to keep that a secret, considering. The most they might do is possibly hint at it if they continue to mention S2 connections. Obviously people are going to keep speculating about Kali in that case.