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she/her 💡Stranger Things 5 Theories💡(flickergate+labyrinthgate creator) posting whatever nowadays

[connect-dots7]

Post Index: •───•°•❀•°•───•

 The Official Flickergate™ Theory :

HERE: flickergate: will & mike's "7 confession + garage light kiss" prediction! (NEW VERSION: involving mike’s letter)

HERE: video of the flickergate theory (involving mike's letter)

here: (The First Truth Theory)

HERE: mike & will’s 7 confession + garage light kiss prediction (original post/long version)

HERE: video of my 7 confession + garage light kiss theory! (original version)

Stranger Things "Gates": EXPLAINED (the term "-gate" is a popular tag used on Stranger Things tumblr in reference to fan theories)

Birthday-gate: EXPLAINED (video)

Letter-gate: EXPLAINED (video)

Eightfifteen-gate: EXPLAINED (video)

My Own "Gates":

Twenty-gate: EXPLAINED (video)

Flicker-gate: EXPLAINED (video)

Labyrinth-gate: EXPLAINED (video)

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full-circle basement+couch parallel theory

HERE: video of the full-circle couch/basement prediction!

HERE: written version of the full-circle couch/basement prediction!

labyrinthgate theory

here (Labyrinthgate part 1-snowball parallel prediction)

here (Labyrinthgate part 2-cliffgate parallel/mc escher's relativity)

here (Labyrinthgate part 3-flickergate crossover/Mike has powers?)

here (Labyrinthgate part 4-Mike and Sarah's race against time)

here (Labyrinthgate toy/teddy bear symbolism analysis)

some of my thoughts on time-travel in stranger things

here & here : (stranger things//back to the future: parallels)

here: (time manipulation prediction+ s3 phone+ lock theory)

my s5 mini theories/analysis :)

here: (20gate timestamps)

here: (byler swing-set prediction)

here: (symbolism of the number 7)

My Youtube: connect-dots7 My TikTok:@connect_dots7

LINKS TO SOME OF MY FAVORITE POSTS FROM OTHER CREATORS:

HERE: BYLER PROOF (MASTERPOST) HERE: FAVE STRANGER THINGS THEORIES/ANALYSIS

(cause yall are too goddamn smart)

[connect-dots7]

20 MORE MINUTES: why I still think Stranger Things isn’t over

I think this weekend, at least 3 movies or episodes will start to come out, with January 20 being a key date when one of them drops.

If you remember, the Stranger Things account dropped a promotional video 20 days out from the s5 release:

In it, Mike rolls a d20.

However, as @lestatforever pointed out, the dice is wrong. Read this post, because I also believe that this inconsistency hints at the fact that Mike actually rolled a natural 1 and LOST.

Which is more evidence for my theory:

I think the real finale will drop 20 days after the fake finale

On January 20.

The runtime of season five so far is 10 hours, which mirrors the length of Mike's first D&D campaign in season one. This campaign, they didn't get to finish because Will was kidnapped; Mike needed 20 more minutes to complete it that night-- they ended up playing again roughly three weeks later, after Will returned.

January 20 falls almost three weeks after the fake finale-which itself was 10 hours long. THIS CANT BE A COINCIDENCE!

Like many of you, I also think the “Ending” was fake and that Mike has been VECNA’D

Which lines up perfectly with my #20gate theory from 2022. Basically I found every time the number 20 was mentioned in the show, because I had a hunch that Mike needing "20 more minutes" would be crucial to the plot of s5:

For example, in s2, Ted says to Mike: “this isn’t strike 1, this isn’t even strike 2–

*coach not couch lol

Back then, I thought maybe this was foreshadowing Mike going back in time, and attempting to defeat Vecna 20 different times

Or that maybe Mike would have to race against the clock, with just 20 minutes standing between him and victory.

This didn't seem like too much of a stretch, because of all the Back to the Future references, and because as we saw in the s4 D&D game, they needed to role a d20 to Win.

Rolling an 11 caused them to lose, which is why I theorized that Eleven wouldn’t be able to truly defeat Vecna in Season 5.

Instead, we are shown that the party was able to defeat Vecna by rolling d20, as the basketball game timer counts down. This stood out to me as important back then, because I thought it would somehow be connected to Mike needing 20 more minutes to finish his campaign in the opening of s1. Which is why I took note of the Basketball Game Timer, and the Jersey numbers of each player.

You can read those posts here: (here & here).

But in summery: I still believe the Season 1 Opening + Season 4 D&D Game/Basketball game function to foreshadow the ending, and that they are connected.

I still think the numbers we are shown are deeply intentional, and that they contains key clues about how the real ending will ultimately play out.

Here's my updated thoughts (post-fake finale) that I uploaded to tik tok yesterday:

I admit, this all might just be cope and confirmation bias. Episode 8 might have been the real ending, it might have really just sucked that bad. But I want to believe.

[connect-dots7]

Here

[connect-dots7]

I believe. We arnt crazy guys. All the details we picked up on, all the analysis—it can’t all just be a coincidence. There’s more stranger things to come, the ending was fake.

I had an epiphany: Season five runs exactly 10 hours and 20 minutes. In season one, the very first D&D campaign opens with the kids having already played for 10 hours, when they ask for 20 more minutes. Karen tells them they’ll have to finish the campaign next weekend.

They never do. Will is taken that night. The next time they could finally finish that campaign at the end of s1 would be around 18th-20.

This also lines up with the countdown which started on the 7th when Vecna’s actor went on the Tonight Show. He counts down from 12. What’s 12 days after the 7th? The 18th.

[foahheart]

🙌🫡

[amaywe]

"There such a promise for some sort of battle................................there."

ok.

The Duffer Brothers say that "the thing thats cool is the giant monster, I mean, thats whats new."

Not only is the second part of that statement laughably incorrect---media is flooded with big CGI monsters, but this whole quote contradicts things they've said in previous interviews and in the documentary.

55 minutes into the documentary the Duffer Brothers say "at the end of the day, the audience cares most about the characters, and not the spectacle."

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter In late 2025 the Duffer Brothers says "We want bigger visual effects and bigger set peices but we don't want to lose sight of the characters or the emotion, I think thats the most important thing. And so we love these kind of sequences in movie and shows but sometimes we do find ourselves zoning out because we're not connected to whats happening on an emotional level. Like you could have the most incredible action sequence ever , but if I'm not invested in the people on the ground then I'm, really, I've actually, I do fall asleep sometimes. The key, or the sweet spot for us is the action is sort of climaxing at the same time as a character or theirs an emotional climax."

They did this perfectly during the MAC-Z fight, which not only has incredible action, but is an emotional climax to Wills journey of self acceptance. The Duffer Brothers have shown with the MAC-Z fight that they are capable of making emotionally poignant action sequences.

They did not do this in the final battle. In fact, that final battle represents to a T the very thing the Duffers were criticizing in that interview. Big action sequence with no emotional weight.

I truly don't know if conformity gate is going to happen or not, but the finale, previous interviews, and the doc make me think the Duffers are trying to make a meta commentary about the film industry and what audiences will accept now-a-days.

The finale was ripped straight out of a MCU movie. Big, big CGI action that has no weight to it cause the audience knows all the characters are going to survive. The epilouge is, as Max would describe, 'trite.' All in all, epsiode 8 is mid. It's mid. But GA audiences accepted it. It has a good rating on IMBD. People know its worse than previous season. People know it failed to meet expectations. But still, so much of the GA says its 'good enough'. So what it has plot holes? It has a normal ending. Boy kiss girl. It's not awful. The teenagers go off to college. They pass the flame down from one generation to the next. It hits the beats of an ending. It could be worse. The GA accepts the ending, and I think thats what the Duffer Bros are criticizing.

They are criticizing the laziness that pervades modern writers rooms in Hollywood. They are criticizing the blatant us of AI over human talent. They are criticizing all those tv shows and movies with similar mid-ass endings. They are criticizing the people that accept them.

Now the reason I think this theory has some weight to it is because the Duffer Bros are film snobs, and if their's one thing film snobs hate, its the current 'MCUificatoin' of movies. It's been a complaint with modern media for a while, but film snobs ESPECIALLY hate it. The Duffer Brothers biggest inspiration's are Stephen Spielberg and Stephen King. Two block-buster authors/directors that made good blockbuster films. The modern soul-less big block-buster movies must feel like a slap in the face to those creators for them.

26m 30 s into the documentary Hope Hyns Love, the Duffer Bros drama teacher, said this about them. "They were never afraid of failing, so they took big swings."

Where has the big swing been? Where is that fearlessness? The Duffer Bros want to be remembered like Stephen Spielberg. Like Stephen King. They want to make film history. They said Season 5 was bigger and bolder. They said they knew they knew the ending for years. They said they had extra time after season 4 due to covid to start working on season 5. They said season 5 was a love letter to Stephen Kings "Dark Tower" series, which has a fake ending. They said season 5 would wrap up any plot-holes. They say they say they say.

The Duffer Brothers are liars. Maybe in a good way, maybe in a bad way, but I hope, even if it’s a one-in-a-hundred chance, it's in a good way.

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FLICKERGATE IS REAL

The 7 second lightning (electricity) flashes the exact moment Mike and Will share an indirect kiss (drinking out of the same water bottle)

To add to it, there's also the imagery of characters standing on the electricity tower, which feels intentional.

Even crazier though:

after Volume 1 1 also predicted that the seven-second thunder and lightning (i.e., electricity) would trigger at moments when characters confess the truth.

Volume 2 literally confirmed this: I noticed that the sound occurs during the Kali/El scene and the Nancy/Jonathan conversation, both at the exact moments of confession.

Given how specifically this played out, it's really hard to believe it has nothing to do with Flickergate. That level of accuracy would be an unbelievable coincidence otherwise.

What if the True ending drops tonight? January 14. Because two 7s means TWO TRUTHS. I think tonight Mike’s Truth might finally be revealed to us…

[connect-dots7]

FLICKERGATE IS REAL

The 7 second lightning (electricity) flashes the exact moment Mike and Will share an indirect kiss (drinking out of the same water bottle)

To add to it, there's also the imagery of characters standing on the electricity tower, which feels intentional.

Even crazier though:

after Volume 1 1 also predicted that the seven-second thunder and lightning (i.e., electricity) would trigger at moments when characters confess the truth.

Volume 2 literally confirmed this: I noticed that the sound occurs during the Kali/El scene and the Nancy/Jonathan conversation, both at the exact moments of confession.

Given how specifically this played out, it's really hard to believe it has nothing to do with Flickergate. That level of accuracy would be an unbelievable coincidence otherwise.

[connect-dots7]

This is for anyone who doesn't know what the "Birthdaygate" theory is yet. I tried to summarize it here, as best I can:

Basically, it's the theory that the writers didn't actually "forget" Will's birthday, contrary to what they've claimed. What if Mike, Joyce, and Jonathan actually did "forget" it, because Will's subconcious mind altered reality or Vecna stole that memory from them?

This means that Will's birthday could play an important role in the plot of season 5:

Will is one of the few characters, who's birthday is specifically mentioned within the show! Yet the show-runners want us to believe that they just randomly chose this date for the first episode of s4? and not one person on their team caught it? When this is the opening of the episode???:

The date of the episode was pointed out to us, not just once, but TWICE now. They know. If this wasn't intentional, i won't know what's real anymore. ig i'll finally have to take meds for the delusion and maybe even go outside to some touch grass :/

but this is just the tip of the iceberg. There's so much evidence sprinkled throughout the series, pretty much proving that this "mistake" was actually planned.

Below, I've compiled a list of some of the most compelling evidence surrounding this theory (via these intellectual masterminds and absolute academic weapons: @'s) if there's anything important I missed, pls tell me and I will add it!

(why is making lists fun now? i think i need a new hobby)

"sorry i forgot you're birthday" card in Will's room:

AT.TUMBLR.COM

Billy ("William") and Will's birthday parallel:

AT.TUMBLR.COM

background rink-o-mania extras (celebrating their birthdays)

+ rumored s3 episode titles:

AT.TUMBLR.COM

Surfer-Boy pizza birthday song easter egg:

video

promo posters + duffer interview:

AT.TUMBLR.COM

ST writer's tweet about Will's Birthday (from 2020)

AT.TUMBLR.COM

"10 bucks says mom forgot something"

AT.TUMBLR.COM

street sign??! (i know it's not 100% serious, but i still lowkey believe this)

AT.TUMBLR.COM

convo between Joyce and Murray + s2 birthday cup:

AT.TUMBLR.COM

Suzie's House: Dustin's Birthday vs Will's Birthday (math)

AT.TUMBLR.COM

Suzie's house: "16 Candles" movie easter egg

AT.TUMBLR.COM

Here are some of the main theories going around rn about why his Birthday was forgotten, and what it could potentially mean for the story in season 5:

Main BirthdayGate theories going around:

Vecna stole memories (gradually over the years or during season 2, when Will was possessed)

Vecna stole memories (and it activated when they left Hawkins, similar to how the characters in IT lost their memories after they left town)

the characters legitimately forgot (unlikely)

time manipulation/travel?

Will felt “forgotten" by his friends and family, causing his subconscious mind to manifest this into reality (through his powers)

finally, here's some sad stuff to think about just for funzies:

AT.TUMBLR.COM

AT.TUMBLR.COM

(here, here)

[connect-dots7]

I had this on private since 2022 i must have forgot to post it publically lol. idk if the links will still work

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I hope the one whose bitter and angry and full of conspiracy theories to win (we x strangerthings)

[miwiheroes]

everyone on this tag once they realise that these characters belong to US now, not the creators. we can do whatever we want with them now and embrace whatever we thought was true.

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New Stranger Things Episode?!

Check Netflix at 11:11

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Credit your sources people :)

This one goes out to @blue-2311.

I’m saying this once, publicly, so there’s a record.

Another blog posted a theory a while ago that closely mirrors one I shared back in 2022 about the parallels between Stranger Things and Labyrinth. At the time I originally posted, this was an extremely niche idea there was only one other mention I could find anywhere, a Reddit post noting that Vecna’s red mindscape resembled Labyrinth’s setting.

Since Season 5, more people have started noticing broader similarities, which I genuinely love seeing. In those cases, it’s clear people are either independently inspired or taking the idea in different directions and reaching different conclusions. That’s not the issue here.

This is a niche topic, and the overlap in this case isn’t vague or coincidental. It’s the structure, sequence, and specific points of the theory that match my original post almost exactly.

What makes this especially hard to ignore:

They’ve referenced other theories of mine by name on their blog

They liked my original post before publishing their version

After I politely asked for credit, those likes were removed

They denied any inspiration, despite clear evidence they’d seen my work

they then proceeded to block me

I fully understand that people can arrive at similar ideas independently. That happens. This isn’t that.

All I asked for was simple credit. That request was refused, and then they blocked me. that sucks a bit, ngl.

So, for clarity: this theory originated from my work. Anyone familiar with both posts can see that for themselves. Also, dont plagiarize.

I’m not interested in dogpiling or drama, just transparency. Credit your sources, especially in small, niche corners of fandom where originality actually matters.

[connect-dots7]

Holy airball part 2 sucked

[connect-dots7]

More evidence for my theory! I think Mike paralleling Dr. Frankenstein (because the demos are his creations in a way)

Edit (I posted this before finishing part 2…) (we might be cooked)

[connect-dots7]

Imagine eleven and 8 time travel to the past, and eleven unlocks the door and 8 creates and illusion of the demo which scares Will and they’re the traitors

[connect-dots7]

Full-Circle Byler Confession/Kiss Prediction. (Flickergate 2.0)

I know this because of the flicker of this garage light:

Episode 7: The Confession

Link to Theory HERE ^ (the way I figured this out is genuinely insane)

Episode 8: THE KISS

(In episode 8 they will kiss, and this time it will be mutual)

The Bookend:

If I were writing the show, I'd also have the ending parallel the beginning, creating a meaningful bookend.

For example, in the future we see the gang grown up, once again playing DnD-only this time theyre able to finish the game and win. In season one, Dustin brought pizza upstairs to Nancy but she refused— so maybe this time, Nancy brings pizza and joins them.

Then Mike and Will go outside, saying goodbye to the rest of the party. They once again stick behind together. This is when I think a track titled "adults" will play, paralleling the track titled "kids" (which plays in the season 1 opening).

Mike and Will are (once again) left standing alone together. A light is framed is between them. Only this time, it's glowing steadily, not just flickering.

Unlike in the Opening of the show, This time, they BOTH say The Truth:

"I love you".

(7+7=14, the winning roll!)

Saying The Truth doesn't cause them to lose this time. After Will confessed it was a 7, the demo really did get him. After the garage light flickered, it became true.

But this flicker of "electricity" was also symbolic: It represented "love"

In s1, Mike looks over at that flicker, confused by it. He thinks that the "electricity" is malfunctioning, that there's something WRONG with it. He doesn't yet understand what this feeling is, so he turns off the light, symbolically denying what he just felt.

But in the epilogue, Mike won't turn the light off. This time, the electricity stays on.

Link to og #Flickergate theory: HERE