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Ever since the series finale of Stranger Things dropped on Netflix, fans have been divided between accepting a satisfactory finale or grabbing their pitchforks and crying foul.
Some thought that a secret episode – dubbed ‘Conformity Gate’ – existed and would drop on 7 January. That turned out to be wishful thinking, spawned out of frustration that the controversial finale felt unrewarding, riddled with plot holes and let the show down.
Now, even more backlash is being levelled against the show, as eagle-eyed viewers have noticed some suspicious open browsers in the Season 5 behind-the-scenes documentary, Stranger Things: One Last Adventure.
In one clip, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer are seen writing the final episode, “The Rightside Up”, in a Google Doc, and fans allege they can see them using ChatGPT.
There’s no cast-iron evidence the Duffer brothers used generative AI while writing, and Martina Radwan, the director of Stranger Things: One Last Adventure, told The Hollywood Reporter that she didn’t see anyone using ChatGPT in the writers’ room.
She added: “What I find heartbreaking is everybody loves the show, and suddenly we need to pick it apart.”
However, the screenshot has been circulating online, going viral and proving to be something of a lightning rod for already jilted fans.
The show’s subreddit, r/StrangerThings, seems to be split, with many seeing this as a betrayal and others defending the creative team by saying that the screenshot is inconclusive.
Check out some of the reactions below:
All five seasons of Stranger Things, as well as Stranger Things: One Last Adventure, are now streaming on Netflix.