In the wake of the Stranger Things series finale, fans have been left pondering the fate of several characters, particularly Vickie, played by Amybeth McNulty, and her relationship with Robin, portrayed by Maya Hawke. The series concluded with an 18-month time jump, showcasing the lives of the Hawkins crew after their climactic battle against Vecna. However, Vickie was noticeably absent from the epilogue, sparking speculation about her whereabouts and the status of her romance with Robin.
Series creators Matt and Ross Duffer have addressed the ambiguity surrounding Vickie's fate, stating that they "did talk" about her character's ending but ultimately decided to leave it open to interpretation. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ross Duffer explained that while the flash-forward provides updates on certain character arcs, it doesn't explicitly conclude every relationship. "We do that flash-forward in Mike's story, and we bring them up to a certain point, and then we want to leave it a little bit up to fans in terms of where these characters end up ultimately," he said. "Do Robin and Vickie stay together? Maybe, maybe not".
Matt Duffer offered a more pragmatic perspective, suggesting that high school romances rarely endure beyond graduation. "From my point of view and from everyone I knew in high school, what percentage of couples remain together after they leave for college? Extremely low," he stated. He contrasted this with Max and Lucas, whose "love is that deep," implying that their bond is an exception to the rule. However, he added a hopeful "But, you never know".
Adding to the uncertainty, a line delivered by Robin in her final scene with Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan has fueled fan theories about a potential breakup. Robin makes a comment about "overbearing significant others," which some viewers interpreted as a subtle hint that her relationship with Vickie may have ended. Others suggest the comment could also be a reference to Steve's dating life.
The Duffer brothers' decision to keep Robin and Vickie's fate ambiguous aligns with their broader approach to the series finale, which saw several plotlines left open-ended. While some fans may be disappointed by the lack of a definitive answer, others appreciate the opportunity to imagine their own conclusions for the characters they've come to love. Some viewers feel that the open ending is more realistic, considering that both Robin and Vickie are still young and discovering themselves, and may evolve in different directions as they head off to college and meet new people.
Regardless of their ultimate fate, Vickie's role in Season 5 was significant. She learned about the Upside Down, aided in the fight against supernatural threats, and helped protect Max during the final battle against Vecna. Her relationship with Robin also played a part in Will's journey to accepting his sexuality. With the final season now available on Netflix, fans can continue to debate and speculate about what the future holds for Robin, Vickie, and the rest of the Hawkins crew.
