Stranger Things creators confirm what actually just happened with Nancy and Jonathan

**WARNING: Contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2*

After nine years as a pop culture behemoth, Stranger Things has all but wrapped up – with just one episode to go before Netflix's sci-fi/fantasy show ends for good.

Episodes five to eight of the rather drawn out final run dropped on Christmas Day – almost exactly a month after the first four instalments – and it's safe to say the new episodes have left fans with plenty of major talking points.

One of those pertains to the storyline concerning couple Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) who shared an emotional conversation just as it seemed like they were looking at a certain demise. In the scene, Jonathan asked Nancy not to marry him, to which she agreed – although they both tearfully explained that they still loved each other.

Moments later, it emerged that they weren't quite in the imminent mortal danger they had thought they were, and have lived to survive another day. But is the same true of their relationship?

It's a moment which has caused a certain degree of confusion for fans, but now show bosses the Duffer brothers have stepped in to clear up whether this was really a breakup or not.

"That's a breakup," Matt Duffer explained to People magazine. "They are broken up."

That seems to spell it out about as straightforwardly as possible, so fans still in denial about the end of Nancy and Jonathan as a couple might have to begrudgingly accept it.

Read more:

• Stranger Things season 5 has already stuck the landing with one monumental scene
• Stranger Things star reacts to "devastating" reveal and "tough" Eleven scene in volume 2

Speaking in more detail about the reason for this narrative decision, Duffer added: "It's hard to recall when exactly that idea came, but I think us — and the writers — all felt that Nancy needed to end up on her own and be independent and have an opportunity to find herself."

He continued, "I mean, how many people wind up with their girlfriend or boyfriend that they met in high school?" Ross Duffer also went on to describe the former couple's relationship as a "trauma bond."

Of course, with one episode left before the show bows out, it will be interesting to see just how Stranger Things ties up the storyline once and for all – and whether it tees up what's next for both Jonathan and Nancy now they're single. We've got less than a week to wait!

Stranger Things season 5's finale will be released on New Year's Day.

Add Stranger Things to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.