The episode "Chapter One: The Crawl" opens in Hawkins, Indiana, in the fall of 1987, showing the town still scarred by the opening of the Rifts to the Upside Down. The main characters are united with the urgent goal of finding and killing Vecna, who has vanished and whose plans remain unknown.

The episode begins with a tense scene where the group is gathered, discussing their next steps. Eleven, Mike, Will, and the others are visibly affected by the recent traumatic events involving Vecna and the Upside Down. Eleven is still recovering from the sensory deprivation tank experience used to help Max in the previous season. The group debates how to locate Vecna, knowing that time is running out as the anniversary of Will's original disappearance approaches, bringing a heavy sense of dread.

Joyce Byers and Jim Hopper are shown working together, coordinating efforts to protect Hawkins and gather intelligence on Vecna's whereabouts. Hopper is physically and emotionally scarred but determined to fight. Joyce is focused on keeping the group together and safe.

Meanwhile, Eleven struggles with her powers, which seem diminished or unstable after the previous season's events. She attempts to reconnect with her abilities through intense concentration and training sequences, but her frustration grows as she fails to reach her former strength.

The episode then shifts to a sequence where Mike and Will set up a makeshift sensory deprivation tank to help Eleven regain her powers. They carefully prepare the tank, explaining the process and its risks. Eleven enters the tank, and her consciousness drifts into a psychic connection with Max, who is still trapped in a mental battle with Vecna. Eleven's presence strengthens Max, allowing her to resist Vecna's influence more effectively.

In a parallel storyline, Robin, Steve, and Nancy are shown investigating the Upside Down's physical form. They discover new clues about Vecna's vulnerability and the nature of the Rifts. They set a trap by luring Vecna's physical form into a controlled area and then set it on fire, hoping to weaken him. The scene is detailed, showing the careful planning, the tension as Vecna appears, and the precise moment the fire is ignited. Vecna reacts violently but manages to escape, confirming he is far from defeated.

Back in Hawkins, the group regroups to share their findings and plan their next move. Will expresses his fear that Vecna's return will bring even greater danger. Eleven, now out of the tank, is exhausted but more determined. The episode ends with a foreboding shot of the Upside Down, hinting at a darkness more powerful than before, setting the stage for the final battle.

Throughout the episode, key decisions include the choice to use the sensory deprivation tank again despite risks, the decision to confront Vecna's physical form directly with fire, and the commitment of the entire group to stand together for the looming final confrontation. The episode carefully balances character moments with escalating tension and sets up multiple narrative threads for the season.

The ending of "Stranger Things" Season 5, Episode 1, "Chapter One: The Crawl," sets the stage for the final season's conflict but does not conclude the story itself. The episode ends with the main characters regrouping and preparing for the looming battle against Vecna and the Upside Down's threat, with Hawkins under military quarantine and Eleven in hiding.

Expanding on the ending scene by scene:

The episode opens in the fall of 1987, showing Hawkins still scarred by the rifts opened in previous seasons. The town is under military quarantine, intensifying the hunt for Eleven, who remains in hiding to protect herself and her friends. The atmosphere is tense, with a heavy sense of dread as the anniversary of Will Byers' disappearance approaches.

The core group of friends--Mike, Eleven, Will, Lucas, Max, Dustin, and others--are shown scattered but determined to reunite. They are aware that Vecna has vanished, and his plans are unknown, which adds to their urgency and anxiety. The government's presence is oppressive, complicating their mission to find and kill Vecna.

Joyce Byers is seen protecting a safe house, wielding an axe against a Demogorgon attack, highlighting the ongoing danger from creatures of the Upside Down. This scene underscores the constant threat looming over Hawkins and the characters' resilience.

The episode also reveals the presence of the Turnbow family in Hawkins since season 1, indicated by a fallen billboard in the Upside Down, connecting past and present threats.

The final moments focus on the group coming together, emphasizing their unity as the "full party" standing together for one last time. The episode closes with a sense of impending confrontation but leaves the fate of each character open, setting up the narrative for the rest of the season.

In summary, the episode ends with Hawkins in crisis, the characters united but under siege, and the ultimate battle against Vecna and the Upside Down looming, without resolving individual fates or the conflict itself. This beginning chapter is designed to build tension and anticipation for the season's unfolding events.

For Stranger Things Season 5, Episode 1 ("Chapter One: The Crawl"), there is no confirmed information from the available sources about a post-credits scene specific to this episode. The search results mention that Stranger Things has included post-credits scenes in previous seasons, such as a notable one in Season 3 involving a Demogorgon in a Russian cage, but no details or descriptions have been released or reported about a post-credits scene for this particular episode in 2025.

The sources confirm the episode title and some plot hints but do not mention any post-credits content for "The Crawl". The trailers and updates focus on the main episode content, including character returns and conflicts, without referencing a post-credits scene.

Therefore, based on current information, "Chapter One: The Crawl" does not have a known post-credits scene. If one exists, it has not been publicly detailed or confirmed as of now.

Episode 1 hints at a new monster called the 'tree flayer,' which is suggested by merchandise clues and is part of the expanded Upside Down mythology in season 5.

The episode continues the aftermath of the opening of the Rifts and the hunt for Vecna, who has vanished with unknown plans. It builds on the season 4 finale where multiple groups unknowingly teamed up to attack Vecna, but he remains a looming threat.

Key characters such as Eleven, Mike, Will, Max, Robin, Steve, and Nancy are involved, with Eleven and Mike working to support Max against Vecna. The characters are united but scarred by past events, facing a heavy dread as the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches.

The Duffer Brothers described it as the most eventful first episode since season 1, featuring intense and emotionally charged scenes, including a sensory deprivation tank sequence and a cold open considered the most intense in the series.

While specific new locations are not detailed, the episode and season 5 overall promise to reveal more secrets of the Upside Down and its alternate reality, expanding the show's world beyond previous seasons.

The episode "Chapter One: The Crawl," the first episode of Stranger Things season 5, is rated TV-14, indicating it is generally intended for viewers aged 14 and older and may contain material unsuitable for younger children.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers in this episode may include:

• Horror and thriller elements typical of the series, such as suspenseful scenes, supernatural threats, and tense atmospheres.
• Fantasy and sci-fi violence, which may involve creatures or situations that could be frightening.
• Dramatic emotional content, including moments of distress or intense character interactions.
• The series is known for some graphic or intense scenes in prior seasons, so similar content may be present here, though specific details for this episode are not publicly detailed yet.

No explicit plot spoilers or detailed scene descriptions are available, but given the show's established tone and the TV-14 rating, parents and sensitive viewers should expect mature themes, suspense, and some frightening or intense moments that might not be suitable for young children.