As “Stranger Things” heads toward its long-awaited final chapter, fan theories are everywhere. But one surprising character may have quietly hinted at the show’s endgame — none other than Hawkins’ favorite science teacher, Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens).

Since Season 1, Mr. Clarke has been the go-to explainer of impossible science. He’s the one who first introduced the boys to alternate dimensions with his iconic “flea and the acrobat” lesson. In Season 3, he helped Joyce understand Hawkins’ bizarre magnetic disturbances. And now, in Season 5, it looks like he’s doing it again — this time possibly revealing how the story might wrap up.

Here’s how Mr. Clarke might have predicted a major piece of the Season 5 finale.

What Is an Einstein-Rosen Bridge?

Episode 3 of the final season brings back both Mr. Clarke and Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson). The scene begins with Mr. Clarke leading a class discussion on Einstein-Rosen Bridges — more commonly known as wormholes. These theoretical tunnels could potentially allow travel across space, dimensions, or even time.

Mr. Clarke breaks it down simply:

“Einstein-Rosen Bridges, more commonly known as wormholes, are often depicted in an hourglass-like shape… While the existence of wormholes is entirely theoretical, they have captured the fascination of scientists and science-fiction writers alike.”

Erica, naturally the only student paying attention, chimes in:

“Wormholes are neat because they allow matter to travel between galaxies or dimensions without crossing the space between.”

Mr. Clarke continues the lesson with his usual excitement:

“Just think of all the places mankind could go — another galaxy, another time even. So why aren’t we doing it now? If wormholes did exist they would be extraordinarily unstable. Their enormous gravitational force would rip them apart at the very moment they formed.”

This isn’t just a science class lecture — it feels like setup.

What This Could Mean for the Stranger Things Endgame

Fans have been theorizing about time travel for years, and Season 5 is leaning into that more than ever. Volume 1 even included Max describing how she saw herself inside her own memories while trapped in Vecna/Henry’s mind. Holly immediately compares it to time travel — and while Max denies it, the concept is clearly being teased.

Mr. Clarke’s wormhole explanation adds another layer to this idea, and three major clues connect it directly to the story’s final conflict.

1. Will’s Vision Matches the Wormhole Diagram

The chalk drawing Mr. Clarke sketches in class looks eerily similar to Will Byers’ drawing of Vecna’s plan — the tunnel-like structure where he intends to take the 12 missing kids.

If that shape is intentional, it suggests the group may need to create or use an Einstein-Rosen Bridge to reach Vecna behind the Flesh Wall that seals off the Upside-Down version of Hawkins.

2. The Episode Title “The Bridge”

The second-to-last episode of the final season is literally titled “The Bridge.”

Given Mr. Clarke’s lesson, it’s hard not to see this as foreshadowing. Whether it’s a physical wormhole, a mental link, or a dimensional shortcut, a “bridge” clearly plays a crucial role in the climax.

3. Dungeons & Dragons: The Clue Hidden in “Dimension Door”

The show has always tied supernatural events to D&D concepts. In the Season 5 premiere, Mike tells Holly about a cleric spell called Dimension Door. This teleportation move allows the caster to travel long distances and bring one person with them instantly.

That’s a perfect match for Mr. Clarke’s wormhole explanation… and it may be the key to rescuing Max and Holly from Vecna’s mind prison. If this spell becomes a storytelling metaphor, Holly could “cast” a type of wormhole/bridge within the mindscape that lets both girls escape together.

Whether it’s traveling through memories, creating a dimensional shortcut, or escaping Vecna’s psychic realm, all signs point to a wormhole-like event playing a big role in the finale.

Mr. Clarke’s Season 5 lesson wasn’t random — it feels like the Duffers sneaking in a final hint before everything blows wide open.

One way or another, someone in Hawkins is going to “open a bridge” before the series ends.