Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2.

Although the show’s core group has remained consistent, the Stranger Things cast has steadily grown with each season. What started as a story about Will’s (Noah Schnapp) friends and family as they reacted to his disappearance became much bigger over the course of five seasons. Some character additions, like Argyle (Eduardo Franco), have been more temporary, while others have died in emotional scenes, like Bob (Sean Astin) or Eddie (Joseph Quinn). There are also characters like Max (Sadie Sink) and Robin (Maya Hawke), who joined late but quickly became integral parts of the story. However, with this expanding ensemble, not every character has gotten their due — and some, like Ted Wheeler (Joe Chrest) or Claudia Henderson (Catherine Curtin), remain mostly sidelined.

Yet, in Season 5, one character has broken out of that cycle as Stranger Things finally highlights everyone’s favorite teacher, Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens). Long unaware of the truth behind Hawkins’ streak of bad luck, Mr. Clarke has been sidelined despite the valuable knowledge that he always seems to have. Finally, Season 5 corrects this oversight by adding him to the main group as they move toward the series’ final confrontation, demonstrating the significance of his role. With the series ending, Mr. Clarke has finally earned the chance to fulfill his potential.

Mr. Clarke Has Always Been an Important Part of ‘Stranger Things’

Image via Netflix

Since Season 1, Scott Clarke has filled a small but significant role for both the show and the characters. As a middle school teacher and the head of the A/V club, he has a huge influence on the main party, specifically Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and without him, they wouldn’t have uncovered much of what they know about the Upside Down. Mr. Clarke’s timely lessons push the story forward, and he has willingly offered his expertise to the heroes’ cause on several occasions, explaining the theory of dimensional travel and even instructing them on how to construct a sensory deprivation tank back in Season 1. While he never understood what Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin, and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) were really up to, Mr. Clarke supported their education and, by extension, their larger mission.

Throughout his appearances in the first three seasons, Mr. Clarke isn’t directly involved with the Upside Down, yet the fact that Dustin, Mike, and the others have been so effective in uncovering this mystery is in large part due to his help. Though he was a common presence in the early seasons, Mr. Clarke has taken a backseat as the main party aged out of his class, and by this point, they have learned enough about what they were dealing with to not rely on his advice. Though this accounts for his absence in Season 4, Mr. Clarke hasn’t disappeared entirely. Early in Season 5, Mr. Clarke is now teaching Erica (Priah Ferguson), and his lecture on wormholes foreshadows the season’s conflict. In that way, his role hasn’t changed despite Stranger Things’ growth. It is his understanding of science and care for his students that set Mr. Clarke apart, and while that has always been clear, Season 5 Volume 2 emphasizes it even further.

‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Finally Gives Mr. Clarke the Spotlight

After all the help he unknowingly provided over the years, Mr. Clarke finally gets the spotlight in Season 5. Though Dustin is the resident technology wiz, the team is at a loss when he gets trapped in the Upside Down. But in their effort to stage a rescue mission, Erica proposes that they approach Mr. Clarke about making a new telemetry tracker. After all, he taught Dustin. Despite his confusion, Mr. Clarke jumps at the chance to help when he hears Dustin is in trouble, showing his dedication to his students even after they graduate from his class.

Not only is it a touching way to bring back the character, but this storyline also allows Mr. Clarke to directly involve himself in the mission as he builds a new telemetry tracker using balloons in hopes of locating Dustin. His unconventional thinking and work ethic prove to be a valuable asset for the team as Mr. Clarke succeeds where no one (except the missing Dustin) could. Though they initially keep him in the dark, the party is forced to explain everything to Mr. Clarke after he gets Dustin’s location, and they immediately work on getting him out of the Upside Down. After Stranger Things finally allows Mr. Clarke to learn the truth, he joins the main mission, becoming one of the very few who understand what is going on in Hawkins. It may have taken most of the series for Mr. Clarke to join the team, but he has more than earned his spot.

Mr. Clarke’s Increased Role Is What ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Needed

Image via Netflix

Not only is he a valuable asset to our heroes, but Mr. Clarke’s increased Season 5 role helps to lighten the show’s tone. With loss, grief, and sacrifice being the focus of the story, Stranger Things needs a little comic relief, and Mr. Clarke’s awkward dynamic with Murray (Brett Gelman) is just the thing for the back half of the final season. Murray’s sarcasm comes out when dealing with the newest member of the team, referring to him exclusively as “Snookums,” which is the pet name he overhears Mr. Clarke’s girlfriend use. This unexpected friendship helps to offset the darkness of the final season.

In many ways, Mr. Clarke is a logical addition to the show’s main group. He has the scientific understanding that many of the older members lack, and considering that teenagers have been carrying this aspect of the story for five seasons, his presence is well overdue. Now, armed with all the information, he can be that much more useful, especially as Season 5 shows Mr. Clarke to have the impressive courage to accept this new reality and dive into the dangerous mission with minimal hesitation. Mr. Clarke may only officially join the team in the series’ penultimate episode, but even so, he is exactly the help they need as the final confrontation looms.