I don’t think it’s purgatory, just cursed land.

First let me say that I think the only reason this show is so convoluted with cliff hangers and plot holes are because they writers are just playing it safe just in case they get cancelled and they need do a quick satisfying end for as many theories as they can.

I think the show isn’t about the kids, monsters or people per say, but the key is to remember the town is a character as well.

When I actually think of the plot of the show this is how I describe it. It’s is a show about a cursed plot of land where things and people were not laid to rest, and the last option the kids have (like Ethan in current timeline) are to solve it themselves. They do it by pulling people onto this land to put it to rest.

It’s a land that uses fear and turmoil as punishment because something happened on the land to make it so.

It literally had/has life, it’s still trying to produce fresh food, running water, electricity. But the monsters are the not demons of the stranded. But of the town.

Done rambling.