For weeks, Stranger Things fans —including us! — have been going mad trying to work out who would die in the Season 4 Volume 2.
With the cast and creators both teasing multiple deaths and major carnage, it seemed that no one was safe and that there would be at least one major character death in the two-and-a-half hour finale.
Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer stated that fans should be “concerned going into the final two episodes [of Season 4] — for everybody.”
Meanwhile, Noah Schnapp teased “some deaths”, “some gore. And a big bang”, for the finale.
Soon enough, fans had a theory for why just about every character on the series was set to meet their maker by the time credits were rolling on Season 4 — our own post theorising about who would die had seven separate theories, only one of which was correct!
So who died? The first casualty of Volume 2 was Dr Martin Brenner, aka Papa. Next, we thought Max was killed by Vecna, but in a twist, Eleven was able to bring her back using her powers, and she now sits in a coma with her fate looking very uncertain.
Finally, Eddie Munson made for the most emotional death of the season, as he learned to stay behind and fight. Read on for all the details.
Related: These Films Influenced ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 — So You Can Watch Them After Volume 2
Related: 5 ‘Stranger Things’ Theories for Season 4, Part 2 and Beyond
Related: We Need to Talk About Who’s Going to Die on ‘Stranger Things’
Dr. Martin Brenner/Papa
We all thought Papa (played by Matthew Modine) was dead and gone way back in Season 1, when it seemed he got chomped up by a demogorgon. It was an off-screen death, though, which should’ve tipped us off.
This time, he’s dead for real.
How Does Dr Brenner/Papa Die in Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2?
In Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) finally has her powers back, and is ready to go head-to-head with Vecna in order to save her friends.
Brenner, on the other hand, wants to keep working with El in the tank, to make sure she’s strong enough to face off with Vecna. To keep her in the NINA tank, he puts an electric collar around her neck, as one does.
Shortly thereafter, the lab is discovered by Lt Colonel Jack Sullivan, who’s on the hunt for Eleven. Sullivan believes Eleven is the one responsible for all the deaths in Hawkins.
As the lab is swarmed, Brenner attempts to get Eleven to safety, but is shot by a sniper in the process. In his final moments, he releases her from the collar, which enables El to escape.
Unlike in Season 1, where his “death” carried out offscreen, Season 4 Volume 2 shows Brenner as he takes his final breath — confirmation that Papa is, indeed, dead.
Eddie Munson
If there’s one thing Stranger Things is going to do, it’s introduce an iconic B-Team character who we all fall in love with, and then murder them in front of our eyes. #justiceforBarb #justiceforBob #justiceforAlexei and now, #justiceforEddie.
How Does Eddie Munson Die in Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2?
In the season’s first episode, Eddie (played by Joseph Quinn) states that “there’s no shame in running”, but mentions to the group that he feels ashamed of his tendency to flee when confronted with conflict. Call it foreshadowing, because Eddie had a true hero’s arc over the season.
Basically, the gang has a plan to attack Vecna that has a lot of moving pieces. First, Max is to lure Vecna back to come finish her off, after his failed attempt on her life in Volume 1. While Vecna is coming for Max, Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), and Robin (Maya Hawke) are going to attack Vecna.
Meanwhile, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Eddie’s job is to distract the demo-bats for long enough that the rest of the gang can actually make it to Vecna’s lair in order to attack him. To do this, they’re basically using themselves as bait. In the Upside Down version of his house, he sets up his amp and performs Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” on the roof. It is extremely metal and very cool.
Soon enough, though, the bats find their way to Eddie and Dustin, which would be their time to hop back through the portal to safety. However, once Dustin is back in the real world, Eddie decides to stay behind and give the others the best chance at getting to Vecna. After running away from Chrissy’s body at the beginning of the season, Eddie has evolved, and he’s ready to fight.
By the time Dustin comes back for Eddie, the demo-bats are dead, but Eddie is bleeding and gasping for air.
“I didn’t run away this time, right?” he asks Dustin.
The pair share a very emotional final scene, which ends with Eddie telling Dustin “I love you, man”, and dying.
Want more Stranger Things? Read all of our content here, and check out the stories below:
- These Films Influenced ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 — So You Can Watch Them After Volume 2
- 5 ‘Stranger Things’ Theories for Season 4, Part 2 and Beyond
- We Need to Talk About Who’s Going to Die on ‘Stranger Things’
- Is There a ‘Stranger Things’ Spin Off In the Works?
- What Time Will ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Volume 2 Drop in Australia?
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