After more than two years’ worth of wait, Netflix’s Stranger Things is set to make its highly-anticipated return in 2025 with Season 5. Being one of the most streamed shows on the platform, the sci-fi series has been confirmed to wrap up its storyline in a two-part finale. The last fans remember is that the Hawkins gang was split up and operated from opposite ends of the country for the most part of Season 4. The audience and the party were also finally introduced to the series’ big bad in the flesh, Henry Keel, aka One, aka Vecna.
He was behind everything that had conspired since Eleven escaped from Hawkins Lab. While Vecna wanted to exact revenge and more, the gang was momentarily successful in stopping him, but not without consequences. Needless to say, there’s a lot Stranger Things fans should remember about Season 4 before jumping into the final installment.
Eleven Got Her Powers Back
She Had Lost Her Powers After She Was Wounded in Season 3
Eleven’s powers went dormant at the end of Season 3 when she successfully pushed the Mind Flayer back into the Upside Down. She was bitten by the creature, and it is implied that the poison from it drained or obstructed the flow of her powers. Eleven later confirms the fact by stating that she “has no power.” However, she’s later kidnapped, and her perpetrator turns out to be none other than Dr. Brenner. He takes her to an unknown location with the promise of helping her to bring her powers back.
Joyce says time is funny like that. Emotions can make it speed up or slow down. We are all time travelers if you think about it. – Eleven writes a letter to Mike.
They use the sensory deprivation tank to stimulate her and allow her to take a trip down memory lane. Eleven had to confront her traumatic past in order to let the energy flow through her once more. It is during this time that fans and El learn about her connection to Vecna and how she was the one who sent him to the Upside Down.
Max Is Still Hanging For Her Dear Life
She Was Killed By Vecna Only to Be Brought Back By Eleven Moments Later
Max had been Vecna’s target since the beginning of Season 4. It is implied that the most emotionally vulnerable and sensitive are susceptible to Vecna’s influence, and unfortunately, Max was one of them. While the gang was successful in saving her the first time, she wasn’t so lucky the second. Although Vecna took his sweet time, he ultimately claimed his fourth victim that triggered the collision of the Upside Down and the human world.
During the adrenaline-infused sequence, Eleven is able to overpower Vecna, but not before he claims Max’s life. However, Eleven refused to acknowledge her friend’s demise, and in a mysterious turn of events, she was able to bring her back, but barely. When she, Mike, and Will return to Hawkins, it’s revealed that Max survived and is currently in a coma.
Vecna Escaped Season 4’s Onslaught
He Is Still Somewhere Out There Planning His Next Move
The electrifying reveal about One and his mutation into Vecna was one of the best moments in the entire series. Eleven and the gang finally had a face they could go up against and end the terror of the Upside Down once and for all. Unfortunately, Vecna had the upper end for the better part of Season 4, and it was only until the last moment that the gang managed to fight back.
When Eleven was busy fighting Vecna through her psychic powers, Nancy, Steve, and Robin planned to physically injure Vecna in the Upside Down. Despite narrowly avoiding getting choked to death by Vecna’s wines, the homemade Molotov cocktails and Nancy’s shotgun did manage to bring Henry down to his knees. Although it was a commendable attempt, Vecna managed to escape, and the fact was later confirmed by Will at the end of Season 4.
Eddie Munson’s Body Was Never Recovered
He Was Still Remembered as a Cultist and a Murderer
Eddie Munson’s intoxicating energy and vibe had the fans rooting for him. Unfortunately, his stay was short-lived as he became the only victim claimed from the heroes’ party. He and Dustin were tasked with distracting the deadly flying creatures in the Upside Down so that Nancy and the others could locate Vecna. However, when the others were in trouble, Eddie stepped in to save the day with his impeccable taste in music and mind-blowing guitar-playing skills. The youngster had his due time in the limelight being a rock star with a literal backdrop from hell.
Sadly, he was ripped to shreds by the Upside Down creatures, and he took his last breaths in the arms of a loyal friend. Moreover, judging by how Eddie’s uncle put up “Missing” posters for his falsely accused nephew, it is implied that the heroes were unable to bring his body back. It’s safe to say that Eddie might be the only good character in Stranger Things who received the most brutal treatment, of course, next to Bob.
Dark Particles Started Invading the Town
It Seems That Hawkins Is On a Collision Course With the Upside Down
Stranger Things Season 4 ended with a shocking reveal that the Upside Down was slowly bleeding into the real world. The dead landscape and the ominous crimson in the sky indicated that the worst was yet to come. Although Max’s revival halted the complete destruction of Hawkins to some extent, the dark particles falling from the sky suggested otherwise.
It seems that the barrier between both dimensions has significantly weakened and that the poison was spreading onto the land. Could this mean the slow death of Hawkins, or will the heroes find a way to save the unfortunate little town? Although fans would have to wait for Season 5 to learn what exactly this foreboding atmosphere means, one thing is for sure: things will never be the same again in the small town.
Nancy and Jonathan’s Relationship Comes to a Standstill
The Love Triangle Might Finally Be Resolved In Season 5
Stranger Things fans were convinced that Nancy and Steve were going to be the show’s will-they-won’t-they tease couple who’d keep the viewers frustrated with their turbulent relationship. However, it completely surprised the viewers when Nancy went for Jonathan, with whom she experienced instant chemistry. The two officially became a couple in Season 2 when the duo uncovered the Hawkins Lab conspiracy. Towards the end of Season 3, the two experience a difference in opinion, especially regarding their future choices, but their relationship is really put to the test when Jonathan moves to California.
Stranger Things Season 5 will experience a time jump to align the ages of the actors with their respective characters.
They decided to try a long-distance relationship, but the anxiety of the future and keeping Nancy pinned down forced Jonathan to push her way. While the two were struggling, Nancy somewhat connected with Steve in Hawkins, creating an unresolved triangle that remains to arrive at a conclusion. As for Nancy and Jonathan, it seems the two have decided to put their relationship on hold for the time being.
Will Is Still Connected to Vecna
He Might Have A Key Role to Play In Locating Vecna
Will suffered the most in Stranger Things next to Eleven. It all started with him disappearing and ending up in the Upside Down. Even after coming back, Will felt an ominous presence around him, which turned out to be the Mind Flayer who had invaded Will’s mind and body. Therefore, after Eleven supposedly closed the gate for good, Joyce decided to move her kids to California to separate Will from the horrors of Hawkins.
Now, towards the end of Season 4, it makes sense why Joyce wanted to keep Will as far away from Hawkins as possible because he confesses to Mike now that he is back, he could feel Vecna again. He warns Mike that it will truly never be over until Vecna is killed, or else he will come back to take everything. Moreover, in the final scene, Will feels the hair at the back of his neck stand, indicating a familiar feeling or entity creeping up on him.
Everyone Returns to Hawkins
The Gang Is Reunited After Staying Apart For a Whole Season
The Stranger Things party was distributed into three main groups throughout the entirety of Season 4. The Hawkins group led a mission into the Upside Down to confront Vecna in person, while the California group tried to rescue Eleven from a secret facility and then finally, the Russian group for Hopper’s rescue. Although it wasn’t the same as before when the gang worked together to defeat the bad guy, it was refreshing for the fans to see how much the Hawkins kids have grown.
Having said that, fate brought everyone back again once more, preferably for a final showdown. The reunion is obviously heartfelt and emotional, especially when Eleven witnessed Hopper’s return. However, there was a reason why everyone came back; the red flames in the ashes of the giant cracks in Hawkins foreshadowed the return of a familiar evil, and it would take everyone to defeat this evil.
Dr. Brenner Has a Heartfelt Last Moment With Eleven
Fans are Still Not Sure If He’s Dead For Good This Time
Dr. Brenner’s return was a surprising twist but lazily handled. It’s never explained how on earth the man survived a direct attack from a Demogorgon and lived to tell the tale with just a scratch on his face. Upon his mysterious return, he takes it upon himself to bring Eleven’s powers back despite how he treated her in the past. He was responsible for snatching Eleven away from her mother and experimenting on her, yet he had developed a twisted sense of paternal affection for her.
Brenner helped Eleven confront the monsters in her past, but it eventually didn’t end well for the doctor. He seemingly sacrificed himself to help Eleven escape confinement and even had an emotional final moment with her. However, given his history, one can’t really be sure if he died for good this time or fled behind the scenes.
Hawkins Was Devastated By the Rifts
The Small Town Was Almost Swallowed By the Upside Down
Before Eleven was mysteriously able to revive Max, Vecna claimed her as his fourth victim, which he needed to unleash chaos in the human world. Just as Max stopped breathing, the earth cracked open, spewing out red lava and causing unimaginable destruction to the once-peaceful town. It is a catastrophe of unprecedented measure, totaling buildings and causing a powerful earthquake.
While it could have been worse, it is implied that the moment Eleven brought Max back, the rifts somewhat closed, and the town was spared total annihilation. Towards the end of the season when the heroes were returning to Hawkins in the pizza van, they saw cars going out of the town. Eleven and the others were shocked to see the devastation caused by the rifts and were later involved in volunteer work to help the victims.
