'Stranger Things' Season 4 Ending Explained: Vecna's origins, Nancy's fate and what to expect from Volume 2
'Stranger Things' Season 4 is pretty much like a video game. The evil gets darker, bloodier, and scarier by the season. If Dr Brenner (Matthew Modine) and the Demogorgon were the antagonists in Season 1, the Mind Flayer and the shadow monster went on to be the key villains over the course of the season. The latest installment or at least the first volume, this time pits the gang against Vecna — the brand-new ominous evil wizard who claims victims who have traumatic pasts.
Comprising seven episodes, the latest edition of the blockbuster Netflix series also answers some of the key questions in the form of Jim Hopper's (David Harbour) fate, a powerless Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), and all about what Vecna has in store. The series splits the team and places them in different locations so as to heighten the excitement heading into Volume 2 and Season 5. With the new season streaming, we break down the events of the finale and try and explain what's in store.
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'Stranger Things' Season 4 Ending Explained
Jim Hopper is finally rescued
Masquerading as a Russian dealer, crashing a plane, and threatening a Russian general were all in a day's work from Murray Baumer (Brett Gelman) aka Bald Eagle and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) as they finally managed to rescue Hopper and Dmitri Antonov (Tom Wlaschiha) — not just from the prison, but also the Demogorgon that kills all the gang of prisoners tossed into battle with the duo. It's a happy reunion as Joyce and Hopper embrace as a triumphant Murray watches.
While that ends that storyline, they're not really safe as the trio and possibly Dmitri is yet to escape from the prison. With the guards on high alert, chances are one of them will be left behind or killed as the rescue mission comes to a close. Chances of Dmitri or Murray dying are high since the show has the knack of killing off surprise fan favorites.
Mike, Will, and Suzie's attempt to hack the '16-bit' video game
Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Will (Noah Schnapp), and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), with a new face in Argyle (Eduardo Franco), enlist Suzie's help, who is now an expert hacker to break into the top-secret facility Eleven is held captive. Despite the comic relief, their journey brings in the season finale, the trio is all set to play a crucial role in the second volume. Suzie does decipher a bunch of codes and they will hope it will lead them to Nevada and break their friend out. This storyline doesn't do much as far as the larger picture is concerned.
Vecna is One (001)
The final minutes show 001's tattoo etched on Vecna's (Jamie Campbell Bower) confirming that the wizard was indeed One — Dr Brenner's first experiment in creating super-powered beings. After tapping into his complete potential, One becomes a danger and is injected with a power suppressor that cuts off his powers revealed to be the same as Eleven. He causes quite the massacre in the lab after tricking her about an escape plan and persuades the younger version to join him only to be refused and banished to the other dimension. One loses his human form transforming into Vecna, and the scene switches to the present revealing that he was one now a part of evil — the five-star General that Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) deduced.
What happened to Nancy and Steve?
Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) were the last to re-enter Hawkins after being trapped in the Upside Down. Robin (Maya Hawke) and Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) are helped back by Dustin, Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Erica (Priah Ferguson), and Max (Sadie Sink) after realizing that the portal door is where the other victims were killed. Patrick's death in the river, Fred Benson's body in the middle of the highway after the woods, and Eddie's home were all entry and exit points to the evil dimension.
However, Vecna manages to capture Nancy, giving her a massive shock about how he was Victor Creel's son and was gifted with abilities. He gives her the complete picture of killing his mother and sister and putting the blame on Victor. He was eventually experimented upon at Hawkins by Dr Brenner. With the truth now revealed and the storyline set for season 4 Volume 2, there's still that unanswered question of whether Nancy makes it out alive or becomes one of the main characters to die in the fourth season.
There's also the possibility that Steve may sacrifice himself in the process to save his former friend. With Eddie all but sure that she was still in love with him, Steve could perhaps give her the way forward by being Vecna's next victim. This could be a tragic end to the fan-favorite character. In a way, killing him might just be perfect for the show as it progresses to a new season. The show hasn't necessarily killed off any of the main characters. Dr. Brenner and Hopper — two key players in the series have had their deaths revoked and that means the supporting cast are the ones kicking the bucket. Having Steve die to save the kids, or even Nancy would be a major shock.
What are your thoughts on the season finale of 'Stranger Things' Season 4?
'Stranger Things' Season 4 is currently streaming on Netflix.