'Stranger Things' Season 5: How Hopper's return could unlock Eleven's full potential

An ever-growing realistic story arc in 'Stranger Things' is seen between Eleven and Hopper, the father-daughter bond that has left the fans in tears
PUBLISHED MAR 18, 2023
David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Season 4 of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' (Netflix)
David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Season 4 of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' (Netflix)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Stranger Things' is getting revved up to take its final lap with the upcoming Season 5. The series has become a modern classic by giving us so many magnificent moments, iconic trends and amazing bonds between the characters. One of the ever-growing realistic story arcs in 'Stranger Things' is between Eleven and Hopper, the father-daughter bond that has left the fans in tears before. Though we got only one on-screen reuniting moment between these two, it was one of the most satisfying ends of an arc in the series. 

'Stranger Things' has amazing and talented cast members and the fantasy series features Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson. Moreover, the series also stars Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers. Before the final season is out, let us take a look at this iconic duo and how this bond would be key in defeating Vecna.

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Father-daughter duo's power

Throughout the course of the series, we were able to witness the steady growth of the relationship between Hopper and Eleven. When Hopper first finds Eleven, he had just lost his daughter. He took Eleven in and went on to extreme levels in order to protect her. In the epic finale of Season 2, we have seen Eleven closing the gate to the Upside Down with Hopper by her side and he being the strength and the support she needed. Moreover, in Season 3, we were able to see the overprotective parent and teenage daughter dynamic between Eleven and Hopper.

The final sacrifice of Hopper at the Starcourt Mall and Eleven reading the letter by him for her was definitely one of the most heartbreaking moments of Season 3. Further, in Season 4, we have seen a vulnerable Hopper admitting that he needs Eleven and Joyce in his life showing his love towards Eleven. On the other hand, Eleven, now Jane, would be seen missing her father, Hopper, throughout the series. The finale of season 4 has seen the little family reunite.



 

The power of Eleven

While Eleven had a toxic parent figure in Dr Brenner (Matthew Modine), Eleven got the real family experience from Hopper and Joyce as her parent figures. It was Hopper who taught her to be confident and to believe in herself. In Season 4, we saw Eleven abandoning halfway through the training of Dr Brenner and fighting Vecna.

We have also seen Eleven tapping into her real potential on this occasion. However, the question raises, is it enough to defeat Vecna? As we all know, Vecna has only been temporarily banished and is ready to attack Hawkins the minute he recharges. In addition to that, Vecna has an army of Demegorgans at his disposal, whereas the Hawkins gang only has Eleven. 



 

But Eleven's abilities seem to enhance once she got some reassurance from Mike in the Season 4 final battle, which led Eleven to overpower Vecna. And we have witnessed many times that Hopper had been the anchor for Eleven by being the emotional support and guide for her when she felt down. Moreover, with Hopper now in town, we might be able to witness Eleven unlock her complete potential to face the big bad in the ultimate battle. That said, we still have to wait till the final season drops to witness the epic showdown.



 

The first four seasons of 'Stranger Things' are available to stream exclusively on Netflix while fifth and final season of the series is currently being worked on.

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