The revelation of Stranger Things season 4’s episode titles prove that the Netflix hit may bring back Dacre Montgomery’s villain Billy, thus undoing one of the most divisive and disappointing elements of season 3. A winning combination of nostalgic coming-of-age dramedy and sci-fi horror mystery, Stranger Things has become a major hit for streaming service Netflix since its 2016 debut. However, despite the show's enduring popularity, Stranger Things season 3 was criticized for numerous issues such as overly busy plotting and under-developed characters, something season 4 looks set to remedy.
Part of the problem was that Stranger Things season 3 struggled with its subplots. Fortunately, season 4 promises to return to the more streamlined approach of season 1 by bringing back original series villain Dr. Brenner. However, the showrunners have also said that Stranger Things season 4 will be bigger than ever before and have an epic scope, prompting some fans to worry about a repeat of season 3’s issues. That said, the announcement of Stranger Things season 4’s episode titles implies that the creators are aware of at least one fan gripe about season 3 and eager to correct the issue.
The episode title "Dear Billy" is promising news for fans who felt that Dacre Montgomery’s villain was under-served by Stranger Things season 3, whether or not the character is revived. It seems unlikely that Stranger Things would bring Billy back to life, but the episode title may mean that his stepsister Max will be looking back on their complicated relationship in the season 4 outing. However, nothing is impossible in the world of Stranger Things, and there is a chance that Billy will appear on the series again, delighting the vocal portion of the fandom who felt his character was underserved by his early exit in season 3.
Stranger Things Season 3's Billy Arc Explained
Introduced as a volatile local bully in Stranger Things season 2, Billy immediately stood out as a more dangerous character than the once-intimidating Steve Harrington. Where Steve’s Stranger Things character arc saw that former jock redeemed and turned into a likable supporting star (to the extent that few viewers remember how unpleasant he was before being humbled at the close of season 1), Billy was a violent thug with few redeeming features.
However, by the beginning of Stranger Things season 3, it became clear that the abused villain was a more complicated character than he initially seemed, and his brutal treatment at the hands of his stepfather made it clear that Billy was not entirely to blame for his slide into evil. The character’s more complicated, morally ambiguous side was hinted at repeatedly throughout Stranger Things season 3 until his tragic backstory was seen by Eleven in a finale flashback, only for the show to kill him off immediately after his redemption.
Why Fans Hated Billy’s Season 3 Death
Billy died when he sacrificed himself to save the kids from season 3's main villain, the Mind Flayer, but Eleven’s insight into his traumatic backstory came seconds before his brutal death. The tragic moment was a crammed-in afterthought that deserved more screen time, compounding Stranger Things season 3’s issue of trying to tell too many stories at once. In trying to fit in Cary Elwes’ corrupt mayor, a Terminator-style Soviet assassin, a secret Russian base beneath the mall, the various breakups and makeups of Max, Lucas, El, and Mike, and Jonathan and Nancy’s newspaper subplot, Stranger Things season 3 ended up overloading its plate and leaving many fans unsatisfied. Hopper’s disappointing season 3 arc was also worsened by Stranger Things season 3’s Billy subplot since the finale’s major deaths were both handed out to characters whose flaws could have been properly fleshed out with a bit more attention and focus from the plot.
How Stranger Things Season 4 Could Fix Billy’s Plot
Bringing back Billy would be a tall order, but Stranger Things has already revived both Eleven and Hopper at this point. Not only that, but the disappointing death meant Billy was robbed of the sort of character arc Steve received despite being a more complex figure, meaning his return could work well. The fact that Stranger Things season 4 opens with a time jump means that the characters will likely have moved on with their lives, which would make it bittersweet for characters who were thought dead to return. However, with Hopper coming back from Russia, Stranger Things may not be able to retcon two major season 3 deaths in season 4. However, what could fix Billy’s disappointing end is a standalone episode that expands on his troubled relationship with little sister/series star Max.
Why Stranger Things Season 4 Might Not Bring Back Billy
The fact that Stranger Things has already revived two major stars (one of whom died at the end of season 3 and will be revived in season 4) means the hit may not want to seem over-reliant on this gambit. However, the somewhat thinly-written Max could gain some character development by finding out more about Billy after his death, rather than Stranger Things bringing him back wholesale. While Max seemed initially interesting, her character was mostly abandoned in season 3 outside of being used as a tool to drive El and Mike apart. Actor Sadie Sink’s charming turn in the surprisingly brutal slasher Fear Street: 1978 has proven that the young actor can carry a lead role in genre fare that balances sweet moments with gory brutality, meaning Stranger Things season 4 is perfectly positioned to give the emerging star a bigger part.
While it would be a shame not to see more of Montgomery’s Billy onscreen, Stranger Things season 4 could make a compelling story out of Max investigating who her troubled brother was before his death. The character was underdeveloped despite his actor’s commitment and could return via flashbacks that expand on his backstory and give viewers a better idea of the now-dead villain. Montgomery’s unhinged Stranger Things audition tape proves that the star had plenty of potential ideas for the character that the overly busy season 3 never had a chance to explore, meaning a look back on his life in season 4 could be the best way for Stranger Things to remedy this imbalance.