WARNING: This article contains Major Spoilers for Stranger Things Season 4 Vol.2!
After waiting 5 weeks between Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Stranger Things, the over 2-hour finale episode dropped. The finale was so highly anticipated that it actually crashed Netflix for many viewers (per Variety). The conclusion to Stranger Things' biggest and boldest season yet ranged from hilarious to heartbreaking.
While some favorites are safe, others are left in dire situations that won't be concluded until the series returns for its 5th and final season. From heart-wrenching deaths to satisfying comeuppance for some antagonists, the finale is packed with emotional moments. Fans took to Twitter to express their strong reactions, and make memes to laugh through the pain.
Jason Ruins Lucas's Plan
Lucas had planned to try to wake Max up from Vecna's curse with her favorite song, as they did in "Dear Billy." But his plan gets thrown for a loop when Jason destroys her walkman, and subsequently fights Lucas, hindering his ability to rescue Max.
Max's fate is still unknown, but her heart is still beating. Her brutal injuries from Vecna leave her future in question as she lies in a coma. Watching Max escape Vecna via Kate Bush has become one of the most famous scenes from the series, and fans hoped this method would save her again. User @cherrychromegrl expresses the devastation all fans had when they realized Lucas couldn't save her this time.
Worth The Wait
The three-year gap between seasons 3 and 4 was partially due to the pandemic, but @officialwolfe3y also notes that this wait led to positive outcomes. The time and effort put into this season has led to it being a huge success for Netflix.
The season is significantly longer than many shows. Notably, some series have a shorter run time than just the final two episodes of Season 4. Many fans have noticed the high quality of this season, and praised the performances of the actors.
Running Up That Hill Remix
The use of "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush in episode 4 led to it becoming a chart-topping hit, over 30 years after its release. The viral song led to memes, dance challenges, and remixes.
The finale features a remix of the song with the Stranger Things theme song. Placed in a pivotal scene, the blending of the two songs made the action even more palpable. The remix was so goosebump-inducing that fans like @danrossidraws visualized the song as fire.
Fans Call Out The Duffer Brothers
The Duffer Brothers had to have known what they were doing when they killed off Eddie. They are well aware that he is a fan favorite, but unfortunately, this decision was made years ago. Fans' reactions couldn't change his fate.
Over the last 5 weeks, viewers have prayed that Eddie Munson would not suffer the same fate as the other lovable characters who haven't survived the dangers of the Upside Down. User @ariadna_rojero alludes to it with a meme from The Office, noting how they specifically did not want this exact outcome.
Jason's Demise
Chrissy was the first victim of Vecna and her death led to Jason, her boyfriend and basketball captain, becoming an antagonist of the season. He and his friends spend a majority of the time hunting for Eddie, and all of The Hellfire Club.
Since Jason assaulted Lucas, had his friends tackle Erica, and riled up the whole town against The Hellfire Club, he became a hated villain of the story. After he destroyed Max's walkman, fans like @shivywivy14 didn't feel any regret in his demise from the Upside Down ripping open the ground, and him along with it.
Eleven's Bewildering Explanation
This season has had a lot of pain and suffering, but there is still dialogue that brings some humor to even the darkest situations. Argyle has a stroke of genius and suggests they use a Pizza Boy kitchen to create a sensory deprivation tank. This leads to El confusing Max with her matter-of-fact delivery of this ludicrous explanation.
Understandably, piggybacking from a pizza dough freezer makes no sense to Max. @noradominick clearly adores this funny moment in the middle of a battle with Vecna.
Midnight Release Struggle
Since Netflix dropped the finale episodes at midnight Pacific time and 3 am Eastern, viewers who wanted to watch right away were up into the early hours of the morning.
The midnight binge struggle led to fans like @tohrvs going to work the next day a raggedy mess like the SpongeBob in the meme they shared. Without a weekly release schedule, fans have a choice of binging or risking getting spoiled, so many choose to watch all the episodes as soon as they can.
Max's Drawing For Lucas By Her Hospital Bed
Lucas and Max's relationship has developed into a deep and caring connection this season. Whether they are dating or broken up, the two are still immensely important to each other.
Before the tragic events unfold, Lucas asks Max if she will go to the movies with him. She responds by drawing this stick figure of them at the movies. The simple drawing evokes tears from fans like @ayooitsbrando as it represents the last thing they planned to do before she temporarily died and ended up in a coma.
Brenner's Death
Brenner (AKA Papa) finally met his end in the desert as snipers aimed for El took him out. The character has been an antagonist and haunted El in the past seasons. His experiments led to her having powers, but he also helped turn Vecna into the monster he is.
Even though Eleven had to accept his help with the Nina project to get her powers back, she still didn't trust him. When he wouldn't let her out to help her friends in Hawkins, he drugs her and puts a shock collar on her. So when he is dying, fans had little sympathy for him, just like El, as @oo1voidx alludes to in their post.
Eddie Goes Out In A Blaze Of Glory
Perhaps one of the most gut-wrenching deaths was also the most epic. The metal-loving Dungeon Master alluded to himself being cowardly and running away throughout the season. In the finale, he proves himself wrong and takes on the DemoBats in the Upside Down single-handedly.
This transpires after he just had the Most Metal Concert ever, shredding to Metallica in the Upside Down to draw the DemoBats away from the Creel House. Eddie quickly became a fan favorite this season, and deservedly, his final scenes were some of the most epic. As @joseftmendes points out, he is now a legend and icon.