This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things season 4 volume 1.
Stranger Things season 4 volume 1 ends on a dramatic cliffhanger, but viewers already know quite a lot about volume 2 from trailers. Netflix has taken a new approach with Stranger Things season 4, splitting it into two volumes. The first seven episodes dropped on May 27th, while the last two are set to be released on July 1st. This isn't to say the second volume is short; Stranger Things season 4's episode lengths are longer than ever, with the final episode of volume 2 running for a mammoth 2 hours 30 minutes.
Stranger Things season 4, episode 7 finally revealed the origin of the main villain, Vecna - in reality, Number One, Dr. Brenner's first test subject and the template for all his future experiments. Unfortunately, it was revealed in a terrifying way, with Nancy captured by Vecna - who was amused at how close she'd come to figuring out his true identity. Only one of Vecna's victims has managed to escape his thrall until now, and that will be a lot more difficult given Nancy is already in the Upside Down.
Stranger Things Season 4 Cast & Character Guide
Trailers for Stranger Things season 4 have dropped a lot of major clues, however, even hinting at how volume 1's cliffhanger will be resolved. There are also glimpses of what seems to be a final battle between Eleven and Vecna in the Upside Down, as the two powerful beings face one another once again. Here's everything we know that happens in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 from the trailers so far.
Vecna Preys On Nancy In Stranger Things Season 4 - But She Survives
Stranger Things season 4 volume 1 ended with Nancy in a trance, her mind spirited away by Vecna's telepathy. Nancy was subjected to horrific visions to remind her of her buried guilt over the death of her friend Barb, but Vecna took a different approach when he learned she had come close to figuring out his true identity. He told her his origin, presumably convinced there was nothing she could do to escape. Indeed, the trailers have shown Vecna's hand moving towards Nancy's face as he prepares to kill her. Nancy may be trapped by Vecna in the Upside Down, but it's quite possible she'll survive.
Eddie Plays Rock & Roll In The Upside Down
Stranger Things volume 4's new character Eddie Munson is one of the show's instant hits, a Dungeons & Dragons player who soon learns monsters are real. Some of the strangest shots in the trailers show him playing his electric guitar in the Upside Down, but there's probably a simple reason why; he's trying to free Nancy from Vecna's grip. Max's example has already proved people can be released from Vecna's curse using music, which effectively opens a window through which a person can escape. Max is unlikely to have any of Nancy's favorite songs to hand, so Eddie would need to step in.
The U.S. Military Raid The Nina Project
Meanwhile, Dr. Brenner has been working to bring back Eleven's powers at the Nina Project in the middle of the Nevada desert. Unfortunately, others in the U.S. military believe Eleven to be a threat, and trailers for Stranger Things season 4 confirm they'll discover her location and attack in force. There's no sign of Argyle's van, meaning the military must arrive before Mike, Will, Jonathan, and Argyle get there to warn Eleven she's in danger.
Eleven May Well Be The Nina Project's Only Survivor
Another intriguing shot shows Eleven on the surface, looking on as a massive explosion consumes the Nina Project. The clear implication is that Sam Owens and Dr. Brenner will manage to get Eleven out of the base and to the surface before triggering the base's auto-destruct to ensure Eleven's enemies are killed. Eleven is alone, meaning she is the sole survivor - and perfectly explains the title of Stranger Things season 4 episode 8, "Papa." Eleven has always had a strange, confusingly paternal relationship with Dr. Martin Brenner, and it would be fitting for it to end as he sacrifices himself on her behalf. Again, notice there's no hint of Argyle's van, meaning the gang probably arrives after this and gives Eleven a lift back to Hawkins.
Hopper Gets A Flamethrower
Stranger Things season 4 volume 1 ended with Hopper and Joyce reunited - but still inside a Russian jail. One shot from the trailers confirms they escape; however, as Hopper is seen wielding a flamethrower, and it's likely he's using it either to kill the Demogorgon or to defend himself from Russian soldiers who are pursuing him. Neither possibility can be discounted because Hopper considers the Demogorgon a threat to Eleven, meaning he could well insist on taking it out. Earlier episodes revealed Yuri had a flamethrower in storage, so this has been set up quite effectively.
Eleven Battles Vecna in the Upside Down
Some shots in the Stranger Things season 4 trailer tease an epic battle between Eleven and Vecna in the Upside Down. Stranger Things has always been quite open about drawing inspiration from the superhero genre, particularly X-Men comics, and it's quite appropriate that the show is now exploring a classic trope in which a hero faces an enemy who serves as their twisted mirror image. Eleven has defeated Vecna before - she's responsible for banishing him into the Upside Down in the first place - but he is potentially more powerful than ever before. Vecna seems to be able to draw on the Mind-Flayer's hive mind for power, which will give him an edge in the battle against Eleven. It's worth noting that these shots may be misleading, however, and that the battle may occur while Eleven is in a trance - her mind is transported into the Upside Down by Vecna. The latter is a chilling possibility because it suggests Vecna is even able to get his hooks into Eleven's mind.
Vecna Says "You Have Lost"
The Stranger Things trailers include one disturbing moment in which Vecna declares, "You have lost." There's no context for this specific line of dialogue, but he seems to be speaking to someone he considers a challenger - which means it's probably Eleven. If this is indeed the case, there will come a point in the battle between Eleven and Vecna where he believes he has triumphed - or, perhaps, where he attempts to manipulate Eleven and destroy her confidence, which would amount to the same thing. All things considered, Stranger Things season 4 really does promise to come to an explosive climax in volume 2.