Warning: Spoilers for Stranger Things season 4 ahead.

Stranger Things season 4 confirms that Billy truly is dead – so is Suzie really responsible for Billy's death? While Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) is technically killed by the Mind Flayer when he attempts to stop the monster from attacking Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) during the season 3 finale, there is a compelling case that Stranger Things' Suzie killed Billy. Considering the once-again critical role that Suzie plays as part of Stranger Things season 4's cast, it's pertinent to question whether Stranger Things' Suzie killed Billy inadvertently in season 3 by delaying the gang's mission to close the gate to the Upside Down.

During the Stranger Things season 3 episode “The Battle of Starcourt,” Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder) attempt to close the gate by shutting off the machine drilling into the Upside Down, but first they must access the safe containing the keys to the portal drill. When Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) provides them with the incorrect code for Planck’s constant (the code to the safe), Dustin contacts Suzie over the radio transmitter to ask her for the number. While Dustin stresses that he needs the number to save the world, Suzie understandably doesn’t grasp the true magnitude of the situation, and decides to hold the number hostage until Dustin sings “The Never Ending Story."

Related: Stranger Things 4 Volume 1 Ending Explained (In Detail)

In Stranger Things season 4, Suzie plays another key role in helping to locate the Nina Project, but this time without possibly causing any deaths in the process. Suzie and Dustin’s duet in season 3, while sweet, may have held up Hopper and Joyce’s proceedings and effectively made Billy’s sacrifice necessary to save Eleven, Max (Sadie Sink), and her friends. However, many other extraneous events occurred during Stranger Things that could’ve contributed to Billy’s death. Here's why Billy died, and why it looks like Stranger Things' Suzie killed Billy, even if it was unintentional and indirect.

Why Billy Hargrove Died In Stranger Things Season 3

Bill screams as he's possessed in Stranger Things

Max spends much of Stranger Things season 4 in mourning over her brother's death in Stranger Things season 3, but his passing was appropriate for his character arc. Billy's death in Stranger Things was a major redemptive moment for his character, judging by his traditionally violent and cruel behavior. Billy was also thoroughly corrupted by the Mind Flayer for the majority of the previous season, so it’s possible that he was already dying before his dramatic death in Starcourt Mall.

All of the "flayed" citizens of Hawkins caused irreparable damage to their bodies by consuming substances, including Billy who drank pool chemicals. The townspeople became the goo that comprised the Mind Flayer's body so that it could physically exist in the human dimension. Billy’s body was also being prepped for this purpose, so he likely wouldn’t have been able to return to normal or survive much longer once he was freed from the Mind Flayer’s control. Nevertheless, there were theories ahead of Stranger Things season 4 that Billy would return. Those theories have been definitively disproven by episode 7, though, and Billy really is dead for good. 

Why Suzie Isn't To Blame For Billy's Death In Stranger Things

Billy in Stranger Things season 3

There might be multiple people to blame for Billy's death, though, meaning it's not entirely true that Stranger Things' Suzie killed Billy all on her own. While Suzie’s insistence that Dustin sings their favorite tune together may have caused delays that led to Billy’s death in Stranger Things, she didn't directly contribute to his demise. Suzie’s assistance wouldn’t have been necessary if Murray hadn't initially given Joyce and Hopper the wrong code for Planck’s constant.

Related: Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 Easter Eggs & References

And, based on the finale’s editing, Joyce could also be a contributing factor. She wasted valuable time after delaying the closing of the gate to share a moment with Hopper. If she'd finished the job sooner, it’s possible that the Mind Flayer wouldn't have struck the killing blow by plunging its claws into Billy's heart. While Hopper didn't actually die, Billy would probably have died either way, as being released from the Mind Flayer's control would have not cleansed the toxins already in his body. 

Suzie's Season 4 Appearance In Stranger Things Nearly Stole The Show

Although Billy is still officially dead in Stranger Things season 4, Suzie makes a comeback appearance in episode 6 that more than makes up for her sidelining and possible contribution to Billy's death in season 3. Mike, Jonathan, Will, and Argyle visit Suzie in Salt Lake City to get her help tracing the location of the Nina Project through an IP address. Suzie's Stranger Things season 4 return is great, as she not only makes quick work of her computer hacking job but also showcases once again that she's one of Stranger Things' smartest characters, showcasing plenty of hilarious wit to boot. Suzie's enormous gaggle of siblings also provides a delightful, charming moment full of personality, which contrasts well against the overall darker tone of Stranger Things season 4 so far.

Next: Stranger Things 4 Volume 2 Release Date (How Many Episodes Are Left?)

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Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 releases on July 1st on Netflix.