A brand new Stranger Things season 4 teaser hints at when viewers may catch the return of Matthew Modine's Dr. Brenner, otherwise known as "Papa." The long-awaited fourth installment of the hit show is building up audience anticipation after Netflix confirmed a summer 2022 release date. Thanks to the fourth Stranger Things season 4 teaser trailer released on November 6th (aka Stranger Things day), fans can get a sense of what to expect from the upcoming season.
Stranger Things season 4 is set to undo a number of supposed character deaths; Hopper was presumed to be dead after the Stranger Things season 3 finale, but an early trailer for season 4 showed Hopper alive in Russia. Matthew Modine's Dr. Brenner has been gone for much longer, however, as his character was supposedly killed at the end of the very first season. As his survival has been theorized about and hinted at ever since, a season 4 return for Eleven's "Papa" is highly likely.
When Brenner may return in Stranger Things season 4 is hinted at very directly in the November title teaser. The teaser itself is simple: titles of each season 4 episode flash on the screen in time with the now-iconic Stranger Things theme. Assuming these titles are presented in order, the eighth episode of season 4 is titled "Papa." Notably, there are only 9 episodes in the fourth season of Stranger Things, meaning Dr. Brenner's return may be a late-season twist.
Brenner's return at the tail end of the season may also point to the character's role this time around. While Brenner was a major player in the first season of Stranger Things, it's unlikely he will be in charge of anything major this season if his introduction is in fact delayed. This might point to his role being part of the completion of Eleven's season arc, considering their relationship. With Eleven supposedly beginning the new season without her powers (thanks to the events of season 3), her season arc may be a more personal one. Despite all the twists and turns hinted at in the Stranger Things season 4 trailer, further exploration of Eleven's character would be a gratifying choice for the show.
Dr. Brenner's late return may also signify a coming together of all the Stranger Things cast. Season 4 is known to follow at least three storylines, with Hopper in Russia, Eleven and the Byers in California, and the rest of the gang still in Hawkins. If Brenner is in Russia, as many fans have theorized, an episode focusing on him could suggest that the whole group has managed to go overseas in an attempt to rescue Hopper. Of course, nothing will be known for sure until Stranger Things season 4 releases in the summer of 2022.