The first half of Stranger Things season 4 is finally just around the corner, premiering on May 27th and the electrifying trailer gave fans a lot to theorize about. Promising an abundance of creepy excursions and Dungeons & Dragons like villains, fans are given a clue of what to expect from the upcoming episodes.
As fans await a return to the Upside-Down, the 11th-hour anxiety starts to kick in. Some of the imagery from the trailer has fans speculating on some possible outcomes this season. There are some tropes that have been used before that fans hope the show won't revisit though. Fans on Reddit express the storylines they are hoping not to see this season.
Fake Deaths
The fake death trope has been used in many popular franchises. A character is killed off, but then by some turn of events, they are not actually dead, making the emotional weight of their death inconsequential. The trailer for season 4 has already shown that Hopper's sacrificial death from last season was a fake-out.
User Penelopeep25 feels like "the only way to make fear/horror in a show is to have a real risk and real consequences." Fake deaths could make the show less scary if fans don't take the threat seriously. A lack of fear in a horror series is like no laughs in a comedy. The sentiment remains whether the character is a hero or antagonist, user Michael-Balchaitis insist they "don't want to see Billy brought back to life." This character served a purpose in season 3 but fans are hoping the graveyard scene from the trailer isn't hinting at a resurrection.
Plot Twists With Sara
Some fans are theorizing that they could bring in a twist with Hopper's daughter Sara. Hopper's loss of his daughter was something viewers found relatable, and changing this story could hurt the meaning of his character. Hopper's backstory also played a large part in his empathy for Joyce in her search for Will.
Fans agree that his arc would be changed if a twist like this happens, as user AnteaterPersonal3093 says, "the reason why a lot of fans felt Hopper's sadness was because losing your little daughter to cancer is something realistic and heartbreaking." WarwickRI worries that involving Sara in the secrets of Hawkins lessens the weight of Hopper's choices, since "the story is so much more powerful when he sort of stumbled into this and took it on anyway."
Musical Sequences
Season 3 had Dustin's most iconic scene with a musical sequence involving walkie-talkies, two summer camp loves, the Mind Flayer, inevitable danger, and unparalleled embarrassment. Eleven actress Millie Bobby Brown even parodied the scene dancing in a viral video.
The scene was a surreal and hilarious sequence that some fans loved and some felt it took them out of the story too much. Even the fans that thought it worked great don't particularly want to see a retread of the same gag. "I don’t want any more musical sequences. The Neverending Story moment was funny and super unexpected but I don’t think they can repeat something like that again," says ComicGuy98.
Time Travel
Time travel is a plot device used in many pieces of media. Sometimes it works well, and in others, it creates plot holes that leave fans unsatisfied and confused. Another ability of time travel is that it can retcon previously established events, which causes timelines to become messy, and canon events can become non-canon.
Fans have expressed concern about the idea of time travel, given the slippery slope of inconsistencies. User decrodeddoris expressed "if they time travel and retcon/change a bunch of stuff I’m gonna be so mad." Penelopeep25 agrees, "I really don't want them to mess with time travel. It's too weird and hard to do, I don't like the concept."
Too Many New Character Storylines
Stranger Things is an ever-growing show, with new characters every season. Some of those new characters were received well and some were not. This has caused some fans to be worried they won't see enough storylines involving their favorite characters. Fans don't want to see the OG characters being sidelined too much for new characters they don't know yet.
After all the wild conspiracies and life-threatening danger, fans like Penelopeep25 want to "see everyone processes the events of 1-3 and how they handle it happening again." Some fans believe new characters would sideline this kind of character development of the established characters. With season 4 being the penultimate season, fans are more interested in wrapping up the stories of established characters rather than starting new ones.
Steve's Death
The glorious hair sporting spiked bat yielding Steve Harrington has established himself as a fan-favorite character. His development from being a jerk antagonist to an invaluable friend of the kids has endeared him into the heart of many fans.
It is known that the Duffer Brothers had initially intended for Steve to not make it past season 1 but Joe Keery's portrayal brought a new life to the character so they changed the script. (via Cinemablend) The Duffers weren't the only ones not ready to say goodbye to the character, user youngtai15 simply says they "don’t want Steve to die." Knowing Steve's original fate, user _StrangeIsLife_ is worried that it might finally come to fruition in season 4, stating "I don't want to see Steve's death but I have a feeling it might be coming."
OG Team Separated
One reason season 1 of Stranger Things was so successful was the friendship between the core group of kids. As the series has grown in scope and cast of characters, their time together has been limited. Season 3 saw them each split up on different adventures for most of the season.
The trailer for season 4 suggests there might be tension with Lucas, Mike, Will, and Dustin. Scenes with them are beloved by fans. This has some fans worried they will continue missing the energy of the group of friends. User solarlunaas would like to "bring back the season 1 vibes," by having "the core kids (Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Max, El) all together again."
Only Minor Characters Dying
Like with fake deaths, the lack of major character deaths could start to lessen the stakes. Secondary characters like Bob, Billy, Alexei, and Barb have suffered the fate of Hawkins's threats, but they were all introduced the same season they died. Most fans believe at some point the plot armor has to give, despite how hard losing that character may be.
User NirvanaFan2014 says they "don’t want them to just kill off new characters. It’s too predictable." Instead, they suggest a major character's death would "convince the audience that no one is safe." Beloved characters being killed off isn't something fans really want to see, but this far into the series might be necessary.
New Powers
Eleven's telekinetic powers, and how she got them, have been a large plot point in the series. Her telekinesis has saved the lives of all her friends, and maybe even the world. But even though her powers are a benefit, some fans don't wish to see other characters develop powers.
User tahcomplex doesn't want to see "any other established characters getting powers." Some series have had issues with characters getting powers seemingly out of nowhere. Giving too many characters powers could take away what is special about them. Fans theorize that they would be less relatable if a character suddenly has superhuman abilities. User Catgamer_reveals agrees that no one should "get powers instead of eleven."
Retconning
Retroactively changing an important part of Hawkins's history is a concern for some fans. Fans theorize there could be a twist involving the history of the Upside-Down. The general consensus is that this would retcon the show. If Hawkins residents had dealt with the Upside-Down before the kids encounter it in season 1, it would change the meaning of the story.
Most fans are not interested in "a reveal that the main characters' (Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Eleven, Max) families have a history of dealing with the upside-down," user DudebroggieHouser states. They believe it would be detrimental to the series if "the events of the first season are just a step in a long chain instead of the reality-shattering event it is."