RUNNING UP THAT HILL!! | Stranger Things 4x4 "Dear Billy" Group Reaction!!

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Hope you guys enjoyed our reaction to Season 4 Episode 4 of Stranger Things! This episode was entitled "Dear Billy" and is part of the brand new volume of episodes that Netflix dropped for Stranger Things! We are really looking forward to this season and hope you all enjoy watching along with us!
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0:00 Intro/Discussion
5:06 Episode Reaction
35:18 Outro/Discussion

[@ReelTimeYT]

The full watchalongs for every episode of Stranger Things Season 4 we've posted so far are posted on our Patreon! Check them out: www.patreon.com/ReelTimeYT

[@ssotkow]

33:09 When Max responded to Vecna, "you're not really here," to which you pleaded, "it's all in your head"... Vecna responded on cue: "Oh, I am." Vecna resides in the deepest nook & cranny of victims' buried trauma in the subconscious.

[@ofabiobuzzo]

"not realistic" my girl was on another dimension fighting a damn monster.

[@cherrybxmb18]

This is all a mind thing. He only goes after people who are vulnerable & feel alone. Max was going through so much grief & being at home with her alcoholic mother. She realized she wasn’t alone & was able to take control of her own mind. No one else even tried to fight back against Vecna until Max.

[@dogsbreakfast4952]

Then why is he targeting Nancy ?

[@carolinabandeira3955]

@@dogsbreakfast4952 because of her trauma of Barb's death

[@fate7669]

@@dogsbreakfast4952 two of her friends are dead from the upside down

[@tovick1643]

The music was important to make the portal open "connect" her mind back to herself,

[@hellojilly]

@@dogsbreakfast4952 I know it was already answered but at the beginning of the murders and the 4th season, we saw Nancy have guilt about Barb very briefly and definitely all throughout season 2 & 3 so it makes sense that he latched on to her. While Steve was there and felt guilty, it was Nancy’s best friend and the reason Barb stayed around at Steve’s in the first place. Steve got over his guilt at the end of season 2 I’d say. Nancy’s drive for solving cases and finding justice derives from her incident with Barb’s death and not being able to tell the real truth behind her death/disappearance.

[@julianprice5640]

since the whole vecna scene was in the mind, physical sense doesn't really matter. I think her escaping was more about willpower, so through her sheer willpower she forced her self from her restraints and yanked out a piece of his neck which looks pretty yankabe honestly with like the whole exposed muscles and tendons .

[@lalnunpuiafanai9479]

true

[@adammini3960]

Absolutely was a battle of the wills and Max overcoming her depression by realizing all she had to lose.

[@NJShadow]

"which looks pretty yankabe honestly" is one of the best comments I've seen regarding this scene. Too funny.

[@RaymondBCrisp]

It was a combo of willpower and hope. Between her favorite song playing and the memories of her friends, she was able to break the mental bonds that held her. That, and her skill as a "Zoomer!"

[@cocoliko]

It was like kicking vecna on the balls

[@centripetal6157]

The depression and trauma motif hits hard. The build up in the end was so emotional and crazy

[@marvelousmia]

you guys.. she isn't physically fighting vena. its all in her mind, that's why her physical body is still floating in the air. music reaches apart of the brain that words can't, which is why it helped her fight it. max usually listens to music all the time to cope with billys death, which is why she hasn't had a visit from vecna until last episode.

[@rugr82day]

Yed, and she didn't pull a chunk out of his neck. She pulled a vein/vine loose and the pain and shock affected not just Vecna but also the vines holding Max because Vecna and the vines are all connected.

[@dreajp]

@@rugr82day Woah woah then how did she get loose the first time? I just know that all this willpower and hope. So, she probably broke away the first time due to adrenaline and her mental and emotional strength. Then after tearing out a piece of his neck she was loosened. You make sense, but only for the second part because she had to release herself first to tear it off.

[@rugr82day]

@@dreajp , you mean the first time when Vecna switched from Billie taunting her to himself saying her time was up, before the others put her music on? She got away from him because she ran away through the graveyard. Chrissy and Fred were so scared they just stood still in fright. "Fright or Flight response" Well Max chose flight. That's how she ended up in the red mist landscape and Vecna asked her "What are you doing here.." I think that's why he tied her up with the vines/tentacles to that "tree" so she couldn't runway before he broke her to peices.

[@dreajp]

@@rugr82day Hahaha nonono. Literally RIGHT before she ripped his vein out. I'm strictly talking about when she was with him in his sanctuary. The moment he wrapped her up, it looked strong AF. But what I'm saying is your point can only make sense after she pulled a vein loose, which was also after she pulled her hand free. What I'm saying you're point can't count for when she pulled it loose the first time, so the first time had to be her initial shock of getting a burst of strength from her willpower. I thought I explained this well but I think parts were missing. Sorry love hahaha 🤗.

[@rugr82day]

@@dreajp , but there was only the one time she broke free from restraints. My first comment was strictly on the reactors asking how was Max strong enough to pull a chunk out of Vecna's neck. I was just pointing out she didn't pull a chunk of flesh out she just popped a tentacle loose.

[@maxxandubar503]

I’m glad the guy in the white hat has never had depression… but she did it thru the sudden realization that she actually wants to live. It’s a beautiful moment.

[@centripetal6157]

Basically negative thoughts make vecna stronger. Listening to music triggers happy memories. Max survived because of happy memories with friends

[@ella-rosesmith922]

Sadie sink deserves an Emmy for this episode alone

[@bullymaguire2299]

Hate to be that guy but Oscar’s are for movies. But yea she deserves an award for her performance.

[@TheGodfather-bm3ow]

Emmy is all she can get ... for TV

[@cooperstowe9318]

Niggas really need to learn what Oscar’s are

[@celestia486]

All the rewards please and thank you

[@katiecarvalho4863]

If you listen to the lyrics of her favorite song it says “if I only could, I’d make a deal with god, and I’d get him to swap our places” it’s an indication to Billy’s death 🥺 I got so emotional when I realized that as well as her letter to Billy

[@fatoumatacisse3796]

THIS EPISODE AND EPISODE 7 ARE THE FUCKING BEST they are actually really good and so much happened in both episodes

[@hyperion7419]

no.. this whole season is trash compared to the other ones

[@Lena-es2ze]

@@hyperion7419 me when I lie

[@pradaonmybag2792]

@@hyperion7419 hater

[@hyperion7419]

@@pradaonmybag2792 u gonna cry?

[@pradaonmybag2792]

@@hyperion7419 no but if you think the Season was bad you a hater.

[@Luzarioth]

Vecna feels like a representation of Suicide. By having her favorite Song playing and flashing back to moments of Joy, Laughter and Love, she got enough willpower to break his influence and running back to her life.

[@andreawest2194]

This episode was so emotional and good, I really thought for a second this was it for Max

[@Bunny2319b]

I was so close to crying 😭😭 definitely my fav episode this season, so far

[@ambersmith1018]

It's funny that you guys said it's giving Freddie Krueger vibes because the actor playing old Victor Kreel IS the actor Robert Englund who played Freddie. Pretty iconic of them. Edit: I commented before I finished the video, I’m glad you guys caught that! 👍🏻

[@thurst4bludgaming529]

They said that

[@connorclarey12]

Right!, I love this season. The villain is pretty much a Freddy Kruger with a great origin story

[@imnainggolanpm2245]

Right. When I first watched season 4 episode 1, saw how Vecna killed Chrissy, remembered Nightmare on the Elm street similarities.... Killed in the dream, killed in real life

[@safahshehzad3402]

this episode was just incredible

[@Big_Pants_]

The ripping vecnas chunks bit was a lot more metaphorcal. Everything that happened was Vecna using his powers to manipulate her: what she saw, heard, felt, and could do, it was all him messing with her head. So she manages to break free from his manipulation, which is dependent on hatred, anger, sadness, trauma, etc, with good memories and the positive feelings from her favorite song. When she rips his neck, she’s metaphorically breaking his hold on her, and she can use that moment to slip through the cracks and get free of his connection to her mind

[@paigepeterson3784]

When you think about it when max got free it doesn’t make sense but then again it does because it’s all in her mind so it’s like she basically took control back like in the Freddy movie when the girl realized she could control her dreams and brought him to the real world and killed him it’s like that she took back control when she realized it’s not real that’s why she was able to break free and take a chunk of his neck

[@tink6225]

yeah the first two victims were overtaken by fear and didn't realize it wasn't real soon enough

[@imnainggolanpm2245]

Nice ... Another fan of Nightmare on the Elm Street 😀

[@forevergreen4]

The memory of her friends temporarily weakened Vecna's hold over her, since he only goes after people with trauma.That allowed her to pull her hand free just for a second. The last few shots of the flashback are the most important. 1: she remembered how much she loved her friends. 2: she remembered how much she loved Lucas. 3. The very last shot is a memory of her and Eleven, and then it smash cuts to her opening her eyes and attacking Vecna at the sudden realization that Eleven wouldn't let this shit go down - she would fight.

[@kerenshonganie4302]

i never thought of that!! great observation :)

[@pouncingmoggy]

*most emotional part of the episode is happening* These guys: "Dude, brah, dude..."

[@Ascended._]

Vecna feeds off his victims grief it makes him stronger. When Max was having the flashback it released her from the depression and made Vecna's hold of her weaker.

[@tink6225]

max has been my favorite since she was introduced because of her stubbornness & willpower. glad to see her make it out alive

[@eagleangel5568]

OKAY HOW YOU GONNA SAY ITS NOT REALISTIC WHEN ITS THIS SHOW LOL like what and it was sheer willpower and relearning that she cares about everyone

[@vicoregano]

The guy in green was obviously not paying attention during the whole season 😂

[@El_Compa_Zamy]

How🤣

[@Chantara27]

I love the fact that most of Max's memories that made her realize that she wanted to live involved Lucas ❤️

[@Conkers93]

This episode was incredible…from the ‘Bolier Room’ allegory of Freddy Krueger seeped into all that amazing horror; but above all the amazingly beautiful depiction of trauma and depression and the struggle to get through it. Vecna illustrate the beast of depression and trauma in an appropriately menacing way, and the way music, friends, and people asking for you to just be there now…it’s sometimes all it takes, and hurts to think about how if the other victims had someone asking them to be there if they’d have been able to escape too. Depression and trauma are so real, especially for young people today, and the littlest bit of help goes so far….I loved this episode.

[@skyemadisyn163]

I think Vecna attaches himself to the subconscious mind. He guilts his victims by being up trauma they have pushed away. Music is one of the few things that we know can access the subconscious so I like thinking that is how max was able to find the way out of vecna’s curse.

[@tovick1643]

Exactly, this is the exact point why robin and nancy went to visit victor creel.. I loved how the "portal" opened, showing max reality again, and an escape route. filling her with hope and the will to life knowing her friends are helping!

[@annacope9975]

I think the music is so important in that scene. The music acted almost like a gateway back to the real world which is what ultimately allowed her to escape as well as her realisation that she wants to live and fight for her friends. Also, I love how the lyrics kind of symbolise her survivors guilt, it was immaculate.

[@AppleLovePeace]

I was hoping someone would realize Rob England is Freddy Krueger. The cassette deck is better known as a Walkman.

[@malibukitt]

Finallllyyy!!! Someone can see.i loved the metaness lol

[@AppleLovePeace]

@@mar-shagazorpazorp6431 35 here. I don’t think I’m only until someone younger doesn’t know old technology. 🤣

[@hannahterry6316]

Lmao I was weirded out by the way he said it too, I'm like 22 and I have a bin full of cassettes my uncle (50s) left me when he passed, some of them sound like Satan but I know what a Walkman is

[@damonmilline9227]

Glad they are showing much more Lucus and Max. Lucus and Max should get their own show!

[@chris4dawniemichelle]

I have a feeling how max escaped came down to this - the music creates a portal for her to reality- but she was still stuck, vecna appears multiple times to wear people down emotionally and make them have overwhelming guilt and negatives feelings that’s when he has control of them. Max was able to escape because the flashbacks were actually her remembering all her happy times with her friends and the feeling she has of happiness and love she feels with them and that is what allowed her to break free- she wasn’t able to until then- also I think she pulled a tentacle off of vecna that was around his neck area

[@Amira_em]

"If I only could, I'd make a deal with God, And I'd get him to swap our places," max was definitely thinking of Billie while listening to this music :(( i love that so much the Duffer brothers are really smart 😌

[@11ibi]

This was one of the best episodes of stranger things and television that I have seen in a while like give Sadie sink all the awards that Emmy is secured also I love how the episode has introduced so many people to Kate bush running up that hill a classic what a legend and icon she is and that being maxs favourite song I knew she had taste

[@takigan]

The music element is totally legit. There are musicians in late-stage dementia/alzheimer's who've almost completely lost the ability to talk, yet they can still sing. You'll have these poor individuals who are in a complete daze/trance, yet play them their favorite song and you can see the change in their eyes...it reaches deep within them and can even bring them back to a kind of clarity.

[@marychunslone5761]

this episode was so fucking good

[@katwebbxo]

The scene with Max is so beautiful. The music and cinematography are blended so well. I've been thinking about this scene for days lol. Gorgeous. ❤

[@Sirjohn834]

“Little not realistic” wait until he realizes the show isn’t real😳

[@ashleylawrence6928]

LMAO

[@x0x0mariax0x0]

Sadie Sink deserves all the awards for her performance in this episode

[@anyla5039]

true

[@RonHeartsMe]

My favorite scene from all 4 seasons, hands down. I started crying when they showed the flashbacks because I really thought she was a goner.

[@karolejnaa13]

The fact that this whole season is inspired heavily by old horror movies and Vecna always reminded me so much of Freddy Krueger and they got Robert Englund to play a character is incredible. Also it can have a lot of meanings but I don't wanna spoil from later episodes. It made me so excited but all my friends are behind with stranger things and all I want right now is to text someone "did you know it's the same actor!! That's so cool!!" So I'm just gonna write it here lol

[@alaneskew2664]

Dude we need to sing the praises of that agent, man that guy was a fucking bad-ass. That guy stacked bodies, talk about a total die hard moment. It sucks he bites it, but fuck me, that guy went out like a champ. Still that last scene is gold, best of the series so far.

[@cathowe2208]

This might be my favorite episode to date! That billy cameo sent me into orbit

[@imgonnatouchyouniceandslow]

Yes same. I didn’t expect to see Dacre again. It’s a short scene but glad and sad to see him. Rip.

[@shellerz_6339]

I love how I was looking at vekna’s claw hand earlier thinking that looks like Freddy Kruger’s glove and then here he is as Victor . Love this show 💕💕

[@larissa1770]

When max dropped from the air “no one caught her” 😂 plsss

[@jazzingirl]

the fact that the casted Freddy Krueger himself is so cool

[@chuualwayswins]

the last few minutes of this episode always gives me the feels it’s so good

[@Aaronzlx]

Would’ve been crazy if they cut it and didn’t let us know if she lived or not and made us wait til july 1st to know what happened 😭

[@findingdads5764]

The song running up the hill represents her feelings for billy because one of the lyrics “If I only could I’d make a deal with god, And I’d get him to swap our places” means she would rather of been killed than billy it’s my theory and a bunch of other peoples

[@imgonnatouchyouniceandslow]

5:31 her note said “From, El” and not “Love, El” :( damn

[@maec8014]

Lol "headphones or whatever..tape deck or something" I love hearing what you kids call the things of our time 🤣 80s kids here. It's a walkman 🙃

[@cityrat3237]

There’s a reason max is able to free herself but if I explain why it spoilers things

[@diogosimao]

"Vecna gave me freddy krueger vibes" .. yes, and the father telling the story is played by the actor who played Freddy Krueger. =P

[@liamerasmus8592]

35:10 Not really. There's an explanation in Ep 7

[@sibela9553]

I was waiting for your reaction:)

[@laurenjones1660]

Fun fact Dacre actually filmed his billy scene remotely from Perth Australia, as it was during covid. So he wasn't actually on set when he filmed this scene with Sadie.

[@crystalpritchard5065]

I don’t think it’s trauma that causes Vecna to curse you, I think it’s guilt. Fred killed someone, accidentally or not, Max feels guilty that she didn’t try to save Billy, and even more guilty that part of her was relieved he was gone. Victor accidentally killed an entire family in the war. I think guilt is what causes Vecna to attack.

[@chipacita90]

It's trauma and depression. Chrissy didn't do anything to feel guilty, she was the victim of her mother abusive behavior. I totally understand her because I had a similar dinamic with my own mother and I ended up being anorexic in my teens so that storyline really hit close to me.

[@morganrusnai4579]

Black spires, red sky, swirling dust particles blowing around in the air, lots of parts of broken buildings around... "Where is she the moon?" ...uhm... the hell kinda moon have you been looking at?

[@justlive2809]

probably my best episode from the season with episode 7 for now the shooting scene was amazing and Max scenes at the end The music, the flashbacks, the acting the boys begging her to come back 😭😭

[@Fitgirlkate]

Best bit of TV since the red wedding😁

[@playingwithfire4941]

Dude in the green has never watched any Freddy Krueger movies and it shows

[@ReelTimeYT]

I’ve always been a Michael Myers guy my b :/ -zuff

[@mateoz6594]

Not to be rude or anything but why does the guy on the left keep moving his head and eyes like that

[@ricardo5204]

Maybe he has some sort of tics

[@ShanieceManley]

“She is running up that hill” 😂😂😂😭

[@xaroth1337]

"Little not realistic what she did" Yeah true kinda cringe in a series like stranger things where pretty much all is realistic with a upside down world where monster exists

[@SavedPlankton]

Why mute the music it's not copyright

[@ReelTimeYT]

Wdym yes it is we got copyright claimed for it 😂

[@SavedPlankton]

So you telling me my grandma is not even at the drive through red apple in the attic???

[@blakartist2000]

This ending to the episode was the most emotional charged ending of any episode of any series this year. You guys have you done a Fight Club reaction yet.

[@katie9294]

THE BEST EPSIODE OF THE SEASONNN I CANT WAIT TO WSTCH UR REACTIONSSS

[@Kai81194]

Fun fact, Victor Kreel is actually played by the actor who originally played Freddy Krueger

[@inkpenavengerYT]

"Not very realistic" in the show about psychic children and smoke monsters. 🙄

[@fffffffff25]

"What was that"?! "NOT PIZAAAAAA" LMAOO

[@jesusflores2324]

I felt it had a Nightmare on elm Street vibe...then come to find out Englund has a cameo...amazing, cause they knew where they were headed with this....

[@bambam4680]

My first time watching you guys. It was great! To the guy in green, you look exactly like my older brother. Lol

[@tm0410]

This end scene and the byers house shoot out scene are my favorites of the series.

[@l.g.2888]

Love the reaction! Fun fact: the exterior shots of the asylum were filmed at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. I only know this because it's my alma mater and as Nancy and Robin were running from the security guards I got the weirdest sense of deja vu. 😅

[@TheAmazingAdam]

Best ep of the season by far and that ending got me teary eyed with that song playing and me thinking Max was going to get it :'( . Sadie's such an underrated actress.

[@Warner1929]

This episode has been my favorite I feel. But it is amazing that they have Robert Englund portraying Victor, especially him being one of the most iconic horror icons in history playing Freddy Krueger. What a treat coming into this episode seeing him in another role. It is funny you bring up similarity of Vecna and Freddy by making you see things as it is Freddy Krueger telling the story 24:04 . ♡

[@kaceyteague5264]

I have really enjoyed you boys and watching YALLS reaction. I was really expecting a lot of immature talking and joking thru out the reaction like every other ‘boy group’ reaction, but you guys were a pleasant surprise. I’ll definitely be subscribing. I love the reactions.

[@ajs9613]

I think because Vecna saw El in her memories, he was caught off guard - if you watch, his tentacle comes loose and she immediately fights. I think it’s because he saw El!!!

[@TheNaughtyFrench]

OKAY HERE ARE EXPLANATIONS "how Max she escaped Vecna" it's not that hard to understand Vecna control his victims by mind like Mind flyer and to get full control he manipulates them psychologically, Nancy and Robin she found out thanks to Victor's story the music can reach a part of your brain who help you to stay focus on that, except like Max she was in Vecna's mind (red dimension) the music couldn't reach to Max, so she started to do like her brother did last season thanks to El she reminded him good memories and he helped him to struggle and fight mind flyer because he was only focus on his good memories, well Max did the same and that's how she got the power to escape him. Voilà ! PS : This ending scene deserve an award called Masterpiece

[@gwynnotgwen3115]

I’m so glad you guys are reacting to this season, I started watching this year so I’m not sure if you’ve covered the pat seasons. Just got off work bout to toke and watch you guys react to this, hype god hours

[@emilybeagley4200]

This was such a emotional and shocking moment in stranger things history. I thought that was the end of Max... ✋💀

[@niarise2958]

waiting for all other episodes, especially 7!!

[@exosehunluhan8918]

29:50 THE STEVE SLANDER LMAO

[@thoma9410]

I'm so glad that one of you finally picked up on Robert Englund and the Nightmare on Elm Street vibes. I'm an 80's kid, so I was mentally screaming "How does anyone not know who Robert Englund is"!?!? Thanks for making me feel old, lol.

[@coreyvandenbussche2181]

I love that the first time we see Robert Englund hes scratching the table and the marks look like Freddys glove

[@lil_kadaver]

Old Victor is the actor who played Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) kinda fitting for this season since Vecna basically attacks you in a dream like state...

[@kcook8023]

😂😂😂 these guys are hilarious

[@kianisjuan1652]

Here’s a fun fact since you said Vecna reminds you of Freddy Krueger, the character Victor is the actor that played Freddy Krueger lol. His name is Robert Englund 😊

[@strawberryshortkek]

Dig the frequent uploads!!

[@patriece2215]

Omg Dear Billy was literally the best episode of this season, I’ll even say the whole show.

[@vvsparis]

ep7

[@powerpanda557]

Usually with flashbacks and clips people live in my experiences. Not ever time but most of the time. The part she ripped out of him was from his neck which was like a slimes branch.

[@cheyennepeterson6499]

Robert englund aka Freddie Krueger himself plays the blind guy in this episode I think it's so cool how they made it more Freddie Krueger like also I love that darce Montgomery is still in this show in away this cast is incredible

[@brutaltalent]

18:53 I had pizza in the oven and there was 3 mins left and I was over a minute already and then he said “not pizza” and I was like, oh shit😂

[@jmo4479]

To be honest, this is the best episode thus far. I felt like I was running for my life with her.

[@whitdogwhatsup6289]

The insane amount of wrong guesses yall have every episode brings me back. New "ideas" every 60 seconds and SO SURE of every single one. Haha. Too funny! 😬🤣

[@CornThomasII]

I hope you take it as the compliment/ at worse neutral statement that I mean it to be but Bryce w/ facial hair looks like he got that fire fire pack. Lol.

[@blandspaghettidinner8949]

See, Robert has a cameo. Nightmare on Elm Street is referenced like 20 times in this show. And I SWEAR TO GOD he plays the voice of Vecna. Another actor plays Vecna but he also has another part. Won't say anything else. But I swear if you look it up it says numerous times that both Robert and this other actor play vecna. Which means that most likely Robert (freddy) is vecna's voice at THE LEAST! Maybe not behind the suit. Just like a Vader situation. Different voice/actor behind the suit.

[@cheyennepeterson6499]

Robert englund was the blind guy in this episode if you didn't know

[@julia-kw5fk]

Y’all r way underrated

[@belbun5681]

wow love ur guys reactions

[@Chibbykins]

Is the chubby white bro on the left just totally disconnected from how real people react to life 😂 he's giving Philip de Franco before Phil had a glow up. That being said, this video was from a year ago so maybe he got better

[@doctorvondoom5797]

Awesome to see Robert England aka Freddy Krueger playing Victor

[@Markyajv]

Yeah! you guys realized who played Victor? Freddy Kruger himself! Robert Englund.