Stranger Things Season 4 Vol 2 SPOILER Review - Breakdown, Easter Eggs, Ending Explained!

Stranger Things 4 Volume 2 Spoiler Review today! Beyond The Trailer reaction & review! Ending explained! 2022! Netflix! Episode 8 & Episode 9!
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Stranger Things Season 4 Vol 2 Review with SPOILERS today! Beyond The Trailer host Grace Randolph's reaction & review of Stranger Things 4 Part 2 Episode 8 Papa and Episode 9 The Piggyback! Ending explained! Easter Eggs! Vecna! Will! The Upside Down! Max & Eddie! Enjoy this SPOILER breakdown of Stranger Things Season 4 Part 2 in 2022 now that you've seen the full episode! And be sure to make Beyond The Trailer your first stop for movie and entertainment news here on KZbin today!
CHAPTER TIMES
Intro - 00:00
Vecna Henry 1 - 00:12
Brutal Ending - 1:28
Eddie - 2:09
Max - 4:12
Is Max Dead? - 4:56
Lotta Talking & Jinxing - 6:10
The Very End - 7:43
Vecna Suit - 8:26
Lots of Monologuing - 9:08
Go For The Head! - 10:04
It Was VH1 All Along - 11:00
Papa Was Right - 11:37
Eleven Never Levels Up - 11:53
Goodbye Papa - 13:03
ST5 Insane Budget - 14:07
Will's Turn - 14:56
Jonathan & Will - 16:28
Nancy Love Triangle - 16:53
Jason vs Lucas - 17:18
Surfer Boy Pizza - 18:43
I Never Should've Knocked - 19:23
Romance - 19:32
Hopp & Joyce Russia Storyline - 19:40
Max & Lucas - 20:21
Steve & Nancy - 20:47
Robin & Vickie - 21:04
Mike & Eleven - 21:37
Conclusion - 22:28
Interact with host & creator Grace Randolph!
Twitter: bit.ly/GraceOnTwitter
#StrangerThings4 #StrangerThings #Netflix

[@BeyondTheTrailer]

So glad you all like "VH1" for Vecna Henry 001 :) hehe

[@ikexbankai]

Didn’t Eddie die to save Dustin because some of the bats were still coming after them

[@BeyondTheTrailer]

@@ikexbankai No, they wouldn't have come through the portal at that point, Eddie ran off because he was worried the bats would go back to the Creel house if he also left.

[@tommy516]

The end of the show was weird, I don't think Eleven woke up and Max really died. The whole ending seemed like a dream, not real life! I think the void in Max's mind is the tell that not all things are what they seem.

[@tommy516]

The Nancy Ripley part was bad ass, that is the exact same thing I was thinking at that point, she needs to play a new version of Ripley, she even looked like her with the hair!

[@ikexbankai]

@@BeyondTheTrailer ok I see your point. When the 2nd jump scare with the bats happed I took as Eddie ran off to stop them from going through the gate. And that was the distraction he was causing. Then he just decided to stop running. Causing me to be mad at Dustin for going back through the gate. Also they said the “Angry Hicks” line about the people in town and not just the ppl in the store. Obviously some of them were included but I thought it was more about how the towns ppl got all made about a “cult”

[@_KungFuBarbie_]

As a Max fan I’m still in shock. “I don’t wanna die , I’m not ready.” I just want her to be happy. 😭

[@joshwheelerback5144]

I feel like she should have died tbh. It was a ballsy move. Keeping her alive just felt like cheap plot armor.

[@sixfeetunder0105]

Crushed my soul

[@charley15z17]

I feel like she should have died tbh. It would have been a ballsy move. Keeping her alive just felt like cheap plot armor.

[@reey2778]

Same I was literally crying and throwing up

[@alexnajar713]

Well she’s dead…….how else did the gates reopen? She’s brain dead I’m pretty sure

[@TheEighthPotter]

Will said that Eleven commissioned the painting because he didn't want Mike to think that Will made it for him on his own. By saying Mike's girlfriend asked for it, Will didn't have to reveal to Mike that he was thinking that deeply about him.

[@Junior6288]

This EXACTLY!

[@erik2Konasis]

"Mike Will made it" .... That's funny

[@MOBROOKS]

Good catch

[@cuppiesaur]

It was actually pretty obvious that that was the case ~

[@Tony_Pesta]

I'm sure this will be brought up again. Once Mike realizes Eleven didn't commission the painting for him, there will be a full revelation of some sort

[@Sosaliukang]

They referenced her “flying” twice. I was thinking she’d go full Magneto or Neo by stopping bullets midair.

[@bookishtheory]

its def going to be a Season 5 thing. it has to be

[@ebransc09]

I thought she might takeoff for Hawkins like Neo/Superman

[@nailinthefashion]

there's fer sure gonna be a final battle where instead of her levitating him, it's herself, and she's gotta do the hand-scream thing for good measure. funny yet motivational quip. time for season 6 choo choooooo

[@AlecArtComics]

I was waiting for the levitation!

[@flowerchild6309]

Yessss I was so disappointed

[@insomn3ak]

Noah Schnapps performance when Will was talking to Mike in the van was phenomenal. It captured EXACTLY how it felt in the 80’s to be in the closet, in love with your best friend, and not able to express it. I had a few experiences like that, and I was bawling watching that performance. So good!

[@Junior6288]

This this this 100%. So spot on.

[@mikekaraoke]

Some of Frankie Goes to Hollywood/ Bronski Beat would disagree with you there! They didn't give a shit.

[@samus33529]

Same experience for me. They nailed it, spot on.

[@kiaadams104]

@@samus33529 why do gay guys always fall in love with there best guy friends? I felt that scene deeply but from Mike's perspective. Having a friend secretly in love and realizing years later that the connection wasn't as innocent or pure as you hoped it to be... Idk. I felt for Will. But the aloofness of Mike was my real world experience. Interesting places for the story to progress.

[@aaronvillagomez3548]

ME TOO! I think he deserved an Emmy Nomination alone for that scene. Will truly is the heart of the story, Mike wouldn’t have been able to be there for Eleven while fighting Vecna which then Vecna probably would’ve killed Max and Eleven completely. Will is the true eye opener

[@asterfilip800]

Massive shoutout to the acting on this show. Millie Bobby Brown in the scene with Papa, and in the fight with Vecna. Sadie Sink all season. Caleb McLaughlin grieving for Max. Finn Wolfhard with his phenomenal monologue. Noah Schnapp making us suffer for him. Gaten Matarazzo, the feels my god. And well, David Harbour and Winona Ryder are David Harbour and Winona Ryder. Absolutely outstanding

[@VictoriaTraducciones]

Also the guy who played Eddie, he won everyone's hearts over in the course of one season, and JCB played one heck of a villain as Henry Creel/Peter Ballard/Vecna

[@strikerbowls791]

How has everyone watched it all?

[@salperry52]

Im sure they read this

[@Ashley-km4qi]

Sadie all season? It was really just the running up the hill scene. If it wasn’t for that people wouldn’t be talking

[@heather23renae]

Gaten crying and screaming for Eddie really got me :(

[@robrogers4167]

Eddie died to save Dustin. If the bat creatures would’ve gotten in the trailer, they would have gone through the gate and attacked Dustin, and everyone else in the trailer park.

[@sheed3700]

Eleven's line about piggybacking from a pizza dough freezer was hilarious.

[@PastaSauce.]

Was it though?

[@AEAsher]

I feel that what they did with Max, her fate at the end of the season was more painful than killing her. It is so brutal

[@oli.y]

Exactly

[@ludwigtheholyblade777]

Yeah won’t she just be a blind cripple the rest of her life not to mention who knows how fried her brain is

[@oli.y]

@@equos5060 good as new 😂

[@Grizmeyer]

I'm gonna miss Robert Downey Jr Junior. Very dark ending. Almost an Empire Strikes Back feeling. Max getting so messed up was shocking, didn't expect that at all.

[@edbaitedyou6955]

Fr

[@Lllllgbbdd]

Wdym

[@edbaitedyou6955]

@@Lllllgbbdd Eddie

[@MOBROOKS]

Lmao at Robert Downey jr. jr. Hahahahaha

[@AlabamaMayne]

Holy shit, I thought I was the only one who saw it. Nobody believes me!!

[@rafaelfcf]

About the Jonathan and Will conversation, as a Gay man I really appreciated that. I know we'd like to have seen Jonathan do a little more, but I guess it would have been like Jean Grey and Bob, and it would have been too much. Just to hear "I love you, no matter what" with a "I KNOW" look to me was more than enough. VERY respectable and kind! 💙🏳️‍🌈

[@MOBROOKS]

Great take. Thank you for your insight. People tend to forget how different things were in the 80’s.

[@cinnamonswords2427]

It wasn’t just the 80s. I grew up in rural Texas in the 2000s and 2010s and I feel just like Will, if not worse than him. But it makes me relieved to see this specific experience written into media. It allows us queer people to feel recognized and understood.

[@nailinthefashion]

of course he isn't going as far as he should. gotta leave the biggest feels for season 5 🤡 but yeah, it felt like something my friends said before I came out, which is so rare ro say about a TV show.

[@andylindsey]

And also consider they're busy fighting VH1 and trying to save the world. Not exactly the time to be coming out and have it mean something for Will. It was tactful, IMO. A lot more than most shows are with this kind of story.

[@wyllyamjohnson3561]

I think sometimes Grace forgets that this show takes place in the 80s. Especially when addressing the LGBT characters. Coming out would have been next to Impossible in a place like Hawkins. Even discussing feeling like that would have been seemingly insurmountable.....in my opinion most of these people wouldn't have been comfortable dating till at least the early 90s and even that would have been tough.

[@Destyn2b]

Now that they are all together, I'm hoping Robin will have a chance to have a conversation with Will in S5. She will probably pick up on it right away and he needs to find someone he can connect with (besides Vecna lol) so he doesn't feel so alone.

[@fvalles]

Forget Kenobi and Ms Marvel… THIS should’ve been our weekly watch-a-along! I was GLUED to my TV.

[@oli.y]

If only the episodes came out weekly... But then I wouldn't have been able to binge both parts each in a day!

[@devilrider39000000]

Its hard to do a watch along for ST, but I think Grace could've pulled it off for at least the last 2 episodes. Just do them on back to back nights.

[@jongrimes4246]

It wasn't the pep talk she needed, she needed to hear "I love you", every time she has defeated VH1, it was love. Love is going to be what ultimately wins in season 5

[@mrwalrus1150]

“We make our own rules” El remembers this as she resurrects max - it’s the same line Henry says as he discovers his powers staring at the grandfather clock. Also I think Max’s consciousness may still be trapped in Vecna’s mind with his other victims, which would of course means she would need to be rescued in season 5.

[@MarkWendland]

Nice. This makes a lot of sense. So, I'm wondering how open the Max gate is if she isn't quite deceased? Will that forestall th invasion (incursion)?

[@nailinthefashion]

​@@MarkWendland I think the portal will be cracked open literally and metaphorically, so when El saves Max it's able to get "slammed shut"

[@denver934]

Another theory I maybe think she could be just hiding in another memory but who knows

[@gravityfalls1826]

@@MarkWendland she did die until Eleven resurrected her, that's how the gate opened

[@elfsong713]

That would make sense! I thought she was going to turn back the clock, as Vecna seemed to have some kind of time influencing powers.

[@chillaxed2010]

My reaction to this was SO much like my reaction to the end of Avengers: Infinity War... where it is all set-up and there are moments when our heroes are on top and look like they might take out the big bad, but then BAM! Brutal ending without resolution!! And if that's the case, if Season 5 ends up being as EPIC and SATISFYING as Avengers: Endgame was, then man oh man SIGN ME UP NOW!!!

[@superjay14]

I had a similar thought when watching this-with the infinity war reference. I just felt like the death counts were low for our main cast.

[@nailinthefashion]

​@@superjay14 gotta leave close calls and sacrifices for season 5 lmao

[@eldiablomaligno6662]

Wait I thought 4 was the final season

[@arrow_of_ravenclaw5155]

That scene with Jonathan and Will in the pizza restaurant was *chef’s kiss*

[@moviegoer727]

IMO Eddie AND Max were done dirty in this finale. They both suffered so much this season that I’m still trying to pick my jaw off the floor at their fates in the final episode 🙃

[@MOBROOKS]

Dang bro. Everyone can’t make it out of this show unscaved. Someone has to “get got” eventually.

[@Anu32148]

@@MOBROOKS ngl the russian crew literally had plot armour, there is no way they could possibly have pulled that off( I am referring to the events of both vol 1 and 2) And these characters Max who had become a great representation for people with depression and Eddie with the whole satanic panic storyline deserved a better ending than the one they got The writers just couldnt kill off an og

[@huskydje]

Agreed. I feel like neither should have happened. It happened for nothing. Also why didn’t Elle say she was there?!?

[@thefinalfilmbro122]

Their suffering was good writing

[@ms.bubs4fun506]

Eddie and Max both have the worst lives ever.

[@jillvlantine]

My only issue that did the whole cop out thing with max it would have been way more impactful and give more motivation for eleven to stop Vecna if max had died permanently.

[@Mateocabrera2389]

But that defeats the whole purpose of Max’s arc which was her fighting her demons and realizing her life is worth living.

[@jillvlantine]

@@Mateocabrera2389 yet she's gonna have to more demons now being crippled and blind. You expect the audience to believe that she doesn't want to end herself after going through that after being on the edge prior?

[@Mateocabrera2389]

@@jillvlantine she literally says in Lucas’ arms I don’t wanna die I’m not ready to die. You miss that? Also her limbs can heal but she’ll probably remain blind when she wakes from the coma.

[@jillvlantine]

@@Mateocabrera2389 that's not the point. She hasn't come to the full realization of it. She's not going to be the same even after she's healed from her broken bones. I don't understand that choice from the writers. They should have written her off to raise the stakes.

[@Mateocabrera2389]

@@jillvlantine where was this energy for Hopper

[@sonofposeidon835]

I cried multiple times during the finale and I was pleading to my tv when Max's limbs were snapping. I think the point of the NINA scenes and Mike having to tell El he loves her is that El can draw more power from love than any other emotion. IMO opinion this is why they showed what young El was picturing when sending VH1 to the upside down. Kind of goes with what Max is using to escape Vecna as well. Although, I do agree her powers need to level up visually as we already saw her hover in Season 2.

[@martinungry001]

This finale reminded me of the last airbender finale in season 2 where they were separated, came together and lost but lived to fight the epic villian another day

[@victorluna2847]

That’s season 3 I think actually

[@ApexCalibre]

@@victorluna2847 No that's Korra. In ATLA it was Book 2

[@FeatheredWingz]

Thinking about what Steve Harrington's character was like in season 1, I think Jason is kind of meant to be the antithesis to Steve, tbh. I know season 2 kept trying to parallel Steve & Billy's personalities & social positions in high school (& s4 tried pitting Eddie's position against Jason); but I think contrasting Steve to Jason makes more sense to me. They are both popular & charismatic and rather jerkish teens that get embroiled with the Upside Down drama through their girlfriend. Steve was scared & confused, but listened to Nancy & co. and was humbled enough to keep stepping up the plate whenever it counts...and the other got scared and confused and simply lashed out violently at everyone whose understanding of what was going on didn't align with his own.

[@aidanrfleming]

I never realised that but no i completely agree that’s really interesting

[@joxuemg]

good analysis!

[@jkb_games_music]

I thought I wanted to see Erica in some action scenes but seeing her get tackled like that made my stomach drop.

[@ms.bubs4fun506]

Was that guy trying to rape her?

[@aascottie]

That tackle was not playing around and I was so scared for her

[@jline6889]

Yea no doubt but she did get the best of him.

[@jlinus7251]

Yeah she's too little to be getting in fights with strange men at night in a park 💀 That screams red alert in my head

[@blazerdude89]

@@jlinus7251 wasn't a man dude was a boy still I'm school

[@hyperwave417]

I do think that max is going to be a big part in season 5, she’s the only human that’s been directly plugged into vecna and survived. IF AND WHEN she wakes from her coma i could go so far to say she may have powers, or most likely some kind of third eye considering she’s blind now 😲

[@shawnjohnson1622]

Third Eye Blind

[@mj4193]

Vecna taking her over like her bro I'm thinking

[@pixigirl999]

Will is connected to Vecna and has been since season 1

[@arkangel7819]

Very reminiscent of when Neo was blinded by agent smith controlled Bane in the The Matrix Revolution.

[@petervonik7050]

I’ll never understand grace’s constant criticism of “talking” in shows. It’s the same with watch-alongs, as soon as there’s like 2 minutes of dialogue she’s like “c’mon get a move on I want a fight scene!”. It’s important for character development & she reminds me of my very young nephews when she constantly begs for action (which is weird because there was a ton of action in these last 2 eps).

[@sixfeetunder0105]

I know right! As i mentioned in my comment, i loved it because it let us spend time with each character before the big ending while not knowing who will make it out alive and how. And the dialogue with vecna and eleven while her and max were tied up made me even more stressed cause i was like “ TIME IS RUNNING OUT “ and just made it more tensed for me.

[@Junior6288]

I would agree. Action is important, but this is premium television. They talk more on television. Action movie don’t have the time, but this show did. Wonderfully balanced, action and dialogue IMO.

[@josemv25]

Lol everytime time she criticizes something for not having enough action I always think, “wtf this has plenty of action" when I watch it

[@elfsong713]

Yeah I'm not one to criticize a show for not having enough violence, and I don't take those criticisms from her seriously. Dialogue is important for character development. If it is all meaningless action, I get bored.

[@ocfernan]

i only got a little impatient in the final fight scene where VH1 was telling 11, "let me explain....", but then once i saw the reveals, i was ok with it. in all the others, i realized some major revelation was about to happen. and given how many complex stories and histories have been going on in the show, i appreciate the callbacks to refresh my memory.

[@justinpilc5508]

A portion of season 5 should focus in some way on clearing Eddie’s name and letting the town know he was innocent and died a hero (kinda like Nancy’s journey in Season 2 for justice for Barb), otherwise it’s as if he died for nothing, especially since I really grew to enjoy his character.

[@marianne5055]

I think with the Upside Down bleeding into Hawkins, the town will finally learn the truth about it all.

[@elfsong713]

@@marianne5055 it's kind of hard to hide it now. But Nancy's parents really are *that* oblivious.

[@dot0verdrive]

I read into the painting that Will was trying to continue to hide his feelings for Mike, as well as give Mike the necessary understanding that he needed to lead and support El. He definitely did not get commissioned by EL in my mind, he painted it for Mike. And I am pretty sure that the heart of the coat of arms symbolizes his love for Mike.

[@Tyrod724]

The ending of this season has a similar setup as Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’s dinos in the real world. I believe the Duffer Brothers can pull off this story better than what we saw in Dominion.

[@AA-319]

The duffers better not integrate giant bugs into the plot to distract everyone lol 🤣

[@sixfeetunder0105]

Of course, its already better than the whole jurassic franchise

[@ghostwolf1435]

Don’t drag Stranger Things through mud like JP:FK was incredibly awful

[@mabusestestament]

Ending it with the cliffhanger is lazy

[@kevina3673]

another dumbass lmao, "I BeLieVe tHe DuffEr BroTheRs...." LMAO stfu. No one cares about your opinion. And it is so sad that you drop their name as if they are doing anything remarkable. Get a life.

[@allisondavis6543]

Prediction! Saving Max's soul and restoring her will be play role in closing gates. Reviving a team member also leans to d and d and games too.

[@kevink9764]

Great hypothesis!

[@matrixleader]

Yeah I don't believe Max is dead yet. She's in a coma.

[@olatundeakala152]

I loved when eleven pulled that helicopter down. I got chills all over.

[@Junior6288]

Me too! I thought that whole sequence was great, and really edge of my seat!

[@sixfeetunder0105]

Yes it was great and i really wonder if she was gonna get shot. I felt like everything could happen in these episodes. I even thought they could kill eleven at one point and do the final season without her, which would have been very sad and im glad they didnt lol.

[@HDGaminTutorials]

It was very underwhelming tho she should have crushed it like a can not struggle to just pull it down

[@watdaforkman4436]

@@HDGaminTutorials She did just gain her powers and as Papa stated 'She had lost all memory of how to use them'. So she had to learn how to use them again, similarly to a baby learning to walk.

[@GuilhermeOliveira-se3zh]

Loved Vol 2 so much My theory is that Max is with Vecna, like they kept saying the entire season how he’s with all of his victims and that’s what makes him powerful, so maybe if they could kill him, Max can be freed and go back to her body

[@jamesosteen09]

Yeppers. That's my theory as well.

[@vecna5753]

It's true

[@mellemadswoestenburg1296]

Oh boy. Would she even want to live after something like that? She's already traumatized enough.

[@vecna5753]

@@mellemadswoestenburg1296 you don't get it

[@mellemadswoestenburg1296]

@@vecna5753 What do you mean by that?

[@davidsabellano7977]

Tbh I didn’t mind that there are a lot talking. Kinda expected it. At the end of the day, the show is about its characters and their relationships. I did find the helicopter scene cool. And ep 9 really delivered in intercutting the different plot lines. I also didn’t expect Eleven to power up cuz it’s probably for s5

[@loferx]

That scene of Will in the van BROKE ME INTO LITTLE PIECES, honestly, the crying in the hand, the speech.

[@mrgermanvono35]

That really hit a little too close to home for me

[@danwhite9184]

They have a cast nearly the size of GOT at this point and yet they're afraid to kill main characters off.

[@edbaitedyou6955]

Yeah they need to kill some more off even Millie said that, but I guess it doesn’t matter now that it’s basically over.

[@superjay14]

They create new characters to kill those off , instead of the main ones.

[@raf686]

@@edbaitedyou6955 its over? No its not we have season 5 coming so no its not over

[@tash936]

I think they might be saving the main character deaths for the final fight- we all wanna see a big showdown with the MCs and VH1- I'm preparing myself now- my favs are probably gonna die 😭

[@Junior6288]

I believe Will was using Eleven as a proxy for his own feelings about will, for that entire car scene, including the stuff about Mike being the heart. Mike has Will heart. Those were Will’s thoughts about Mike. He just said they were Eleven’s feelings, to cover it up. As a gay teen who had a crush on his best friend, I know what it looks like to tap dance around gushing over your crush, without letting on to much that you’re crushing on them. This scene was so well written and acted, and hit me in the FEELZ!

[@kaichen04]

@Raymond Sims His whole arc the whole season was him in love with Mike.

[@Junior6288]

@Raymond Sims it’s ok. It just means you’re a Mike.

[@kidloony257]

@Raymond Sims I'm not gay and even I though it was pretty obvious thats what they were going for. They double downed on it when he looked over to Mike and El in the pizza restaurant before his talk with Johnathan. Don't understand how you could miss it

[@draftierchase]

@Raymond Sims There's hints he's in love with Mike far more than just season 4. I just binged every season before this and when you do that it's very clear Will is gay and he loves Mike in that way.

[@Sara01977]

Favorite scene that had me crying was Will in the van talking to Mike about the painting and Eleven. I think he made that painting for Mike with the intention to tell him his true feelings but in that moment, he saw how much Mike was suffering, and so spared his own feeling to help Mike. He pawned off the painting as commissioned by El to make Mike feel better even though it wasn’t her. That’s real love; sacrificing your own feelings to help the person you love. I started crying. I feel so bad for Will. I hope next season, Mike says something to El about the painting and she realizes what Will did for them. He really is an amazing friend.

[@savannagood1617]

The way will turned to the window and covered his mouth so he wouldn’t make any sounds crying…. Broke my heart. I remember crying like that.

[@labamboos]

Just here to show some love for Caleb M’s acting chops in Eps 9. The Max bone breaking scene though is what broke me. VH1…love it!

[@omerfarooq6822]

I hate to say it but Finn Wolfhard was the weakest actor in the show. His speech could’ve been more passionate. Millie had to sell that scene due to the weak acting/delivery of the speech.

[@MaxxRemKing1]

Don’t hate speaking the truth. Shout it!

[@yourlittlebrotherGabrielReview]

I literally started bawling when Eddie died but I was hyperventilating when Max died. I was in pieces when she said she didn’t want to die and that she wasn’t ready. I couldn’t believe I could cry so hard for a show. I need them to film Season 5 like yesterday because two years is just way too long!

[@WrytnFool]

I loved the entire season and finale episodes. The "talking" scenes (hence, character moments) are what MAKES the ending action mean more, and have greater affect on us and our beloved characters. And yeah, I was yelling, "HEAD SHOT!" at my TV during the "fire" spot. Bring on season 5!!

[@alessiobracco4357]

it was a great finale, such an emotional, thrilling, and scary ride that i enjoyed every second of, my heart broke for so many of these characters. special shout-out to wills little monologue to will in the back of the car. as a gay man, i related so much to that scene. but i just bawled when max “died”, she was put through the ringer this season, and she deserved so much better.

[@huskydje]

Wills monologue indeed.

[@gregap8282]

I like a slow cooker, this season finale just gave us the set up for what should and could be an epic series finale. I didnt feel there was a need for Eleven to go full Phoenix force on Vecna, she needed to have a big lose before tapping into her full potential, they needed to be have a huge blow, to taste the dirt and feel the pain. That makes the victory sweeter. I love it in stories when the bad guy gets a win before the climax, when everything is gone, hope remains as the last tool in the box. PS. I think Nancy is a cool positive representation for gun owners, not all of them are irresponsible or reckless. Nancy was a badass.

[@bim_buswick]

I completely agree with you and I'm glad to see that others agree with me! I loved this finale! Too many shows/movies go completely overboard with their power-up final showdowns and while they are fun and exciting, they need a slow burn to really feel impactful. I feel like episode nine was a perfect first showdown with Vecna and that everybody got an opportunity to level up in all the right ways, making me excited for season 5!

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

Exactly this! Grace should get this stuff. 11 stopped her training too soon, Papa was correct- she could not fly yet.

[@drakenfist]

For the most part I adored these episodes and it solidified season 4 has my favourite season of the show. I really loved it's stop/start nature of the narrative. It reminded me of a RPG game like Mass Effect which had a sprawling cast of characters, but during even the big moments, the narrative slowed down to allow you to speak to each character and discuss where their heads were at. It could have been easy for the Duffers to cut all those slow moments out and keep focusing on the momentum (which is something I felt that the earlier seasons did). Those breather moments helped give everything more weight to it. It takes me a lot to get emotional in a show, but I was crying pretty much all the way through these episodes. So many moments hit hard. The most definitely was Eddie's death and also what happened to Max. I said for the most part earlier cause I too feel that Eddie died for nothing. But Gaten and Joseph Quinn acted the hell out of those scenes!. Dustin's talk with the uncle also hit me hard. As did Eleven and Hopper's reunion!.

[@idealab5289]

Hop and El's reunion was unreasonably beautiful

[@--Avi--]

He said Eleven commissioned the painting so he wouldn't need to come out to Mike while explaining all the reasons "Eleven" loves him. They definitely captured the abusive relationship angle well. Especially when Eleven and VH1 were talking about Papa being the monster and that he hurt both of them. It touches on cycles of abuse.

[@KronnangDunn]

When fired, a sawn-off shotgun is actually no more powerful, but considerably less accurate, the shot pellets spraying out in a less controlled fashion, which could make it actually more dangerous for the person using it. The only benefit of a sawn-off shotgun is that is lighter and more easily concealed.

[@becausemiro]

As a gay man myself let me just state this one thing, no one, I repeat, NO ONE should be pressured to come out! Even by the loving members of their family! I know it’s a fiction we’re discussing here, and the scenarios are made up and fictional, but still. I know Grace has lots of problems with none existing issues in the shows and movies she reviews, but when it comes to real problems it just goes over her head. That’s all. I might anger some of you with my comment, you can send hate directly at me, it’s fine

[@nailinthefashion]

and no one should be forced to talk about it, so when Will didn't feel like explaining anything, it was perfect that Jon just moved on. it's my favourite scene of the series, by far.

[@becausemiro]

@@nailinthefashion absolutely! “I love you and I’m always here for you” is a perfect response in this situation.

[@andylindsey]

I agree with you. No one should be pressured. I feel too many shows push too hard on coming out with little regard to details. There's a lot to be thought through and considered when making such a decision. I'm really impressed with Netflix that they showed restraint with Will's progression. It was so powerful, because it exuded honestly and authenticity.

[@RadicalValkyrie]

@@nailinthefashion Agree. Im glad they didn't force the subject. It felt natural.

[@jlinus7251]

Yeah this is a good example of just showing support without forcing it onto someone. Just let them talk to you in their own time when they're emotionally ready

[@Mangolite]

Eddie didn’t die in vain. He died unsung but only to those who know. Eddie is one of those great characters who burns bright and leaves a lasting impression.

[@tash936]

Totally Metal

[@iAxianguy]

I cried for Eddie, was hoping to see him again in the next season and be part of the team. ☹

[@nani-gw4qy]

me too! I CRIED SO MUCH AND WHEN HE WAS TALKING W DUSTIN. and max man i criedddd sm :(

[@ocfernan]

@@equos5060 i was only surprised that Erica and Mike didn't. i'm not surprised for the others because to them they just see him as this sort of freak. Erica Mike and Dustin were the only ones with him up close in the club.

[@ocfernan]

if you really think about it though, he wouldn't fare well at all with the townspeople. with the basketball team dead and him still alive, i could not see the townspeople believing in anything he had to say. he'd be in jail pronto. remember the phobia about DnD with satanic practices were big back then...and given what just happened to the town, i wouldn't be surprised if the townspeople went after him with pitchforks if they ever saw him before the police.

[@jimc1297]

Truly an epic conclusion. Can't wait for Season 5!

[@katiehobbs96]

I'm glad they didn't kill off Steve which I thought, but Eddie's death was tragic it hurt just as much as Bob's and Dustin's grief was even more sad. I also wanted to see what happened to Murray and Dimitri. Are they gonna be roommates?

[@zermon_ghostyt4060]

I had no complaints honestly I thought there was plenty of action and was on the edge of my seat the whole time 10/10

[@RyanDeimerly]

I’m not at all surprised that Eddie was given a “raw deal,” as Grace says, and I’m sure it was intended that way. The creators themselves said his character was based on real life Damien Echols of the West Memphis 3, and that guy DEFINITELY got a similar raw deal.

[@reey2778]

Eddie and max BROKE MY HEART INTO PEICES

[@BhootPretBhooture]

Omg! I'm so glad you mentioned that Eddy died for nothing. I feel like youre the only person that said that, and I 100% agree with you.

[@MaxxRemKing1]

So integrity, bravery, honor, friendship mean nothing to you? They meant everything to the character of Eddy. He was the leader of Hell Fire and fought for his friends not because he thought he would win. He died a warrior and if you don’t understand the value of what Eddy died for you’ve never been in a real fight. We all die but Eddy faced his death thinking of his friends. Heroes die for “nothing” everyday but we all die so that’s not what’s important. What is important is that heros care enough to try. Someone has to try to save the Shire while everyone else has their head in the sand 😔

[@jakebrown1941]

@@MaxxRemKing1 shut up

[@felipeibarburu8089]

Vol 2 is perfect, everything about it. Only small criticism i have, i would have liked to not go that fast to “two days later”, i wanted to see 011 wake up and talk to Mike, i wanted to se Steve/Robin/Nancy finding out about Eddie. But besides that, this was absolutely incredible

[@dtsdk4]

Eddie's death was pointless he had the bats following him to save his friends but for no reason he just decided to stop. Also the way Max's story ended in an annoying way like what was the point of saving her in volume 1. There is no way i can join a rewatch party when i know that I am not going to like the ending 😭

[@MaxxRemKing1]

So personal salvation, integrity, friendship and bravery mean nothing to you? Because they meant everything to Eddie the character. He didn’t fight because he thought he could win, he fought for his friends. Death takes everyone eventually and Eddie met his end like a warrior, a leader. if you don’t value that you’ve never been in a real fight

[@Anu32148]

@@MaxxRemKing1 but just like grace said, its gr8 standing your ground and fighting but not at the cost of your own life, he couldve just biked around maybe go hide in the other houses until the bats came in and kept doing the same hoping that the other crew defeats vecna...that's what my plan would be Upside down isnt empty there's plenty of places to hide...the only task that he and dustin had was to draw the attention of the bats long enough that the other crew can kill Vecna...but the sacrifice wasnt really necessary IMO Anyways, If that's the choice eddie went with I do respect him for it!!

[@jakebrown1941]

@@MaxxRemKing1 I'd agree with you to an extent if they didn't kill off all the new characters they introduce. It's lazy writing. Eddie didn't die for his "friends" he died for dustin. Those "friends" you brought up didn't even mention Eddie two days later so miss me with that argument. Personal salvation? He didn't save himself-he went on a dumb suicide mission. As far as the list of stuff you mentioned like bravery; Eddie could have had all that and still lived to fight another day. It's not even clear if he did save his friends and he died dumb. If he had to die they should have given him a death like billy had. Something that was more obvious, more impactful, and more badass. He could have turned to Dustin and came up with a solid plan. the stakes were too low in the overall arc of the series and he didn't deserve such a lame exit. Death takes everyone eventually?...yeah except the main leads. Robin, Nancy, Steve, and Max could have died..gee I wonder why they were just okay. Max knew the group longer than Eddie she should have died-her death would really fit the "personal salvation, integrity, friendship and bravery" mode more.

[@i_am_thebatman]

I want to see Hopper Deputize either Jonathan or Steve Edit: I also think it’s tragic Max and Lucas were going to see a movie and now she is either temporarily or permanently blind

[@Beatleboylevi]

I would disagree on the pacing. I thought it was pitch-perfect, and I was on the edge of my seat for all of Vol. 2. I would also disagree about VH1 looking bad. I thought he looked great.

[@edbaitedyou6955]

Same even though I think the actor is so good that his human form is better, because he can show more emotion, kinda like Robert Pattinson in The Batman.

[@PastaSauce.]

The pacing was off for me. I felt like I watching the last episode for 3 days.

[@ishanbajpai6940]

It was told that Vecna takes the persons identity, memory and everything from the inside once it kills them, Max is not gone, she can only comeback once Vecna dies completely.

[@kevinu-harturquhart3726]

I really didnt want to lose Max. Shes one of my favorite characters. Noah's scenes with Finn in the car and talking to his brother was my favorite moments of his. I agree, he came up through the season. But Lucas became one of my favorite characters in this season. But def like the nickname VH1 for Vecna, Henry and 01.

[@Lowkenn_Edits]

Eddie has kinda been marked for death since episode 1. At the point Eddie died he 100% thought he was going to either die or be thrown into prison. He gave Dustin time to leave and he went out just the way he wanted. At that point he didn't run he fought back and saved Dustin. He brought some time for Nancy, Steve, and Robin. Distracting the Bats from going back to Vecna for defence. Even if it wasn't hugely impactful to the story. It was a huge character moment. I think Eddies death is going to be the start of the end for a lot of main characters next season. They created such a lovable character for 1 season to just kill him off to send a message to the audience that they are no longer playing around. TBF also with Max. She pretty much dead to a degree.

[@BrianJohnson-si2bj]

I’m LITERALLY the “Angry Hick” in the photo used for the angry hick part of your review. I’ve got the green trucker hat and camouflage on. I’m a background actor in the Atlanta area and got a chance to work on Stranger Things a few times. The day at the War Zone was truly one of my favorites!

[@RustyRagesRegularly]

Even on rewatching seasons I never ever skip the title card sequence/theme. I almost feel like it’s a crime to do so and it’s so short what’s the point in skipping it ya know. It’s what maybe 45 seconds max?

[@alex_walters]

I dont really understand the purpose of introducing new characters just to kill them off, Bob, Eddie, Christie, the Jock guy, it feels like they are too attached to the main characters so they invent new ones to kill off and when they do “kill” someone guess what they’re alive (Hopper and Eleven.

[@superjay14]

Exactly!!! That’s exactly what it is!

[@ms.bubs4fun506]

I wouldn’t mind if the following died: Jonathan, Nancy, Robin, or Steve. Their storylines played out in season 2.

[@oli.y]

Jonathan is a gonner next season.

[@CeruleanSword]

@@ms.bubs4fun506 Robin’s storyline has not played out.

[@ocfernan]

i find it rather common in many series (secondaries introduced and killed). it wasn't a new thing to me at all.

[@davidmathews143]

I would die to see the creators of Stranger Things do a Hellraiser or a Nightmare on elm street remake. It would suit them perfectly.

[@FKATheo]

We do be cryin still. Will has been one of my fav character so it was nice to seem him step up towards the end. Hope he has a bigger role to play in s5. The grasp this show has on me is insane. The wait for s5 is gonna be dreadful.

[@Jpimpin2593]

My favorite season hands down. I love season 1, but this season hit me emotionally I'm another level

[@MissHussey84]

I TOTALLY want to see more Jamie Campbell Bower! It's always fun to have a pretty faced villain, even at the midway transformation point that you described. Also, VH1 is brilliant. Well done.

[@dannyo5364]

Sorry but the Russia storyline slowed the story down a lot, was frustrated every time they cut back to it.

[@terry-annfrancis1252]

I agree with you

[@ocfernan]

to be honest - it gave me a break! i needed to "breathe".

[@themankilleruniversebydust654]

Total "Empire Strikes Back" of Stranger Things. Right down to the "you have to train, you're not ready. If you leave now, your friends will die" thing.

[@TanmanC]

I loved the more dramatic scenes and how the jokes were pretty paced, it made the tension feel more real!!

[@keving67]

I feel like Max next season will come back but be Vecna taking over her body, ending with the real max coming back for a second to tell 11 and Lucas to let her go and kill Vecna (her)

[@Thatsnotmynamee4]

I honestly think you’re right on the money with this.

[@Ryan_JD]

Max/Sadie is incredible, but I definitely had mixed feelings about how the character was handled in the finale. Max's escape from VH1 was such an epic moment for the season and series as a whole, so it was kind of weird to see her back in danger AND lose. There was a moment when I thought VH1 tricked the team and targeted Lucas instead of Max, and I kinda wish that had been the twist. Max's "death" felt powerful at first....but then that 2 day skip into a coma just felt even more weird. I'm hoping the coma has more purpose than being a cliffhanger, and instead ties in to her recovery potentially repairing the barrier if the consequences of being the 4th sacrifice can be undone.

[@manantial773]

He could have not gone for Lucas because he has no traumas.

[@mappybc6097]

@@manantial773 He has a pretty big one now.

[@ms.bubs4fun506]

Max being in a coma takes away from episode 4 which was so powerful.

[@raf686]

@@Ryan_JD becuase VH1 needed only one kill!! That's all he was after the one kill with max to start the ripple after that he will destroy anyone in his path. The tape player was broken so he could not put it on max.

[@MarkArnoldMusic]

Technically, he’s NOT vecna, since that’s the pseudonym from D&D they gave him when they didn’t know his identity. He’s Henry, or he’s 001… or he’s chatty-demon-groot…

[@sapphireemerald6109]

He talks so much,, exactly 😂

[@VictoriaTraducciones]

To me he is Peter Ballard, that's the name he was going with when Eleven met him as a nice orderly

[@rafaelfcf]

Wooooow, I had completely forgotten Mike saying "I love you" back was a plot D of the season. When he said it I was like "yeah, whatever, kill 11, kill!"

[@BeyondTheTrailer]

hahaha

[@EscherSketcher]

16:57 "Steve by the way" - Bob Mortimer

[@eirakari]

my sister passed away last year, and she was in a coma for 2 weeks before she passed.. Eleven going into Max's mind at the hospital and seeing nothing was really triggering to me.. 😔

[@onekaitorulethemall1451]

Honestly these shows take so long to make or get to any kind of conclusion I forget and stop caring so I’m thankful for your review to let me know what I’m missing or not missing. Haha

[@kthanna08]

I’m STILL waiting for someone to save Max. I don’t care how it happens. I need her back. Will in the car and Dustin telling Eddie’s uncle what happened had me as close to tears as TV makes me. “There just characters in show” I kept telling myself 😂

[@DizzeeLex91]

I didnt mind that there wasnt that much action. We have grown to love all of these characters over the years and more so than the action, I think the characters themselves for me are the most thrilling part. A big thing about these last two episodes was about gettin them all back together again for the final showdown which will be season 5. I cant wait.

[@nemboy1567]

The scene where Eddie uses the garbage cover as a shield against those bats flying towards him reminded me of the No mans Land scene in Wonder Woman when she was taking the bullets. I didn’t expect Eddie’s death to hit me the way it did. It hit me so bad 😢

[@ghostwolf1435]

Eddie heroic stand was great! I loved this season best yet

[@alex626ification]

Been waiting for this all day.

[@karnabis]

Hey! Nobody's gonna talk about Max's letters that wrote to everyone right?

[@thegiantpaperpanda]

good catch!!!!

[@HAVgiraffe]

i have a theory that Max's consciousness is stuck in VH1's mind since his mind went to smoke when they were attacking him and max was laying unconscious on the floor. i wonder if they'll discover this in season 5

[@neemahbethea9328]

This episode just broke me heart. I'm extremely upset that Eddie died and the finale didn't end with a win. I understand that Vecna created the mind flayer but what was the mist??? How did it get there? Why did the upside-down look different? I've got SO MANY QUESTIONS!!!!!

[@nightworg]

I still loved the series, despite the ending was action wise a little disappointing. I also really want 11 to level up. I feel so bad for Max. It was so tough to see VH1 breaking Maxes limbs, and her fighting for her life.

[@sapphireemerald6109]

I think that's why Brenner insisted that she must continue the training. Brenner did force her to stay, and the government military did come and fuck everything up, so I guess it doesn't matter anymore. El's powers wasn't established enough to fight Henry, so they're expected to lose. We'll see in S5. They have to win right?

[@nightworg]

@@sapphireemerald6109 Lets hope so :)

[@GoatLuffy_97]

Season ratings... S1: 9/10 S2: 8.5/10 S3: 8.5/10 S4: 9/10 I'm definitely gonna name Vecna "VH1" from now on. Makes him sound like a Jojo villian 🤣🤣🤣

[@arcanea9598]

LMAO. No way this season is on par with season 1.

[@patrickkelley2735]

As someone who struggles with depression and has fought against suicidal thoughts in the past, I did see Max as someone representing us. Having Vecna win feels like a huge punch to the stomach, even if she's technically still alive. I cried and am unhappy with what they did with her. Clearly, the writers had no idea the symbol of hope they were creating.

[@michellexox4843]

it’s not the writers responsibility to craft their character around real life suicide survivors. This type of “the writers were supposed to” & “but we DESERVED” rhetoric is starting to plague modern film and tv and audiences need to let the filmmakers tell their story, however tough or uncomfortable that is to watch. It’s a pure sense of entitlement on the audiences behalf to say how events “should” have gone.

[@guzkus1]

@@michellexox4843 "pure sense of entitlement" YES! We are entitled to accurate and compelling art.

[@michellexox4843]

@@guzkus1 so it’s not accurate and compelling because Max didn’t finish the season unscathed? You’re literally a perfect example of the point I’m making.

[@sixfeetunder0105]

Its not always rainbows and butterflies. Its horror. Its life. Deal with it. Not everyone gets a happy ending or happy life.

[@danielherrera5901]

Thanks for opening up with the community. I do hope you are feeling well, and there was a sense of hope in today's finale. Mental health is one step at a time

[@tintswolo]

I agree with the monologuing, my main issue with the finale was that there was so much going on that every scene felt drawn out. Like when Steve, Robin and Nancy got caught in the house by the vines and it didn’t cut back to them for half an hour and they were still being strangled, then we had Eddie holding off 500 bats by himself when Steve was nearly killed by 4 of them in 5mins just a couple episodes ago, Vecna slow walking to his “death” without using his powers to stop Steve, Nancy or Robin again seemed drawn out and made no sense.

[@WhelmedButReady]

I would agree with all of those except the last one. VH1 was wounded by that point. That was their opening to strike. Plus they put the scene in slow motion for dramatic effect. So really it probably went lighting fast in real time

[@andylindsey]

Will's story and performance was amazing. The acting and writing was subtle, nuanced and honest. It was my favorite part of the season. And I like how they wrapped up his arc. It felt honest in its plotting. A lot was said without words, unlike what most shows do. Take notes from Stranger Things!

[@MrFernando182100]

I’ve been waiting for your review all day to discuss EVERYTHING that happened lol I really thought more people were gonna be goners for sure

[@thegiantpaperpanda]

I KNOW RIGHT! I was pretty sure Steve would die, for sure. Also, Nancy. Did anticipate Max. That was brutal, ha!

[@JenniferMcMahonhawaii78]

Stranger Things straight up turns into Silent Hill by the end. Also, there's this real-life town called Centralia, Pennsylvania, where there is this ongoing underground fire that has been going on for 60+ years and closed the city down because it's unliveable.

[@kalebv1161]

Talk about perfect timing, I literally just finished watching both episodes

[@charizaramsey401]

Lucas tore me apart, that was next level acting for him.

[@CHThompson21]

I was kind of disappointed they didn’t kill off more characters. As MBB pointed out in a recent interview, there are way too many characters. Of course, they killed off the one I wanted them to keep. The Duffer Bros introduce us to these new characters and they don’t get to live past their first season i.e. Eddie, Bob. Also, they gave us these personal moments between certain characters to get us to think “Yeah, this is it,” and then did nothing with it!

[@janellelives5158]

Right

[@lunavioleta001]

I was disappointed they didn't killed off Max and commit. It was so sad and devastating and it would of been a beautiful and heart wrenching sent off for her. This was her season. And with her death, they could focus more on the other characters next season.

[@joemeal3332]

Yea i agree they killed off the obvious choice in eddie and that isnt a bad thing but combined with the fact that they copped out at the end by not killing Max, really is dumb. They basically faked us out on her death twice.

[@lunavioleta001]

@@joemeal3332 And now they made her story predictable in the next season. After episode 4 I didn't expected them to kill her, so they really got me. But reviving really was slap to story telling and her character and not in a good way.

[@Mateocabrera2389]

@@lunavioleta001 how was it a slap to her character. Her whole arc was realizing her life is worth living. Having her die tragically and yelling out how she doesn’t wanna die isn’t a good end for her.

[@slin2678]

That's a great comment regarding Jason. Reminds me of a quote (paraphrased pf course): If you keep treating everyone as an enemy, they'll eventually become your enemy.

[@bravo561]

I was full on BALLING during episode 8. Blubbering like a baby 😂