Stranger Things Season 4 Ending Explained And What Comes Next
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
“Stranger Things” Season 4 may have left you with some questions, some of which concern the future of the series. For this video, we'll be breaking down where the latest season of this Netflix show leaves us and how it could lead into its future. This essay will break down the major events seen in "The Piggyback" as well as speculate what that means for the town of Hawkins.
“Stranger Things” Season 4 may have left you with some questions, some of which concern the future of the series. For this video, we’ll be breaking down where the latest season of this Netflix show leaves us and how it could lead into its future. This essay will break down the major events seen in "The Piggyback" as well as speculate what that means for the town of Hawkins. What do you want to see in the fifth and final season? Let us know in the comments!
In keeping with all of Season 4, the final episode, called “The Piggyback,” sees our protagonists largely separated. In so doing, they launch what is essentially a four-quadrant attack on series big bad Vecna, a.k.a. Henry Creel, a.k.a. One. Four is an important number in the season, as it’s also the amount of kills Vecna needs to realize his goal. As such, our heroes enact their plan by playing into his. Max puts herself in an unconscious trance as a way to bait Vecna and distract him long enough for the others to kill him. But, of course, in proper “Scooby-Doo” fashion, it doesn’t all go entirely according to plan.
Whilst distracting the demobats from the main action, Eddie tragically loses his life. Meanwhile, Max’s Vecna nightmare isn’t going well, requiring her to get an assist from El. Thankfully, El’s able to put herself in the void from hundreds of miles away and “piggyback” off Max’s experiences, hence the title of the episode. This allows El to essentially join the mental battle against Vecna, giving the others more time to complete the mission.
However, even El needs an assist, as Mike proclaims to her unconscious body that he loves her. This sets off a chain reaction that turns the tide in the favor of our heroes. El, now fully motivated, breaks free of Vecna’s binds and rescues Max before the former can finish her. Meanwhile in Russia, Murray torches the Demogorgon, sending a shockwave through Vecna’s hive mind and releasing Steve, Nancy and Robin from their own binds in the Upside Down. They’re then able to set Vecna’s physical body ablaze before shooting it out of the attic, seemingly killing him.
This would otherwise be a victory for the protagonists, but Max succumbing to her wounds changes everything. With the advent of Vecna’s fourth kill, four huge fissures to the Upside Down begin to open up in the real world, convening in the center of Hawkins. El is fortunately able to psychically restart Max’s heart, but it’s otherwise too late for the sleepy Indiana town.
In the coming days, residents have come to assume the massive earthquake was nothing but, though they blame Eddie for all the misfortune that’s come upon them. However, they’re about to get an even ruder awakening as the Upside Down soon begins to flood in through the cracks. The episode ends on this cliffhanger leading into Season 5.
Though the Duffer brothers have yet to start scripting as of this publication, they’ve already given us a good indication of what Season 5 will entail. Essentially, what with it being the final season, it’s a fair assessment that all hell will break loose. Literally. What’s even more interesting is the report from Ross Duffer himself that Season 5 will likely have another time jump, ostensibly longer than the usual narrative year or so between seasons. Fans have continually pointed out - especially in later seasons - that the young cast doesn’t quite look young enough to play their characters’ ages. Assuming this time jump is indeed longer than usual, this could finally allow the characters to catch up to their actors. At least, to a believable extent. Still, seeing as Season 4 takes place in 1986, we can’t imagine Season 5 going too far ahead and leaving the decade behind, as it wouldn’t really be “Stranger Things” without the 1980s.
As far as how the time jump will affect the plot, a whole slew of possibilities open up. For starters, we imagine Hawkins will be completely evacuated in place of a heavy military presence. Though the secret of the Upside Down will effectively be out in terms of the government at large, we’ve yet to know what effect this will have on the world. Presumably, our characters will be far away from Hawkins when Season 5 begins, only to have to return to close the doorway once and for all. They’ll also likely have Vecna to contend with again, as Will has all but confirmed his survival.
The leap forward in time will also likely have far-reaching implications on character relationships as well. As much as the show seemed to intimate early on that Jonathan and Nancy were endgame, Season 4 all but solidified the notion that the pendulum is swinging back in favor of Steve. Though they don’t admit it, clearly things are not alright between Jonathan and Nancy. We don’t know if the college storyline will continue in Season 5, but we imagine Nancy’s feelings for fan-favorite Steve will continue to grow. The time jump likely won’t be long enough for them to have six little Harrington nuggets, but who knows, maybe in a series-ending epilogue. One relationship we’re pretty sure about, though, is the burgeoning one between Robin and Vickie. Just look at them. They’re so cute.
There’s also the dangling plot thread of Max, who remains in a coma after being brought back to life. Considering the otherworldly nature of her temporary demise, it’s not inconceivable to say that it’ll take something similar to bring her back completely. And it could very possibly have something to do with Vecna. Fans have already theorized about this, calling back to the flashback with Henry at Hawkins Lab as evidence. After killing all the other test subjects, Henry lets Eleven know they’re still with him mentally. It could be that Max’s soul or consciousness is similarly there, needing to be unleashed in order to wake up. Or perhaps this is Vecna’s last link to the real world, should his corporeal body really be destroyed. As much as we’re used to Will being a conduit for the Upside Down, maybe in Season 5 it’ll be Max’s turn.
Another thing to keep in mind is the potential for “Stranger Things” spinoffs. While Season 5 has been confirmed to be the show’s last, that doesn’t mean it’s the end for the world at large. Especially with it being essentially Netflix’s golden goose. The Duffer Brothers have already teased the possibility of spinoff series, even if they’re wildly different from what we’re acquainted with. Any idea as to what they’d entail is entirely speculation at this point, but judging by the success of Season 4, we’re sure that the future of “Stranger Things” is bright no matter what.
Stranger Things Season 4 Ending Explained and What Comes Next
In keeping with all of Season 4, the final episode, called “The Piggyback,” sees our protagonists largely separated. In so doing, they launch what is essentially a four-quadrant attack on series big bad Vecna, a.k.a. Henry Creel, a.k.a. One. Four is an important number in the season, as it’s also the amount of kills Vecna needs to realize his goal. As such, our heroes enact their plan by playing into his. Max puts herself in an unconscious trance as a way to bait Vecna and distract him long enough for the others to kill him. But, of course, in proper “Scooby-Doo” fashion, it doesn’t all go entirely according to plan.
Whilst distracting the demobats from the main action, Eddie tragically loses his life. Meanwhile, Max’s Vecna nightmare isn’t going well, requiring her to get an assist from El. Thankfully, El’s able to put herself in the void from hundreds of miles away and “piggyback” off Max’s experiences, hence the title of the episode. This allows El to essentially join the mental battle against Vecna, giving the others more time to complete the mission.
However, even El needs an assist, as Mike proclaims to her unconscious body that he loves her. This sets off a chain reaction that turns the tide in the favor of our heroes. El, now fully motivated, breaks free of Vecna’s binds and rescues Max before the former can finish her. Meanwhile in Russia, Murray torches the Demogorgon, sending a shockwave through Vecna’s hive mind and releasing Steve, Nancy and Robin from their own binds in the Upside Down. They’re then able to set Vecna’s physical body ablaze before shooting it out of the attic, seemingly killing him.
This would otherwise be a victory for the protagonists, but Max succumbing to her wounds changes everything. With the advent of Vecna’s fourth kill, four huge fissures to the Upside Down begin to open up in the real world, convening in the center of Hawkins. El is fortunately able to psychically restart Max’s heart, but it’s otherwise too late for the sleepy Indiana town.
In the coming days, residents have come to assume the massive earthquake was nothing but, though they blame Eddie for all the misfortune that’s come upon them. However, they’re about to get an even ruder awakening as the Upside Down soon begins to flood in through the cracks. The episode ends on this cliffhanger leading into Season 5.
Though the Duffer brothers have yet to start scripting as of this publication, they’ve already given us a good indication of what Season 5 will entail. Essentially, what with it being the final season, it’s a fair assessment that all hell will break loose. Literally. What’s even more interesting is the report from Ross Duffer himself that Season 5 will likely have another time jump, ostensibly longer than the usual narrative year or so between seasons. Fans have continually pointed out - especially in later seasons - that the young cast doesn’t quite look young enough to play their characters’ ages. Assuming this time jump is indeed longer than usual, this could finally allow the characters to catch up to their actors. At least, to a believable extent. Still, seeing as Season 4 takes place in 1986, we can’t imagine Season 5 going too far ahead and leaving the decade behind, as it wouldn’t really be “Stranger Things” without the 1980s.
As far as how the time jump will affect the plot, a whole slew of possibilities open up. For starters, we imagine Hawkins will be completely evacuated in place of a heavy military presence. Though the secret of the Upside Down will effectively be out in terms of the government at large, we’ve yet to know what effect this will have on the world. Presumably, our characters will be far away from Hawkins when Season 5 begins, only to have to return to close the doorway once and for all. They’ll also likely have Vecna to contend with again, as Will has all but confirmed his survival.
The leap forward in time will also likely have far-reaching implications on character relationships as well. As much as the show seemed to intimate early on that Jonathan and Nancy were endgame, Season 4 all but solidified the notion that the pendulum is swinging back in favor of Steve. Though they don’t admit it, clearly things are not alright between Jonathan and Nancy. We don’t know if the college storyline will continue in Season 5, but we imagine Nancy’s feelings for fan-favorite Steve will continue to grow. The time jump likely won’t be long enough for them to have six little Harrington nuggets, but who knows, maybe in a series-ending epilogue. One relationship we’re pretty sure about, though, is the burgeoning one between Robin and Vickie. Just look at them. They’re so cute.
There’s also the dangling plot thread of Max, who remains in a coma after being brought back to life. Considering the otherworldly nature of her temporary demise, it’s not inconceivable to say that it’ll take something similar to bring her back completely. And it could very possibly have something to do with Vecna. Fans have already theorized about this, calling back to the flashback with Henry at Hawkins Lab as evidence. After killing all the other test subjects, Henry lets Eleven know they’re still with him mentally. It could be that Max’s soul or consciousness is similarly there, needing to be unleashed in order to wake up. Or perhaps this is Vecna’s last link to the real world, should his corporeal body really be destroyed. As much as we’re used to Will being a conduit for the Upside Down, maybe in Season 5 it’ll be Max’s turn.
Another thing to keep in mind is the potential for “Stranger Things” spinoffs. While Season 5 has been confirmed to be the show’s last, that doesn’t mean it’s the end for the world at large. Especially with it being essentially Netflix’s golden goose. The Duffer Brothers have already teased the possibility of spinoff series, even if they’re wildly different from what we’re acquainted with. Any idea as to what they’d entail is entirely speculation at this point, but judging by the success of Season 4, we’re sure that the future of “Stranger Things” is bright no matter what.
