Top 10 Reasons We Love Eddie Munson on Stranger Things

See what we did there? “Flayer”? The very first scene we’re introduced to Eddie is a pretty strong one. We don’t know what to make of the eccentric kid–who looks maybe a little too old to still be in high school–jumping up on tables and taunting ball-and-laundry-basket players. Joe Quinn delivers his lines like an absolute pro, with all the gusto and bravado we could ask from one Eddie Munson. Despite his somewhat intimidating nature, especially toward Dustin and Mike, we find out Eddie that is just doing his best to finally graduate this year. With all the theatrics, we knew there was something we liked about him from the very beginning!

Listen, Steve has great hair, Nancy has great hair, and Argyle's hair is downright majestic. But Eddie has to take the win, right? According to lead hairstylist Sarah Hindsgaul, Eddie’s hair was inspired by Eddie Van Halen, which you know, is an especially fitting reference. Apparently, there were five separate wig fittings for Joe, and Hindsgaul put a lot of effort into getting movement into the hair. It definitely paid off because most of us wouldn’t have known it was a wig in the first place if it was never confirmed. Joe totally rocks the ‘do and it made his character all the more convincing. Go little rockstar!

We must all be pretty sadistic, because there’s something so fascinating about watching your favorite characters go through trauma. And, boy does Eddie get a whole (un)healthy helping of it. Joe’s acting is both heartbreaking and mesmerizing in the scene where he’s found hiding. There’s a wonderful kind of subtlety in his delivery and expressions that makes his character all the more compelling. He can’t believe what he’s seen–never mind how gruesome the whole ordeal was–and he just knows no one’s going to believe him. And when he has to witness a second Vecna kill? Oh, man. The whole thing is nuts. And awful. It’s awfully nuts!

If high school movies have taught us anything, it’s that you should fit into a box. Eddie lays it all out for us in the cafeteria in the first episode. He falls in line with the so-called freaks, but they’re also kind of nerdy? And Eddie is also a metalhead… who sells drugs. Okay, so maybe he went down a bit of an off path with that last descriptor, but he doesn’t have the best home life and he’s just trying to do his best with what he’s been given. He represents so many people who who listened to punk and metal in the 80s and 90s and were labeled horrible things because of it. He’s sorely misunderstood, but he stays true to himself ‘til the very end.

“Chrissy, this one’s for you.” Oh, where did those tears come from? In phase three of The Plan™, Eddie and Dustin set out to distract the bats in the Upside Down and Eddie puts on the concert of a lifetime. Metallica is perhaps the only appropriate choice for what might be your last shredding session. Intercut with Max trying to escape Vecna, and Erica trying to escape Jason and Co., this whole scene is nothing short of awesome. And the excitement between Eddie and Dustin at the end? It doesn’t get much more adorable than that.

Joe Quinn can probably take a lot of the credit for this, but Eddie managed to befriend nearly every character he came in contact with. His chemistry with Chrissy was indicative of the kind of person he really is, and once he became friends with Nancy, Steve, and Robin… Well, we had a nice little “Fearsome Four” headcanon going. Or maybe it was more of a “Four Musketeer” kind of thing. Either way, Eddie starts out the season accepting of everyone. He takes the outcasts under his wing, welcomes Erica into his D&D party, and is happy for everyone when they win against him. By the end, he even forms a friendship with Steve, giving him his jacket and encouraging him to be with Nancy.

Yes, Eddie and Steve form a really sweet bond and, as we’ve mentioned he gets along well with a lot of people. But, of course, we need to make special mention of the Eddie-Dustin duo. For starters: “Never change, promise me?” Like, okay, we’re already crying, thanks. According to the “Stranger Things” writers’ Twitter, Joe actually improvised the “I love you, man” line he says to Dustin in the field–which, first of all, is a cute enough scene on its own, but, second of all, is all the more precious now that we know this. Their friendship is so strong throughout the entire season which, unfortunately, only makes the end hurt that much more.

The fact that Eddie, of all people, realized something was wrong with Chrissy when even her own boyfriend didn’t see it speaks volumes of his character. Lets ignore the fact that he’s selling her illegal substances for a second and focus on the fact that he makes her laugh! Chrissy is quick to see that Eddie isn’t what everyone makes him out to be and Eddie manages to make her feel comfortable–which is saying something with how bad of a place she’s in at the time. It’s a really sweet, quieter moment in the show. We were robbed of Chrisseddie or Edssy, or whatever their ship name is! Robbed, we say!

There’s just so much great stuff from Joe in the first episode, but this might actually be one of his best performances. After their heartwarming exchange in the woods, the rug was totally ripped out from under us. Vecna gets to Chrissy and Eddie witnesses the whole thing up close. Joe manages to convey the escalation from confusion to outright horror so masterfully. Seriously, where’s his Oscar? Admittedly, the whole “Chrissy, wake up” and “I don’t like this” lines are a little funny, if only because they feel so true to Eddie’s personality. Joe Quinn, you have all our praise!

Alright, you knew this was coming. Of all the reasons to love Eddie Munson, his decision to stay and fight is the most significant. Of course, we don’t love that he sacrificed himself, given that it put an end to his character, but as far as the whole hero thing goes… It’s legendary. He’d spent nearly every episode on the run and this time, he had enough of running. His death might just be one of the saddest moments on the entire show, with both Joe and Gaten totally outdoing themselves. You will be missed, Eddie Munson. #JusticeForEddie!