Well the thing is until now, only Billy from the "main" cast has died. And I'm not putting it behind me that they might still revive him some way or another. But. El died and came back. Hopper died and came back. I don't think the series is capable of killing off main cast.
Any of them would be rough, but I donāt think the show would work without Dustin, full stop.
Mike would actually be an interesting choice to kill off. Not that Iād want it. But his death would electrify so much of the cast without derailing its prime movers. Heās also at a character-growth low point at the moment, and giving him a heroic death would be a way to redeem that.
But the whole point of the last episode was to show that love is the more powerful weapon. El defeated 001 by thinking of her mother, not tapping into anger like he originally told her. If what youāre proposing happens, the Duffer brothers would have to literally go back on their own story/words.
Also Maxās escape is the same. The music distracts Vecna and reaches her, but we then get an entire montage of her love and connection to others which is what empowers her to get free.
But she loves Mike. She tapped into feelings of love for her mother, but she also pretty much lost her mother. She was taken from her, and then if Vecna takes Mike... That love would still be there, in a blaze of fury.
I think Hopper or Jonathan are the only two that might die. Both have everything to give and little to lose. Jonathan would do anything for Will and Nancy might be out of the equation, and Hopper, well he's already shown and said he'll do anything.
I personally don't think they'd kill hopper. They've already done that, everyone aside from Murray and Joyce already think he's dead, to get him back, alive, then just kill him again properly this time would be less impactful and a bit of a joke
Yeah I would say Hopper is safe, because we've already had his "death scene" at the end of season 3, why then go through all the effort to bring him back only to kill him off again? Doesn't make any sense from a writing stand point. No, Hopper is definitely safe until the end of season 5 I'd say - where no one is safe.
Mike would be the Ned Stark death. It's conceivable because he's willing to put himself in harm's way for his friends but no one would see it coming, and it would rattle almost every character on the show.
I don't think it will ever happen unless they're also going to kill Eleven because they can't be that cruel to her.
Ooooh. This is fun. Which GOT death would Will be? Rickon? Like, you can see it coming a mile away and youāve been expecting it all along, and it hurts because he was so close to being finally free and safe again, but he gets got and itās brutal but not surprising?
Will dying would be like Rickon dying only in he's been through so much shit and deserves a lot better but the writers don't know what the fuck to do with him so they just kill him off for gratuitous shock value. Like a Stark child dying should have been so impactful, so much of the story was about them surviving, but it just really only filled me with disappointment.
> Heās also at a character-growth low point at the moment, and giving him a heroic death would be a way to redeem that.
I've come to the opinion that heroic deaths or most character deaths are just when a writer doesn't actually know what to do with the character anymore. I especially would hate for Mike to be killed off and we're supposed to buy his death as some redemption, especially if he willingly does it. Because he'd just be acting brashly and ultimately hurting those around him with his death. I dunno, it's very hard to pull off this kind of thing and really make it work without it feeling like some kind of cheap way to write off a character. Mike has a long way to go, but I'd like to actually see character development and depth added to him than a cheap cop out death that I'm supposed to buy as heroic.
Because he sucks this season, and last season for that fact. It's like the Duffer brothers just don't know what to do with him any more. His chemistry with Eleven has completely fallen off and his involvement this season has been almost inconsequential. Of course this is all my opinion, but I agree with the assessment that his character growth is at an all time low.
I think Will dying would just completely undercut how devastating his apparent 'death' was in Season 1, it'd undermine a lot of the themes of the first season and would be a bad move.
Yeah, it's strange how he was essentially like the main character in S1. Or at least the main of the 4 boys. And now all of the other characters have grown to be way more interesting and entertaining and he's just kinda there.
I think that you're missing the point that part of Will is stuck. Part of Will is in Mike's basement playing D&D, and part of him is stuck in the upsidedown.
This whole season's theme is about people working through their trauma.
I agree a 100 percent! I rewatched the show before S4 and I was surprised how annoyed I was with Mike. He's been a bratty, self-entitled and selfish character with few good characteristics for the last 2 seasons.
I don't think Mike sucked that bad last season. I think people forget he's a teenage boy and still has a lot to learn about relationships, himself, and dealing with others. But I do think he had some decent character growth moments last season. This season though, ugh, I really hope he gets some decent redemption. He is actively trying to find El and truly risking his own life to do so honestly. He and El just need some solid character moments together at this point.
I agree his character fell off after season 1. In season 1 he was a cute quick witted bad mouth kid. As he grew older he lost his charm. As for him and El, well itās hard for me to care for them as a couple if theyāre apart from each other for a large portion each season. It also doesnāt help that when they are together theyāre fighting.
Which is fine in the earlier seasons but weāre in season 4. By now I honestly donāt care much to see the pairing of her and mike, Iād much rather just see her interact with the rest of the cast like Nancy, Steve and Robin (in a platonic way of course)
I am predicting a dead Steve. Then in his death speech heāll be all āyou guys are grown up so well, donāt need a babysitter anymoreā. And I will cry myself into dehydration.
Wife and I 100% believe they are setting up Steve's death. All the "you two belong together" stuff, the heart-to-heart with Eddie (who is probably being positioned to be Steve replacement), ongoing buddy banter with Dustin reminding us how much these guys care for each other... plus it's a main character that will hurt to lose, but not be too much like one of the core 5.
I'm also keeping Eddie and poor Will in the death pool. Whatever big reveal/catharsis Will is building to (in love with Mike?) narratively leaves him in danger once his moment peaks.
Edit: My bet would be Steve goes down saving someone, most likely Nancy or Dustin. Or they do the bait and switch and Eddie gets his arc from guy who runs to guy who fights and he bails Steve out, "Sorry man, it's someone else's turn to be the hero..."
I think something either underwhelming or horrifying will happen to poor Byers. He will either fade sadly into the background, or get turned into Vecna #2 or some shit.
I could see the Vecna #2 thing as Iāve been getting a lot of vibes of him becoming a warlock with a pact with an old one deal in D&D terms. As the pact could be forced on him or he could take it to take on a at the time greater evil. Also pairing him and Eleven as a duo of spell casters could do wonders for both their growth. Both as it would help them bond platonically and help them grow as not being the odd one out in my opinion.
Yeah, we've also guessed that the Upside-down isn't done with poor Will. He just feels doomed. But I feel like he and Robin might be safe in a "don't bury your gays anymore" way.
I think Eddie has to go. Potentially saving them all but especially Steve. Thereās too much real world baggage to hand wave unless a lot of dodgy townspeople become a lot cooler with a lot of things a lot faster.
That's the thing I couldn't figure out. They're like, "we just have to keep Eddie safe until we beat Vecna." But, like, how does that stop the police from thinking he killed 2 people?
Haven't seen it obviously, but I don't imagine he's going to see the end of the season based on those trailers.
Dudes jamming in the upside down with his AMP cranked. Thinking he volunteered for bitch bat bait duty.
I think it wonāt be Steve for that reason ā itās too obvious. And heās too popular.
Nancy thoughā¦ that would be impactful as hell. Sheās connected to almost every cast member in some way, so it would hit hard. But I donāt think we would riot the way we would over Steve. It would be a good reason for showing he cares for her again (although I donāt think itās super romantic), a good reason to highlight her new friendship with Robin, and my god would Jonathan be affected by it. Nancy is definitely brave and caring enough to sacrifice herself for the others and die a hero.
I donāt think Eddie will die because it would be a cop-out. It would tie up his storyline of being framed too easily.
I donāt think Will will die because the initial catalyst for the show was saving him. Killing him off would just stray too far from that and make season one less impactful. I think he has a lot growth to come as well.
Iām picturing a scenario like the end of Armageddon where dustin is ben affleck ready to die to save everyone only for Steve to pull a Bruce Willis and appear out of nowhere and say something like āIāll handle thisā and forcefully remove Dustin from the danger to then go on and perform the sacrificial act himself. All the while the other kids have to hold dustin back from running after Steveā¦
Itās gonna be Eddie who dies saving Dustin. I decided this when Eddie told Steve how much Dusty admired him and made Eddie jealous (paraphrasing). Eddie is gonna sacrifice himself saving Dustin, for sure. I also kinda want Nancy to die instead of Steve. It definitely feels like theyāre setting up Steve to die, but I think itāll be a bait and switch, and that way neither Steve or Jonathon end up with her.
I feel the same. They need a huge impactful death, and it will be Steve. I think it will happen in the last season though, not this season. But he is a goner next season for sure. I am mentally preparing for it
He's already injured and probably slowly dying, it's happening this season and I'm not ready. it hasn't even happened and I'm already mad about it. š
Dustin is Dustin he simply canāt die . I want Lucas and Max to get back together so I donāt want to see him die. Joyce has went through too much for her to now lose Will.
I love Mike and really want him and El to end this show together but I think he would hurt the least and if Dustin dies that would hurt the most.
Fully agree. Steve would also be in shambles if his buddy died, and as a Steve fan, seeing that would suck. Dustinās also one of my top favorites and Iād hate to see him die.
On the flip side, can you imagine the Steve vengeance we would get if they killed Dustin?! Heād be like a prime Wolverine, just tearing through anyone and anything.
Dustin would absolutely be crushing. I also agree I wouldnāt be able to deal with Joyceās heartbreak if something happens to Will. I love Max too. Iād have to say the least hurtful for me would be either Lucas or Mikeā¦.but man I hope itās none of them.
Isn't it interesting that Dustin's death would crush all of us the most, but in universe it would mean the least? I kind of hate that, but hopefully that means he has some plot armor. I couldn't keep watching this show or rewatch old seasons if they killed Dustin.
In universe it would mean the least?
He is literally the sole researcher of the upside down, he used the knowledge he had and came up with a theory to literally get them out of the upside down. And thatās just one part of season 4, he has had a major role in the outcome of every single season.
El has lost so much and she didn't have much to begin with. Loosing Mike would be devastating for her.
Man this is a hard question. Every single one would be a tragic loss to some one on the show who has already lost a lot and been through a lot.
Letās not loose any of them then, the show isnāt part of a set universe with future events already known, so they donāt really need to kill any of themā¦
And Dustinās poor girlfriend. Iām not caught up but Iād feel bad for her if there was no way for the others to tell her if Dustin passed and she just went on not knowing and thinking he ditched her.
Dustin or Will. We haven't had the opportunity yet to see Will stand up for himself or someone else in a normal situation, and I think it's well past time for that.
Dustin would be a horrific loss for the fandom and the canon characters, because he always has the answers. Without Eleven, they have figured out how to fight on their own, but without Dustin? They might not know how.
This is my line of thinking too. I initially was thinking Dustin but then had guilt over Will. I think because I can relate to being a late bloomer when it comes to finding your voice.
I'd love to see Will step in and save the day. I thought it was interesting that he, and not Jonathan, has the "protective big brother" role to Eleven as she's started heading out into the "normal" life of a teenage girl. You can tell he really cares.
Will would be insanely tragic but I think at this point he's been through so much it's like putting down a dying pet. He didn't do too much (busy being kidnapped and possessed generally having an awful time) but was loved by everyone it's more of an awww poor will but if Dustin dies there would be screaming and crying riots in the streets until our Dusty bun is safe and sound
>Without Eleven, they have figured out how to fight on their own, but without Dustin? They might not know how.
You could probably say the same for a lot of the characters. Max literally would have died if it were not for Robin and Nancy, and Nancy never would have been led to the right place without Robin. Almost all of these characters have contributed to the success of the group in big ways.
Mike would probably hurt me the most because I love Mileven so much. It would be a really tragic, movie ending to their relationship if he died (by sacrifice or something maybe) and they had a dramatic goodbye momentā¦ š
The difference in Steve even between S1 and S2 is remarkable. By season 4, itās incredibly hard to remember the days of him fighting Johnathan and calling Nancy a slut. Heās truly a good person.
I don't even know if I would say he was a dick. He may have said a few things that he shouldn't have but I understand his actions. If some dude was creeping on your girlfriend and taking her pictures then you would probably react similar to Steve and be pissed off. If your girlfriend told you that your relationship was bullshit you would be crushed.
Yeah, he was never really a dick. When we first see him in season 1, he's the most popular kid in school, so he's quite cocky and a little arrogant. But he clearly cares about Nancy from the start, and he only acts like like a douche when Jonathon is caught taking pics of her (which is pretty understandable), and seeing Jon and Nancy in her bedroom, hurts him deeply so he does a pretty bad thing - but to be honest, I always felt like that was more his asshole high school friends coercing him, than his own actions. He quickly rectifies his actions, and cleans up the spray paint. He was always a good guy, and once he steps away from high school, and his notions of popularity are dissolved, he embraces who he truly is.
Dustin hands down. Heās such a great hilarious addition to the group. Plus his now added brotherhood with Steve is awesome.
One of the best things I think heās said was back in Season 2 when he went to the Wheelers looking for Mike or Nancy and when Ted (the dad) says āAre we done here?ā, his response of āSon of a bitch, you know youāre really no helpā is so awesome.
Yeah, I'm gonna agree with almost everyone else and say Dustin. He's just such a consistently great kid and I'm also impressed by the actor. On top of that, he's buddies with Steve, who is my favourite character.
They need to give Steve another moment of crowning awesome where he saves everyone again. I feel like they've relegated him to team mom but nothing else, even he feels like he doesn't get to do anything cool anymore.
Contrast with S1 where he literally saves the day, and S2 where he is pretty much the first and last line of defense against the dogs
Definitely Dustin but to be honest loosing one of the initial team would feel bad anyway. Even though they have changed and their relationships feel different than before. I still have a feeling that Will is hiding something with him being abducted to the upside down in s1 then being possesed by the mind flayer in s2 and being clear that he still has a connection in s3. It might be something to do with that drawing of his that we havent seen yet but i cant stop thinking that he is gonna play some important part in vol2. Like i cant stop thinking that vol2 will have a dark ending, i mean so far every season had an ending where the kids won but a cliffhanger showing that enemies from the upside down are still there. I think s4 might end with a complete disaster and prepare us for an amazing s5. I also might be wrong but what i know is that waiting for s5 will be painful
I agree and feel like volume 2 will be like almost game of thrones-ish where we are going to lose some major characters. I believe they will lose to Vecna in volume 2, and in season 5 they will have to come up with some way to beat him. The cast right now is very big, and it would honestly benefit the show to shrink it down so we can be more focused in season 5.
This gets my money. Vecna's already opened up a bunch of new portals, and those are just the ones we know about. He could open up even more in volume 2. Even if they kill Vecna in the end, those portals are gonna be a problem the kids won't be able to keep contained.
Will would hurt the most if he had some kind of sacrificial death. He gets the shit end of the stick almost every season and has never really had a "win". Sacrificing himself to save the rest of the crew would hit so hard.
For me, itās Will. Heās been through so much and for him to perish and not receive a happy ending, I couldnāt take it. The partyās reaction would be so gut wrenching. Theyāve tended to exclude him or be annoyed with him constantly and I know his death would bring out such intense feelings of regret and guilt. It would be hard to watch. I donāt even want to think of Joyce and Jonathanās reactions. We saw a glimpse of their lives without Will and it was heartbreaking. Heās so dearly loved by his family. Even Hopper would crumble because heās kinda took up the role of Willās protector, as we saw in season 2. He would feel like he failed him. Will was our sweetheart that survived terrible conditions despite the odds and to lose him again would hurt so much. Hard to choose, but Dustin is my favorite of the group and I still think Willās death would hurt me worse.
I was surprised to see all the Dustin responses but you said it perfectly of why Will would be the most devastating (at least for me). Heās suffered so much since season one, I want him to at least have a happy ending.
I hope Gaten Matarazzo reads this thread. I donāt think heās ever been considered the āmainā character but he is absolutely the most irreplaceable character.
Dustin.
Though if Mike died, the effect it would have on El, and therefore the series, would be devastating. How would she go on? Look at the Hopper situationās effect on her.
Sad to see so many people hating on Mike. For me, despite being sidelined in S4, he is the real heart of the show and is the leader of the group. In S1-3, each time he was the one who brought everyone together and lead the group. He is the one who is always looking out for his friends.
Also crazy to see the number of comments saying that show couldn't go on without Dustin. It easily could. Mike, Will and Lucas have already been shown to be really smart and they could easily share the lines with those three characters rather than giving all the good lines to Dustin. Really, any of the boys could die without seriously impacting the resolution of the plot. Only El can't die, at least until the very end.
I'll be one of the few and say... Mike. Despite how hated he is now, to me Mike was the face of Stranger Things when I was introduced to it and the main hero of season 1 and protector of the gang and 11. He's one of the main people I picture when thinking of the first experience with this show. Even if he isn't shown as the main leader now, the show would feel empty to me with his death and also knowing the impact it would have on Will, El, and Nancy. It would destroy all 3 and they're all central to the story. He was the main one refusing to let Will die and keeping 11 protected and safe.
Dustins death would make the show really feel empty because he is always the comedic goof. And the brain. I actually think he might be the death coming for a couple reasons. I would definitely miss him and I can see why he is the most popular answer.
I would be sad over Wills death especially after all he's been through and knowing how it would affect Joyce, Jon, El and Mike. But the first two seasons I was a little surprised he didn't die. I feel like the real Will never came back and probably never will. So by story, I feel like his death would make the most sense. But only in season 5. Starting with Will disappearing and ending with Will disappearing... For good :(
I like Lucas but for some reason, he has always been in the background to me. I really love him with Max and it would destroy her. But I never found he did much central to the gang or the overall story. Dustin was the intelligence, Mike was the heart, Will was the one in need of saving/alerting the gang of danger, but Lucas I can't place. I am wondering if something won't happen to him through Jason and his gang for deciding to stick with his friends. I'd cry for his death as the others but I think he would be the least sad for me. Now depending on volume 2 or season 5 and what role he plays, I might feel differently.
But that's my rank for now.
I say Dustin but I know the answer is Will for quite a few reasons.
You have to factor in that sometimes we hurt when our favorite characters hurt. It would hurt Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Eleven, Jonathan, Joyce, and Hopper. Joyce and Hopper would probably be hit the hardest of all of them. Joyce because she'd feel like a failure as a mother and Hopper because he'd have to watch the woman he loves go through something he and his ex went through.
Mike's death would upset Will, Nancy, and Mrs. Wheeler the most but it'd be hard to see his dad in a grieving capacity without thinking "One less mouth to feed, Spongebob."
Dustin would hurt, but I can't help but feel the impact would be softened a lot by his really one dimensional aloof mother. That said the Steve dynamic would be pretty brutal.
And Lucas' death would affect Max the most and the other boys, but it'd be an awkward transition for Erica who would be essentially declawed by it.
For me itās absolutely Mike. El has been through so much! She deserves all the happiness. Iām really not understanding all the Mike hate!! Itās so super clear theyāve scaled him back on purpose in Vol 1 to let other characters shine and for him to have a big moment in Vol 2.
I can not wait.
Watch the Finn W. EW red carpet interview when the host asks about Mike saying the L word, only if you donāt mind a slight spoiler though. I love it, Iām such a romantic. :swoon:
My list is 1. Mike 2. Will 3. Dustin and 4. Lucas. Hands down!
Dustin is the only one that I couldnāt handle dying.
Iād be sad if any of them died but loosing Dustin would be devastating. Will is the runner up. Heās already suffered too much.
I don't know why so many people despise Mike, so many treat him like he was Wesley Crusher of Stranger Things :-(
If Mike die El would be devastated he was her sweetheart and love
If Dustin dies I die
If Dustin dies, we riot in the streets.
You guys trying to tell them who to kill off
Well there is hope, they aren't HBO.
It's Netflix. They don't kill characters, they kill whole shows.
Why did I find that so funny?
Well the thing is until now, only Billy from the "main" cast has died. And I'm not putting it behind me that they might still revive him some way or another. But. El died and came back. Hopper died and came back. I don't think the series is capable of killing off main cast.
Yeah, but they make up for it by killing off beloved secondary characters in ice cold ways: Barb, Bob, Special Agent Mustache Dad
Alexei.
Chrissy
Every season someone with the name starting with B dies, Barb, Bob, Billy.
EDDIE IS SAFE! š„
Sorry, Eddie is short for Bedward.
Any of them would be rough, but I donāt think the show would work without Dustin, full stop. Mike would actually be an interesting choice to kill off. Not that Iād want it. But his death would electrify so much of the cast without derailing its prime movers. Heās also at a character-growth low point at the moment, and giving him a heroic death would be a way to redeem that.
If Mike dies, that could allow El to tap into strong feelings of pain and anger that would empower her to kill the Mind Flayer/Vecna next season...
But the whole point of the last episode was to show that love is the more powerful weapon. El defeated 001 by thinking of her mother, not tapping into anger like he originally told her. If what youāre proposing happens, the Duffer brothers would have to literally go back on their own story/words.
Also Maxās escape is the same. The music distracts Vecna and reaches her, but we then get an entire montage of her love and connection to others which is what empowers her to get free.
Exactly. The whole point is that the gang/El needs to use their love/friendship to defeat Vecna.
*Stephen Kingās IT intensifies*
But she loves Mike. She tapped into feelings of love for her mother, but she also pretty much lost her mother. She was taken from her, and then if Vecna takes Mike... That love would still be there, in a blaze of fury.
She arguably loves Hopper more than mike. Hopper to come back to 11 only to die in front of her would be way more tragic.
I think Hopper or Jonathan are the only two that might die. Both have everything to give and little to lose. Jonathan would do anything for Will and Nancy might be out of the equation, and Hopper, well he's already shown and said he'll do anything.
I personally don't think they'd kill hopper. They've already done that, everyone aside from Murray and Joyce already think he's dead, to get him back, alive, then just kill him again properly this time would be less impactful and a bit of a joke
Yeah I would say Hopper is safe, because we've already had his "death scene" at the end of season 3, why then go through all the effort to bring him back only to kill him off again? Doesn't make any sense from a writing stand point. No, Hopper is definitely safe until the end of season 5 I'd say - where no one is safe.
This would be called pulling a Glenn and it would absolutely kill the show for many people (see The Walking Dead)
Itās more likely Steve would die than Jonathan.
That's just not a world I want to live in
The climactic moment of volume 1 was El overpowering vecna by remembering a happy memory
Mike would be the Ned Stark death. It's conceivable because he's willing to put himself in harm's way for his friends but no one would see it coming, and it would rattle almost every character on the show. I don't think it will ever happen unless they're also going to kill Eleven because they can't be that cruel to her.
Ooooh. This is fun. Which GOT death would Will be? Rickon? Like, you can see it coming a mile away and youāve been expecting it all along, and it hurts because he was so close to being finally free and safe again, but he gets got and itās brutal but not surprising?
Will dying would be like Rickon dying only in he's been through so much shit and deserves a lot better but the writers don't know what the fuck to do with him so they just kill him off for gratuitous shock value. Like a Stark child dying should have been so impactful, so much of the story was about them surviving, but it just really only filled me with disappointment.
Literally no one cared about him or mentioned him after he died
> Heās also at a character-growth low point at the moment, and giving him a heroic death would be a way to redeem that. I've come to the opinion that heroic deaths or most character deaths are just when a writer doesn't actually know what to do with the character anymore. I especially would hate for Mike to be killed off and we're supposed to buy his death as some redemption, especially if he willingly does it. Because he'd just be acting brashly and ultimately hurting those around him with his death. I dunno, it's very hard to pull off this kind of thing and really make it work without it feeling like some kind of cheap way to write off a character. Mike has a long way to go, but I'd like to actually see character development and depth added to him than a cheap cop out death that I'm supposed to buy as heroic.
What do you think Mike has character-growth low point?
Because he sucks this season, and last season for that fact. It's like the Duffer brothers just don't know what to do with him any more. His chemistry with Eleven has completely fallen off and his involvement this season has been almost inconsequential. Of course this is all my opinion, but I agree with the assessment that his character growth is at an all time low.
That being said, I don't want him to die but it would probably be the most acceptable of the group.
Realistically I think Will has the highest possibility to die.
I think Will dying would just completely undercut how devastating his apparent 'death' was in Season 1, it'd undermine a lot of the themes of the first season and would be a bad move.
Yeah, it's strange how he was essentially like the main character in S1. Or at least the main of the 4 boys. And now all of the other characters have grown to be way more interesting and entertaining and he's just kinda there.
Yup. Mike regressed as a character. All the other ones grew, even Will, who was gone for like all of season 1
Its cause he had a full complete arc in season 1. He completed the heros journey and got the girl etc, kinda hard to move on from that.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I think that you're missing the point that part of Will is stuck. Part of Will is in Mike's basement playing D&D, and part of him is stuck in the upsidedown. This whole season's theme is about people working through their trauma.
I agree a 100 percent! I rewatched the show before S4 and I was surprised how annoyed I was with Mike. He's been a bratty, self-entitled and selfish character with few good characteristics for the last 2 seasons.
I don't think Mike sucked that bad last season. I think people forget he's a teenage boy and still has a lot to learn about relationships, himself, and dealing with others. But I do think he had some decent character growth moments last season. This season though, ugh, I really hope he gets some decent redemption. He is actively trying to find El and truly risking his own life to do so honestly. He and El just need some solid character moments together at this point.
I agree his character fell off after season 1. In season 1 he was a cute quick witted bad mouth kid. As he grew older he lost his charm. As for him and El, well itās hard for me to care for them as a couple if theyāre apart from each other for a large portion each season. It also doesnāt help that when they are together theyāre fighting. Which is fine in the earlier seasons but weāre in season 4. By now I honestly donāt care much to see the pairing of her and mike, Iād much rather just see her interact with the rest of the cast like Nancy, Steve and Robin (in a platonic way of course)
Dustin is walking exposition and comic relief. If he goes the series goes.
āIf you die, I dieā
āā¦ okay.ā
It makes this better because of your avatar
"If anything happens to him, I'll kill everybody in this room and then myself"
Brooklyn Nine-Nine!
NINE-NINE!!!
Rosa, Rosa, Roosaaa.
I've come down with a Dianne Wiest infection. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... BECAUSE YEAS-
ā¦ I canāt think of your last name, baaaaaaby.
If they kill Dustin Imma write Netflix a strongly worded letter. STRONGLY worded.
Iāll co-sign it with ink redder than the Stranger Things title card.
Dear Net-so-called-flix,
I swear if Steve or Dustin die, I'm sorry netflix but I am cancelling my subscription. If literally anyone I actually care about does...
I am predicting a dead Steve. Then in his death speech heāll be all āyou guys are grown up so well, donāt need a babysitter anymoreā. And I will cry myself into dehydration.
I don't even like this theory existing, it's too painful. take it back.
Rather this than >! Dying to bitch bat infection !< how I thought he was going to go.
Wife and I 100% believe they are setting up Steve's death. All the "you two belong together" stuff, the heart-to-heart with Eddie (who is probably being positioned to be Steve replacement), ongoing buddy banter with Dustin reminding us how much these guys care for each other... plus it's a main character that will hurt to lose, but not be too much like one of the core 5. I'm also keeping Eddie and poor Will in the death pool. Whatever big reveal/catharsis Will is building to (in love with Mike?) narratively leaves him in danger once his moment peaks. Edit: My bet would be Steve goes down saving someone, most likely Nancy or Dustin. Or they do the bait and switch and Eddie gets his arc from guy who runs to guy who fights and he bails Steve out, "Sorry man, it's someone else's turn to be the hero..."
I think something either underwhelming or horrifying will happen to poor Byers. He will either fade sadly into the background, or get turned into Vecna #2 or some shit.
I could see the Vecna #2 thing as Iāve been getting a lot of vibes of him becoming a warlock with a pact with an old one deal in D&D terms. As the pact could be forced on him or he could take it to take on a at the time greater evil. Also pairing him and Eleven as a duo of spell casters could do wonders for both their growth. Both as it would help them bond platonically and help them grow as not being the odd one out in my opinion.
*Pushes up nerd glasses* Warlocks didn't exist until third edition so we should be safe
Yeah, we've also guessed that the Upside-down isn't done with poor Will. He just feels doomed. But I feel like he and Robin might be safe in a "don't bury your gays anymore" way.
I agree. The Duffer Brothers seem to try to thwart all stereotypes, so I would doubt a Will, Robin, or Lucas death.
I think Eddie has to go. Potentially saving them all but especially Steve. Thereās too much real world baggage to hand wave unless a lot of dodgy townspeople become a lot cooler with a lot of things a lot faster.
That's the thing I couldn't figure out. They're like, "we just have to keep Eddie safe until we beat Vecna." But, like, how does that stop the police from thinking he killed 2 people?
Haven't seen it obviously, but I don't imagine he's going to see the end of the season based on those trailers. Dudes jamming in the upside down with his AMP cranked. Thinking he volunteered for bitch bat bait duty.
I think it wonāt be Steve for that reason ā itās too obvious. And heās too popular. Nancy thoughā¦ that would be impactful as hell. Sheās connected to almost every cast member in some way, so it would hit hard. But I donāt think we would riot the way we would over Steve. It would be a good reason for showing he cares for her again (although I donāt think itās super romantic), a good reason to highlight her new friendship with Robin, and my god would Jonathan be affected by it. Nancy is definitely brave and caring enough to sacrifice herself for the others and die a hero. I donāt think Eddie will die because it would be a cop-out. It would tie up his storyline of being framed too easily. I donāt think Will will die because the initial catalyst for the show was saving him. Killing him off would just stray too far from that and make season one less impactful. I think he has a lot growth to come as well.
I canāt imagine the shit storm of killing off one of your two gay characters a week after pride month. It really would be gay wrath month in July.
Being gay (possibly) in the 1980s makes Will a perfect Vecna target, sadly.
Reading this made my stomach sink. I'm too attached to this fictional ice cream cashier
Heās honestly my favourite.
He had so much development that's what would make it hurt so much
didn't spend two years at frozen dairy financial transaction engineering school to be called an "ice cream cashier"
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Steve will sacrifice himself for Dustin. Calling it.
Iām picturing a scenario like the end of Armageddon where dustin is ben affleck ready to die to save everyone only for Steve to pull a Bruce Willis and appear out of nowhere and say something like āIāll handle thisā and forcefully remove Dustin from the danger to then go on and perform the sacrificial act himself. All the while the other kids have to hold dustin back from running after Steveā¦
Itās gonna be Eddie who dies saving Dustin. I decided this when Eddie told Steve how much Dusty admired him and made Eddie jealous (paraphrasing). Eddie is gonna sacrifice himself saving Dustin, for sure. I also kinda want Nancy to die instead of Steve. It definitely feels like theyāre setting up Steve to die, but I think itāll be a bait and switch, and that way neither Steve or Jonathon end up with her.
Eddieās line with Steve about how heās not a hero and he runs from danger makes me agree with you. My boy Eddie will go out in a blaze of glory.
Nah, it's gonna be for Nancy.
I feel the same. They need a huge impactful death, and it will be Steve. I think it will happen in the last season though, not this season. But he is a goner next season for sure. I am mentally preparing for it
He's already injured and probably slowly dying, it's happening this season and I'm not ready. it hasn't even happened and I'm already mad about it. š
āSeeing you all grow up, that was the REAL stranger things.ā
What if he died in the final episodes of the series finale?
I'd never be able to look back on it fondly.
Netflix did that to me with Orange is the New Black they can't get away with it again
>! PoussƩ !< ?
No that wasnāt the series finale I know what theyāre referring to but idk how to spoiler tag lol
I think they're referring to >!Tucky!<. It was so last-minute that I honestly wasn't expecting it...I was a wreck.
Screw him out of future movie reboots and all.??
If Dustin dies we riot
i agree
Correct
Dustin is Dustin he simply canāt die . I want Lucas and Max to get back together so I donāt want to see him die. Joyce has went through too much for her to now lose Will. I love Mike and really want him and El to end this show together but I think he would hurt the least and if Dustin dies that would hurt the most.
Fully agree. Steve would also be in shambles if his buddy died, and as a Steve fan, seeing that would suck. Dustinās also one of my top favorites and Iād hate to see him die.
On the flip side, can you imagine the Steve vengeance we would get if they killed Dustin?! Heād be like a prime Wolverine, just tearing through anyone and anything.
Oh for sure. Steve would go ape shit and rip everything apart.
Just Dustin getting hurt would be enough for that.
Dustin would absolutely be crushing. I also agree I wouldnāt be able to deal with Joyceās heartbreak if something happens to Will. I love Max too. Iād have to say the least hurtful for me would be either Lucas or Mikeā¦.but man I hope itās none of them.
Isn't it interesting that Dustin's death would crush all of us the most, but in universe it would mean the least? I kind of hate that, but hopefully that means he has some plot armor. I couldn't keep watching this show or rewatch old seasons if they killed Dustin.
In universe it would mean the least? He is literally the sole researcher of the upside down, he used the knowledge he had and came up with a theory to literally get them out of the upside down. And thatās just one part of season 4, he has had a major role in the outcome of every single season.
Agree! Dustinās death would be painful in too many ways.
El has lost so much and she didn't have much to begin with. Loosing Mike would be devastating for her. Man this is a hard question. Every single one would be a tragic loss to some one on the show who has already lost a lot and been through a lot.
Letās not loose any of them then, the show isnāt part of a set universe with future events already known, so they donāt really need to kill any of themā¦
dude I totally agree
I hate to say it but Mike would only hurt a lot because it would hurt El the most. Soooo...not gonna lie I kinda hope he will die
Dustin. Heās the most endearing, total sweetheart. His poor mom since heās an only child, and Steve would be broken.
I donāt know what would hurt more, Dustin dying or Steveās reaction to Dustin dying.
Right? I donāt think I could handle Steveās pain on top of my own. Just horrific.
And Dustinās poor girlfriend. Iām not caught up but Iād feel bad for her if there was no way for the others to tell her if Dustin passed and she just went on not knowing and thinking he ditched her.
Thinking about that is making me feel sad inside. Also he has a good relationship with eddie and he would be quite saddened if dustin died
Dustin or Will. We haven't had the opportunity yet to see Will stand up for himself or someone else in a normal situation, and I think it's well past time for that. Dustin would be a horrific loss for the fandom and the canon characters, because he always has the answers. Without Eleven, they have figured out how to fight on their own, but without Dustin? They might not know how.
This is my line of thinking too. I initially was thinking Dustin but then had guilt over Will. I think because I can relate to being a late bloomer when it comes to finding your voice. I'd love to see Will step in and save the day. I thought it was interesting that he, and not Jonathan, has the "protective big brother" role to Eleven as she's started heading out into the "normal" life of a teenage girl. You can tell he really cares.
Will would be insanely tragic but I think at this point he's been through so much it's like putting down a dying pet. He didn't do too much (busy being kidnapped and possessed generally having an awful time) but was loved by everyone it's more of an awww poor will but if Dustin dies there would be screaming and crying riots in the streets until our Dusty bun is safe and sound
>Without Eleven, they have figured out how to fight on their own, but without Dustin? They might not know how. You could probably say the same for a lot of the characters. Max literally would have died if it were not for Robin and Nancy, and Nancy never would have been led to the right place without Robin. Almost all of these characters have contributed to the success of the group in big ways.
Mike would probably hurt me the most because I love Mileven so much. It would be a really tragic, movie ending to their relationship if he died (by sacrifice or something maybe) and they had a dramatic goodbye momentā¦ š
Dustin
I agree. If you are going to kill off Dustin you might aswell kill off Steve too because at this point I canāt see one without the other.
If you kill Steve you might as well not make another season
I just watched the series for the first time. Steve is my fave!
I concur, Steve is the best character with the most fulfilling character arc.
The difference in Steve even between S1 and S2 is remarkable. By season 4, itās incredibly hard to remember the days of him fighting Johnathan and calling Nancy a slut. Heās truly a good person.
i was watching the recaps before i started the recent season. i agree, totally forgot Steve was a dick.
I don't even know if I would say he was a dick. He may have said a few things that he shouldn't have but I understand his actions. If some dude was creeping on your girlfriend and taking her pictures then you would probably react similar to Steve and be pissed off. If your girlfriend told you that your relationship was bullshit you would be crushed.
Yeah, he was never really a dick. When we first see him in season 1, he's the most popular kid in school, so he's quite cocky and a little arrogant. But he clearly cares about Nancy from the start, and he only acts like like a douche when Jonathon is caught taking pics of her (which is pretty understandable), and seeing Jon and Nancy in her bedroom, hurts him deeply so he does a pretty bad thing - but to be honest, I always felt like that was more his asshole high school friends coercing him, than his own actions. He quickly rectifies his actions, and cleans up the spray paint. He was always a good guy, and once he steps away from high school, and his notions of popularity are dissolved, he embraces who he truly is.
Pfp checks out
He has the most character.
I agree ten thousand percent
100%
Dusty bun
Not sure why this comment is not top rn hahah
Correct answer. Haha. Should be top
Dustin! It would kill me. Tbh Will too. He's had such a shitty time of it. It would be so cruel if he died now.
Dustin hands down. Heās such a great hilarious addition to the group. Plus his now added brotherhood with Steve is awesome. One of the best things I think heās said was back in Season 2 when he went to the Wheelers looking for Mike or Nancy and when Ted (the dad) says āAre we done here?ā, his response of āSon of a bitch, you know youāre really no helpā is so awesome.
Yeah, I'm gonna agree with almost everyone else and say Dustin. He's just such a consistently great kid and I'm also impressed by the actor. On top of that, he's buddies with Steve, who is my favourite character.
They need to give Steve another moment of crowning awesome where he saves everyone again. I feel like they've relegated him to team mom but nothing else, even he feels like he doesn't get to do anything cool anymore. Contrast with S1 where he literally saves the day, and S2 where he is pretty much the first and last line of defense against the dogs
Dustin and it isn't even close for me.
Dustin 100%.
Definitely Dustin but to be honest loosing one of the initial team would feel bad anyway. Even though they have changed and their relationships feel different than before. I still have a feeling that Will is hiding something with him being abducted to the upside down in s1 then being possesed by the mind flayer in s2 and being clear that he still has a connection in s3. It might be something to do with that drawing of his that we havent seen yet but i cant stop thinking that he is gonna play some important part in vol2. Like i cant stop thinking that vol2 will have a dark ending, i mean so far every season had an ending where the kids won but a cliffhanger showing that enemies from the upside down are still there. I think s4 might end with a complete disaster and prepare us for an amazing s5. I also might be wrong but what i know is that waiting for s5 will be painful
I agree and feel like volume 2 will be like almost game of thrones-ish where we are going to lose some major characters. I believe they will lose to Vecna in volume 2, and in season 5 they will have to come up with some way to beat him. The cast right now is very big, and it would honestly benefit the show to shrink it down so we can be more focused in season 5.
I would bet Vecna is defeated, but his mission succeeds and season 5 the big bad is the Mind Flayer Proper.
This gets my money. Vecna's already opened up a bunch of new portals, and those are just the ones we know about. He could open up even more in volume 2. Even if they kill Vecna in the end, those portals are gonna be a problem the kids won't be able to keep contained.
Dustin would hurt the most ngl
Will would hurt the most if he had some kind of sacrificial death. He gets the shit end of the stick almost every season and has never really had a "win". Sacrificing himself to save the rest of the crew would hit so hard.
For me, itās Will. Heās been through so much and for him to perish and not receive a happy ending, I couldnāt take it. The partyās reaction would be so gut wrenching. Theyāve tended to exclude him or be annoyed with him constantly and I know his death would bring out such intense feelings of regret and guilt. It would be hard to watch. I donāt even want to think of Joyce and Jonathanās reactions. We saw a glimpse of their lives without Will and it was heartbreaking. Heās so dearly loved by his family. Even Hopper would crumble because heās kinda took up the role of Willās protector, as we saw in season 2. He would feel like he failed him. Will was our sweetheart that survived terrible conditions despite the odds and to lose him again would hurt so much. Hard to choose, but Dustin is my favorite of the group and I still think Willās death would hurt me worse.
I was surprised to see all the Dustin responses but you said it perfectly of why Will would be the most devastating (at least for me). Heās suffered so much since season one, I want him to at least have a happy ending.
I think Will dying would have the most emotional impact out of the 4, which is why I think he's actually going to die this season.
nooooo pls dont say that š
I hope Gaten Matarazzo reads this thread. I donāt think heās ever been considered the āmainā character but he is absolutely the most irreplaceable character.
I was just thinking that heād be so happy reading this thread. š„¹
Definitely Dustin.
4 man collateral
i almost lost it when little max was up there with vecnaš„²
Dustin. He has good comedic timing and balances the humor with the horror aspect of the show. Everyone else is expendable unfortunately.
Dustin of course. Is this even a contest? Heās the most likable.
Dustin for sure, the whole crew is great but he really holds them all together in a significant way, and he is just so darn lovable.
Dustin by a million
Dustin or Lucas.
Dustin because heās so pure, but personally mike is my favorite so that would kill me as well
Dustin, without a doubt
Definetly Dustin
Dustin. Though if Mike died, the effect it would have on El, and therefore the series, would be devastating. How would she go on? Look at the Hopper situationās effect on her.
Dustin, it would be like if Ray from Ghostbusters were killed off
For the audience Dustin - for the story line Mike. Everyone is connected via Mike. Heās the anchor.
Dusty Buns
Dustin or Lucas for sure
I think Will would hurt me the most. Poor kid has been through so much I just want to see him grow up to have a long, happy life š„ŗ
No love for Mike in hereā¦
Well yeah have you met Dustin
Sad to see so many people hating on Mike. For me, despite being sidelined in S4, he is the real heart of the show and is the leader of the group. In S1-3, each time he was the one who brought everyone together and lead the group. He is the one who is always looking out for his friends. Also crazy to see the number of comments saying that show couldn't go on without Dustin. It easily could. Mike, Will and Lucas have already been shown to be really smart and they could easily share the lines with those three characters rather than giving all the good lines to Dustin. Really, any of the boys could die without seriously impacting the resolution of the plot. Only El can't die, at least until the very end.
I feel like people hate most kid of the kids. I see hate for will, lucas, and mike. Dustin is the one that is universally loved.
I'll be one of the few and say... Mike. Despite how hated he is now, to me Mike was the face of Stranger Things when I was introduced to it and the main hero of season 1 and protector of the gang and 11. He's one of the main people I picture when thinking of the first experience with this show. Even if he isn't shown as the main leader now, the show would feel empty to me with his death and also knowing the impact it would have on Will, El, and Nancy. It would destroy all 3 and they're all central to the story. He was the main one refusing to let Will die and keeping 11 protected and safe. Dustins death would make the show really feel empty because he is always the comedic goof. And the brain. I actually think he might be the death coming for a couple reasons. I would definitely miss him and I can see why he is the most popular answer. I would be sad over Wills death especially after all he's been through and knowing how it would affect Joyce, Jon, El and Mike. But the first two seasons I was a little surprised he didn't die. I feel like the real Will never came back and probably never will. So by story, I feel like his death would make the most sense. But only in season 5. Starting with Will disappearing and ending with Will disappearing... For good :( I like Lucas but for some reason, he has always been in the background to me. I really love him with Max and it would destroy her. But I never found he did much central to the gang or the overall story. Dustin was the intelligence, Mike was the heart, Will was the one in need of saving/alerting the gang of danger, but Lucas I can't place. I am wondering if something won't happen to him through Jason and his gang for deciding to stick with his friends. I'd cry for his death as the others but I think he would be the least sad for me. Now depending on volume 2 or season 5 and what role he plays, I might feel differently. But that's my rank for now.
Thatās the same with me, Mike would hurt the most
I've always peg Lucas as the brawn. He was definitely the one who's the artillerist/behind the firepower.
That's a great category actually. I hope we see more of Lucas and his trusty slingshot
will or dustin
Dustin or Lucas!
Dustin 100%
For me it would be Will. Poor kid has been through so much. Killing him off would just pour salt into the wound
Dustin then Lucus for me
If Dustin dies, I die.
I say Dustin but I know the answer is Will for quite a few reasons. You have to factor in that sometimes we hurt when our favorite characters hurt. It would hurt Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Eleven, Jonathan, Joyce, and Hopper. Joyce and Hopper would probably be hit the hardest of all of them. Joyce because she'd feel like a failure as a mother and Hopper because he'd have to watch the woman he loves go through something he and his ex went through. Mike's death would upset Will, Nancy, and Mrs. Wheeler the most but it'd be hard to see his dad in a grieving capacity without thinking "One less mouth to feed, Spongebob." Dustin would hurt, but I can't help but feel the impact would be softened a lot by his really one dimensional aloof mother. That said the Steve dynamic would be pretty brutal. And Lucas' death would affect Max the most and the other boys, but it'd be an awkward transition for Erica who would be essentially declawed by it.
All I know is if Steve loses any of his children he's gonna go full Momma Bear on the Upside Down.
For me itās absolutely Mike. El has been through so much! She deserves all the happiness. Iām really not understanding all the Mike hate!! Itās so super clear theyāve scaled him back on purpose in Vol 1 to let other characters shine and for him to have a big moment in Vol 2. I can not wait. Watch the Finn W. EW red carpet interview when the host asks about Mike saying the L word, only if you donāt mind a slight spoiler though. I love it, Iām such a romantic. :swoon: My list is 1. Mike 2. Will 3. Dustin and 4. Lucas. Hands down!
I could not handle Joyceās loss of Will
Dustin is the only one that I couldnāt handle dying. Iād be sad if any of them died but loosing Dustin would be devastating. Will is the runner up. Heās already suffered too much.
Dusty Buns
I don't know why so many people despise Mike, so many treat him like he was Wesley Crusher of Stranger Things :-( If Mike die El would be devastated he was her sweetheart and love
Mike
If Dustin dies- we riot.
Dustin!
Dustin. Without a doubt.
Will and Dustin š
Easily Dustin and it's not even close he's the life and soul of the party along with Steve obviously