After facing a raft of truly nightmarish horrors in Stranger Things season 4 part 1, Hawkins finest were forced to do it all over again in part 2 as Vecna’s power continued to grow.
In the final two episodes, the last of which has a runtime of 2 hours! and 30 minutes!, they banded together to overcome the darkness once more in a bid to save their town.
But while many of our favourites were left standing ahead of season 5, there was one heartbreaking casualty – with another character left in a very precarious position.
The show is no stranger to death, having bumped off countless characters including Nancy’s best friend Barb, Max’s brother Billy and Joyce’s boyfriend Bob, among others – and the numbers rose one again in the latest chapter.
And with season 5 confirmed as the final Stranger Things outing, expect plenty more where that came from. *sobs*
With that in mind, read on for everything you need to know about who dies in Stranger Things season 4 volume 2.
*WARNING – Contains full spoilers for Stranger Things season 4 volume 2*
Who dies in Stranger Things 4 volume 2?
Dr Brenner/Papa
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He may have survived certain death before, but season 4 volume 2 does finally seem to be the end of the road for Eleven’s ‘Papa’, Dr Brenner.
In episode 8 – the first of this new batch, which is appropriately titled Papa – Brenner and Eleven clash over his treatment of her and his attempts to control her over the years.
However, in the end it’s not El that takes Brenner out but the army, who shoot him as he is trying to escape the Nina facility with a drugged Eleven.
As his wounds take hold, Brenner witnesses Eleven destroy a helicopter, before releasing her shock collar and begging her to see things his way, telling her how proud he is of her and how he only wanted to protect her.
Eleven leaves him there, saying one final goodbye to her Papa.
Eddie Munson
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Eddie may have become a fan favourite in volume 1 of this new season, but Stranger Things has never been a show that’s afraid to kill its darlings (we’re still not over Bob).
Eddie dies a hero’s death in the season finale, as he helps Dustin distract the Demobats in the Upside-Down to stop them from protecting Vecna’s body.
When the Demobats break into their fortified motor home, Eddie draws them to himself and leaves Dustin behind, taking on their full onslaught as penance for running away after Chrissy’s death in episode 1.
Hopper, Joyce and Murray manage to weaken the Upside-Down power in Russia, stopping the Demobats’ attack, but it’s already too late for Eddie who says a grim goodbye to his pal Dustin.
Back in our world, Eddie is still being scapegoated for Vecna’s kills and is considered missing. His uncle puts up posters in an attempt to find him, but they are quickly defaced.
However, his uncle does get some closure, as Dustin gives him Eddie’s guitar-pick necklace and tells him that Eddie died defending the town and is in fact not just innocent, but a genuine hero.
Does Max die in Stranger Things?
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When we look back on Stranger Things season 4, one of the characters who has the toughest time of it is undoubtedly Max. Still grieving from her brother Billy’s death in season 3, she becomes a target of Vecna and almost perishes in one of the best scenes yet from across the entire series (you know the one).
Unfortunately things don’t get any better for Max in these final two episodes, as Vecna comes for her once more in an attempt to open a final door and bring the Upside-Down into the real world.
His work almost gets completed this time, as he levitates her, breaks her limbs and starts to pop her eyes – however, at the last moment Eleven steps in, attacking and stopping him, while his physical body is simultaneously assaulted and badly wounded elsewhere.
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Now blinded, Max at first seems to awaken, but subsequently dies of her wounds… briefly.
It’s later revealed that although Max’s heart stopped for over a minute, it seems that Eleven’s astral projection restarted her heart and saved her.
At the end of the season, Max remains in a coma, with Lucas telling Eleven that the doctors think she may never wake up.
Eleven goes into the astral plane to look for her, shouting her name. As she receives no response, is this the last we’ll see of Max? Only time, and season 5, will tell…
Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are available in full on Netflix now. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.
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