The Aftermath of This Stranger Things Character Death Could Spell Disaster for Season 5

The Aftermath of This Stranger Things Character Death Could Spell Disaster for Season 5

Highlights

  • Eddie Munson paid the ultimate price in Season 4 of Stranger Things, sacrificing himself to save the Hellfire Club.
  • Dr. Brenner’s demise in a military invasion reveals his complex relationship with Eleven and his true intentions.
  • Papa’s death leaves Eleven vulnerable in the fight against Vecna, as she must now face him without Brenner’s knowledge.

As a dedicated fan of Stranger Things, I can’t help but reflect on the emotional rollercoaster that was Season 4, particularly the untimely demise of some beloved characters. The passing of Eddie Munson was undeniably heartbreaking, but it was the tragic end of Dr. Martin Brenner, aka Papa, that really shook me to my core.


Max Mayfield narrowly escaped a horrific end at the hands of Vecna in “Stranger Things” Season 4, but she wasn’t alone in facing consequences. Eddie Munson met his tragic end after being viciously attacked by a swarm of Demobats; he sacrificed himself bravely to protect the rest of the Hellfire Club and their companions. Lastly, fans of “Stranger Things” had a mixed feeling of sadness and gratitude as they said goodbye to Dr. Martin Brenner, affectionately called Papa by Eleven.

From the beginning, Brenner functioned as a secondary antagonist to the terrifying beings of the Upside Down, with significant appearances in Season 1 and Season 4. Initially portrayed as an adversary, Papa’s role became more complex when his connection to Eleven’s past was revealed. During the Creed family murder case, Brenner held the position of Operations Director at Hawkins National Lab, where he nurtured Henry Creel, or One, due to his psychokinetic abilities. Brenner’s fixation on Henry’s powers eventually led to the discovery of numerous other gifted children, including Eleven, who unfortunately became experimental subjects. However, Season 4 of Stranger Things demonstrated that Papa was not as invulnerable as his intimidating aura suggested.

How Did Papa Die in Stranger Things?

The Aftermath of This Stranger Things Character Death Could Spell Disaster for Season 5

In the fourth season of “Stranger Things,” Dr. Owens successfully persuades Eleven to take part in the Nina Project, an experiment intended to access her deepest memories using sensory deprivation as a means to heal emotional wounds that have hindered her powers. Papa thought he could restore Eleven to her full capacity, thereby providing mankind with protection against Vecna. However, towards the climax of Season 4, the military discovers Dr. Brenner’s illicit experiments, leading to a massive military operation aimed at shutting down his hidden underground laboratory.

After the commotion subsided, Brenner picks up the injured Eleven and escapes from the complex into the vast Nevada desert. As they emerge, a helicopter overhead spots their departure. The marksman within the helicopter shoots at Brenner, mortally wounding him. Despite her weakness, Eleven gathers enough force to disable and crash the helicopter; however, Brenner succumbs to his injuries, pleading with Eleven to comprehend his reasons for what he did.

What Does Papa’s Death Mean For Season 5?

The Aftermath of This Stranger Things Character Death Could Spell Disaster for Season 5

As a devoted gamer, I can relate to Eleven’s journey this season on Stranger Things. Unlike the collective sorrow felt by fans over Eddie Munson’s demise being greater than Dr. Brenner’s exit, it was crucial for Papa’s role in Eleven’s storyline. Throughout Season 1, Eleven gradually uncovered Papa’s true intentions, which were far from benevolent. It turned out that he had stolen her childhood and transformed her into a weapon of sorts. At first, we didn’t know about Henry Creel, but now with a few flashbacks enlightening the subtext, Stranger Things has made it clear that Brenner knew what many of us have suspected all along: Eleven was just as potent, if not more so, than Vecna.

Papa’s moral compass has constantly been scrutinized under a magnifying glass, as the series Stranger Things raised doubts about whether Brenner’s actions were driven by self-interest or a genuine desire to shield humanity from a disastrous destiny. It wouldn’t be surprising if Papa developed feelings for Eleven similar to those of a father towards his own daughter, but his difficult decisions throughout don’t align with the image of a twisted expression of affection. From the outset, it was evident that Papa stood to benefit and had nothing to lose.

In Season 4, it remains unclear what might weaken or defeat Vecna. However, the residents of Hawkins manage to temporarily incapacitate his physical form using Molotov cocktails and shotgun fire. Yet, he manages to endure. Inside the Upside Down, Eleven overpowers him with Mike’s support. Nevertheless, every character has a vulnerability, even Vecna. Unfortunately, the one individual who had extensive knowledge of his habits, limitations, and potential weaknesses is now absent. This leaves Eleven without Papa’s expertise as she faces Vecna in future encounters.

1. In the event that Papa was still alive and had mended things with Eleven, his exceptional firsthand knowledge of Vecna (Henry, at the time) would have been crucial in defeating him. As we approach Season 5, the Hawkins group are battling Vecna on their own. However, if Papa were present, they’d have an indispensable ally who had interacted with the enemy and knew Henry more intimately than anyone else. Given that Eleven was a test subject in the Hawkins Lab under Brenner’s watch, it’s plausible to infer that Brenner too possessed extensive knowledge about Henry’s background, the source of his abilities, and how to control him.

Initially, when Eleven encounters One, he explains that Papa implanted Soteria in his neck – a microchip that suppressed his abilities and doubled as a tracking device, allowing Papa to monitor One’s location at any moment. Given that Papa tailored Soteria specifically for One, it’s likely there were other safety mechanisms Papa put in place to shield the world from Henry. With Papa out of the way, things are going to become significantly more complex for Eleven and her comrades in the final season of Stranger Things, and they won’t have Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” as a reliable escape hatch anymore.

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2024-08-19 01:06