Stranger Things Season 4: All Our Unanswered Questions

The final two episodes of Stranger Things season 4 will premiere July 1 on Netflix. The seven episodes presented were all quite lengthy, filled with compelling dispatches from both Hawkins, Indiana and The Upside Down. In the mean time, we hope you’ll join us in examining some of the show’s most pressing unanswered questions.

Is Ms. Kelly Working With Vecna?

The new season of Upstairs Downstairs will focus on Hawkins High School counselor Ms. Kelly. She plays a modestly-sized role, but some fans think she’s set to play an even bigger one. The first few episodes are all about her, but what about her conspicuous grandfather clock? Would that be enough to convict her in an Upside Down court of law?

What Does Vecna Even Want?

I saw a cruel, oppressive world, dictated by made up rules. Where others saw order, I saw a straightjacket. And I realized I didn’t have to make my own rules. I could restore balance to a broken world. A predator but for good. “I could not close off my mind and join in the madness – I could not pretend”.

The Upside Down’s villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) doesn’t seem to be operating under the mindset of “universal balance,” as Thanos would be proud of. All Vecna does is kill vulnerable people, and at a frustratingly slow pace, and he has killed only three people and tried to kill one (Max). At that rate, he won’t achieve universal balance anytime soon.

Is Vecna Really The Mind Flayer’s General?

Dustin believes that the Demogorgon is The Mind Flayer’s foot soldier and Vecna is his five-star general. Fans have noticed that the telltale grandfather clock noise that accompanies Vecna’s arrival has been featured in previous seasons of the show. Does that mean he’s really Stranger Things’ big bad and has been pulling the strings this whole time?

Did Vecna Create The Upside Down?

In season 4 of Stranger Things, Number One confronts Eleven and in the ensuing psychic battle, she opens a portal to the Upside Down and banishes Number One to it. When thinking about the moment further, some interesting questions pop up as to what exactly happened to Number One/Vecna.

What if Eleven didn’t open a portal to the Upside Down but rather created the sideways universe altogether? Or what if Number One did so himself? Remember that this is the very first moment on the Stranger Things timeline that we and the show’s characters are seeing the upside down.

Why Was Brenner Using One As An Orderly?

He seems to enjoy a shocking level of autonomy and freedom within the Hawkins laboratory. That fire finally erupts when he convinces Eleven to unchain him and sets into motion the events that will play out over Stranger Things’ entire run.

Does Music Really Stop Vecna?

The rules of how to stop Vecna are refreshingly simple. Once the monster has you in its grasp, all you need to do is hear your favorite song. Max is able to extricate herself from Vecna’s revolting tentacles by following the sweet sounds of Kate Bush. Henry Creel’s own recollections of the events at Creel House somewhat dispute that.

Our theory is that Max wrote letters to all her friends, which helped her overcome the guilt necessary for Vecna to kill her. And when she heard her friends yelling for her, she was reminded of this fact. Kate Bush’s ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ had no effect on Victor Creel making it out of Vecna – does this mean Kate Bush isn’t as powerful as we thought?!??!?

How Will Joyce, Hopper, and Murray Get Out of Russia?

Netflix has released a clip from the final two episodes of season 4. Hopper and co. seem to have uncovered both a floating Demogorgon in some sort of tank and a ghostly shadow whipping around. Season 4 volume 1 already provided a lot of new information about the Upside Down via Eleven’s excursions. We would bet that volume 2 provides even more Uptide Down intel through Hopper, Eleven and crew.

Who’s Gonna Die?

We’re still waiting for the Grim Reaper’s other shoe to drop in season 4 of “Stranger Things”.

There are plenty of good death candidates for Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 but something in our Upside Down gut says that Steve’s time is running out. Season 4 episode 7 made a note of having Eddie speak to Steve (Joe Keery) and bemoan his own lack of courage. It’s doubtful Steve has rabies as that death would take too long (and would honestly be way too graphic and upsetting for even this show).