*The following contains spoilers of Stranger Things, season 4.
Stranger Things has blown us away with their latest season, in part because it was the longest one yet. That means plenty of content to dissect and analyze, and lots (yet not enough) to keep us satisfied until the next chapter of the saga. Here are our favourite episodes of season 4 — part I and II included —just in case you forgot what went down in the previous season of the show (or if, like us, you need to hold on for sanity until the release of season 5).
“Chapter Two: Vecna’s Curse”
This episode simply had us captivated from beginning to end. This is when Nancy and Robin solve part of the mystery with their investigative ways! After speaking to Eddie (who the police suspect to have killed Chrissy), they discover the existence of Henry Creel and his not-so-coincidental tendency to kill people by taking their eyes.
At this point in the show, we don’t know that Henry Creel is Vecna, but the Duffer Brothers are sowing seeds… Plus, this may be our fav episode for the sole reason that Hopper is alive!!! We knew it.
“Chapter Four: Dear Billy”
Of course this had to be in our top favourite episodes of season 4. Max is in the thick of it at this point, after hearing the infamous grandfather clock tick. The gang understands she might be Vecna’s next victim, so Robin and Nancy meet Victor Creel for more information on the ominous Creel house and its curse.
They get an important clue: Victor Creel was the only one who survived the terrifying home, because he focused on “Dream a Little Dream of Me” playing in the background. When Max was found by Billy’s gravestone a few hours later, the gang knew just what to do to pull her back: cue “Running Up That Hill”!
“Chapter Seven: The Massacre At Hawkins Lab”
In this episode, El is recovering memories for the Nina Project — a project set up by Dr. Brenner to bring her powers back. Through her long process, she remembers something critical: Henry Creel, Papa’s first ever patient, tells her Dr. Brenner wants to kill her. He asks her to remove the device lodged in his neck, after which he will help her escape.
Yet when she does, chaos ensues: Creel kills the majority of the patients over at Hawkins Lab, and El banishes him through a portal, into the Upside Down. This is where he ultimately became the monster we know so well: the terrifying Vecna.
Jaw. dropped.
“Chapter Nine: The Piggyback”
The gang has finally planned to take down Vecna, with Max as the bait. She pauses her Kate Bush jam long enough to attract the monster’s attention, descending into her own version of ‘hell’ for the sake of Hawkins’ safety. Meanwhile, Dustin and Eddie try to fight off the demo-bats in the Upside Down, but he sadly decides to stay put after Dustin luckily escapes. Eddie becomes the season’s hero, laying down his life for his friends and the entire town.
Eleven uses her powers to enter Max’s mind and fight off Vecna, and Max escapes — but not unscathed. Unconscious and hospitalized, the brave crew member is left in an uncertain physical state — leaving us to wonder what will happen next.
Yep, going through all that was a lot emotionally.
If you’re ready for more thrills before the release of season 5 next year, head over to the thrilling Stranger Things Experience in Toronto!