There are many theories around Stranger Things season 5, one of the most popular ones being about Eddie (Joseph Quinn), which has now been debunked – and while this is a relief, it also confirms a harsh truth about the show. Netflix is currently preparing for one of its biggest releases of the year with the final season of Stranger Things.
Stranger Things season 4 ended on a massive cliffhanger with the Upside Down bleeding into the human world, Max (Sadie Sink) falling into a coma, and Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) escaping. Season 5 has a lot to address to give the show a proper ending, and with so many questions and loose ends, there are plenty of theories out there.
One of the most popular theories about Stranger Things season 5 is about Eddie’s survival and return, with some going as far as suggesting Eddie will return as a monster. This theory has now been debunked, which is a relief, but it exposes one of Stranger Things’ harshest truths.
Stranger Things Season 5 Won’t See Eddie’s Return
Stranger Things season 4 introduced Eddie Munson, a student at Hawkins High School and leader of the Hellfire Club, through which he befriended Dustin, Lucas, and Mike. Eddie got dragged into the horrors of Hawkins after witnessing the horrifying supernatural murder of Chrissy Cunningham, after which he became the prime suspect.
Eddie ended up joining forces with the Hawkins team to stop Vecna, and he traveled to the Upside Down with Robin, Nancy, Steve, and Dustin. Eddie sacrificed himself to lure the Demobats away from Dustin and the gate, resulting in his death in the arms of Dustin. Although Eddie’s death was shown on screen, that didn’t stop theories about his survival and possible return.
Now, after some cryptic teases from Joseph Quinn, Stranger Things co-creator Matt Duffer has debunked all those Eddie theories. Speaking to Empire, Matt Duffer confirmed Eddie is dead, so he’s not coming back, adding that Quinn has been busy with other projects.
Eddie’s Definitive Dead Is Good For Stranger Things Season 5
As fun as it was to watch Eddie being himself and bonding with the rest of the characters, and as much as I would like some justice for Eddie, it’s good that his death has been confirmed. Theories about a character’s survival and return only work when their death isn’t shown on screen, as happened with Hopper in season 3.
Stranger Things season 3 never showed Hopper’s body, and, instead, he simply disappeared. On the other hand, characters like Barb, Bob Newby, Alexei, and Eddie were shown to have died on screen, so bringing any of them back alive and well wouldn’t be believable, no matter how popular they are.
Even the theories about Eddie returning as a creature from the Upside Down, similar to what happened to Vecna, would have been hard to believe, as, unlike Henry Creel, Eddie was killed in the Upside Down, while Henry simply transformed. Eddie not coming back helps the show maintain credibility, while also avoiding messing with the development of the story and characters.
Eddie’s Dead Confirms One Of Stranger Things’ Harshest Truths
As good as the confirmation of Eddie’s death is for Stranger Things season 5, it also highlights the show’s harshest truth. Stranger Things is, without a doubt, one of Netflix’s best TV shows ever, but its biggest flaw is how it has introduced new, highly likable characters every season only to kill them in that same season.
Many surely suspected Eddie would have a tragic end in season 4 the moment he started being a likable character made for the audience to root for him, and that’s exactly what happened to him. It won’t be surprising if the same happens in Stranger Things’ final season, though, for a change, it should let its newest, coolest character live.
Source: Empire.
- Release Date
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2016 – 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Directors
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
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Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
