Stranger Things is about to embark on its fifth and final seasons, but it needs to avoid reviving some characters to ensure the series finishes strong. Stranger Things debuted on Netflix in 2016 when the streaming platform was still finding its feet when it came to original content. However, the sci-fi horror series that takes place in the 1980s was a huge critical success that helped audiences understand the potential and talent that Netflix could offer in its original shows. Over the first four seasons, Stranger Things has managed to win a phenomenal 12 Primetime Emmys, further proving its strengths.
Like many contemporary series, the show is not afraid to get dark and place the central characters into increasingly challenging situations.Stranger Things’ Party from Hawkins has faced off against otherworldly monsters and people possessed by unseen forces, and there have been several casualties along the way. While the series deals in the supernatural, and features little understood powers, it would also be problematic to bring back some fallen characters, despite their popularity. Whether character returns would cheapen sacrifices, or simply not make sense for the narrative, most of the characters that have passed away should stay gone.
Chrissy Cunningham was a pivotal character in season 4 of Stranger Things. Much of the season revolves around the mystery of her death and the witch hunt that takes place for Eddie Munson, who appears as the most likely culprit due to the circumstances of the incident. Chrissy is sweet and troubled, and while her death is an incredibly sad moment with a grotesque and brutal scene, it is a pivotal moment ahead of the series finally revealing the overarching villain, Vecna.
Chrissy’s death is a major turning point for the series, which has worked through multiple seasons to reveal the mysteries of the Upside Down. However, as an individual character, she was also a very minor part of the show. Ultimately, her death serves as a far more impactful moment in the series than if she were to miraculously be returned in the final season, especially if some other, more central characters remain dead, like Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink, who is currently incapacitated like Chrissy was, before her dying moments.
While Chrissy may be an easier character for the audience to say goodbye to, her accused murderer became incredibly popular with many calls to bring him back in the final season. Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn, became the subject of multiple viral moments after Stranger Things season 4. From his charismatic performance to the witch hunt that rallied to carry out justice by killing Munson, he was an underdog on the show who became one of the standout heroes of the entire series run.
Eddie Munson was an outcast leading the Hellfire Club, long before the allegations of him committing murder were raised, due to his alternative lifestyle, and his freedom of expression. Residents of Hawkins believed Munson was a devil worshiper and an occultist due to his interest in D&D. However, despite accusations of murdering an innocent girl, Eddie laid down his life to save The Party and the larger community in Hawkins. Munson’s sacrifice is one of the best moments of the show, and bringing him back would likely diminish the impact of that sacrifice.
Billy Hargrove was a controversial character from the moment he arrived in season 2. Along with his stepsister, Max Mayfield, Billy came to Hawkins with their abusive father following the death of their mother. Billy frequently acted cruelly, with seemingly no regard for the safety or wellbeing of his sister. Billy then became a major antagonist in season 3, where he was possessed by the Mind Flayer. Billy was a powerful and intimidating figure who caused the group major distress throughout the season. However, the person most affected by his actions and cruelty was always his younger stepsister, Max.
Billy could have been a buffer from their father, but instead, he also chose to act cruelly. The possession of the monster only appeared to amplify his negative behavior. However, in his final moments, as he is preparing to sacrifice Eleven to the monsters of the Upside Down, Eleven is able to reach his humanity, and Billy becomes aware of his actions, before committing one of the most brave and selfless acts of the series as he holds the monster back, sacrificing his life, and apologizing to his sister. The show would completely undermine this moment by bringing Billy back.
Dr. Martin Brenner is a pivotal figure throughout Stranger Things with deep ties to the mysterious Eleven. Brenner was a government employee who was engaged in controversial experiments at the Hawkins National Laboratory. He appeared to spearhead Project MKUltra and established himself as a quasi-father figure to the children who were held as part of the project. However, Brenner was clearly a scientist first, and he failed to provide care, love, or consideration for the children in his facility, regardless of his chosen title for them to address him, “Papa.”
Brenner was the original antagonist of the show in season 1, and he already had a miraculous return in season 4 where he appeared to help Eleven regain her powers after they stopped working. However, Brenner has had his time in the spotlight multiple times, and despite the complex relationship between him and Eleven, he is not a good influence, or person, worth returning to the series for its final outing. Eleven is better off without Brenner in Stranger Things, especially considering her reunion with her new surrogate father, Jim Hopper.
Bob Newby was a central character in season 2, where he sparked up a relationship with Joyce Byers. Bob proved himself to be a loving and caring boyfriend during his brief appearance. The couple were infatuated with one another and made plans to move away from Hawkins, but before they could make it out, Bob met a terrible fate with some terrifying dog-like creatures. Bob was a truly good man and could have made a great addition to the Byers family, providing love, and support and a father figure in a home that struggled with instability up to that point.
However, Bob gave up his life to save his beloved Joyce, and the kids escaped safe and sound. While he is clearly a positive influence and would be a worthy character to give a second chance at life, his return would majorly complicate Joyce’s current relationship. Since Bob was killed, Joyce and Hopper have grown close, and gone to extreme lengths to protect each other. Bringing Bob back would complicate the dynamic, and either take up too much time in the final season or risk ruining the story already being written.
Tom Holloway was the Editor-in-Chief of The Hawkins Post, the local newspaper in the community. Holloway and his entire team held outdated and sexist views about women in the workplace, and when young Nancy Wheeler landed a job at the paper in the hopes of having her voice heard and putting her journalistic skills to the test, she was met with disdain and negativity from the entire staff, including Holloway. Despite presenting the team with solid ideas for articles and topics to cover, Nancy was frequently ridiculed and belittled, even when the team would underhandedly use her ideas.
Eventually, Holloway and his team fell victim to the Mind Flayer, and his entire team was in turn possessed by the creature from the Upside Down. Following this, Tom fires Nancy in the hopes of keeping her from investigating the mysterious goings-on, but Wheeler continues to dig deeper and is eventually confronted by Holloway and the staff when they try to attack and kill her. Nancy was able to gain the upper hand, but bringing Holloway and his team back would not benefit the story, or the city of Hawkins in any capacity.
Jason Carver first appeared in season 4, where he leads a small group who set out on a witch hunt for Eddie Munson. Jason comes from a wealthy family, was the boyfriend of Chrissy at the time of her death, and was the captain of the high school basketball team. Overall, Carver had a charmed life, but he also held deep-rooted anger issues and prejudice toward people like Eddie Munson, who enjoyed games and things that he couldn’t understand. Ultimately, his fear of people who were not conventional, and his pride pushed him to lead a violent rally against Munson.
Carver was willing to push the limits and rally his sports team to take action against the person they judged to be a social outcast. His cruelty and willingness to coerce people like Lucas Sinclair were disgusting and made him a thoroughly unlikable character. Instead of allowing police to conduct their investigation and search for Munson, Carver hoped to exact his revenge, using his peers to help him. He was ultimately killed when hunting Munson and finding himself collateral damage in the war with the Upside Down, and the character is better off being absent from Stranger Things season 5.