Why THAT Character Died In The Stranger Things Season 4 Finale

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4, episode 9, "The Piggyback."

Eddie Munson dies in the Vecna killed some Hawkins teenagers in Stranger Things 4, volume 1, but all of the main characters managed to make it out alive. Sadly, the same cannot be said for volume 2.

The deaths in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 begin with Dr. Brenner and, ostensibly at least, Dr. Owens, but the most impactful is saved for the very last episode. As the heroes of Hawkins head into the Upside Down for another battle with Vecna, as part of a four-stage plan to defeat the villain formerly known as Henry Creel (or Number One), there's a chance any character could die, with all of them at severe risk. Although Max does die in Stranger Things season 4's finale, it's "only" for a minute (albeit one that leaves her in a coma), but Eddie's death is much more permanent.

Eddie's death had been signposted previously in Stranger Things: the trailers revealed he would have a seemingly heroic final stand in the Upside Down, which was revealed to be Eddie playing Metallica's "Master of Puppets" on guitar in order to provide a distraction, and as the lovable new character of the year there was a certain feeling of inevitably about his fate, much like Bob before him. Eddie's role in the Upside Down plan was to act as a decoy, but that didn't reflect who he truly was, nor what he wanted to be. And so, he made the sacrifice play; Eddie's death in Stranger Things season 4's ending is tragic, but befitting of his short-yet-great character arc.

Why Eddie Stayed In The Upside Down (& Sacrificed Himself)

Eddie was one of the Stranger Things characters that audiences were most concerned about heading into the final episodes, and with good reason, it turned out, as he does die - but he made sure to go out in a blaze of glory. Not only was Eddie's guitar song a perfect choice - it was incredibly metal, fit the 1986 setting, and the "Master of Puppets" neatly fit the idea of attacking Vecna and his mind powers - but it was, in the end, absolutely the right call for his character to die. Even though the initial moment of him deciding not to leave the Upside Down with Dustin is a surprise, it's justified: he does help to buy his friends more time, and it gives him a sense of redemption. No longer is he running away, but is facing up to things; previously, he's only been the hero in his D&D campaigns, but now he truly can be one.

With this comes an understanding that, even if he had survived, life could never have simply gone back to normal for him. Eddie would remain wanted for murder, and there'd be no reasonable way of clearing his name, short of killing Vecna and bringing back conclusive proof that he wasn't behind the deaths in Stranger Things season 4, volume 1. Eddie's life would either be one spent on the run or locked in a prison cell, neither of which seem fitting for him. It's a tragedy that it came to this, but Eddie going out on his , as one of the heroes of Hawkins, for some of the truest friends he has had, does seem like the right way to do things.

Next: Of Course Eddie's Upside Down Song Was Perfect!

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