This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 4.It’s a sad truth but a truth nonetheless: Eddie Munson dies in the finale of Stranger Things season 4. While Stranger Things, much like Game of Thrones and potentially the new Jon Snow sequel, has never shied away from brutally murdering their characters, most memorably Barb in season 1, Billy in season 3, and of course Bob in season 2, it is a necessity as the danger ramps up. This season reveals a threat greater and stronger than the nostalgic group of rabble-rousers has ever faced before, as well as the consequences being more disastrous, so it’s only fair the body count would increase. In the first part, Vecna kills some radically different Hawkins teenager, but thankfully all the main characters are relatively fine, however this all changes in Volume 2, all culminating in the Bob reminiscent death of dear Eddie.

The deaths start fairly quick in volume 2 beginning with Papa to many Dr. Brenner but in true Stranger Things fashion, they leave the most impactful death for the very last episode. As the remarkably brave protectors of Hawkins travel into the Upside Down, geared to the teeth with a remarkable amount of fire power, they head to kill Vecna in one last ditch effort to save the world. At literally any point in this plan to defeat the villain, formerly 001 or Henry Creel to give his birth name, there's a large chance any character could meet their untimely demise, even Erica who is tasked with what is by far the safest job. It is true Max does technically die, but it's not permanent (although it does leave her in a fairly severe coma), where Eddie's death is very much final.

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His death, although traumatic, was fairly likely, with previous teamster for the second volume revealing some rather heroic final stand-looking moves in The Upside Down, showing Eddie playing "Master of Puppets" by Metallica on the electric guitar in order to draw away the bats from Vecna’s hideout. This song was a great choice by writers, keeping with tradition of great musical moments, as not only was it powerfully metal fitting the 1986 context, but the song perfectly sums up Vecna and his use of mind powers to control those around him. It also acted as the most fitting blaze of glory songs for the intense character, going out with a bang.

Eddie rocking

Going into the second volume, Eddie was at the top of the list for characters fans were most worried about, a deeply lovable character that had this aura of unavoidable death about him, much like Bob did in season 2. They both were characters who almost needed to die for the greater story to continue. With Bob, his death gave Joyce the relaxation that she will never truly be free of the Upside Down, and gave her a roundabout route to be with the man she should be with: the strong yet vulnerable Hopper. With Eddie, there really wasn’t much of a life for him to be able to go back to life as normal. He would remain the prime suspect and probably go down for the murder of Vecna’s victims, with no way of proving his innocence. He would have spent the rest of his life either on the run or in prison, something that wouldn’t have made much sense to include in future seasons.

The similarities don’t end there however, with both Bob and Eddie meeting their demise through an act of sacrifice. Eddie takes the crown on this one, deciding actively to not leave the Upside Down with Dustin when he had the chance, and stay to buy more time. At first, this came as a big surprise to audiences, but upon reflection, it perfectly sums up and finishes off his story. His job was to act as a decoy with Dustin, but this was not a proper reflection of who he was, or at least who he wanted to be.

Throughout the season it’s shown again and again his disappointment with himself for always running away, but in this pivotal moment he chooses to stay, and buy his friends the time they desperately needed to stop Jamie Campbell Bower's Vecna. It gives him the perfect redemption, no longer running but facing things head-on, truly becoming the hero he’s only ever managed to be in his D&D games. Bob’s sacrifice came with the same amount of danger, choosing to go down into the basement to reactivate the power, being the only one trapped within the building who knew enough about the computer systems to be able to reactivate it. He knew it would be dangerous, but insisted on doing it anyway as it was the only way to make sure his loved ones would live.

DEath bob

Both Eddie and Bob both almost make it too, Eddie succumbing to the wounds inflicted by the devil bats shortly before they all fall from the sky after Hopper and co. burn the Russian remains of the mind flayer, and Bob almost made it out of the facility before being caught at the last moment by the demo-dogs. Both were tragic deaths but perfect ways to sun up their short but sweet story arcs, Eddie going out on his terms as a hero of Hawkins, dying saving some of the best friends and companions he has ever had, and Bob going out saving successfully saved his new family. Both are remembered, at least by those in the know, as heroes - Will drawing Bob as a superhero and Dustin calling him one to Eddie's uncle.

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