Stranger Things captured the attention of multiple generations when it debuted in 2016. In four seasons and six years, we’ve watched these characters grow up - literally and figuratively. And yes, we’ve seen secondary characters come and go during this time, but Stranger Things is due for something big. It’s time for a main character to die.

The thing about ensemble shows is that it gives showrunners latitude to work in terms of how they use their larger casts, and that includes killing some off. Game of Thrones was a master of this, thanks to source material provided by author George R. R. Martin. But, that show struggled once it moved past the source material.

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Stranger Things doesn’t suffer from that burden. As an original creation from the Duffer Brothers, it has a decade of 1980s pop culture references to work from, but an original story that can adapt and craft as it goes. And the show has an end date and a finish line in sight. That type of finish allows the show to develop and work within its self-imposed restraints.

And that’s why, on a show where the supernatural Upside Down, and where Vecna continues to menace Hawkins, its time for a main character to die in Volume 2.

The Audience Deserves High Stakes

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We’ve spent nearly four complete seasons now, with a lot of terrible things happening to the main cast of Stranger Things, and yet, after all of this, each and every one of them is still alive. You’d think after all the torment that Will and Eleven have experienced, that one of them would have succumbed; yet they’re still standing and still fighting. Eleven has spent all of season four regaining her strength to rejoin the crew and fight Vecna. But, even if that climatic battle does come, it seems highly unlikely that she will be the one to die from the main cast.

The audience deserves some high stakes. It seemed like we got it at the end of season three when Hopper was seemingly lost in the explosion that closed the gate, but he improbably survived and ended up in a Russian prison. Then, the kids survived and destroyed the Mind Flayer unscathed physically, though Billy sacrificed himself. Billy was not a main character, though his tertiary role was pivotal to the plot all season. So, now that the show is nearing the end of its penultimate season, it’s time for some truly high stakes.

How The Characters Have Earned to Die

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Characters go on journeys in stories, and there are choices made that not only support an explanation for why or how a character would die, but justify the reason to do it. A character earns a death. For example, Boromir in The Fellowship of the Ring earned his heroic death after his clouded choice thanks to corruption from the ring. In Stranger Things, there are characters who have earned their death. Hopper was an obvious one in season three, but the show wasn’t ready to say their goodbyes, and kept him alive. His journey has been filled with heartbreak and heroic bravery so far, and has been again this season. But, to have his character die now after not actually dying in season three wouldn’t land anymore.

Eleven has been through more physical and mental torment than any, and it could make sense to have her die during a climactic fight with Vecna, but it’s possible they’ll only meet and battle once in the season finale. It wouldn’t feel justified and worthy for that to happen. The same could be said for Will, whose time in the Upside Down lasted one season, but mentally lingered far beyond that.

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The Impact a Death Would Have on the Final Season

If a main character were to die this season, its impact on the last season could be massively influential. If the kids, and parents can defeat Vecna, but one of them falls, imagine the impact that would have tying up the last season. In fact, it seems plausible that a death could be sacrificed, perhaps trapping them or others in the Upside Down in an obvious cliffhanger of a finale this season. It would also emotionally tie the final season together, a group of friends grieving together, trying to move on as the show ends the story in a hopefully satisfying conclusion.

If Vecna is the ultimate bad guy within the Upside Down, perhaps this season won’t end with his death, but with that of a main character, leaving the audience and Hawkins at its lowest point yet - which it has seemed impossible to get worse, many times before. The kids have shown their bravery, their gumption, and their desire to fight. It’s cost them physically many times over, but none so that has led to death. But, one person in particular has not only earned his death, but seems like the logical choice.

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Why It Should Be Steve

That person is Steve Harrington. Fan-favorite Steve deserves to die. Not because he’s bad, but because he is so good. We’ve watched Steve go from popular jerk to brave fighter, to comic relief, babysitter, and now, role model. His actions inspire his friends. Consider how quickly Nancy and Robin jumped into the lake after he was pulled down! Dustin and Steve’s friendship has become a highlight of the previous seasons. Two people, who on the surface shouldn’t be friends, became like brothers. Antagonistic at times, but always affectionate, they share an unlikely friendship that is a delight to watch.

Steve has made incredible character development bounds beyond where he started, and his death would be wide-reaching in its impact. Every single character on this show would reel from the impact his death would have. Thematically, an entire season dedicated to destroying Vecna in honor of Steve seems like such a worthy story, and conclusion to this show. So much so, that if it happens, it’ll not only feel earned, but worth the journey.