The Mind Flayer may have been defeated in the last season of Stranger Things, but the Upside Down still has some sinister tricks up its sleeve. With the characters’ fates uncertain, the streaming series’ fourth instalment is fastly becoming the most debated upcoming Netflix release.
The most recent trailer for the fourth season of Stranger Things revealed a surprising twist for the series, as it confirmed Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour) is alive in a Russian labor camp.
Production of Stranger Things has sadly been cut short by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped fans from dreaming up some wild theories about the Duffer Brothers’ highly anticipated new season.
Russians have taken Hopper prisoner, meaning the kids of Hawkins will have to step up to defend their small town.
Meanwhile, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is left without a father figure and has been taken in by Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder).
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Some fans have been speculating how the latest traumatic events could have taken a toll on the super-powered teen.
Eleven and Joyce were preparing to move out of Hawkins for a while, but Eleven’s promise to Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) that they will see each other again has led some fans to believe they will eventually come back to the town.
However, others think the stress of raising Eleven alongside Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Will (Noah Schnapp) could prove too much for the single mother.
One inventive viewer has taken to Reddit to discuss one potential theory, in which the stress of the Mind Flayer’s invasion has proven too much for both Eleven and her new surrogate mother.
Reddit user jimbo805 posted: “Supposedly Robin and Nancy do something at Pennhurst Mental Hospital. My theory is that they are there to visit Eleven.”
The last time the hospital played a part in Stranger Things was after Mrs Driscoll (Peggy Miley), an elderly resident of Hawkins, was possessed by the Mind Flayer.
There have since been rumours Pennhurst Mental Hospital could play a major part in the upcoming fourth season, with this fan speculating Eleven could become a patient there.
After years of abuse by Dr Brenner (Matthew Modine) and a highly traumatic summer defending the Starcourt Mall from an interdimensional threat, Eleven could crack at the start of season four and once again end up trapped in a hospital bed.
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With the past few years wiping out her telekinetic powers, this theory predicts the only way to bring her abilities back would be to track down Dr Brenner.
Season four is already setting up a major rescue mission to liberate Hopper from his Russian prison, and this theory suggests Robin (Maya Hawke) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) could get in one the action with a risky operation of their own.
The fan continued: “If Brenner recreated the treatment protocols he conducted on Eleven’s mom, Terry Ives, then Eleven could have her powers back.
“After visiting Eleven at Pennhurst, Nancy and Robin start investigating into finding Brenner. They also plot how to break Eleven out of the hospital.”
Moreover, this theory suggests Nancy’s mother Karen (Cara Buono) could discover their plan and want in on the action.
Brenner was last seen in season one suffering a grisly attack by a Demogorgon, but most fans are convinced the nefarious scientist is still alive.
If the doctor does make an appearance for season four, this fan predicts he could return as a major antagonist for season five and beyond.
Stranger Things seasons 1-3 are available to stream on Netflix.
