The Demise of Jonathan Byers' Season 4 Failure in Stranger Things Season 5

Summary

Stranger Things season 5 promises to give Jonathan Byers a bigger role after being underserved in season 4.

According to pre-vis teasers, the upcoming season will see Jonathan playing a more significant part, potentially leading to a reconciliation with Steve.

Although it's thrilling to see Jonathan receive more screen time, there are speculations suggesting that he might meet a tragic end in season 5, intensifying the stakes of the show.

Jonathan Byers's inadequate screen time in Stranger Things season 4 was a major disappointment, but season 5 holds the promise of redemption as he will be granted a significantly larger role. First introduced in season 1 as the older brother of Will, Jonathan has been deeply invested in the battle against the Upside Down since Will's unfortunate entrapment. Though he played a vital role in the early stages of the show, his presence has gradually diminished over time. However, season 5 appears to be the long-awaited opportunity for Jonathan to reclaim his position within the main ensemble.

Since its debut in the summer of 2016, Stranger Things has consistently remained one of Netflix's most beloved and critically acclaimed original series. Despite some fluctuations in quality, such as the hit-and-miss nature of season 3, season 4 successfully brought back the chilling atmosphere and reunited the core group of characters in the face of Vecna's terrifying reign. As the final season of the show approaches, Stranger Things season 5 is poised to grant Jonathan the significant narrative acknowledgment he truly deserves, as hinted by the pre-vis materials released by the show's writers.

Stranger Things' Teases Reveal Jonathan Will Be More Prominent In Season 5 Than Season 4

Jonathan's presence was minimal in season 4 of Stranger Things compared to the other long-standing main characters. However, he can be spotted in various pre-vis teasers released through the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Stranger Things Writers’ Room. These teasers include a scene featuring Steve and another with Nancy, Dustin, and possibly Steve or another individual driving through the Upside Down in a car, although it's uncertain from the rough animation. This suggests that Jonathan will play a significant role in season 5.

The inclusion of both Jonathan and Steve in these scenes hints at a reconciliation between the two characters in season 5. In season 1, Steve used to bully and torment Jonathan due to their contrasting roles in high school - Steve as the popular jock with a following, and Jonathan as the outcast with few friends. While Steve has become a more likable character since then, he has yet to earn genuine forgiveness from Jonathan. This unresolved issue is expected to be a pivotal plot point in Stranger Things' final season, providing them with true closure.

Stranger Things Season 5's Jonathan Tease Is Living Up To 1 Major Ending Promise

Season 5 of Stranger Things is already delivering on the creators' promise for an exciting final season. In Season 4, the focus shifted to new characters like Max and Eddie Munson, which unfortunately left some of the original cast, particularly Jonathan, feeling neglected. Jonathan's role in Season 4 was primarily limited to driving the gang around, and it's clear that he needed more. However, the Stranger Things creative team has assured fans that Season 5 will bring the story full circle and recenter the narrative on the original cast. This is especially important for Jonathan, who played a significant role in Season 1 as Will's protective brother and a target of Steve's bullying. While Steve has had ample character development in the past three seasons, Jonathan has been somewhat overlooked. Season 5 aims to rectify this and give Jonathan the spotlight he deserves.

Jonathan's Bigger Stranger Things Season 5 Role Is Bad News For His Ending Fate

Jonathan's return to the main group in Stranger Things season 5 has sparked numerous theories suggesting his demise as he possibly sacrifices himself to save Will or Joyce, or even both if the writers aim to amplify his heroism. It is high time for the show to introduce higher stakes by eliminating significant characters. Given that Stranger Things would not remove a major character like Jonathan without giving him a significant sendoff and a completed character arc, his increased involvement in the storyline does lend credibility to the possibility of his death in season 5.