The Heart-Wrenching Twist That Amplifies The Byers' Departure from Hawkins

Article Overview

In Stranger Things season 4, Will's relocation to California intensifies his struggle with personal identity and assimilation, especially after being separated from his Hawkins friends. Moreover, Eddie Munson's suggestion of joining the Hellfire Club during high school has the potential to positively impact Will's self-assurance and resilience against bullying.

Unfortunately, Will never had the chance to become a member of the Hellfire Club, depriving him of the support and acceptance that Eddie could have offered.

A poignant detail from Stranger Things adds to the tragedy of the Byers family leaving Hawkins, particularly for Will. Prior to the events of Stranger Things season 4, Joyce decided to leave Hawkins and took her sons, Jonathan and Will, as well as Eleven, with her. They relocated to California, and although Jonathan quickly found a new friend and ally in Argyle, Will and Eleven struggled to fit in with their peers. For Will, the distance between himself and his friends in Hawkins, coupled with his search for personal identity, proved to be particularly challenging.

Not many Stranger Things characters have had it easy, but the Byers family, in particular, have experienced their fair share of difficulties throughout four seasons. Apart from Will's disappearance and subsequent possession by the Mind Flayer's powers that affected everyone in season 2, each family member has faced damage to their reputation within Hawkins. Will bore the brunt of this, with school bullies labeling him as "Zombie Boy," but even leaving Hawkins didn't resolve his issues. In fact, being away from some of his biggest supporters harmed his self-assurance in season 4, and this wouldn't have been the case based on a prequel detail.

Eddie Munson Encouraged Will Byers To Join Hellfire Club

In Stranger Things season 4, Jonathan and Will assisted Eleven on the West Coast, which meant they were not involved in the direct fight against Vecna in Hawkins. As a result, they were also not in contact with Eddie Munson, a newcomer in Stranger Things. However, in the prequel book Stranger Things: Flight of Icarus, an interesting moment between Eddie and Will is revealed, which becomes heartbreaking when reflecting on it. Eddie, who had experienced bullying himself, reaches out to Will and suggests that he join the Hellfire Club when he reaches high school. This encounter with Will makes Eddie realize how beneficial the Hellfire Club could be for others, motivating him to return to school and take on a leadership role in the group.

During a visit to a record shop, Eddie witnesses Will being bullied by jocks who mockingly refer to him as "Zombie Boy" instead of using his real name, Will. Having gone through similar bullying experiences, Eddie stands up for Will and redirects the bullies' attention towards himself, ultimately allowing the record shop owner to intervene. Will confides in Eddie, expressing how isolated he feels and how others perceive him as a "freak." However, Eddie manages to comfort and reassure him, emphasizing that their hurtful words should not define him. Eddie then encourages Will to join the Hellfire Club when he enters high school, as he believes Will would find acceptance and belonging within the group. While Eddie becomes a leader and gains the admiration of his younger peers, Will never has the opportunity to experience the same.

Why Eddie Would Have Been A Great Influence On Will In Stranger Things

Considering the Byers' departure from Hawkins to California prior to Will's enrollment at Hawkins High, he missed the opportunity to join the Hellfire Club. In Stranger Things season 4, Eddie remained as the leader of the Dungeons & Dragons club, with Dustin, Mike, and Lucas as members. It is indeed disheartening that Will missed out on such an advantageous group, as he may have benefited from it the most among the young characters. Eddie, who always defended Will without hesitation in 1984, would have been a positive influence and an advocate for the "freaks."

While it's true that Will has had supporters in his life, Eddie could have made a significant difference. Eddie himself endured consistent bullying and derogatory nicknames throughout his life, as revealed in the Stranger Things prequel book. He could have imparted valuable lessons to Will on handling such harassment while embracing his true self alongside other "freaks." Although Will and his family have returned to Hawkins in anticipation of Stranger Things season 5, Eddie, unfortunately, is no longer present, and the future of the Hellfire Club remains uncertain.

Stranger Things: Flight of Icarus was published by Penguin Random House and released on October 31st, 2023.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the Byers' departure from Hawkins. On the one hand, I understand why they felt the need to leave after everything they've been through. Hawkins has been a place of pain and trauma for them, and they need a fresh start. On the other hand, I'm sad to see them go. I've grown attached to the characters and the setting of Hawkins, and it's hard to imagine the show without them.

I think the missed opportunity with Eddie Munson is a particularly heartbreaking aspect of the Byers' departure. Eddie was a great character, and I would have loved to see him interact with Will more. I think they could have had a really positive impact on each other. Eddie could have helped Will to feel more confident and accepted, and Will could have helped Eddie to see that he's not as alone as he thinks.