Unveiling the Injustice: The Real Reason Stranger Things Season 5 Must Address Eddie's Tragic Death

Stranger Things season 4 left viewers in shock with the killing of Eddie Munson, and despite the desire for justice, it is crucial to recognize the significance of his sacrifice. Eddie found himself entangled in the chaos of the Upside Down when Vecna abducted Chrissy right before his eyes. Throughout the season, he faced constant persecution from the townspeople who wrongly accused him of Chrissy's murder, thus forcing him to hide and evade capture. However, in a display of courage, Eddie ultimately chose not to flee but rather confronted the adversary head-on, allowing his friends more time to overthrow Vecna. Inspired by the bravery of Nancy, Robin, and Steve, Eddie resolved to no longer run away.

The demise of Eddie Munson reverberated strongly among Stranger Things fans, evoking a response reminiscent of the mourning for Barb. Just like Barb, Eddie was an innocent bystander arbitrarily taken by Vecna before his true nature was even known. Fans rallied behind the notion of "Justice for Barb," although it was tragically never realized. Eddie's passing was not purely an emotional blow due to his rising popularity but also because he selflessly sacrificed himself for a community that unjustly perceived him as a leader of a Satanic cult. Only his uncle and close friends were aware of the truth behind his character.

Eddie's Death Is More Meaningful If Hawkins Never Learns The Truth

Part of what makes Eddie’s death so gut-wrenching is the fact that Hawkins is unaware of the reason or manner of his demise. There was no necessity for him to embark on a suicidal mission to assist his companions. Steve even cautioned Eddie and Dustin against acting as heroes. Instead, he could have adhered to the plan and, after distracting the Demobats, reunited with Dustin. However, he chose to aid his friends in rescuing a town that harbored animosity towards him. It is this aspect that imbues his death with profound significance. If Hawkins were to discover his actions, the impact of his sacrifice would be diminished.

Dustin Already Told The Only Stranger Things Character That Matters

Eddie's uncle is the only other person in Hawkins who truly understands the kind-hearted nature of Eddie. In a town where secrets are concealed and only a select few are aware of the truth, Dustin decides to disclose a version of the truth to Eddie's uncle because he deserves to know how his nephew met his demise. It was important for him to understand that Eddie made the ultimate sacrifice. No one else needs to be privy to the details surrounding Eddie's fate. The rest of the townspeople can continue to believe that he is dead, as it will never hold the same significance to them as it does to Eddie's uncle. It would be unfair for his uncle to remain in the dark just like Barb's parents were.

Stranger Things Season 5 Revealing Eddie's Sacrifice Undermines A Key Theme

In Stranger Things, the strange occurrences often go unnoticed by the Hawkins residents, who blindly trust and adhere to the government's cover-up stories. Only when outsiders become involved do more people become aware of the reality. Even Dustin chose to withhold the complete truth from Eddie's uncle, indicating the reluctance to reveal the true nature of events to the entire community after being kept in the dark for so long.

Similarly, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the residents of Sunnydale are aware of the unusual happenings, but prefer not to discuss or acknowledge them. They only acknowledge these events when they commend Buffy with the Protector Award at the Prom. This deliberate ignorance of reality works effectively for supernatural shows, as it would be difficult to explain everything to everyone. The truth would be met with disbelief unless individuals have personally experienced it. Even Eddie struggled to comprehend the events, despite witnessing what happened to Chrissy firsthand.

Officials are labeling the incident involving Hawkins as an earthquake, but with Vecna's ongoing quest for dominion over the human realm, the government will need to concoct additional cover-ups to maintain secrecy. Echoing Mr. Wheeler's statement, the media dubbed it a gateway to hell, which eerily aligns with the Upside Down. As the situation worsens, will Stranger Things abandon its theme of societal conformity? The blame for the murders was hastily placed on Eddie and his Dungeons and Dragons club, Hellfire, allowing the government to likely persuade the public with more plausible, albeit ludicrous, explanations.