What Happened to ‘Stranger Things’ Eight? Will She Return in Season 5?

The Big Picture

Season 5 of Stranger Things may feature the return of Kali, aka Eight, who played an important role in Eleven's story in Season 2.

Kali possessed the skill to produce incredibly realistic illusions and sought retribution against the ex-employees of Hawkins Lab, rendering her a highly beneficial comrade in the fight against evil.

Despite receiving mixed reviews, the episode featuring Kali, titled "The Lost Sister," it would be rather peculiar if the Duffer Brothers were to abruptly disregard her narrative and leave it unresolved in the ultimate season.

The Duffer Brothers have created a bleak scenario for Season 5 of Stranger Things. It is set to be the last season of the popular Netflix sci-fi show. The upcoming season will begin with the small town of Hawkins being taken over by the Upside Down, and one of our heroes being trapped inside her own mind, possibly even dead. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) appears to be in over her head and will require more than just the help of her friends to defeat a villain who is essentially a supercharged version of herself. In fact, she could use assistance from other former captives at the Hawkins Lab. However, Peter Ballard (Jamie Campbell Bower) has ensured that no other telekinetic child is alive to take on the challenge. But what about Eight, also known as Kali Prasad (Linnea Berthelsen), from Season 2?

Who Is Eight in 'Stranger Things' Season 2?

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Season 4 has revealed that Eleven was never the most popular child at the research facility. For a period of time, her only companion was Bower’s seemingly friendly orderly, who had a control chip in his neck and sinister intentions. However, even before Henry/Vecna/One became known, there was another inmate from Hawkins’ Lab who showed Eleven the affection she desperately needed. This girl was not just a friend, but almost like a sister to El, at least for one season.

How Did Eleven Meet Eight in 'Stranger Things'?

During Season 2 of Stranger Things, Eight made her debut and played a significant role in Eleven's storyline. Initially, we encountered her as the leader of a group of teenage misfits in Pittsburgh. Utilizing her powers, she sought revenge against the individuals who had inflicted harm upon her during her childhood, specifically the former employees of Hawkins Lab. Distinguishing herself from El and Peter, Kali possessed the ability to fabricate realistic illusions, including a gravel wall, which she employed to deceive the police and successfully elude capture after a successful operation. Kali's pursuit to avenge the scientists who experimented on her formed a pivotal aspect of Season 2, culminating in an entire episode dedicated to her backstory. However, following the conclusion of the season, she vanished without a trace. Except for a few fleeting references in Season 4's flashbacks, it is as if she never existed at all.

Image via Netflix

Following her encounter with the Demogorgon, Eleven experienced overwhelming joy upon discovering that she was not alone in the world. Set in either 1984 or 2017, depending on your chosen timeline (fictional or real), El endured a bout of extreme restlessness while residing at Hopper's (David Harbour) dwelling. Determined to locate her birth mother, Terry Ives (Aimee Mullins), who had been a test subject in Dr. Brenner's (Matthew Modine) MK Ultra experiments, Eleven decided to flee. In the late 1960s, Terry underwent sensory deprivation and was administered psychedelic drugs in an effort to awaken her extrasensory capabilities. Unbeknownst to the researchers, these procedures had an unexpected consequence on Terry's daughter, Jane. Soon after Jane's birth, Dr. Brenner abducted her, deceitfully informing Terry's family that she had experienced a miscarriage during her third trimester.

Hopper and Joyce had previously located Terry during their investigation into Will's disappearance in Season 1. Unfortunately, they discovered Terry in a state of catatonia, unable to provide any information. On the other hand, Eleven was able to communicate with her mother telepathically and uncover the truth about her situation. Terry, knowing that she hadn't lost her baby, resorted to breaking into Hawkins Lab with a gun to retrieve Jane.

Regrettably, Terry's plan was unsuccessful, and Dr. Brenner subjected her to an extremely intense electro-convulsive therapy session, leaving her permanently traumatized. At the time of this rescue attempt, Eleven was only three years old, which explains why she has no recollection of it. However, she did have a glimpse into her mother's memories, seeing herself as a toddler playing with an older girl in the "rainbow room." As a result, after leaving the Ives residence, Eleven embarked on a quest to locate this missing child, eventually finding her hiding in Chicago with a group of rebellious teenagers.

Eight Understood Eleven's Situation in Season 2

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Eight played multiple roles in Eleven's life - friend, foe, family member, and mentor. Despite initial resistance from her gang, Kali immediately embraced Eleven and formed an emotional connection with her. Kali taught Eleven to control her powers and gave her a transformation that would have protected her from bullies. However, Eight's motivations were questionable, as she wanted to manipulate Eleven into helping her exact revenge on Brenner's lackeys. Uncomfortable with this plan, Eleven and Eight eventually parted ways.

The reunion and subsequent falling out between Eleven and Eight is depicted in the episode "The Lost Sister," which could easily be mistaken as a setup for a spin-off series. While rumors of a Stranger Things spinoff have circulated for some time, it is unlikely that it would center around Kali and her crew. "The Lost Sister" received mixed reactions from fans. Many were unimpressed with Eight's rebellious demeanor and the crew's punk appearance. Some even found the storyline to be too cartoonish for a show where children battle monsters inspired by D&D creatures. Even after five years, "The Lost Sister" remains the lowest-rated episode of Stranger Things on IMDb.

The Duffer Brothers Hinted That Eight Will Return in Season 5

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The poor reception of Eight may explain why she hasn't appeared in the following seasons of Stranger Things, except for occasional flashbacks. However, the Duffer Brothers have hinted that her storyline will be resolved and there is a high chance of her return. With the upcoming final battle against Vecna, it would be fitting to bring Eight back, considering her unique skills and the significance of El's past. Additionally, the Stranger Things' comics suggest the possibility of more survivors from Hawkins' Lab joining the fight against Vecna.

Maybe you're currently rolling your eyes. Maybe you have a strong dislike for Kali and can't imagine the thought of seeing her again. On the other hand, you might be a fan of "The Lost Sister" and eagerly anticipate discovering what happened to Eight and her group. Regardless of your feelings towards that particular episode, take a moment to consider this: would it not be peculiar if the Duffer Brothers acted as if it never existed? Wouldn't it be terrible if Eight's storyline was forever left unresolved or, worse yet, considered a plot mistake? Doesn't Kali deserve some closure? You know she does. And for some time at least, so did the Duffer Brothers. If you're in the U.S., Stranger Things can be streamed on Netflix.