Warning: Spoilers for season 3 of Stranger Things ahead.
Everybody is talking about Stranger Things. After Netflix released, arguably, the most spectacular season of the popular series yet, here are the major theories making rounds on the internet.
1. Hopper is still alive
In the season finale, chief Jim Hopper told Eleven to “keep the door open three inches”, implying that there is still hope. There are theories that he is either in the Upside Down or a prisoner of the U.S.S.R. Another indication is the post-credit scene where the Russian guard says: “Not the American.” He might have opened a portal to the Russian facility and is being held as a prisoner. Fans consider this as solid proof that our beloved cop has hopped through this one.
2. Dr. Brenner will make a comeback
Contrary to this theory, there is a strong contention that “the American” in the Russian facility is Dr. Brenner. Even though he was attacked by Demogorgon in season 1, his actual death was never shown on screen. Moreover, in season 2, in Eleven’s standalone episode, Kali claims that he is still alive. It looks like Eleven will have daddy issues, one way or another, next season.
3. Season 4 will feature time travel
If telekinetic powers could exist, why not time travel? There is a very obscure reference in season 3 episode 2. Mr. Clarke (the super endearing science teacher) created a scale model of Hawkins, which included a tombstone, a reference to the 1988 cult classic Beetlejuice. The events of Stranger Things happen a couple of years earlier, suggesting that Mr.Clarke is a time traveller. Also, the Back to the Future cameo in episode 7 is considered as a major tip-off.
4. Eleven will come back stronger
The reason for Eleven’s loss of super natural powers is unclear. One possible explanation is the Mindflayer’s “bite” had a lasting effect on her powers even though Max helped disinfect it. However, there is a popular opinion that Eleven will reappear stronger and more powerful in the next season. The US government could have a hand in Eleven’s comeback.
5. The Upside Down is the future
This could be a result of investing too much time on the multiverse theory, but some fans claim that Eleven ripped the space-time continuum with her powers and the Upside Down is not a parallel dimension, but an alternate reality. The deserted and decrepit Hawkins is actually the future, after a major manmade catastrophe.
6. Season 4 will have something to do with Chernobyl.
This theory could be inspired by the popular BBC show, but there are conjectures that the Chernobyl disaster was actually a massive coverup for the final showdown between Eleven and the Mind Flayer. The next events of next season is projected to occur during Spring of 1986, the same time frame as the Chernobyl disaster. With the government’s attempts to hoodwink the public into believing that Starcourt mall had simply burnt down, the fans suspect that Chernobyl will also become a major plot point in the next season.
7. The Byers will move to Chicago
At the end of season 3, the Byers family (plus Eleven) are seen packing up and leaving Hawkins. There is a slight possibility that they might move to Chicago, where Eleven meets Kali, her ‘step-sister’ with superpowers. Kali could help Eleven regain her powers or contribute in the impending showdown against the Mindflayer.
