Stranger Things Season Four Thoughts
Hopper is the American.
- Grigori, the Russian Terminator, refers to Hopper repeatedly as "the American."
- Nameless Soviet scientists enter the room before the explosion. The camera cuts away from Hopper but shows us the scientists going splat.
- When Joyce and Murray enter the room, the scientist splat is there but the grating where Hopper was standing is clean.
- Using the song "Heroes," I think, is another clue. That song played in the first season when we thought Will was dead.
- The last clue comes from the message you can hear if you dial Murray’s phone number (618-625-8313). The answering machine message is for Joyce and says they need to talk because he has news. (I think he’s been trying to track down Hopper).
Kamchatka
Kamchatka as the location of the Soviet base is significant. It’s an isolated peninsula in the Siberian wilderness—but close enough to us, that it was full of listening stations and military bases.
During the Cold War, the area was on such a lock-down that ZERO visitors were allowed there and even the few peasants who lived in the area had to have military clearance. What’s more the area is scientifically important thanks to its wildlife (today it’s the site of a massive nature preserve) and being one of the main sites in the earth’s Ring Of Fire (in 1952 it was the site of a mega-thrust earthquake).
Also if we go back to season one, the first time El encounters a Demogorgon, she’s in the black-watery void spying on a Soviet The show doesn’t give us subtitles but if you look up a translation, it’s all common spy stuff. But I think that’s significant. I don’t think it was an accident that El encountered a Demogorgon.
I think the Soviets already had one. Lastly, if season four jumps forward a year to 1986, especially say Easter time or around Spring Break, there’s probably a direct connection to Chernobyl as well.
Whatever the Soviets are doing exactly will risk the entire world on a big scale—like everything and everyone could die.
Movie Nods
Assuming the series jumps forward a year to 1986 (originally thought either Thanksgiving or Christmas since Mike mentions those times specifically to El when they’re talking about visiting, but thinking it through I'm now leaning more toward Easter/Spring Break), there are some big movies that might point a clue toward some things that might happen.
Aliens
If Hopper is the America and if there is a rescue mission, I think we’ll see Joyce or maybe Nancy, since she’s the one good with guns, taking on Demogorgon hybrids/other big bad with some big SF weapon. Or maybe even a powerless El in some sort of big robotic suit fighting some huge monster.
Big Trouble in Little China
The Duffers have said Season 4 would involve opening up the Stranger Things universe and we still don’t where the Byers family is moving, maybe they’re heading to Chicago and something will happen with Chinatown.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
I don’t think it’s that far-fetched to imagine some group of the kids skipping school. Plus, I’d just really like to see Steve signing on a parade float.
The Fly
I think we’ll see some serious nods to Cronenberg’s The Fly. Maybe as a result of other attempts at dimensional travel or something else all-together, or maybe the Soviets are trying to crossbreed humans and Demogorgons? (Maybe this is where Brenner will come back in).
Highlander
We’ve met 11 and we’ve met 8 (Kali). That leaves 1-7 and 9-10. I think we’ll see more former children from the rainbow room. I could see this being a way to reference Highlander.
Hoosiers
If it does jump to 1986 and it doesn’t reference this Oscar-wining 1986 film about Indiana basketball, I will be stunned.
The Labyrinth
If nothing else, I just want Dusty-Bun to sing “Magic Pants” to Suzy-Poo.
Stand by Me
Stand By Me was released in 1986 and it’s a King film. I have a hard time thinking this would NOT inform a fourth season in a big way. Especially since a big part of the film has to do with a group of friends going on an adventure before high school changes everything for them and they drift apart.
