Episode 2 of Season 4 of Stranger Things transports us back in time, revealing the mysterious fate of Hopper and his astonishing survival. As the explosive chaos of season 3 unfolded, Hopper made a daring leap from the platform, narrowly escaping the devastating blast. Clambering his way to safety, he unexpectedly found himself confronted by Russian soldiers. These men mercilessly tortured him, demanding answers about his identity and what secrets he might be harboring. Realizing Hopper's resilience exceeded the norm, they dispatched him to the remote reaches of Kamchatka, situated in the farthest east of Russia, to put his mettle to the ultimate test.
Meanwhile, a nightmare jolts Max awake, her serene day instantly transformed into chaos. A flurry of police cars descend upon Eddie's abode, signaling a fresh tragedy that has rocked Hawkins to its core. It's Chrissy, lying lifeless. As the officers radio in the discovery, it becomes apparent that these transmissions are being closely monitored.
News of the tragedy spreads like wildfire throughout Hawkins, bringing the town to a standstill. From Nancy to Lucas, and even Dustin and his mother, everyone is clamoring for information. Max rushes to Dustin's side, delivering the heartbreaking news that Chrissy is the deceased and Eddie has become the prime suspect.
Max is firmly convinced of Eddie's duplicity, comparing him to the infamous Ted Bundy. Dustin, however, remains unconvinced, holding out hope for Eddie's innocence. The truth, however, seems to lie somewhere in the middle. The night prior, Max had witnessed Eddie fleeing in his car, his face etched with terror after a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the night. She had dismissed the flickering lights in her home as a mere coincidence, but now, in hindsight, Eddie's panicked demeanor seemed to point to a darker truth - that "something else" had taken Chrissy's life. The only way to unravel the mystery was to track down Eddie himself.
Part of their investigation led Dustin to the video rental shop where Robin and Steve were working. Although the scenario might have been comical if it were a Blockbuster, the gravity of the situation was anything but humorous. The pair saw this as an opportunity to snoop around and gather information about Eddie's circle of friends. Their efforts paid off, and they managed to uncover the identity of a shadowy figure known as Reefer Rick. With his address in hand, the foursome embarked on a mission to seek answers.
Meanwhile, Mike's arrival in California promised a reunion of sorts. El and Mike were quick to reconnect, leaving Will feeling a twinge of jealousy. Could he be harboring a secret crush on Mike? As it turned out, Will was indeed playing the role of the third wheel in El and Mike's budding relationship. El tried to maintain a facade of grandeur, despite not being the big shot she pretended to be. Will gently prodded her to open up, but El hesitated, waiting for the right moment to reveal the truth.
Angela's unexpected arrival only added to the chaos. She forcibly dragged El into the center of the rink, accusing her of being a snitch, and proceeded to throw a milkshake at her. El's patience snapped, and she grabbed a roller-skate, slamming it into Angela's nose. The violent confrontation triggered a flood of memories from the past, echoing the fleeting visions from the first episode.
Elsewhere, Murray caught up with Joyce, reading the mysterious note and assuming it was a message from Hopper, given its cryptic signature "Enzo." Joyce clung to the hope that Hopper was still alive, and Murray offered to help her investigate the number mentioned in the note. It led them to a phone booth in Russia.
Enzo picked up the phone and demanded $40,000, promising to meet in Alaska in two days. He claimed he could "unstuck" Hopper and free him from his hellish captivity. Murray and Joyce deduced that Enzo was likely a prison guard, which explained his ability to orchestrate such a daring rescue.
In a separate subplot, Nancy and her new recruit Fred embarked on a mission to uncover the truth about Chrissy's disappearance. Nancy sought information from Wayne, who revealed that Victor Creel was a feared bogeyman in their neck of the woods. Wayne suspected that Creel might be responsible for the recent string of mysterious deaths, but the truth was far more sinister. As the strange creature's influence continued to spread across Hawkins, Nancy and Fred realized that they were on the brink of discovering something truly horrific.
Fred, like Chrissy before him, began to see visions of the creature. It taunted him, calling him a murderer. Terrified, Fred fled through the woods, stumbling upon a flaming car overturned on its roof. Ahead, he saw a gaping hole in the ground, from which there was no escape. Like Chrissy, Fred hovered in a trance-like state, his limbs contorted and twisted as he was killed by the unseen force.
Meanwhile, Max and her companions finally tracked down Reefer Rick's address. As they searched the area, they stumbled upon an unexpected find - Eddie himself. Eddie confessed that something had been inside Chrissy, a revelation that Dustin and the others recognized as a telltale sign of Vecna's curse. It seemed they were not dealing with an ordinary killer, but rather an undead wizard whose powers were beyond their comprehension.
