With the release of Stranger Things 4 volume 2, fans have been speculating wildly about the final season. Popular theories include Will turning evil and aligning with Vecna, Mike's mother being Vecna's mother, the introduction of a larger monster called the Thessalhydra, and Eddie returning as a vampire. However, one commentator warns that such theories may set fans up for disappointment.
The cautionary tale of Game of Thrones looms large. Its finale was heavily speculated upon, and the backlash against the perceived lazy writing was immense. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss left HBO and now work with Netflix. The author suggests that if fans had not placed their own hopes on the ending, the reaction might have been less severe.
Fan theories place pressure on writers in two ways. Firstly, if creators follow a popular theory, they risk alienating other fans. Secondly, to avoid predictability, writers may change their original plans, leading to twists that are implausible or unsatisfying. Examples include the early reveal of Elliot's imprisonment in Mr Robot and the fact that everyone in Lost was dead, which had already been guessed by fans.
The Duffer Brothers have had a long-term plan for the Upside Down, with a 20-page lore document from 2016 yet to be fully revealed. They have also taken steps to avoid speculation, such as faking episode titles for season three. Nevertheless, the author argues that the best way to enjoy the final season is to stop theorising and let the show surprise us.
