Did Hopper Die in 'Stranger Things 3'? Hopper Is Alive Explained

Warning: This post contains spoilers for the third season of Stranger Things. Stop reading NOW (!!!) if you haven't seen it yet.

• Chief Hopper appeared to die in theStranger Things 3finale. • A few hints from earlier in the season, and the post-credits scene, make it possible he's still around. • We'll find out for sure inStranger Things 4.

Man. Stranger Things 3was a trip, wasn't it? An up and down season that saw the kids become teens might just have been the easiest binge yet—the third season's eight episodes flew by. But at the back end of those hours, fans suffered a few major losses—one, seemingly, bigger than the rest. But don't lose hope, because we're here to say: not so fast.

As the season finale makes clear, Hopper is presumed dead. After defeating the Russian Terminator-esque guy, Hopper was standing within direct vicinity of both the energy machine, and the gate to the Upside Down itself. When Dustin and others were shouting into the walkie that the switches needed to be turned, and the gate neededto be closed, Hopper gave Joyce his look of knowing approval, knowing fully well what seemed to be coming. She reluctantly pulled the switches, and it appeared that our dear sweet chief was gone—we saw some of the Russians get obliterated, and when Joyce looked, Hopper was not there.

In the closing scenes of the season, we saw the characters attempting to move on after what was accepted as Hopper's death. Eleven was taken in by Joyce, and moving away with the rest of the Byers family (and read an emotional letter Hopper had left behind).

However, it's important to consider a few key pieces that go into this equation.

First, think back about the opening scenes of the season. The Russians were working on a machine to open the gate, and when all the men were vanquished, their leader told them to get their act together: they had one year. We jump that year—it's safe to assume that their team, including Dr. Alexei, shown to be a smart man, figured out a way to further and improve their technology. Would that make it possible for Hopper to survive the blast, instead transporting to the Upside Down, or, perhaps, elsewhere? With a lack of a body or on-screen death (as always, a CARDINALrule when determining who is, or is not actuallydead), ruling that out would seem unwise.

Additionally, there's the third season's scene that takes place after the credits begin to roll on the finale. We're transported to a Russian prison, where the big reveal is made: they've got a demogorgon, and they're keeping it in chains to torture prisoners. That reveal is a big one, but it's also a misdirection: before we see the monster, a single line of dialogue gives us a strong hint as to where Hopper might be. "Not the American," the subtitle reads, as another prisoner is dragged from his cell and turned into monster food.

Sure, this couldbe another missing character, like Dr. Brenner, but that wouldn't be super climactic story-wise. Plus, you have to remember: every line is put into the script for a reason. The line "not the American" wouldn't make its way into the ever-important credits scene without purpose.

Plus, and while this isn't stopping anyone from being killed off a show, it does bear repeating: David Harbour is absolute magicon this show. For the third straight season, he brought it from start to finish, and really showed off his skills, playing Hopper as a way more reckless, yet, somehow, still completely lovable version of himself. The show would have a majorhole to fill in the event of his absence; earlier in the season Dustin even made reference to all the "hero stuff" being left to Hop.

So, while we'll be waiting with baited breath for any details on Stranger Things 4,we think it might be a safe bet not to spend toomuch time mourning the loss of Hawkins' finest police chief.

Source: Menshealth.com

Powered by NewsAPI.org

Keywords:

Stranger Things • Spoiler (aeronautics) • Stranger Things • Post-credits scene • Stranger Things • The Terminator • Family • Thought • Machine • Demogorgon (Dungeons & Dragons) • Torture • David Harbour • 50th World Science Fiction Convention • Stranger Things • Gambling •