Every season of Stranger Things released so far has featured at least one shocking death that has shaken fans all around the world. Season 1 still has us thinking about Barb and how unfair her fate was. Bob Newby was a fantastic new addition in Season 2... only to perish at the very end to save Joyce's life. Dr. Alexei managed to win over fans' hearts in Season 3, and the worst part is that his death didn't come at the hands of a terrifying monster, but rather at the hands of another human. Last, but certainly not least, audiences witnessed how Eddie Munson passed away after performing the best guitar solo the Upside Down has ever heard. Now, the million-dollar question is: Who will perish in Season 5?
Against all expectations, Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 didn't feature any shocking deaths. Karen and Ted Wheeler nearly bit the dust during episode 2 due to a Demogorgon's attack, but they are now slowly recovering in the hospital. Aside from them, not a single major character has been at a serious risk of joining Barb in the Upside Down. However, that's not to say the series isn't setting up a devastating death further down the line, and here's why.
Steve Harrington may die, and his relationship with Dustin is the key (along with Nancy's love triangle)
One of the best (and most unexpected) pairings Stranger Things has given us is Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson. Their friendship began back in Season 2 and was one of the main highlights of Seasons 3 and 4. Their bromance has been so impactful in the series that fans were shocked and sad to discover the two are fighting for the majority of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1. Now, this is likely just a way for the Duffer brothers to shake things up and take audiences by surprise, but it could also be a way to set up Steve's impending death.
Steve Harrington's arc in Stranger Things has been all about redemption. The dislikable playboy and bully audiences first met in Season 1 was very different from the fatherly figure we see now, who won't hesitate to take care of others and put his life on the line if necessary. Perhaps the best example of this evolution is the relationship between Steve and Dustin.
At first, Steve couldn't care less about any of the four original members of the gang: Mike, Lucas, Will, or Dustin. However, the friendship between the iconic duo first blossomed when Harrington revealed to Henderson the routine for having an amazing hairstyle despite claiming to everyone else that it simply comes naturally. This was all in an attempt to boost the kid's confidence and get him to talk to girls. Things would quickly escalate when Steve was forced to fight a pack of Demodogs to save Dustin, along with Max and Lucas. After these life-or-death scenarios, the two couldn't help but become close and stay that way for three entire seasons.
The question then becomes: Why are the two suddenly at complete odds when Stranger Things is just about to end? Well, there would be no better way to complete Steve's redemption arc than by sacrificing himself for Dustin, even when they are not in the best of terms. The series could give us a small glimpse of their iconic friendship one last time by them making amends just before Steve's death. That would make it all the more heartbreaking for Dustin, along with the audience.
There are many characters in the world of Stranger Things, and Steve is perhaps the one who has the least to lose. If he were to die, then chances are Jonathan would wholeheartedly follow Harrington's advice to focus more on his relationship with Nancy, and the two could finally get married. This would put an end to the love triangle that has existed since the first Season. Furthermore, we've seen Steve put his life on the line multiple times before, so chances are he'll find himself in a do-or-die situation in Season 5 yet again.
Now, there are two problems with this theory: First, and foremost, if Steve sacrifices himself for Dustin in Season 5, it would feel incredibly derivative of Eddie's death in Season 4. The Duffer brothers surely don't want to traumatize Henderson for the rest of his life, right? Secondly, Steve Harrington actor Joe Keery has stated that he's very happy with his character's ending, leading fans to believe that everything will be well for the former bully. Still, no one is truly safe with Vecna roaming around.
Steve Harrington was originally meant to die all the way back in Stranger Things Season 1, so the Duffer brothers could look to have a "full circle" moment and have him bite the dust at the very end. Fortunately, we won't have to wait long before we finally have some concrete answers.
Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 will be released on December 25 on Netflix.