Last November, I wrote an editorial speculating how Stranger Things could (and should) have ended. In this editorial, I proposed an ending where Eddie Munson created the entire show in his imagination, similar to the series finale of St. Elsewhere. I also confessed wanting to see this proposed ending because I was tired of seeing characters not reaching their full potential. No, I did not get the ending I wanted. But I always knew there was a one in a million chance I’d receive that ending. What I’m more disappointed about is how Eddie Munson’s second chance to reach his full potential was taken away from him.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, Eddie Munson has not only become a very beloved character, but also a very marketable character since his debut on Stranger Things back in 2022. In fact, Eddie subverted the expectations of the show’s creative team, as (from what I’ve heard) he was never intended to survive past one season. But instead of showing appreciation to the fans for helping Eddie become so popular, and even showing appreciation to Eddie himself, the creative team behind Stranger Things took them for granted. From my perspective, it seems like the show’s creative team grew to resent the fact Eddie became more liked than some of the main characters on the show. Based on what I saw and heard from Stranger Things’ fifth and final season, this perceived resentment was woven into the story. When Robin quoted Eddie by saying “Bad news first. Always.”, she didn’t even say Eddie’s name. Later in the season, Steve argues with Dustin how, back in Stranger Things’ fourth season, Eddie “saved no one” and “made a dumb call” by sacrificing his life in the Upside Down. But Steve so easily forgot how a) Eddie put the well-being and safety of others, including Steve, before himself, b) Eddie let Steve borrow his denim vest when Steve didn’t have a shirt to wear and c) Eddie encouraged Steve to work out his issues with Nancy so they could happy together. Even though Steve ended up apologizing to Dustin and admitted how Eddie saved his life, his apology had less to do with being grateful to Eddie and more to do with not losing Dustin.

When Eddie shares his aspirations to graduate high school in Stranger Things’ fourth season, he told the Hellfire Club how “I’m gonna walk that stage next month. I’m gonna look Principal Higgins dead in the eye, I’m gonna flip him the bird, I’m gonna snatch that diploma, and I’m gonna run like hell outta here”. Had the creative team brought Eddie back in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, he could have received a second chance to achieve the one thing his heart desired. But instead of letting Eddie reach his full potential and even get his “standing ovation”, Eddie’s graduation moment was given to Dustin (a main character) when he graduated high school. I’ve heard this was intended to be a tribute to Eddie. But to me, it felt like Eddie’s potential was stolen from him in favor of preventing main characters from becoming overshadowed.

Throughout January and late 2025, I’ve heard and seen a lot of discourse over how Stranger Things ended. But I haven’t specifically heard from an Eddie Munson fan’s perspective on how the show turned out. This is why I wrote this opinion piece in the first place. While I don’t watch Stranger Things, I did pay attention to the show’s last season, as I was curious to see if Eddie would come back and if so, how. But looking back at everything that happened (or didn’t happen, in Eddie’s case), the term, “this could have been an email” comes to mind. Since email wasn’t a thing in the 1980s, the last season of Stranger Things could have been a school assembly. Though I’d like to think a school assembly about Eddie would have more thought and care put into it, especially if it was hosted by his fans. The creative team behind Stranger Things failed Eddie Munson. But as one of his fans, I refuse to make that mistake. I will give Eddie the love, support, dignity, and respect those that created him should have been giving him all along. I will continue to advocate for characters to receive their full potential, no matter their status. And I will always try to give those who are under-rated their “standing ovations”.

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