The twists of 'Stranger Things' that Netflix abandoned and that would have made it a better series

We are never going to get rid of Stranger Things, right? After the series was a huge hit on Netflix and its fifth season had so much merchandising (mostly food-related) that it reminded us of releases from the 90s, when that kind of maneuver still worked, the streamer is bringing the kids back for its new series, Tales from ’85. This animated spin-off is entertaining, yes, but it has caused more than one headache for fans because it introduces a new character, Nikki, who allows them to create new weapons… Without any mention of this new team member in the live-action series seasons.

And, in fact, it is not the only plot that Stranger Things has left behind… which could have resulted in a better series. Do you want to embark on a journey to the Hawkins that could have been and wasn’t?

Eleven was going to die

Yes, as it sounds: in the original plans for season 1 of the series, Eleven was going to sacrifice herself for the greater good, and that was going to be her true ending. However, what the Duffer brothers did not expect was that the series would become the success it was... largely thanks to the character played by Millie Bobby Brown. No matter how they turned it, the series did not work without her, so they had to bring her back in season 2. In hindsight, and seeing everything that has happened with her character, wouldn’t it have been much more epic to let her die to save her new friends?

Hopper’s Strange Alliances

Surely you remember Alexei, the Russian scientist who drank slushies in season 3 and became one of the best things about that batch of episodes (until, now, he died with no chance of bringing him back). The writing team liked him so much that they thought there was a way to pay homage to him in the next season: to have, purely by coincidence, his father end up in the Russian prison alongside Hopper and join his group. Of course, it required a gigantic leap of faith from the audience and really wouldn’t have added anything to the plot, but, honestly… we’ve seen worse things in the last season.

I Will Kill My Mother’s Boyfriend

Let’s set the scene. Season 2, Bob (played by Sean Astin) is Joyce’s new boyfriend and everything seems to be going well between them… until a Demodog catches him off guard and takes him out, allowing him to have one last scene with his girlfriend. However, in the writers’ room, this was not what was originally proposed: taking advantage of the fact that Will was possessed by the Mind Flayer, they thought it would be more than curious, for the character’s evolution, that he would be the one to end up killing Bob, causing him even more trauma. As if he didn’t have enough!

Eleven almost killed his mother

In season 1, we met Eleven’s mother, Terry, but what we didn’t know is that in a few episodes later, it was planned for Eleven to end her life as a favor, after realizing she was in a loop from which she could never escape. After all, since they can communicate telepathically, it wouldn’t have been that difficult for the girl’s powers to end the life of the one who gave her life. However, for whatever reason (it would completely blur the character by turning her into a killer of innocents), they decided to set this plot aside. Does it make sense? Undoubtedly. Would it have led to a better Stranger Things? Also. But sometimes, it’s better to leave things as they are.