Stranger Things Season 4 To Have Extra Episode, Feature Origin Story

Disney+ delivered a successful first season of The Mandalorian and Marvel is finally showing us some footage from their upcoming shows. There’s also chatter around HBO Max’s Friends reunion and all the constant news breaking about other streaming platforms and what they’ll be bringing to the table.
But let’s not forget about the OG.
Netflix is still churning out binge-worthy shows, and one of its biggest hits is priming for a big return this fall. The fourth season of Stranger Things is on its way, and it has some explaining to do.
If you recall the way the exciting third season ended, after the kids defeated Billy and the bigger-than-ever Demogorgon, thanks in no small part to Chief Hopper’s sacrifice, the kids split up. Eleven left town with the Byers family, and then we were treated to a glimpse of a Russian prison, where new Demogorgon monsters were being… trained? And an ‘American’ prisoner was hinted at.
The fourth season is already rumored to feature some action overseas – perhaps England? Maybe even Russia itself? – and now word comes that the show may add an extra episode with which to spill its secrets.
TV writer Michael Ausiello took part in a chat in which he fielded questions from fans, and during the chat, he let loose with some news about the length of the next season of Stranger Things, and what that extra episode might make room for.
“There’s chatter that Season 4 may actually consist of nine episodes, one more than initially planned. That would make Stranger Things 4 one the Netflix drama’s meatiest seasons ever (tied with its sophomore run). I’m also hearing that a fan-favorite character may have his/her origin story told in one (or more) of those nine episodes,” Ausiello said.
My money is on Hopper getting some backstory on the way to a reveal that e’s still alive because come on, there’s no way he’s dead. But who knows. The last time the show had 9 episodes was season 2, and that was the one that featured the infamous “Eleven goes to Chicago” episode that divided fans.
Here’s hoping this season has better results, especially since the show won’t get too many more shots. Season 5 is rumored to be the last one – and it hasn’t even been confirmed yet!
Here’s the season 4 teaser trailer, should you need some theme music to tide you over.