Stranger Things’ Season 4 Part 2 releases on July 1, and ahead of the final two episodes, fans are worried for Steve Harrington. Played by Joe Keery, the character started off as a quintessential jock, but over the seasons, transitioned to a wholly different human being, one who’s shown a caring and tender side, as evidenced in his friendships with Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin and Maya Hawke’s Robin. 

An earlier interview had revealed that the Duffer brothers planned to kill Steve off in the first season, but kept him on due to Keery’s ability to add layers to the character and make Steve a fan-favourite. 

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Now, Netflix has also put up a sign saying “Protect Steve”, acknowledging the fans’ burgeoning concern, and captioned it in bold “at all costs”. 

Ross Duffer in a TVLine interview said, “And they should be concerned going into the final two episodes [of season 4] – for everybody”, addressing the fans’ concern about some characters dying in Season 4. 

Variety’s Zack Sharf has concluded, in his own analysis, that Eddie Munson or Steve is the most likely to die. Eddie, played by Joseph Quinn, is already wanted by the town for murder, and his death might be a sacrificial move, transforming him into a hero, Sharf concluded. Munson too suggested that the final episodes would bring “carnage” and said he would be glad to be called back for Season 5. 

Steve has also had a heroic streak, which Sharf noted as well, and this is likely to be far more fatal for him. The Duffer brothers in an earlier interview had admitted that they love putting Steve through the wringer, and Season 4 Part 1 has already seen him battle the Upside Down version of bats and get bitten in the process. There have been some group members, including Nancy and Maya, who were worried that the bites might have a lasting effect. This essentially raised the fans’ concerns about Steve’s well-being. 

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However, in a Variety interview, Matt Duffer said, “I wouldn’t worry about the bat thing”. When asked about whether there’s a chance of Steve dying in some other way, he replied, “If he’s going to die, it’s not going to be from the bat bite.”

Fans worrying about Steve’s fate nitpicked the trailer of the second part, focusing on a frame where Dustin looks to be in shock and anguish. 

Considering his close bond with Steve, many fans have arrived at the conclusion that everybody’s favourite jock-turned-hero might not make it to Season 5. 

Everyone’s worst fears or highest hopes will be confirmed once episodes eight and nine arrive on Netflix.