Stranger Things 4 Episode 4: Dear Billy: Thoughts & Analysis
Pressure is on for the Hawkings gang, as they have to figure out how to save Max from Vecna. Luckily, we have the new duo of Nancy and Robin for that. Their plan is to sneak into Pennhurst Asylum and talk to Victor Creel, as he is the only one who managed to escape from Vecna alive. However, they first have to bypass the head administrator, so they take on the personas of psychology students, and Robin is forced to wear her worst nightmare. Nancy’s sweet talk wasn’t cutting it, so Robin, more out of exasperation, steps in and delivers an emotionally charged yet fake story about how Victor Creel was the reason for her pursuing this career.
I was quite taken aback at this scene. Even though the story was made up, Maya Hawke’s delivery made it actually sound emotional, and I felt myself drawn in. This was also a huge character moment for Robin, both individually and her relationship with Nancy, who is starting to truly respect and value her. The small high five scene warmed my heart because it was that moment when I felt them starting to click.
The rest of the gang, now joined by Lucas, keep Max company. Max writes goodbye letters, which I feel very ominous about… She then demands Steve to take her to the trailer so she can say goodbye to her Mom, and it’s all sentimental until her Mom turns out to be Vecna. It’s a chilling transformation. Lastly, Max goes to Billy’s grave to finally get closure. Her letter was emotional and filled with pathos. The way Max tries to remain stoic with her voice, but can’t control the tears… it’s acting on a whole different level. Then, what we all knew was coming: Max gets cursed.
Meanwhile, Nancy and Robin find a broken, eyeless Victor Creel, who was unable to provide a clear answer. All he recounted was that his wife died, as well as his daughter, and his son was left in a coma. The closest clue he gave was that he heard an angel’s voice. But oh no, Nancy and Robin’s cover gets blown, so they get escorted back. When passing the musical therapy room, Robin remembers a detail that music unlocks certain parts of the brain. She then connects this to Victor, who, when asked how he survived, started singing a song. The same song which was playing at the dinner table where the family got cursed.
Back to Max, she comes face to face with her brother, and it’s chilling. He says that deep down, Max was happy he died, and that she will be alone and die alone. She monetarily hides from Vecna in the grave before being transported to his mind lair, the desecrated Creel House. Vecna immobilizes her and brings his claw up. Luckily, Nancy and Robin have the answer, so they tell Steve, who yells at Dustin, who runs and grabs Max’s headphones and walkman before putting them on, just as she begins to rise up.
The song opens a gateway for Max to escape. She finds her strength and light that is her friends: Eleven, Dustin, and Lucas. She slices Vecna across the neck and breaks away. Vecna sends spiraling pillars her way, but she keeps running and running, and just as it looks that she got hit, she opens her eyes and falls down to the ground shaken. Together they all embrace and the episode closes with a fading sunset.
Do I even need to say that this is one of the best, if not the most emotional scene in Stranger Things ever?! It’s Max’s emotion; it’s the music; it’s the flashbacks; it’s everything. Sadie Sink’s performance this whole season, but especially this episode, is just beyond anything. Her character has always been stoic, but it’s the added vulnerability that makes you see her in a different light. She really tapped into her dark emotions, visible through her face and expressions, but her inner strength and toughness remain unbreakable. Max is the MVP.
Now moving onto California, where we see Mike and Will start to mend their strained relationship. Mike is heartbroken that El left and didn’t take him with her, so Will offers support by assuring he will see her again, and whatever he didn’t say, he will say then. They also discuss Owen’s, who was Will’s doctor back in season 2, and whether they can trust him. Then Jonathan comes in and together they make a plan to escape and find Eleven themselves, with Argyle being the key.
Mike and Will head downstairs and deceivingly ask the agents to order pizza from where Argyle works. While Will is packing, Mike comes in and starts to address what happened between them at the roller rink. Will immediately accepts the blame, saying he was a jerk to El. But Mike replies that is not the case at all. He then admits he focused so much on El that he ended up losing Will. Noah Schnapp's acting is really powerful here with his facial expressions and eyes; so much emotion is made tangible. Mike closes by saying he wants to work together as friends… best friends. This scene just warms my heart. I’m glad they addressed their strained relationship, which started in season 3, because Mike and Will were really close in the early seasons and it was sad to see them drift apart. Hopefully their dynamic remains strong in volume 2.
Following this heartfelt moment, the evil government faction comes in with a surprise shootout. This scene definitely took me aback, especially as it was moments after Mike and Will’s heart-to-heart. The escape scene which follows was Stranger Things in a new territory, and the one camera shot they pulled off was brilliant. Acting was strong here as well, especially Will; he was losing it. Luckily, Jonathan, Mike, and Will, and one of the agents get to the van as Argyle drives for their lives. We’ll see where this picks up in episode 5.
Final Rating: 9.5/10
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