WARNING: There will be spoilers after the conclusion of Stranger Things 4 on Friday, which consisted of a monster-sized two-episode finale. The creators of the series revealed three sequences from the finale that wasn’t in the original screenplay on Twitter.
On July 1, Volume 2 of Stranger Things debuted on streaming services, bringing with it the epic, four-hour conclusion to the eagerly anticipated fourth season. After the series finale aired, the Stranger Things writers shared on Twitter which parts of the intensely emotional episodes were improvised by the cast. First, they wasted no time in shattering our hearts by revealing that Joseph Quinn was the source of Eddie’s (Joseph Quinn) final words to Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), “I love you, man.” Shortly later, Another impromptu indication that Caleb McLaughlin alone was to blame for Lucas’ tragic, desperate plea for “Erica, help” was in the writers’ report. I don’t know about you, but after reading these two lines by Quinn and McLaughlin, I started crying.
When David Harbour’s Hopper is on his way to face off against the Demogorgon in the prison, Winona Ryder’s Joyce interrupts him at one point. Noting that she doesn’t want to hold a second funeral for him, she begs him to take caution while on his mission. They kiss each other softly at that very time. The Stranger Things authors’ account tweeted, “This kiss wasn’t written.” “On the day of filming, Winona and David added it.”
This kiss wasn’t scripted, Winona and David added it on the day of filming pic.twitter.com/9vSWwYliWU
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) July 2, 2022
It was also not planned, according to a different post, for Eddie (played by Joseph Quinn) to tell Dustin (played by Gaten Matarazzo), “I love you, man.” The writers admitted that Joe made up the line “I love you, man.”
“I love you, man” was improvised by Joe pic.twitter.com/z5gYyl18KF
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) July 2, 2022
One final amazing moment of spontaneity from the cast was shared by the Stranger Things authors. On paper, Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) were only supposed to have one “huge damn kiss,” but Ryder and Harbour agreed to include the second, softer exchange of passionate kisses the day they shot the sequence. Joyce is experiencing traumatic memories of losing Bob (Sean Astin), but Hopper promises her that this time will be different since he has a new purpose written all over his face.
Last but not least, actor Caleb McLaughlin improvised the scene where Lucas begs for aid while being beaten by Jason.
“Erica, help” was improvised by Caleb. pic.twitter.com/9g5etO5VAz
— stranger writers (@strangerwriters) July 2, 2022
The emotional impact of each of these events builds throughout the Stranger Things climax, transforming the narrative into something both heartbreaking and stunning. Additionally, it demonstrates the superb ensemble cast’s impeccable intuition. If Eddie hadn’t told Dustin he loved him with his final breaths, Eddie’s death would have hurt at least twice as much. The unrestrained pain in McLaughlin’s voice as he pleads for aid in vain just adds to Lucas’ agony as Max lies dying in his arms. And Joyce and Hopper’s well-earned romance would not have had the same level of embodied emotion and nuance if Ryder and Harbour had not pushed into the authenticity of Hopper sneaking in one last kiss. before beginning another terrifying dance with death, he returns to the lady he loves.
Sadie Sink, who portrays Max, claims that this kind of cooperation frequently occurs on the set of the Matt and Ross Duffer-produced television program, even with the younger cast members. This week, she spoke with Deadline about her experience. The Duffers never once treated us any differently than they would an adult cast member, which is something that all the kids have liked, according to Sink. They made the workplace incredibly enjoyable and respected and valued our thoughts. They genuinely just listened to us and worked with us, never in any way undermining us.
