Stranger Things season 4 episode 8 recap: Papa

This article contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4 episode 8.

Eleven prepares for her fight with Henry and Nancy shares what she learned from falling into Vecna’s curse in this episode of Stranger Things season 4.

Catch up here on everything from the last episode!

This eighth episode of Stranger Things season 4 begins where episode 7 left off, with Eleven sending Henry/One through a portal. Dr. Brenner walks in as he did in the opening scene of episode 1, except audiences then see Eleven pass out after stopping Henry following his murder spree.

Back through Vecna giving visions to Nancy, the eldest Wheeler child is still being haunted by the monster that was once Henry Creel. Vecna tells Nancy to inform Eleven of everything she sees before sending her visions of Hawkins being destroyed.

Nancy is then released by Vecna so she can complete the task.

In the Russian prison, Hopper, Joyce, Murray, Antonov, and a restrained Yuri are away from the prison guards but with the Demogorgon still loose there is still danger looming. They are able to heal up and prepare as Hop and Joyce share some loving moments.

When they all hear Demogorgon rumblings coming from a door, Hopper leads the party to find a wounded beast restrained down and wounded. Jim puts it out of its misery before Antonov finds a grate they use to aid in their escape.

Stranger Things season 4 episode 8: Will reminds Mike why he’s awesome

At the Nina shelter, Eleven is defibrillated awake after passing out reliving her last encounter with Henry. Eleven stands up on her own accord before lifting the Nina machine, proving she has her powers back.

Jonathan is driving Argyle, Mike, and Will to the Nina coordinates Suzie discovered. Mike is talking to Will about how he is scared of losing Eleven in case she does not need him anymore. To help his best friend out, Will shows the painting he worked on.

This painting is of Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin as their D&D characters fighting a beast. Will explains that Mike is leading the party because he is a leader and they need him just like El needs him, just like she always will.

Eleven is learning from Brenner down in the Nina shelter how her powers were never gone, just put out. All they needed was a spark. The evil doc goes on to explain he always knew Henry was out there and the murders in Hawkins confirmed it.

Brenner completes his warning by saying Henry has been chiseling away, trying to bring this other world to theirs, and he’s almost done. In response to this reveal, Eleven takes a moment in her private room to turn the sink water on and begin focusing.

Stranger Things season 4 episode 8: Making a plan to stop Vecna

Now that she is out of Vecna’s curse, Nancy explains everything she saw and was told. When Nancy is done explaining how their town was going to be destroyed, Max realizes Vecna plans to kill one more time before his plan is complete and he will have four portals.

As Max tries to call the Byers home in Lenora, Eleven is able to sense her friends, without being submerged in salt water, and hear them as they discuss how the Californian half of their group is likely dealing with something related to Vecna.

Nancy states they have to go back to the Upside Down and kill Vecna. Robin and Dustin point out that since he is like Eleven, they know about the weakness of being vulnerable when he is in a trance state. Luckily, they already know he hunts while in his childhood attic.

Max volunteers herself as bait as the rest of the group devise a plan to get to Vecna.

On the external end of the grate, Hopper continues to lead his friends and Yuri away from the prison and the guards. After one last drive through the outermost gate, the prison escape is complete. They get Yuri to help them escape the Soviet Union altogether by kindly threatening his life.

In order to stock up on weapons for the Upside Down, Eddie informs everyone of a store that has plenty of weapons for killing things. In order to get there, Eddie has to use the hot wiring skills he swore he would never use to steal his neighbor’s RV that Steve crazily drives out.

Eleven goes to Owens to inform him her friends are in danger since they are going after One. He promises to protect them but El wants to go instead of a group of men. Brenner comes in and tells them both she is not ready for One because he has far stronger than he once was.

Much to Brenner’s dismay, Owens sticks up for Eleven since she is making a choice and has her get ready to go.

Stranger Things season 4 episode 8: Hopper tries getting help from the US

As they are driving to the store, Steve tells Nancy of the big family plans he has. Lucas goes to talk to Max and tries to talk her out of it but Max has thought it through. She will focus on her happy memories and hiding in the light. Lucas says when Max starts lifting is when Kate Bush will play.

Yuri leads Antonov and the Americans to a hideout where a rinky-dink plane is there. Joyce has the idea to call Owens for resources or something so Antonov uses his back channels but it will take a bit for these channels to process. In the meantime, they have to wait out at Yuri’s hideout.

At the weapons surplus store, they all split up to get their supplies. As Robin and Steve are shopping, Robin sees her crush, Vickie, and her eyes light up before Vickie’s boyfriend kisses her and Robin walks away in shame.

Nancy is looking to buy a shotgun when she sees Jason. He has threatening energy about him as he asks about Mike and his Hellfire friends. Erica notices Jason and plenty of other basketball letterman jackets so the group hurries up and leaves the store with Jason looking on.

As Jonathan is driving everyone, he gets more frustrated since there are no signs of life around. He stops the van and checks the coordinates himself but they are the same as Suzie’s. Argyle wanders off to find military tire tracks, likely Colonel Sullivan, so they hop back in the van.

Stranger Things season 4 episode 8: Brenner shows his true colors (again)

Owens is calling his contacts in Hawkins but the service cuts and military men surround the good doctor. It turns out Brenner organized it so he can keep Eleven here to prepare her for facing One. He does this by trying to manipulate Eleven and telling the same lies he’s told for years.

Eleven sees through it now and knows “Papa” is to blame for all the dead and havoc caused. She is done blaming herself and seeing herself as the monster because he, Brenner, is the monster. El decides she is leaving and will kill Brenner if he tries to stop her.

She turns around to open the door but Brenner injects Eleven with something to knock her out. As it takes time to go through her system, Eleven tries using her powers to kill Brenner but passes out before she is done.

The Hawkins gang is getting ready to attack Vecna, something Nancy is doing by sawing off her shotgun. Eddie has Dustin promise he will never change being his true self and the Sinclairs have a nice sibling bonding moment. Robin and Steve reflect on the uphill battle they are heading into.

Waking up with some robotic collar on, Eleven hears Brenner talking about how he is begrudgingly holding her against her will. Before any experiments can occur, Colonel Sullivan finds the Nina facility and is making an attempt to kill El.

Brenner moves Eleven away as Sullivan and his men make their way easily through the guards protecting the facility. Sullivan eventually finds Owens and asks where the girl is.

Stranger Things season 4 episode 8: Brenner and Eleven make a run

Above ground, Brenner is carrying Eleven out of the facility when a gunman from a helicopter shoots him and he drops Eleven. After getting confirmation from the Colonel, the gunman is about to shoot El when a car horn is heard and Jonathan is driving toward them.

When the gunman is told to ignore the civilians, he turns back to Eleven to find her standing up. El uses her powers to move the copter before having it crash to the ground engulfed in flames. The van pulls up and Eleven is reunited with Mike, Will, and everyone else.

Jonathan says they need to go when Eleven’s collar unlocks. Brenner, who is fatally wounded, unlocked it so Eleven goes to him. He states he did everything out of love and begs Eleven to say she understands.

In response, Eleven drops Brenner’s hand and says “Goodbye, Papa.” before she gets in the van as it drives off. Sullivan exits the facility just in time to see Argyle’s pizza van drive off. As this happens, Brenner also watches the van drive off as he looks to give his last breath.

The episode ends with the Hawkins group dividing into two groups. The first group has Max, Lucas, and Erica who will be at the Creel house baiting Vecna. The other group goes to one of the portals so they can attack in the Upside down.

Who will come out of the fight against Vecna still standing? Will Eleven be able to help her friends in time? 

Let us know your answers and opinions in the comments below!

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