Stranger Things
Created by: The Duffer Brothers
Stars: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Cara Buono
Season 3 – Episode 8
Episode title: Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt
Original release date: July 4, 2019
Episode plot: Eleven rids herself of the piece of the Mind Flayer embedded in her wound, rendering her powerless. Hopper’s group arrives, and plans are made to take Eleven’s group to safety. At the same time, Hopper, Joyce, and Murray destroy the machine, with Dustin and Erica navigating them from his radio tower. Billy and the Mind Flayer trap Eleven’s group at the mall. The others attack the Mind Flayer with fireworks as Eleven frees Billy from its control. Billy sacrifices himself to protect Eleven, Mike, and Max. Hopper fights and kills Grigori, getting trapped with the machine in the process. Out of time, Joyce is forced to trigger an explosion, closing the gate, with Hopper seemingly being disintegrated in the process. The Mind Flayer’s physical body dies as Dr. Owens arrives with military forces. Three months later, the deaths are covered up, Starcourt is dismantled, and a disgraced Kline is arrested. The Byers family and a still-powerless Eleven prepare to move out of Hawkins. Eleven confesses her love for Mike and they make plans to meet at Thanksgiving. In Kamchatka, Russian guards are instructed to feed a prisoner, but “not the American”,[a] to a captured Demogorgon.
* * *
Stranger Things – S03E08 – Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt | Full transcript
[tires screeching]
[ominous synth music playing]
[radio static crackling]
Still nothing?
Nothing.
Food court? You sure they said food court?
I’m sorry, have my translation skills been letting you down?
We don’t know it’s your kids.
Yes, we do.
[tires screeching]
[engine revving]
[screaming and sobbing]
[Eleven wails in pain]
[flesh sizzling]
What is that?
[Mike] There’s something in there.
[Eleven] No!
Jesus Christ.
Keep her talking.
Keep her awake, okay?
[Dustin] Jesus Christ.
[grunts]
[panting]
[exhales sharply]
Hey, hey, hey. Stay awake, stay awake.
Let’s get her on this side, on this side.
Easy, easy, easy, easy.
[Robin] It’s, uh…
You know, it’s not actually that bad.
There was a…
The goalie on my soccer team, Beth Wildfire, this other girl slid into her leg, and the bone came out of her knee, six inches or something, it was insane.
Robin.
Yeah?
You’re not helping.
I’m sorry.
[running footsteps] Okay. All right, El?
This is gonna hurt like hell, okay?
[sobs] Okay.
[Jonathan] Need you to stay real still.
Here, you’re gonna want to bite down on this, okay?
[Dustin] Jesus Christ.
[Eleven whimpers]
[Dustin] Holy shit. Holy shit.
Do it.
Okay.
[Dustin murmurs uncomfortably]
[Eleven screams]
[screaming continues]
[Nancy exclaims]
[Dustin] Oh, shit.
[screams, sobs]
[Eleven screeches in pain]
[Mike exclaims]
[Eleven whimpers]
[screams]
Jonathan!
Stop talking!
[screams]
Goddamn it!
No! Stop it!
Stop! Stop!
[grunts] I can do it.
I can do it.
[Eleven panting]
[low frequency vibration]
[Eleven wails]
[Eleven] God!
[vibrations intensify]
[Eleven] God!
[creature chittering]
[wails]
[screaming]
[screaming continues]
[Max yelps]
[Eleven’s screaming continues]
[creature shrieks]
[scream continues]
[grunts]
[creature chitters painfully]
[screeching]
[intense synth music playing]
[theme music playing]
[Mike] The Mind Flayer, it built this monster in Hawkins, to stop El, to kill her and pave a way into our world.
[Nancy] And it almost did.
That was just one tiny piece of it.
[Hopper] How big is this thing?
[Jonathan] It’s big. [murmurs]
Thirty feet, at least.
[Lucas] Yeah.
It sorta destroyed your cabin.
Sorry.
Okay, so, just to be clear, this… this big fleshy spider thing that hurt El, it’s some kind of gigantic… weapon?
Yes.
But instead of, like, screws and metal, the Mind Flayer made its weapon… with melted people.
Yes, exactly.
[Steve] Yeah, okay.
I… Yeah, I’m just making sure.
Are we sure this thing is still out there, still alive?
El beat the shit out of it, but, yeah, it’s still alive.
But if we close the gate again…
We cut the brain off from the body.
And kill it.
Theoretically.
[Murray] Yoohoo!
[papers rustling]
Yoohoo!
Okay, this is what Alexei called “the hub.”
Now, the hub takes us to the vault room.
Okay, where’s the gate?
Right here.
I don’t know the scale on this, but I think it’s fairly close to the vault room, maybe 50 feet or so.
More like 500.
What, you’re just gonna waltz in there like it’s commie Disneyland or something?
I’m sorry, who are you?
Erica Sinclair. Who are you?
Murray…
Bauman.
Listen, Mr. Bunman, I’m not trying to tell you how to do things, but I’ve been down in that shithole for 24 hours.
And with all due respect, you do what this man tells you, you’re all gonna die.
I’m sorry, why is this four-year-old speaking to me?
Um, I’m ten, you bald bastard!
Erica!
Just the facts!
She’s right. You’re all gonna die, but you don’t have to. Excuse me.
Sorry, may I?
Please.
Okay, see this room here?
This is a storage facility.
There’s a hatch in here that feeds into their underground ventilation system.
That will lead you to the base of the weapon.
It’s a bit of a maze down there, but between me and Erica, we can show you the way.
You can show us the way?
Don’t worry, you can do all the fighting and the dangerous hero shit, and we’ll just be your… navigators.
No.
Nope.
[cocks assault rifle]
[Erica] Well, that settles it.
He’s gonna die. They’re gonna die.
Yep, most likely.
You guys survived.
Barely.
We could’ve really used you guys down there.
Could’ve used you up here, too.
Yeah, man. We missed you, dude.
Yeah. Bigtime.
I missed you guys, too.
Bigtime.
Please don’t cry, nerds.
Erica.
Keep saying my name, see what happens.
Hey, heads up. You can navigate, just from someplace safe.
It’s not that simple.
The signal won’t reach.
Not with this. You need something with a high enough frequency band to relay with the Russians’ radio tower.
But for that to work, you need someone who has both seen their comms room and has access to a superpowered handcrafted radio tower, one preferably already situated at the highest point in Hawkins.
Oh, wait.
That’s me.
If you want us to navigate, you got us.
But we need a head start.
And a car.
[“Goldrush” by Yello playing]
Oh, man, now this… this is what I’m talkin’ about!
“Toddfather”?
[Steve] Oh, screw Todd!
Steve’s her daddy now.
[Robin] Did you just talk about yourself in the third person?
Did he just call himself daddy?
All right, where are we going?
Weathertop.
Weatherwhat?
Just drive.
Okay. Jesus!
[engine revs]
[tires squealing]
Bottom lock, secondtotop lock, thirdtotop lock, top lock.
Listen to me, I need to end this, but I will be back before you know it, okay?
I don’t know, Mom.
No, listen. You’re gonna be safe there.
It’s… It’s far away from all this.
You just stick close to your brother and… and do whatever he says.
No matter what. Okay?
I’m not worried about me, Mom, I’m worried about you.
Oh, honey, I’m gonna be fine.
Okay? I’m gonna be fine.
[Will winces]
Okay, Mom.
Okay, Mom. That’s enough.
I’m gonna be fine.
Okay.
Mom, I can’t breathe.
My battery’s low, but…
[Will] You’re suffocating me.
It will recharge.
I know it will, kid.
I know.
I can fight.
Better than any of us.
But right now, I need you safe.
This thing is after you.
It’s not after me.
Do you understand?
Hey…
I need you to understand.
[Hopper, quietly] Okay?
[Mike] Hey.
We should probably go.
[sighs]
[Hopper murmurs]
Mike?
Be careful.
[sighs]
What?
It’s a two-man operation. Two!
Yeah, well, change of plans.
Change of plans?
Yeah. Will you explain it to him, please?
We have two options here, Jim.
We can turn the machine off, or we can explode it.
Oh, yeah, says who?
Says the man who built it!
Yeah, and we wanna explode it!
Or else our heroic efforts will be for naught!
This is a three-man operation, Jim, not two.
Yeah, three.
[Hopper grumbles]
[Eleven grunts in pain]
El, you’re bleeding.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
Here.
Okay.
[Mike] Here.
[Eleven groans]
[Mike] Lay down.
[Eleven whimpers]
[engine sputters]
What’s wrong?
I don’t…
I don’t know.
[engine sputtering]
You can’t be serious. Come on!
Didn’t your mom just buy this car?
Yes. I’m sure it’s fine.
Did you leave the lights on?
No.
Do we have gas?
Yes!
[engine sputters]
Come on!
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Just stop, stop!
Pop the hood.
[hood latch clunks]
[Jonathan] What the hell?
What?
[Jonathan] The ignition cable’s gone.
[car engine roaring]
[engine revving]
[ominous synth music playing]
[engine revving]
[engine revving]
[gasps]
[revving continues]
Back in the mall!
Back in the mall!
[Nancy] Go! Go, go, go!
[Mike] Be careful!
[Nancy] Go! Go!
[revving continues]
[Nancy and Jonathan] Go, go, go!
[revving continues]
[Murray] So then I yank those cables like I’m pulling weeds.
And that’ll set off the alarm…
According to Alexei, may his soul rest in peace.
Which should give you two an opening to retrieve the keys from the vault.
And then we just follow the map to the observation room, turn the key…
Kaboom, we blow this sucker sky-high.
Yeah.
And then, once the rift is closed, we escape back through the vents.
Right under their commie noses.
Then home free.
Uh…
Oh, God, just because it wasn’t your plan doesn’t mean it was a bad plan.
I didn’t say it was a bad plan.
You made a noise.
I did not make a noise.
You did too.
I really think it’s disrespectful…
What is up with you and noises?
Children! Children!
It is a good plan.
A solid B, which is laudable, given the situation and time constraints.
Dare I say, if it all goes right…
[elevator thuds to a stop]
They’ll never even know we were here.
[in Russian] Stop right there!
[in Russian] Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot!
Documents, important documents… for the Lieutenant-Comrade!
He called us, last minute.
Pardon our sloppy appearance.
[in Russian] Lieutenant? What Lieutenant?
Lieutenant…
Molotov?
[soldiers murmur]
[screams]
[Joyce whimpers]
[panting]
Oh, shit.
Jim…
[“Higher and Higher” playing]
This is crazy.
Oh, my God.
Jim, I… This…
I had it under control.
Yeah, sure you did.
[Hopper grunts]
[Joyce] What are you doing?
I’m improvising.
♪ Your love ♪
♪ Liftin’ me higher… ♪
Jesus, how far is this place, man?
Relax, we’re almost there.
Suzie must be pretty special, huh?
I mean, if you built this thing and lugged it all the way to the middle of nowhere just to talk to her?
I mean, nobody’s scientifically perfect, but Suzie’s about as close to being perfect as any human could possibly be.
She sound made-up to me.
She sound made-up to you?
Why are you hesitating, Steve?
I’m… I’m… I’m not! I’m not!
I think she sounds real.
You know, totally, absolutely real.
Left. Turn left.
There’s not a road here.
Turn left now!
[Steve] Jesus! Hang on!
♪ Higher and higher ♪
Whoa! Henderson, where are we going?!
Up!
Whoa!
♪ Liftin’ me higher… ♪
Oh, Jesus!
We’re not gonna make it!
Yes, we are. Come on, baby.
Come on, baby!
[car engine straining]
[Steve] Come on!
[Steve grunts] Come on. Come on.
[Steve] Come on!
Guess the Toddfather has its limitations.
[Steve panting]
[engine stops]
[dramatic synth music playing]
[car doors shutting]
[Mike, on radio]
Scoops Troop, do you copy?
Scoops Troop, do you copy?
[radio static hissing]
[Mike] Scoops Troop, do you copy?
Scoops Troop, I repeat, do you copy?
We’re trapped in the mall and in need of emergency transportation.
[Mike] Scoops Troop, do you copy?
Billy has found us.
He has disabled our car and we are trapped in the mall.
Repeat: Billy has disabled our car and we are trapped in the mall.
Scoops Troop…
You’re gonna kill him, aren’t you?
This is just a precaution, okay?
And not just against Billy.
If he knows we’re here, so does the Mind Flayer.
Scoops Troop, I repeat, we are in need of emergency transportation.
Do you copy?
[radio static hissing]
Scoops Troop, do you copy?
No chance that thing’ll drive, right?
[Mike] Steve, do you copy?
We don’t need it to drive.
[Mike] Dustin!
We just need the ignition cable.
[all straining]
[Jonathan] Push!
[metal squealing]
[straining continues]
[glass shatters]
[Will] Shit!
Let me try.
[panting] El…
[sighs]
I can do it.
[Mike sighs]
[low frequency vibration]
[metal buckling]
[gasps]
[metal squealing]
[strained breaths]
[metal squealing]
[panting]
[vibration intensifies]
[yells]
[female voice speaking Russian on PA]
[brakes squealing]
[in Russian] Can I help?
[in Russian] Picking up.
Do I know you?
New arrivals.
Landed last night.
Say goodbye to sunlight.
Who needs sunlight when we have one another, comrade?
[chuckles] Indeed, comrade!
And a bottle of Stolichnaya.
[both laughing]
[loud beeping]
[Murray and guard continue laughing]
[Murray chuckles]
[loud beeping]
Why are you talking so much?
He was nice.
He was nice?
He was a nice guard.
Yeah, I mean, we should probably invite him over after all this is done.
[Joyce] Yeah, I can bake him a casserole.
[Hopper] Get a sixpack, share some laughs.
You know, have a drink.
[Murray seethes] Ugh.
Anyone wanna trade jobs?
[Dustin on radio] Bald Eagle, do you copy?
Bald Eagle, I repeat, this is Scoops Troop, do you copy?
Yes, I copy.
[all chuckle with relief]
Call sign?
[scoffs]
Bald Eagle.
Please repeat.
Bald Eagle. This is Bald Eagle!
[Dustin] Copy that.
Good to hear your voice, Bald Eagle.
What’s your 20?
We reached the vent.
I’ll contact you when I need you.
Until then, silence.
Roger that, Bald Eagle.
This is Scoops Troop, going radio silent.
1010, over.
I hate children.
[Murray groans]
Remember, if anyone says anything, just…
Smile and nod.
[sighs] Good luck.
[all straining]
[Jonathan] Push!
[metal squealing]
[grunting, panting]
[Jonathan] All right, great.
All right, now, all the way. Ready?
Three, two, one… Push!
[all straining]
Told you.
Physics.
How do we get it open?
Uh, there should be a latch.
Check under the wheel.
[Jonathan] You see it?
[Nancy] I don’t know, hold on.
What’s she doing?
[exhales sharply]
[high frequency vibration]
[vibration intensifies]
[Mike, echoing] El.
[vibration stops] Are you okay?
[ominous music playing]
[Jonathan grunts]
[Nancy] Do you see it?
I don’t know.
It should be right here.
Distributor, distributor…
[fluttering sound]
[distant rumbling]
[pounding footsteps]
Mike.
[skylight glass clinking]
[footsteps continue]
[gasps]
Got it.
Nancy!
[creature snarling]
[Mike] Come on!
[glass shattering]
[shrieking]
[snarling]
[roaring]
[dramatic synth music playing]
[in Russian] We just found them like this.
[in Russian] The American.
It’s taking too long.
It’s fine.
No, it’s not. It is not.
She could’ve died back there.
She almost did.
Well, she’s safe now.
She’s on her way to Murray’s.
That thing won’t find her, not before we kill it.
Hey. This isn’t the way this is supposed to work, all right?
You’re supposed to say, “Yes, I told you so.
That’s why we needed to go back to the kids.”
Oh, yeah, and then you say something like…
[as Hopper]
“Yeah, well, it’s really hard to listen when you make everything sound like it’s the end of the goddamn world.”
[gentle Russian ballad playing]
You know…
I think, despite everything, I mean, despite the arguing, I think we make a pretty good team.
[clicks tongue]
Well, we made it this far, didn’t we?
[Joyce sighs]
Yeah.
We did.
We did.
So, uh… did I get the job or what?
Ah, come on.
Detective Byers.
It has a ring, doesn’t it?
It’s kinda hard to serve in a town where you don’t live, Detective.
[clicks tongue]
You’re still moving outta here.
I mean, that is the plan, right?
[sighs] Eh, we’ll see how it goes.
“How it goes”? How what goes?
You know, if… if we actually do make it out of here, we… we deserve to celebrate, right?
Yeah.
I mean… yes.
Absolutely.
I hear Enzo’s is pretty good.
What do you say, Friday, eight o’clock?
Uh, El likes to watch Miami Vice on Fridays.
It… It starts at 10:00, so I… I can’t be out late on a Friday.
Okay, well, how about 7:00, then?
7:00?
Enzo’s, Friday, I meet you there?
No, you pick me up.
Picking you up, 7:00 p.m. Friday.
Yeah, it’s a date.
[inhales sharply]
Just for clarification, just because I…
I mean, just… If…
When you say “date,” just so that we’re crystal clear,
so there’s no confusion… Yeah?
Yeah, Hop?
Stop talking or I’m gonna change my mind.
Yeah, okay. Yeah.
Okay.
[Russian ballad crescendos]
[grunts]
[radio beeps]
[sighs] Scoops Troop, this is…
Hm.
Bald Eagle.
[Murray] I’ve reached another junction.
[Dustin] This is what?
The fourth junction.
All right, so if memory serves, this is right after the My Little Pony thesis.
We went left, so he has to go right.
Right.
Fly right, Bald Eagle.
[Dustin] Fly right.
Roger that, flying right.
Little shit.
[Robin] What’s the My Little Pony thesis?
[Erica] Don’t get him started.
Get him started? Just tell me…
Hey, guys?
[ominous synth music playing]
Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop!
Do you copy? Over!
Griswold Family, I repeat, this is Scoops Troop. Do you…
[creature shrieks on radio]
Griswold Family, do you copy?
Do you copy?!
[roaring]
[Dustin] Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop. Please confirm your safety! Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop! Please confirm your safety! Are you en route to Bald Eagle’s nest?
[Dustin continues indistinctly]
[creature roaring]
Please confirm your safety! Someone, please just answer. Is anyone there?
[Will shudders]
Just answer!
Anyone, please…
[radio transmission garbles]
[Eleven panting]
[snarling]
[growling]
[chittering noise]
[roaring]
[panting]
[distorted transmission]
Griswold Family, do you copy? Griswold Family, do you copy?
Griswold Family, do you copy?
[snarling sounds on radio]
[Dustin] Do you copy?!
Where are you going?!
To get them the hell outta there!
Stay here, contact the others!
Shit.
Wait, Robin!
Stay in touch.
Got it.
Bald Eagle, this is Scoops Troop.
What’s your 20?
I told you, radio silence!
Yeah, but we have a problem.
What kind of problem?
[roaring]
[hissing and snarling]
[snarling]
[creature growling]
[squelching footsteps]
[snarling]
[panting]
[growling]
It’s turned away.
If we go up the stairs now, we’ll make it.
No way, not with El’s leg.
We have to try.
There’s another way… to get out.
Through the Gap.
[snarling]
[Mike panting]
[whispers] Okay.
Now.
[all panting]
[dramatic synth music playing]
[broken glass clinking]
[Max gasps]
[roars]
[screeching and growling]
[snarling]
[screeching]
[tentacle screeching]
[snarling]
[tentacle chitters, screeches]
[roars]
[creature snarls]
[panting]
Bald Eagle has landed.
Repeat. [panting] Bald Eagle has landed.
[sighs]
Okay.
Come on, how much longer?
I don’t know, I’ve never done this before!
Okay.
Okay, okay!
Get ready, lovebirds, you’re almost up to bat.
[creature lowing]
[tentacle squealing]
[tentacle chitters, snarls]
[screeching]
[alarm blaring]
[indistinct Russian chatter]
[electricity crackling]
[powering down noise]
[buzzer sounds]
[alarm blaring]
[creature snarls]
Oh, shit.
[panting]
What are you doing?
Don’t worry.
[hissing]
[tentacle screeches]
[screeching]
[snarls]
[screeching]
[tentacle squeals]
[Jonathan] Go! Go, go, go, go, go, go!
[Mike] Let’s go.
[alarm blaring]
[indistinct female voice on PA] Let’s go.
[soldiers yelling in Russian]
[in Russian] Did Mikhail send for you?
[female voice speaking Russian on PA]
[Joyce gasps]
All right.
Okay.
Give me the code.
Okay.
Six-six-two, six-oh-eight, oh-oh-four.
[panel beeps]
[straining]
[gasps]
Uh… again?
Six-six-two, six-oh-eight, oh-oh-four.
[panel beeps]
Murray?
Your goddamn code… is wrong.
What? Are you sure?
Yeah, I’m sure.
Well, I… I suppose it could be wrong.
How could it be wrong?
[Murray] The code is a number, a famous number.
Planck’s constant I… I thought I knew it.
[Murray and Hopper argue]
Planck’s constant.
You know it?
Not by heart. You?
I’m not a nerd, nerd.
[Murray] He told me it was Planck’s constant, which I know. Why would I need him to give me a number I already know?
[static hissing]
What are you doing?
[radio static whines]
[Jonathan] Go, go, go!
[Billy’s car engine revs]
[loud revving]
Shit.
Get the car started. Go!
[engine sputtering]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Come on.
[engine revs]
[tires screeching]
Come on.
We gotta go!
Come on!
We gotta go!
[gasps]
[intense synth music playing]
[panting]
[panting]
Are you okay?
Ask me tomorrow?
[creature snarling]
[Robin gasps]
Oh, shit!
[snarling and growling]
[roaring]
[car horn honking]
Get in!
[roaring]
[Lucas] Go, go, go, go!
[Steve] Go, go, go!
[creature screeches]
[roaring]
[crickets chirping]
[distant dog barking]
[radio static crackling]
[Dustin] Suzie, do you copy?
[gasps] Suzie, do you copy? Suzie, do you copy?
This is Suzie. I copy.
Suzie!
Dustybun?
“Dustybun”?
Where have you been?
I’m so, so sorry.
I… I’ve been really busy… uh, trying to save the world from Russians and monsters.
[chuckles] Of course you have.
Get the goddamn number already!
Who was that?
[stammers] It was…
Uh, I don’t know, actually.
I think it was just some interference.
So, why don’t we, uh, change frequency to 14.158? Copy that, shifting frequency. Standby.
[radio whines]
[panting]
[Suzie] Dustybun, you copy?
[Dustin] I copy, Suziepoo. It sounds much better now, thanks.
[both] Suzie.
Okay, so, listen, do you know Planck’s constant?
Do you know the Earth orbits the sun?
[snickers] Okay, so I know it starts with two sixes, and then a…
W-What is it?
Okay, let me just be clear on this.
I haven’t heard from you in a week, and now you want a mathematical equation that you should know so you can… save the world?
Suziepoo, I promise, I will make it up to you as soon as possible.
You can make it up to me now.
What?
I want to hear it.
Not right now.
Yes, now, Dustybun.
Suziepoo, this is urgent.
Yes, yes, you’re saving the world, I heard you the first time, but Ged is also saving Earthsea and he’s about to confront the shadow, so this is Suzie, signing off.
Wait, wait, wait! Okay.
Okay. Okay. Shit.
[sighs]
♪ Turn around ♪
♪ Look at what you see ♪
♪ In her face ♪
♪ The mirror of your dreams ♪
[synth music playing]
[Suzie and Dustin harmonize]
♪ Make believe I’m everywhere ♪
♪ Given in the light ♪
♪ Written on the pages is ♪
♪ The answer to ♪
♪ A never-ending story ♪
[Suzie and Dustin vocalizing]
♪ Reach the stars ♪
♪ Fly a fantasy ♪
[singing sounds on radio]
♪ Dream a dream ♪
♪ And what you see will be ♪
♪ Rhymes that keep their secrets will ♪
♪ Unfold behind the clouds ♪
♪ And there upon a rainbow is ♪
♪ The answer to a never-ending story ♪
[Suzie and Dustin vocalizing]
♪ Story ♪
[Suzie and Dustin vocalizing]
[chuckles]
Planck’s constant is 6.62607004.
[panting]
[keypad beeps]
You just saved the world.
[sighs]
Gosh, I miss you, Dustybun.
And I miss you more, Suziepoo.
I miss you more, multiplied by all the stars in our galaxy.
[Dustin] No, I miss you…
Enough.
[static hissing]
[ominous synth music playing]
[Billy coughs]
[groans]
[grunts]
[buzzer sounding]
Shit!
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!
[panting]
[buzzer sounds]
[creature shrieks]
It’s turning around.
What?
It’s turning around!
Maybe we wore it out.
I don’t think so. Hold on.
[Robin screams]
[straining]
[all panting]
[Eleven groans]
[alarm blaring]
[men yelling in Russian]
[yelling in Russian]
Hey! Everybody out.
Everybody out!
[scientists clamoring]
Hey.
You ready to end this?
[Mike] In here. In here.
Okay. Come on, come on, come on…
Billy.
[Max] Billy, you don’t have to do this.
Billy. Your name’s Billy, Billy Hargrove.
You live on 4819 Cherry Lane.
Billy, please, I’m Max, I’m your…
[Billy yells]
[Mike grunts]
[Billy yells]
[yells]
[Eleven grunts, yelps]
[Billy grunts]
Murray, you all set down there?
All set, but I’ve got some company which I’d love you to obliterate.
Will do. Hang tight.
[beeping]
On three.
On three.
One…
[Joyce exhales]
Two…
[Hopper groans]
[gasps]
[Joyce yelps, grunts]
[Joyce squeals, pants]
[Joyce screams]
[Grigori grunts]
[Joyce yelps in pain]
[in Russian] The Americans, I’ve found them…
[Hopper yells]
[Hopper groans]
[both grunting]
[fighting grunts]
[Hopper grunts, groans]
[Billy whispers] Don’t be afraid.
It’ll be over soon.
Just try and stay… very still.
[creature snarling]
[rumbling footstep]
[snarling]
[whimpering]
[gasping]
[lowing and growling]
[hissing]
[screeching]
[creature wails]
Flay this, you ugly piece of shit!
[screeching]
[screeching]
[fireworks crackling]
[Steve]
Hey, asshole! Over here! [grunts]
[groans]
[Hopper yells]
[both grunting]
[Hopper groans, grunts]
[Grigori yells]
[both grunting]
[electricity crackling]
[panting]
[grunts]
[creature wails]
[groans]
[grunts]
[creature wails]
[groans]
[screeching]
[Billy groans]
[Hopper groans]
[Grigori yells]
[both grunting]
[screeching in pain]
[fireworks whistling]
[Billy screams]
[panting]
[Eleven screams]
[screaming]
[creature roaring]
[panting]
[console beeping]
[Hopper yells]
[Grigori groans]
[wails]
[Hopper grunts]
[Grigori grunts]
[creature snarling]
We’re almost out!
I know!
Dustin! We’re out of time!
Hurry! Close it now!
[Dustin] Close it!
[console beeping]
[straining]
Come on!
Mike…
Mike.
Mike.
Mike. Mike. Mike, get up.
Mike, can you hear me? Mike! Mike!
[Mike whimpers]
[Max] Hey, come on.
You okay?
Where’s El?
[roaring]
[panting]
[winces]
[Eleven whimpers]
[Eleven screams]
[laughing]
[young Billy] Leave me alone!
Stop it!
Mom!
[Billy’s dad] This is your new sister.
[young Billy] …at least seven feet.
[distorted screaming]
Seven… feet. [gasps]
[fireworks crackling]
[gentle music playing]
You told her… the wave was seven feet.
[Billy’s mom] Woo!
Yeah! [laughs]
[Eleven cries]
You ran to her, on the beach.
[laughing]
There were seagulls.
[squawking]
She wore a hat…
[Billy sniffles]
With a blue ribbon.
[Billy gasps]
[Eleven] A long dress… with a blue and red flower.
Yell… Yellow sandals, covered in sand. She was pretty.
[laughing]
She was really pretty.
And you… you were happy.
[laughing]
[straining]
[Hopper groans]
[both grunting]
[Grigori screams]
[Hopper grunts]
[Grigori wails]
I’ll see you in hell!
[Grigori grunts]
[Hopper gasps]
[electricity whooshing]
[fireworks whistling and crackling]
[Nancy] Hit me.
[grunts]
[roaring]
We’re out!
Damn it!
[roaring]
[snarling]
[roaring]
[roaring continues]
[screeching]
[snarling and roaring]
[Billy] No!
[Billy yells]
[creature screeching]
[yells]
[creature shrieking]
[screams in pain]
[creature screeches]
[Billy screams]
Close it now!
Close it!
[dramatic synth music playing]
[Joyce straining]
[roaring]
[screams]
[roaring]
Billy!
[Billy grunts]
[electricity crackling]
[screeching]
[snarling]
[roaring]
[groaning]
[dramatic synth music playing]
[weak snarling sound]
[panting]
El.
Mike!
[Eleven sobs and whimpers]
Billy?
[coughing]
Billy.
Billy, Billy, get up, please.
Billy, get up, please, please.
I’m sorry.
Billy…
[exhales sharply]
Billy. Billy.
Billy, wake up. Billy, get up.
Please, Billy…
[sobs] Billy!
Billy… [sniffles] Billy…
I’m sorry.
[sobbing] It’s okay. It’s okay.
It’s okay. It’s okay.
[crying]
[sobbing] Hop.
Jim. Where’s Jim?
[Joyce gasps]
[yelling in Russian]
[helicopter blades whirring]
[soldier] Let’s go! Go! Come on!
[soldiers yelling indistinctly]
You all right?
[soldiers yelling] Hands up!
Don’t shoot! American!
We’re Americans! Americans!
[soldiers yelling indistinctly]
[soldiers yelling indistinctly]
[ominous synth music playing]
[sirens wailing]
Hey, come on, let’s go!
Go, go!
[indistinct radio chatter]
[sirens wailing]
[emotional synth music playing]
[Joyce sobs]
[Joyce] Thank God!
[helicopters flying overhead]
[sobbing]
[news fanfare playing]
[male reporter]
Welcome to Hawkins, Indiana, a wonderful place to grow up, to raise your family, to walk your dog.
But then…
[sirens wailing]
On July Fourth, everything changed. A terrible tragedy struck this small town. But this was not this small town’s first brush with tragedy. Mysterious deaths, government coverups, a bizarre chemical leak. Is it all linked? All a vast conspiracy? The fault of a disgraced, corrupt mayor? Or is something more going on in the heartland?
Can a town itself be cursed?
[woman screams] Some believe a rise in Satanism is to blame.
[eerie cackling laughter]
To find out, tune in tonight at 8:00 p.m. for “Horror in the Heartland” on Cutting Edge.
[indistinct chatter]
You put your mom down as a reference?
Yeah. Why not?
She’s, like, super well-respected.
[Robin] You’re such a dingus.
[Steve] Wha…
[Robin] Uh, just to be clear, we weren’t fired, you know.
The mall burned down and, like, killed a bunch of people.
Thanks for sharing.
Didn’t know.
Three favorite movies. Go.
Uh… The Apartment, Hidden Fortress, Children of Paradise.
You, go.
Favorite movies?
Did I stutter?
Uh… Animal House, for sure.
[Robin scoffs] Um…
Eyes on me, Harrington.
Yeah. Uh…
Star Wars. A New Hope? A new what-now?
Which Star Wars? The one with the teddy bears. Duh.
[squeals like an Ewok]
No? Uh… Oh, the one that just came out.
The movie that just came out.
The one with the DeLorean and Alex P. Keaton, and he’s trying to bang his mom.
[chuckles]
The time…
Yeah, those are my top three. Classics.
You start Monday.
You start never.
Will you just, um…
Will you give us a minute?
Why?
Steve.
[yanks resume aggressively]
[Robin scoffs] All right, you have to understand, Keith, I know his taste is a bit pedestrian, but the dingus has other qualities.
He’s a douchebag of the highest order, Robin.
He was a bit of a prick to us in high school, I’ll grant you that, but he remains… a total chick magnet.
Yeah, okay, and this is relevant to me how?
Uh, Earth to Keith.
The ladies will come in just to see him.
They’ll come in in droves.
Droves, Keith.
We sold so much ice cream, they had to get a second shipment in from Michigan.
Goddamn Michigan, Keith.
And these ladies… [inhales sharply] These ladies are hot.
They’re so very hot.
And there are too many of them for little Steve.
He needs assistance.
He needs your assistance, Keith.
What’s in it for you?
You got a thing for him or something?
[Steve] Goddammit. This is…
Hm.
We’re just, um…
We’re just friends.
Oh!
Fast Times. Fast Times.
Ever heard of it?
Top three for me, Keith.
[laughs]
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow down.
Sorry. Sorry.
Still got it?
Yeah, yeah.
[Max and Lucas] ♪ Turn around ♪
♪ Look at what you see ♪
♪ In her face ♪
♪ The mirror of your dreams ♪
♪ Rhymes that keep their secrets ♪
♪ Will unfold behind the clouds ♪
Wait, did we get that verse right?
It’s “unfold behind the clouds”?
Yeah, but you’re butchering it, so could you please stop?
So then join in, Dustybun.
[blows air kiss]
Yeah, come on, Dustybun, why don’t you join us?
You guys are so funny, you should be on Carson.
Can’t we just hear your rendition?
No.
Please? Just one verse?
No. No way. It’s reserved for Suzie’s ears and Suzie’s ears alone.
♪ Turn around ♪
♪ Look at what you see ♪
♪ In their face ♪
[Lucas claps]
♪ The mirror of your dreams ♪
[Dustin] Shut up, you guys.
♪ Rhymes that keep their secrets ♪
[Dustin] Stop! You guys, please, shut up.
Whoa, dude. That’s the donation box.
I know.
I’ll just use yours when I come back.
I mean, if we still wanna play.
Yeah, but what if you want to join another party?
Not possible.
[chuckles]
[Jonathan sighs]
Is that… everything?
I guess so.
[sighs]
Seventeen years of my life… packed up in one day.
What if I just… don’t let you go?
I think… the new owners might kick us out.
You could stay in our basement.
Your dad’d love that.
We could hide you in a tent, like El.
Hey.
[Nancy sighs]
It’s gonna be okay.
[Jonathan sighs]
As a wise man once said… we’ve got shared trauma.
So what’s a little more, right?
[Jonathan chuckles]
What’s a little more?
[Jonathan chuckles softly]
[strains, sighs]
[weak high frequency vibration]
[vibration intensifies, stops]
[panting]
[Mike] They’ll come back.
I know they will.
Thanks.
You packed your walkie, right?
Yes.
Because you know that I’m gonna steal Cerebro from Dustin and call you so much, you’re gonna have to turn it off, right?
[both chuckle]
Did you talk to your mom?
About Thanksgiving?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I got the okay. I’ll be there.
And then I was thinking maybe you could come up here for Christmas.
And Will, too.
You can come before or after Christmas, or whatever Mrs. Byers wants, but I was thinking Christmas Day could be super fun, because we’d all have cool new presents to play with and, uh…
[chuckles]
Sorry, that made me sound like a seven-year-old.
I like presents, too.
Yeah, cool. Yeah.
I like… I like presents, too.
Cool.
Mike?
Yeah?
[sighs]
Remember that day… at the cabin, you were talking to Max?
Um…
I don’t think I follow.
You talked about your… your feelings, your heart.
Oh.
Oh, yeah, that.
Man, that was so long ago. Um…
That was really heat of the moment stuff, and we were arguing and…
I don’t really remember…
What did I say, exactly?
Mike…
[emotional synth music playing]
I love you, too.
[Joyce clicks tongue, sighs]
Donation box?
Uh, yeah, sure.
[Joyce clears throat]
What is that?
Uh…
It… It’s the speech Hop wrote for you and Mike.
Speech?
Yeah. You know, the heart-to-heart.
He never talked to you, did he?
[scoffs]
Can I read?
[Hopper] “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you both about. I know this is a difficult conversation, but I care about you both very much.
And I know that you care about each other very much.
And that’s why it’s important that we set these boundaries moving forward, so we can build an environment… where we all feel… comfortable… trusted… and open…
“to sharing our feelings.”
Feelings.
[murmurs]
[Hopper] Feelings. Jesus.
[chuckles]
The truth is, for so long, I’d forgotten what those even were. I’ve been stuck in one place, in a cave, you might say. A deep, dark cave. And then, I left some Eggos out in the woods, and you came into my life and… for the first time in a long time, I started to feel things again. I started to feel happy. But, lately, I guess I’ve been feeling… distant from you. Like you’re… you’re pulling away from me or something. I miss playing board games every night, making triple-decker Eggo extravaganzas at sunrise, watching westerns together before we doze off. But I know you’re getting older. Growing. Changing. And I guess… if I’m being really honest, that’s what scares me. I don’t want things to change. So, I think maybe that’s why I came in here, to try to maybe… stop that change. To turn back the clock. To make things go back to how they were.
[Hopper sighs deeply]
But I know that’s naive. It’s just… not how life works. It’s moving. Always moving, whether you like it or not. And, yeah, sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s sad. And sometimes… it’s surprising. Happy. So, you know what? Keep on growing up, kid. Don’t let me stop you. Make mistakes, learn from ’em, and when life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt. The hurt is good. It means you’re out of that cave. But, please, if you don’t mind, for the sake of your poor old dad, keep the door open three inches.
[laughs]
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[“Heroes” by Peter Gabriel playing]
♪ I ♪
♪ I will be king… ♪
[knocking on door]
Are you okay?
Yeah.
[sniffles]
Time to go?
Yeah.
I’ll be out in a minute.
Okay.
♪ Oh, we could be heroes ♪
♪ Just for one day ♪
♪ Oh, we can be us ♪
♪ Just for one day ♪
♪ I ♪
♪ I can remember ♪
♪ Standing ♪
♪ Standing by the wall ♪
♪ And the guns ♪
♪ Shot above our heads ♪
♪ Oh, we can be heroes ♪
♪ Just for one day ♪
[wind whistling]
[wind howling]
[ominous synth music playing]
[in Russian] No. Not the American.
[lock clicking]
[in Russian] No, I’m begging you…
No! Don’t!
No! Please! No! Don’t!
[prisoner] No, don’t!
Don’t do this!
[prisoner] Let me go!
[prisoner grunts] Let me go!
[prisoner yells in Russian]
[prisoner continues yelling]
[prisoner wails and grunts]
[prisoner grunts]
[muttering in Russian]
Don’t leave me in here.
[muttering in Russian]
Let me out, I’m innocent.
I’m innocent!
I’m begging you, please!
[metal squealing]
[door hinge squealing]
[snarling]
[snarling and growling]
[Demogorgon shrieks]
[snarling and squealing]
[snarling]
[chitters]
[squelching and clicking]
[snarling]
[screams]
[screeching]
[theme music playing]
[monkey screeching]
