"Stranger Things" Season 4 Includes Three Super Emotional Moments That Were Actually Improvised By The Actors On Set

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🚨 There are MASSIVE — and I really mean massive — SPOILERS ahead for Stranger Things 4, Vol. 2. So, if you have NOT watched yet, do not keep reading and save this for later! 🚨

Hi, yes, hello. Stranger Things Season 4 has officially come to an end and this season was honestly one of my favorites. There was so much action, iconic new characters, and everything is now coming together as we head into the final season of the show.

Eddie from Stranger Things welcoming you in to this post
Netflix

Now, going into Season 4, Vol. 2, aka the massive final two episodes that spanned close to four hours, I had a feeling there were moments that would make me weep. I mean, the Duffer brothers were warning us that tissues would be necessary.

Above, Eleven's nose bleeds in an orange haze, below, a trio in a battle
Netflix

With every major character's life seemingly hanging in the balance before the start of Episode 8, it's no surprise that the final two episodes delivered some of the most gut-wrenching scenes in Stranger Things history, with a few happier moments that also made me cry.

Above, Vecna holds Max and below, Hopper and Joyce embrace
Netflix

And now that the final two episodes are here, the Stranger Things writers are sharing some of the magic that went into creating the epic season finale. This includes three key moments that weren't in the original scripts, but were actually improvised by the actors on set.

First, in Episode 9, aka "The Piggyback," there's a lot of heartbreak. I won't deny it. But, there's also some very happy moments, like Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) finally sharing a long-awaited kiss after reuniting in Russia.

Joyce and Hopper share a really big kiss
Netflix

I'm not exaggerating when I tell you I was so caught off guard that this was happening in the first five minutes of the finale that I missed some very important dialogue afterward.

Joyce and Hopper looking lovingly into each other's eyes
Netflix

Not only do Joyce and Hopper share their first kiss in this episode, but they kiss once again before Hopper leaves Joyce to go lure a Demogorgon into the fighting pit at the Russian prison.

Hopper tells Joyce "This time, it's gonna be different" before they kiss again
Netflix

This second kiss wasn't in the original script according to the writers, but was added in by Winona and David while filming the scene. For years, Winona and David have talked about how much they love Joyce and Hopper's relationship on Stranger Things, and I'm so happy they are finally getting to explore the romantic side of it. I mean, they do have some of the best onscreen chemistry of all time.

Hopper and Joyce hold each other close
Netflix

Next, in Episode 9, Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Robin (Maya Hawke), Dustin (Gaten Mattarazzo), and Eddie (Joseph Quinn) enter the Upside Down in hopes of putting an end to Vecna. While Steve, Nancy, and Robin venture to the old Creel house to literally set fire to Vecna's body, Dustin and Eddie are left to distract the demobats.

Above, Steve, Nancy, and Robin in the house; middle and below Dustin and Eddie
Netflix

As soon as Eddie decided not to leave the Upside Down with Dustin, I knew he probably wasn't going to make it out of this episode alive, but it still hurt to watch the demobats swarm Eddie and then for Dustin to finally catch up to him.

Dustin crying as Eddie dies
Netflix

As if Eddie's death scene couldn't be any more heartbreaking, the Stranger Things writers said that Joseph improvised Eddie's final line where he tells Dustin "I love you" while filming. BRB, I'm gonna go sob again.

Eddie tells Dustin he's going to graduate and that he loves him
Netflix

I mean, at least the writers gave us this wholesome behind-the-scenes photo of Joseph and Dustin to help with the pain, right?!

And finally, I think it's safe to say that Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) deals with the most trauma, and is involved in arguably the most heartbreaking moment the show has ever given us.

Max cries as Vecna holds her captive and Eleven screams for her
Netflix

Once again, Max finds herself in the Upside Down and trapped by Vecna, and even with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) coming to her rescue, things do not end well for her. As we've seen in his style in earlier episodes, Max is not in a good place after Vecna gets her, and I really thought she was dead.

Lucas screams for Max as her eyes bleed from being held by Vecna
Netflix

Eventually, Vecna is defeated, for now, and Max lands back on the ground in the real world, with Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) clutching her body. It's the saddest scene, and Sadie and Caleb deserve every award EVER for their work in this moment.

Max says she can't see and doesn't want to die as Lucas holds her close
Netflix

And now the scene just got all the more heartbreaking because the final improvised line the Stranger Things writers revealed was that Caleb came up with Lucas saying, "Erica, help," during filming. I simply cannot handle this, thank you very much.

Lucas holds Max as she's dying and then says, "Erica, help!"
Netflix

Basically, I love that the Stranger Things writers shared these small moments being improvised because it just goes to show how well these actors know their characters.

What did you think of Stranger Things 4, Vol. 2? Tell us everything in the comments below!