So I finished binging the 1980’s retro awesomeness that is Stranger Things 2. I watched, I watched again, and I have to tell you, something is off – and it has to do with a blue hair bow.
Don’t get me wrong. All of the characters’ struggles with emotional growing pains and psychological demons are just as important, if not more important, than the fight against the Big Bad of the series, the Mind Flayer demon. But it’s the emotional arc of Hopper and Eleven, separately, and as father and daughter, that grounds the season.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or in an off-the-grid cabin in the woods), you know this new family unit is sealed by a blue hair bow. The hair bow belonged to Hopper’s daughter, Sara, who died of illness some years earlier. All through ST1 and ST2, Hopper wears the hair bow as a bracelet, keeping Sara’s memory close. At the end of Season 2, the quiet, under-the-radar transfer of the bracelet from Hopper’s wrist to Eleven’s wrist serves as a tender, bittersweet symbol of Hopper’s all-in commitment to love and protect Eleven as his own child.
His only living child.
Umm . . . are we sure about that?
While I tend to keep my random bouts of rabid fangirl obsession to myself, I’m willing to make this rare exception. Something has been bothering me ever since I finished ST2. I’ve read online commentary and either I’m not looking in the right place, no one is talking about this, or the Duffer brothers are pulling a WTF Jedi Mind Trick on everyone.
I think Sara Hopper is alive.
Seriously, seriously.
Before I make my case, be warned that my theory requires mention of the ST2 red-headed stepchild episode that has been the brunt of much (I think) undeserved criticism. You know the one I mean. I’ll come back to that in a minute. Let’s begin, shall we:
- The Coif Conundrum:
In ST2, Episode 5, Dig Dug, we see the tragic back story of Eleven’s mother, Terri Ives. Terri allowed herself to be used as a test subject in a secret government project, not realizing she was pregnant at the time. Terri gives birth to Eleven (Jane) but is told she miscarried. When Terri breaks into the lab, she enters the Rainbow Room and sees a child she identifies as her stolen child, Jane.
The first problem is obvious: We assume Terri has never seen her daughter. How would she know this child is her child?
The second problem is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious obvious:
Here’s a picture of the child with Kali in the Rainbow Room:
Here’s a picture of Eleven:
Soooo, the child in the Rainbow Room has straight blonde hair and Eleven – doesn’t.
However, this is a picture of Hopper’s daughter, Sara:
Houston, we have a problem, Exhibit A.
2. The Conspiracy Theorist:
Back in ST1, Hopper and Joyce visited Terri Ives. When Terri’s sister, Becky, explains all the medical personnel attested to the miscarriage and there is no birth certificate, it’s Hopper who says, “Yeah, but that could have been covered up, right?”
If the government can cover up a birth, why can’t they fake a death?
Laying the groundwork, Exhibit B.
3. The Staircase Recurrence:
Kudos to the eagle-eyed fans (not me, I missed this) who picked up on the same Hawkins Lab stairwell in Hopper’s crying-over-Sara flashback in ST1 and where wounded Doc Owens was found after the Demodog maulfest in ST2. Deja Vu, Exhibit C.
If you needed more evidence, in ST2, Joyce tells Doc Owens she wants Will transferred to another hospital. She’s told Will’s getting the best care at the lab. So we know Hawkins Lab can treat patients. From the similar stairwell, we know Sara was being treated in Hawkins Lab or a similar facility. Piling On, Exhibit D.
3. I’ll Take Plush Toys For Five Hundred, Alex
As if that all wasn’t enough, the tiger stuffed animal that keeps popping up is another clue confirming Sara was in a Hawkins Lab (see above link for more on this). In the ST1 flashback, Sara had the stuffed tiger in her hospital bed. Eleven had the same stuffed tiger in her cell at the lab. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Beating a Dead Horse, Exhibit E.
4. Which Lost Sister?
That brings me to “the episode,” Episode Seven, The Lost Sister.
I may be reaching here but I think the title as it refers to Kali is a fake out. Yes, there are other kindred test subjects out there, one through seven, nine and ten.
However, in ST2 Episode Nine, The Gate, Doc Owens gives Hopper a forged birth certificate for Eleven. She is officially Jane Hopper and now she has a sister, Sara.
Episode Seven is also where we learn Dr. Brenner is alive. So what’s he been doing with himself? Quilting, taking up the pan flute, planting an herb garden? Or perhaps he’s keeping busy with another test subject, a little girl presumed dead from an illness. It’s Sara who is the lost sister, still out there, somewhere, waiting to be found.
Sorry guys, Episode Seven was necessary. Eleven had to run away in order to make a clear choice for her second act. She decides she no longer wants to be lost and chooses to be part of a family with Hopper.
And you know when the shit hits the fan, don’t you? Just when people begin to heal, calm down, and carry on. I’m just saying.
5. The Karma Comment:
Finally, in ST1, as Joyce despairs of finding Will, Hopper opens up and confesses his guilt and regret over Sara’s loss saying, “You know what I would give for a chance?” Dammit Jim, I wish you hadn’t said that. Foreshadowing much? Exhibit F.
Since I suspect Sara Hopper lives and her discovery spells peril for our favorite Dad Bod Police Chief, I would like to take this time to share the list of plot points that will cause me to sue Netflix:
1. Hopper is forced to make a Sophie’s Choice between the two daughters – He already had to let Eleven fend for herself in Season One so he could save Will. No.
2. Hopper gets trapped in the Upside Down, sacrificing himself to save both daughters – Oh hell no.
3. Hopper dies, sacrificing himself to save both daughters – Don’t even think about it.
4. All of the above and any other plot points that will prevent the realization of #Jopper – Seriously, if the writers are even considering this – what is wrong with you? Think of your audience! Have you no decency?? And NO!
Honorable Mention: Hopper has a temporary “Temple of Doom” flakeout from the Mind Flayer crud he swallowed in the tunnels. Pass. Besides, he vomited all that crap out and Doc Owens gave him the all clear.
So, to sum up: Sara Hopper’s alive, she will return home to a happy family reunion, Eleven will be happy with a father and a sister, Hopper will be happy with two daughters, and of course, nothing bad will happen to anyone.
Okay. Good.
*sigh* Maybe I should take up fan fiction.
Oh and by the way, WHEN IS SEASON 3 COMING OUT????
The Writer's Room 