Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) boasted one of Stranger Things‘ most unexpected story arcs between season two and season three. Hargrove was introduced in season two alongside his younger stepsister, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink). While viewers were cautious about welcoming these newcomers into the inseparable Stranger Things gang—that they grew to love in season one—both Max and Billy proved vital to the series.
With Max, it was almost as if she had always been there. She fit right in with the original gang due to her fierceness, loyalty, and humor. However, Billy stirred up more than a little turmoil with his antics. In season two, we meet him as the unpredictable, brash, and abusive, older brother. He frequently bullies Max and becomes violent towards her friends, despite them being years younger than he is. Additionally, he clashes with Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) at the high school and battles for popularity.
However, while viewers thought Billy was just a typical bad boy, season three had different plans. Billy suddenly finds himself possessed and at the mercy of the Mind Flayer, whom he helps gather victims for. However, Billy’s most humanizing scene came with his tragic death at the end of season three. With Stranger Things season four coming up, Billy’s death is bound to be mentioned, as will Max’s grief.
How did Billy die in Stranger Things?
As stated above, in season three, Billy’s story takes an unexpected turn when he is possessed by the Mind Flayer. Haunted by visions and voices, Billy is guided by the creature to kidnap a number of townspeople—who are then melted and merged into the Mind Flayer to make it stronger. However, Billy soon hones in on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) whom the Mind Flayer is intent to kill as revenge for her closing the gate to the Upside Down.
However, when attempting to find the Mind Flayer, Eleven makes a connection with Billy. During the connection, she discovers memories of his childhood where it is revealed that he and his mother were abused by Billy’s father. It is this connection, though, that makes the Mind Flayer aware of Eleven’s location and leads to the final stand-off between Eleven and her friends and Billy and the Mind Flayer in Starcourt mall.
However, Billy is still somewhere inside of himself, despite the Mind Flayer’s possession. Eleven senses this and reaches him by reminding him of his mother and how he told her the waves in California were “seven feet” high. The memory of his mother and of being happy, helps Billy to break free from the Mind Flayer’s control. With his own free will, Billy stands up to the Mind Flayer and is stabbed multiple times. However, his sacrifice gives the gang just enough time to execute their plan and make it to safety. Once the Mind Flayer is defeated, Max runs to Billy, where he manages to apologize to her before he passes away.
What does Billy’s death mean for Stranger Things season 4?
It isn’t likely that many of us were a fan of Billy, but his death managed to be one of the most tear-jerking scenes of the series. Additionally, he left behind his little sister, Max, who will be featured prominently in season four. In season four, Max has not only lost a brother, but she must come to terms with the convoluted person that he was. On the one hand, he viciously bullied her and her friends. On the other hand, he was plagued by childhood trauma and found redemption in death. Ultimately, Max will have to come to terms with losing her brother right at the very moment when he showed his first glimmer of humanity.
However, the recent Stranger Things season four trailer that featured Billy’s grave, has some viewers curious if there is more to his death. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed that in one scene, Billy’s grave reads “Billy Hargrove,” however, in another scene, when Max inexplicably floats in the air, it reads “William Hargrove.” Perhaps, one scene takes place in the Upside Down and the other doesn’t, or some other supernatural force is involved. Regardless of what it means, Billy’s death seems to very much be interconnected with the events of season four.
(featured image: Netflix)
