Stranger Things has maintained an air of mystery surrounding one story Eleven detail for nine years now, but it must finally resolve it before ending its run with season 5. Despite the growing delays in its production with each subsequent season, Stranger Things remains one of Netflix’s most valuable IPs. The show has been around for almost a decade and is all set to conclude its narrative on a high note with a fifth installment. As the show’s last chapter, Stranger Things season 5 holds the responsibility of closing many loose ends.
For instance, many aspects of the Upside Down in Stranger Things remain unexplored, raising many questions about its origins and nature. It is also hard not to question how season 5 will account for the ages of its main cast members, who will be significantly older in the final installment. Dr. Owens’ fate also remains unclear, making one hope that season 5 will give some semblance of certainty surrounding what happened to him. Apart from these plot threads, Stranger Things season 5 also needs to explain one major mystery surrounding Eleven’s past before it ends the series for good.
Stranger Things Season 5 Has To Finally Confirm Who Eleven’s Biological Father Is
The Father’s Real Identity Is Still The Show’s Biggest Mystery
Since season 1, many viewers have theorized that Eleven’s father could be Brenner or even Henry Creel. However, in its five-season runtime, the show has not yet confirmed the real identity of her father. Interestingly, Stranger Things also has a prequel novel, titled Suspicious Minds, which was written by Gwenda Bond. Apart from adding more depth to the show’s overarching lore, the novel also confirms that Andrew Rich, Terry Ives’ boyfriend, was Eleven’s biological father.
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According to the story in the book, Dr. Brenner pulled some strings from behind the scenes to ensure Andrew Rich was drafted into the Vietnam War. During his absence, Brenner punished Terry for finding Kali in the facility. Andrew Rich was eventually sent off to Vietnam, where he died during the war. The book suggests that he never truly learned about Brenner’s true motives and Terry’s pregnancy before passing away in the war.
The primary reason why viewers often doubt whether the book connects to the show is that Andrew Rich’s name has never been mentioned in the four seasons.
While the book’s story is convincing and explains how Andrew Rich was Eleven’s biological father, it is often debated whether the book is canon. The primary reason why viewers often doubt whether the book connects to the show is that Andrew Rich’s name has never been mentioned in 4 seasons. Even in the sequence where Jim and Joyce visit Terry’s home to learn about Eleven’s past, nothing about her biological father’s identity is mentioned.
Stranger Things Season 5 Bringing Back Aunt Becky Could Help Clear Up Eleven’s Father Mystery
Aunt Becky Would Likely Know A Lot About Eleven & Her Mother’s Past
Portrayed by Amy Seimetz, Becky Ives was introduced as Terry Ives’ sister and Eleven’s mother. Her backstory revealed that she financially supported Terry after their parents died in a car crash and was initially skeptical when her sister claimed that her newborn child was abducted by Brenner. When Hooper and Joyce visited her in 1983, she told them about everything from Terry’s involvement in the MKUltra to Terry’s claims about her daughter’s supernatural abilities.
Becky last appeared in Stranger Things season 2 but seemingly knew a lot more about Eleven and Terry than she let on. Considering her relationship with Terry, it is hard not to believe that she knew about the identity of Eleven’s father. Although it seems highly unlikely that she will appear in the show’s final installment, Strange Things season 5 could briefly feature her and use her as a narrative device to finally confirm who Eleven’s father is.
Could Stranger Things Season 5 Officially Introduce Andrew Rich?
He Could Be An Important Figure In The Final Season
Even though Andrew Rich has not been mentioned in the show yet, Stranger Things season 5 could make the book canon and confirm he is Eleven’s father. Given how the book establishes he is dead, his introduction as Eleven’s father would also be a convenient plot device since the show would not have to feature a reunion between him and Eleven. Not to mention, Eleven could also still consider Hopper her father despite learning about her relationship with Andrew Rich.
Stranger Things season 5 could also settle for a brief flashback to confirm Andrew Rich’s identity. It could harken back to Andrew and Terry’s story, revealing how they first met before their circumstances separated them. The show’s final installment seems to have the perfect opportunity to finally resolve this plot thread. Hopefully, it will not gloss over this lingering mystery and confirm Eleven’s father’s identity.
