As Stranger Things prepares for its fifth and final season, set photos continue to be shared online, and one of the most recent batches fuels worries about Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) fate. Despite its success since season 1, Stranger Things will end with its fifth season, and there are many questions and mysteries it has to solve to bring the show to a satisfying end. Stranger Things season 4 ended on a major cliffhanger as Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) plans were set into motion, opening huge cracks across Hawkins that allow the Upside Down to bleed into the human world.

On top of that, Max’s (Sadie Sink) encounter with Vecna left her in a coma, and the chances for her full recovery are very slim. Eleven and the rest of the Hawkins crew now have even bigger reasons to go after Vecna, save Hawkins, and destroy the Upside Down, but that doesn’t mean all of them will be safe. It’s rumored that Stranger Things season 5 will see the death of at least one main character, and some recent looks from the set of season 5 only fuel the belief that Eleven won’t survive the show’s final episodes.

Stranger Things Season 5 Set Photos Tease Eleven’s Possible Death

Eleven Might Not Survive Stranger Things’ Final Season

The official Stranger Things Instagram account and the Duffer Brothers themselves often share looks from the set of season 5, but that still hasn’t stopped photos and videos from being leaked online. Among the most recent photos shared on social media are some that show Hopper (David Harbour) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) in what seems to be an emotional scene. Some photos show Hopper comforting a visibly upset Mike before leaving and Mike staying on the bench, staring blankly. One of the sources mentions Hopper and Mike are sitting in front of the Hawkins Memorial, which includes Eddie Munson’s name.

Hopper comforting Mike could be pointing to Eleven’s death, as these two characters haven’t shared much time on screen except when it comes to Eleven.

In addition to that, in an interview with Screen Rant while promoting the animated series Creature Commandos, Harbour shared that he recently shot some of the “most moving stuff” of the show, but he didn’t give any details. Hopper comforting Mike could be pointing to Eleven’s death, as these two characters haven’t shared much time on screen except when it comes to Eleven. If they are in front of the memorial as some of the sources say, Eleven’s name could be on it, and the two could be reminiscing about their time with her.

Why Eleven’s Death Would Be Fitting For Stranger Things’ Ending

Of All Characters Who Can Die, Eleven’s Death Makes The Most Sense

Many characters can die in Stranger Things season 5, but perhaps the one that makes the most sense is Eleven. The events of Stranger Things were possible thanks to Eleven, as her making contact with the Demogorgon in the Void is what opened the first gate that let the Demogorgon loose, leading to the disappearance of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). Eleven is also the most powerful human known in Stranger Things, as Vecna isn’t exactly human anymore, and as such, Eleven is the only one able to confront and defeat the creatures of the Upside Down.

While Eleven certainly deserves a happy ending after everything she has gone through – from being separated from her mother to being experimented on and constantly used for espionage and more –, it’s also fitting that she would sacrifice herself to save Hawkins. The final battle between Eleven and Vecna will surely be the show’s biggest one, and as they are both very powerful and Vecna even more now after years in the Upside Down, Eleven is about to face her most dangerous adversary.

Stranger Things season 5 might see a situation where the only way for Vecna to be defeated and the Upside Down to be destroyed is with Eleven’s death, leaving no other choice than Eleven’s sacrifice. While Eleven’s demise could be the show’s final death-fake out and Eleven could fake her death with Hopper’s help to finally live a peaceful life, more so as it’s very possible Colonel Sullivan will go after her again, it’s a lot more likely and more fitting that she won’t survive season 5 so she can save the town in a full circle moment.

What Hopper & Mike’s Emotional Scene Could Mean In Stranger Things Season 5 (If Not Eleven’s Death)

Hopper & Mike’s Scene Could Have A Different Context

While Hopper and Mike’s emotional scene might point to Eleven’s death, it could have a different context. Eleven might not be the one who dies in Stranger Things season 5, and Hopper could be comforting Mike after the death of one of his friends. It has been theorized that Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) will die in season 5, but most theories point to Will being the one who dies. The ending of season 4 teased that Will still has a connection to the Upside Down, so he could also be key to destroying the other dimension and Vecna as well.

Mike and Will’s friendship has been quite fragile since season 3, and being apart between seasons 3 and 4 only made it worse. Stranger Things season 4 confirmed that Will has feelings for Mike, but the latter has no idea. Losing his best friend would be very hard for Mike, more so if they don’t get to fix their relationship, and Hopper could be offering some support to Mike. A less tragic option could simply be Hopper showing support to Mike after all the chaos is over, as they will all surely go through a lot in season 5.