- How do I define a hero?
I think serving an idea,
doing something that will not benefit you.
That's heroic.
Self-sacrifice.
(Eddie screaming)
I'm Joe Quinn,
and this is the journey of Eddie Munson.
(dramatic music)
(loud clicking)
So when we first meet Eddie,
we see him showing off and being kind of insufferable.
(Eddie hitting table) - As long as you're into band
or science or parties.
- [Joe] Commanding his minions of the Hellfire Club.
(Eddie grabbing boys) - And we showed you.
- [Joe] We also see him selling drugs to Chrissy.
- How does this work?
- He sees this horrific tragedy.
- [Eddie] Her body just like lifted into the air.
(Eddie sobs) Her bones started to snap.
(Eddie screaming)
- [Joe] And yet goes into hiding.
Then spends most of the season running away,
being accused of things that he wasn't gonna do.
And then is ingratiated into the gang.
(door banging) - Jesus.
- Delivery service.
- When they get back from the Upside Down
(Eddie slamming book down) - [Eddie] Check this out.
- [Joe] And after Nancy has dodged Vecna's laser beam,
they're kind of talking about plans.
- Everything you need for,
well, killing things.
Basically
- [Joe] I think after that, he kind of realizes
that maybe he can add something to the group.
(man speaking indistinctly)
- There will be no more retreating
from Eddie the Banished.
- Hey, you're really ready for bat-tle.
- He is constantly battling with the fact
that he wasn't able to save Chrissy.
Wracked with guilt, really.
So, I think kind of,
he feels that he couldn't be heroic in that moment.
So, how could he be heroic in any other moment?
- Outside of D&D, I am no hero.
I see danger and I just turn heel and run.
Or at least, that's what I've learned about myself
this week.
- Being pretty harsh on himself
because ultimately
(weapons hitting mattress)
he decides to face his fears.
(loud banging)
(Eddie screaming)
(door opening)
And then kind of proves himself
to be a pretty heroic young man.
(loud clicking)
(dramatic music)
- [Eddie] Look at us.
We are not heroes.
(Eddie laughs)
(lightning striking)
(dramatic music)
(creature screeching)
(Eddie screaming)
- When I signed on for Stranger Things,
I didn't know that Eddie was gonna die.
The first time I read the death scene,
I remember thinking
that this is a beautifully written scene.
And I've got a wonderful actor
to get into that with.
So, I remember feeling quite lucky.
- Now, for the fun part.
- [Joe] It's the tale of redemption,
which I think kind of what we like as an audience.
He's kind of authentic.
- It's like she was destined for an alternate dimension.
- [Joe] I think maybe people responded to that.
(loud clicking)
(dramatic music)
(Eddie sobbing) - I didn't run away this time, right?
-No. No, no-no-no (Dustin sobbing)
You didn't run.
-You're gonna have to look after those little sheep for me, okay?
-No! You're going to do that yourself! -Naw man...
(Eddie gasping) Say "I'm gonna look after them."
(Dustin choked up) -I'm... I'm gonna look after them.
(Distant thunder)
-Good.
(loud clicking)
- The most surprising or surreal part of the fan experience,
I think that video, the TikTok video.
- [Eddie] Chrissy, wake up.
I don't like this.
- [Joe] The Chrissy wake up remix.
Kind of hilarious.
The fact that people will take time out of their day
to kind of make art about a character
that I played,
is such a lovely feeling.
- Welcome to Hellfire.
- And then I got a text from Winona Ryder
saying "Well done",
which was pretty great.
(loud guitar music)