Rumors in Hawkins never die, and neither do viewers’ favourite characters, at least not online. As Stranger Things approaches its conclusion with season 5, the buzz around Eddie Munson's return to the saga is stronger than ever.

It started quietly, with an eye-catching image circulating, and soon X, Instagram, and Reddit were overflowing with excitement, theories, and confusion. The sci-fi show's loyalists want to believe Eddie is coming back, and it would be wrong to blame them.

However, with AI-generated images spreading faster than Demobats these days, it is worth asking: Does this picture really confirm Eddie’s return, or is the fandom reading too much into it?

Hopes of Eddie Munson, who heroically sacrificed his life to save Eleven and her crew in Stranger Things 4, returning for season 5 gained new life after a blurry picture of presumably Joseph Quinn hanging from a harness in front of a green screen went viral.

Viewers quickly assumed the image was from the set of the latest installment of Stranger Things, interpreting it as confirmation of the character’s return. However, the excitement was short-lived, as the picture was actually AI-generated and had no connection to the show’s production.

Ahead of the season’s debut on November 26, notably, Matt Duffer told Empire that Munson will not be returning to Hawkins and confirmed he is dead for good, closing the door on any official comeback.

Joseph Quinn, however, has remained coy. When asked by Entertainment Tonight last year about his return, he neither confirmed nor denied it, leaving the audience’s hopes pulsing. Now, only time will tell if their wish to see him back in Hawkins materializes or not.

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Even without Eddie Munson appearing this season so far, though, the creators made sure to pay tribute to him with a subtle nod.

With the first four episodes of Stranger Things season 5 now released, viewers have plenty to unpack, from gripping storylines to subtle callbacks. In the opening episode, Robin casually says, “A good friend once said… bad news first, always,” immediately bringing Eddie Munson to mind.

Munson was the one to ask Dustin to divulge bad news first in episode 3 of Stranger Things season 4. This nod goes beyond nostalgia, honouring Eddie’s lasting impact and highlighting the enduring bonds between Hawkins’ characters, even as new threats loom over the town.

While Eddie Munson may or may not be officially returning to Hawkins this season, his presence continues to linger in well-placed nods, reminding viewers of his heroism and charm. The first episodes of Stranger Things season 5 have already teased the lasting impact of past events, keeping the story’s emotional threads alive. All eyes are now on Volume 2, arriving on Christmas Day, and the final episode, set for a New Year’s Eve release, as viewers eagerly hope for Eddie’s legacy to take one final, surprising turn.

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Do you wish to see Eddie Munson back in Hawkins this season? Let us know in the comments.