When people are missed, their photographs are unearthed; when shows are missed, they are rewatched. For a while now, Stranger Things has been taking steady steps towards a final close. Memories seem to have faded, pictures yellowing and creasing down the middle. In almost a ceremonial preparation, fans have taken to refreshing the experience that had first hooked them to the wonders of the Underworld. Its mystifyingly horrific creatures and the infectious resilience of its characters, and never any less painful—the fate of some of them.

Beginning from the very first season of the sci-fi series, the story was not made to prioritize the ease of any path in uncovering the strange secrets. Instead, it had remained steadfast in its brutality, sticking to giving the fans a check into the pain of fantastic reality. One such instance, notedly creating a commotion after all these years, is the death of Benny Hamond. Although a minor character, fans were either entirely undelighted or saddened but understanding, in mourning for Benny. And it remains the same today, albeit with heightened discussions about whether it was even necessary on Reddit. 

Benny Hammond had been a character introduced in support of Eleven. Becoming a momentary caretaker of the disheveled little girl that he had come across, it was Benny who had kept her fed and taken care of until he could get in touch with social services. It was also Benny who had been, and tellingly so, the owner of Benny's Burgers. It was this string of goodwill that had unfortunately led the man to his demise, unknowing to the then little and helpless Eleven.  

Fan Favorite Sadie Sink Reveals a Rare Tactic She Used to 'Protect' Herself From 'Stranger Things' Audience

Peeking through their eyes, saddened and maddened all over again, the Stranger Things fandom might be a little more jaded after looking at Benny's demise again. 

There are always two (or more) sides to a coin, a page, a book. Any analogy that fits. And so is there to Benny Hammond's embarkation to heaven. Some argue that the burger place owner was "so kind only to die," and that he "deserved better." In opposition, a party says that Benny's death or life would not make a difference in the trajectory of the show whatsoever, hence to have kept him alive, therefore disqualifying his death as a plot hole that the show needs to fix in its finale. And while both sides have their own explanations and justifications, it, jarringly, does not bring Benny back to life.

There is also a third, more reasonable side, one where they entertainingly imagine the circumstances had the character been left alive, in faced the supernatural threat in place of "Hop, Nancy, Max, and Steve."Quite a few from the fandom are in complete agreement with the creators and the need for this incident to have taken place, stating strongly that "he had to die." While others remembered his unforgivable crime in the Guardians of the Galaxy, further making way for the "as Taser Face" he deserved to die chants. Ultimately, whether justified or not, Benny’s legacy endures if Stranger Things' does. 

As Fans Continue to Crave ‘Stranger Things,’ a Juicy Update Surfaces for Duffer Brothers’ Next Netflix Project

What do you think about Benny's death from Stranger Things Season 1? Let us know in the comments below.