CBR

Stranger Things 3 had more than one new fan favorite character. 1 / 8

But only one has become a viral meme sensation: Alexei. 2 / 8

Recognizing this, Netflix recently released a 12-hour video of him drinking a Slurpee. 3 / 8

What is it about the escaped Russian scientist that viewers love so much? 4 / 8

Alexei's arc on the show is both sweet and tragic. 5 / 8

It makes us empathize with the "evil Russian" archetype that was all over the '80s... 6 / 8

... A message that still has huge social relevance in today's contentious climate. 7 / 8

Sadly, with Alexei gone, Stranger Things 4 will need a new, breakout star. 8 / 8