The following contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 4, Volume 2, now streaming on Netflix.

No one should've doubted Stranger Things' Noah Schnapp when he said there would be multiple Season 4 deaths, but the magnitude of these deaths might have been a little overstated. Season 4, Vol. 2 of the Netflix series killed off another new character, but it only highlights a death trend that Stranger Things has relied on for far too long.

Eddie Munson was the heartthrob of Stranger Things Season 4, nearly taking over Steve Harrington's title. But his tragic arc as the accused murderer in the recent Hawkins deaths practically served him his death on a silver platter. For viewers, he was just a nerdy guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and didn't deserve to be mauled by Demobats. By Stranger Things logic, he was the obvious death of the season, but it just means the main characters are still plated in protective plot armor.

RELATED: Stranger Things Star, Creator Clash Over the Season 4 Finale's Death Count

Eddie's death in Stranger Things 4 Volume 2.

Stranger Things (at least) broke a stigma against characters starting with the letter "B," who are always killed off each season. Barb, Bob and Billy were unlucky victims against Stranger Things hatred for "B" names. But still, if a new character is nearly flawless and obviously written to be beloved by fans, they're guaranteed to bite the dust by the end of the season. It's the same pitfall that made it undeniably easy to predict Eddie's death in Season 4, Vol. 2.

Barb, Bob and Alexei (Season 3's victim of Stranger Things' death trend) were the heart of each of their respective seasons. Barb was a social outcast in Season 1, and even her one friend deserted her to be with a guy. Nancy abandoning Barb led to the latter's death, sparking a "Justice for Barb" campaign that lasted for years. While fans were rooting for Hopper and Joyce to finally pair up romantically in Season 2, Bob was still the innocent outsider who was thrown into a world of mayhem. Bob's support of Will, despite having zero clue about what was happening, and being Joyce's shoulder to cry on, made his death twist hearts even more. And then there was poor Alexei, who just wanted to drink Slurpees as one of the few good Russians portrayed in Season 3.

Eddie following in these characters' footsteps by sacrificing himself in the Upside Down has made it clear that the Duffer Brothers never intended for him to survive -- nor cast a crucial main character to the death pit. Stranger Things has the tendency of marketing a big death to close out each season, but never follows through by taking out the core originals. It's always sad to see an innocent bystander die from circumstances beyond their control, but in reality, it makes the stakes as low as ever.

RELATED: Stranger Things Turned Hopper's Body Transformation Into an Uncomfortable Joke

stranger things season 4 header

Four seasons into the Netflix series, it's comical just how many times every main character has escaped death. Sure, Billy was a "main character" who died in Season 3, but his presence as a diabolical bully made it easier to tolerate his death. The closest Stranger Things has gotten to breaking its own death trend is in Season 4, Vol. 2 when Max dies from Vecna's curse -- but she's revived by Eleven. Being part of the core friend group from Season 2, Max's death would've been a crucial reminder that no one is safe from the Upside Down. Yet, Eleven magically gaining new resurrection powers ensures that anyone is safe through the power of friendship and plot armor.

What's more is that the Stranger Things death trend rarely allows new characters to continue their arc. It's surprising that Robin is still alive -- considering she was just another Barb or Eddie in Season 3 -- and now she's become a staple favorite of the show. The same could've been said for Eddie, but he was always written to be the sacrificial lamb. To break this predictable trend, the Duffer Brothers have to pull the plug on somebody important in Season 5. It's the only way to keep the stakes high, and the Upside Down still a terrifying threat.

To see Eddie fall in a painful pattern, stream Stranger Things Season 4, Vol. 2 on Netflix.