“Stranger Things” fans were left hanging on Season 3’s finale after learning that the Russians were holding “The American” prisoner but the identity was not revealed.
Fans have come up with different theories where either Jim Hopper, Dr. Brenner or Murray Bauman could be the imprisoned American.
Reddit user Sergeantbusiness made a different guess – “The American” was Ted Wheeler (Joe Chrest) and he was kidnapped because he was a CIA agent. That’s a plot twist no one would expect from this unnoticed character!
The theory creator detailed three pieces of evidence that he detailed in the post. He started with scrutinizing Ted Wheeler’s suspicious six-figure income.
“According to Jonathan, Ted has a six-figure income, which seems unlikely in a town suffering from a severe economic decline by 1985, thanks to the construction of a mall, which is killing of local businesses,” the user wrote.
He assumed that as the mall profited off after killing smaller businesses, anyone earning a six-figure income must have been working in there.
“But Ted doesn't, since we know his company was based in Hawkins before the mall, and he didn't lose his job, and is still making six figures,” the user continued. “In season 3 it's clear that all private sector jobs gave moved to the mall, so Ted would have to work in the public sector, as a spy.”
His second claim is Ted Wheeler’s calm demeanor and familiarity with CIA agents in Season 1 and 2 hints of a link between Wheeler and CIA.
“While Karen is worried about Mike in season one, Ted seems relaxed, only concerned about if the girl (Eleven) is Russian,” the theory writer added. “Also, when the CIA agents arrive to bug the wheeler home in a flashback in season 2, they all seem to be talking to him rather than Karen, and they seem unusually comfortable around each other.”
His last “evidence” is about Wheeler’s distant relationship with his family which he guessed is an act to “keep himself at arm’s length from his family” for safety and protection from enemies who might use them as leverage.
Reddit poster Sergeantbusiness thinks that the kidnapping happened at the time Ted Wheeler attended the Fun Fair with his wife, Karen.
“I believe that after this, Karen and Ted had a brief argument, which ended with them splitting up and making their separate ways back to their house,” the user wrote. The Russians will use Wheeler as a “bargaining chip” to get Dr. Brenner and his knowledge of “The Upside Down”, an alternate dimension.
Other Reddit users commented to question the post’s points as the theory does not come without loopholes, but it is enough to keep fans at bay while waiting for the next season.
The show writers teased the public on Twitter by revealing the first episode’s title: “Chapter One: The Hellfire Club” – a reference to “X-Men” comic books.
The fourth season of “Stranger Things” is yet to get a release date.
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