S1·E4 Chapter Four: The Body

Episode recap

In the fourth episode of the first season, the narrative concentrates on three distinct character developments. Joyce, still grappling with the disappearance of her son, refuses to accept the notion that he is dead. Her determination to maintain a connection with Will drives her actions throughout the installment, as she seeks ways to reach out to him despite the prevailing uncertainty surrounding his fate. Concurrently, the group of boys, who have taken Eleven under their protection, decide to give her a makeover. This act of altering Eleven’s appearance serves both as a gesture of camaraderie and as an attempt to integrate her more fully into their everyday world, reflecting the boys’ growing sense of responsibility toward her. In a separate thread, Nancy and Jonathan, whose paths have rarely intersected, form an unlikely alliance. Their collaboration emerges from shared concerns and a mutual willingness to work together, marking a shift in their relationship dynamics. The episode weaves these three strands together, juxtaposing Joyce’s relentless hope, the boys’ supportive gesture toward Eleven, and the nascent partnership between Nancy and Jonathan. Each storyline underscores themes of denial, solidarity, and unexpected cooperation, setting the stage for further developments in the series’ overarching mystery.