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As Stranger Things gears up for its fifth and final season, it has become a tightrope walker for the storylines over the past four years. Fans are curious whether the franchise will answer questions surrounding the unknown world of the Upside Down or the fate of Dr. Owens. But the darkest, longest-covered, and most personal mystery is the undisclosed identity of Eleven's biological father.
Throughout the four seasons, Netflix's powerhouse has been tight-lipped about Eleven's background, and one very crucial narrative pillar continues to be absent: her dad. Even with four seasons of flashbacks, experiments, and family traumas, the franchise hasn't addressed this coveted mystery.
Who is Eleven’s father in Stranger Things?
Eleven has remained a mystery, at least to some part of the press who have been eagerly demanding her birth story since the first few episodes of Stranger Things. The identity of her mother, Terry Ives, was confirmed; however, her father remains unknown. There have been rampant theories questioning Eleven's relationship with characters ranging from Dr. Brenner to Henry Creel (aka Vecna), both of whom have dark histories with the Hawkins lab. However, neither has been proven to be her father biologically.
Interestingly, Suspicious Minds, a prequel novel by Gwenda Bond (2017), might provide some clues. It argues that Andrew Rich, Terry's boyfriend, is in fact the father of Eleven. According to the book, Brenner ensured Andrew was drafted to Vietnam, removing him from the picture while subjecting Terry to further experiments. Andrew reportedly died in the war, never learning about Terry’s pregnancy or the child’s fate.
While the novel provides a compelling backstory, the show has never mentioned Andrew Rich by name, leaving fans unsure whether this plotline is canon. And with Stranger Things nearing its end, this ambiguity feels increasingly unsatisfying.
Could Aunt Becky return in Stranger Things Season 5?
One path to possibly closure on this mystery for season 5 would be to bring Becky Ives back (Terry's sister and aunt to Eleven). Last seen in season 2, Becky had been the key to understanding Terry's part in the MKUltra scandal and the perceptions of his daughter being lost to him.
Because she is very close to Terry, it's safe to assume Amy would know Andrew Rich and could have identified him to Eleven. A brief moment with Aunt Becky has the potential to be an emotional and dramatic entry point for resolving this long-standing question. Whether or not she'll be a part of the final season of Eleven with the series, having the girls bring together might make Eleven's family story cohesive.
Will Stranger Things make the prequel book canon?
If the writers are willing to make Suspicious Minds a canon source, Stranger Things season 5 could subsume Andrew Rich in flashbacks or dialogue from one of the supporting characters. Since the book states that he dies in the war, a dramatic resurrection is unnecessary and would just serve as a confirmation of his identity in relation to Eleven.
It would also allow the show to keep the relationship and emotional bond between Eleven and Hopper, who now functionally fills the role of her father in the story. Acknowledging Andrew Rich would definitely be an addition to Eleven's identity and would not destroy the emotional arc created between Eleven and Hopper.
Why Stranger Things Season 5 must answer this
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After nearly a decade on screen, the series owes it to the audience to resolve its key mysteries. Eleven's origin story is central to the series, and leaving out such a major detail, like her father's identity would feel like a missed opportunity. As the show wraps up its epic saga in season 5, confirming Andrew Rich as her father, or offering an alternative, is essential for narrative closure.
Whether it’s through Aunt Becky, a flashback, or another creative reveal, this question has lingered too long. It's time Stranger Things gave Eleven — and its fans — the answers they've been waiting for.
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