Jonathan Byers’ gift to Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things may not bring the joy he had hoped for.
Stranger Things season five, volume two drops on Netflix soon and fans were left in shock after some surprising revelations at the end of the first four episodes.
While Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) discovered some life-changing abilities, his brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) was caught up in a love triangle with Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) – who could be immune from death.
Fans of the Jonathan and Nancy coupling were squealing with delight after Murray (Brett Gelman) smuggled Jonathan an engagement ring, disguised inside a cassette tape.
Murray urged Jonathan to dive straight in and declare his love for Nancy, but Jonathan was reluctant to propose after Nancy’s parents were brutally attacked by a Demogorgon.
The ring is yet to appear again in the series and fans have come up with a heartbreaking theory about what could be in store for Jonathan.
On the Stranger Things fan group Facebook page, C Anna Thomas said: “Jonathan has a ring in the cassette. Don’t hate me!!! Jonathan dies and Nancy later finds the ring.”
Amy Harding agreed, adding: “I had the same theory. And then Steve and Nancy live out his Harrington dream. I really hope that doesn’t happen though. Love Steve, but Nancy and Jonathan belong together.”
Over on Reddit, jjn0394 shared: “So I find myself to be pretty good at reading what things in shows mean and how they’re later going to apply down the line. Like noticing the subtle signs and I’m calling it now Jonathan’s going to die.
“He just received the engaging jazz tape. So to me – there’s an engagement ring in that cassette. Nancy’s going to find it after he dies and find out he was going to propose. That’s my guess – cementing it here.
After watching all four episodes of volume one, they added: “They’re all going to go after Holly obviously. Nancy, Steve and Jonathan will be together.
“Something happens where Steve is in harms way and about to die and Jonathan saves him and dies instead after saying a ‘take care of her’ or something.
“At the very end after everything is done Nancy will find the ring. She’ll marry Steve in the flash forwards of a new life but will always still love Jonathan too.”
It appears viewers could be in for a “tell Nancy I love her” scenario with Jonathan, potentially leaving Steve to give Nancy the ring.
Of course, he has the option to hide this information from Nancy – but, being the selfless person he is, he is likely to do what he feels is best for her.
Viewers will have to wait and see if Jonathan meets his end or gets his happily ever after in volume two.
Stranger Things season 5 volume 2 drops on Netflix on Christmas Day in the US and Boxing Day in the UK.
The grand finale will air on New Year’s Eve in the US and New Year’s Day in the UK.