Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Eleven argues with Mike after the skating rink incident, questioning why his letters never say he loves her. Before they can resolve it, police arrest her for attacking Angela. Dr. Owens intercepts her transfer to juvenile detention and offers another path. He explains that Hawkins faces a new danger and says a secret program may restore her powers. Elsewhere, Colonel Sullivan has already confronted Owens, convinced that Eleven is responsible for the recent killings.
In Hawkins, Fred's death gives Nancy another reason to investigate Victor Creel. She and Robin search newspaper archives and discover his claim that a demon killed his family. Their conversation also clears up Nancy's assumption about Robin's relationship with Steve: they are friends. Jason's teammates hunt Eddie, and Lucas tries to protect his old friends while remaining with the basketball players. He is caught between Jason's pressure and his loyalty to the friends Jason suspects.
Joyce and Murray travel toward Alaska with the money for Hopper's rescue. In prison, Hopper learns that Joyce is coming and has another prisoner hammer his ankle restraints, injuring himself so he can slip free. Max searches the school counselor's files and discovers that Chrissy and Fred reported headaches, nightmares and other symptoms before they died. She has been suffering the same things. Alone in the school hallway, Max hears a clock and sees it embedded in the wall as Vecna calls her name.