Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Vecna releases Nancy after showing her a vision of Hawkins destroyed and orders her to tell Eleven what she has seen. The group realizes he needs one more victim to open a fourth gate. Max volunteers to draw him into a trance while Nancy, Steve and Robin attack his vulnerable body in the Upside Down. They steal a motorhome and buy weapons at War Zone, where Nancy has a tense encounter with Jason before they leave.
Eleven's powers have returned, and she reaches out to Hawkins to learn that her friends intend to fight Vecna. Owens agrees to let her help them, but Brenner restrains him and insists that she remain for more training. Eleven accuses Brenner of using her to search for One. He sedates her and fits her with a collar. Sullivan's soldiers attack the Nevada facility, forcing Brenner to carry her outside, where a helicopter sniper shoots him.
Mike, Will, Jonathan and Argyle follow Suzie's coordinates and vehicle tracks to the facility. Earlier in the journey, Will shows Mike his painting and speaks about how much Eleven needs him, then turns away in tears. Their arrival distracts the soldiers long enough for Eleven to bring down the helicopter. Brenner releases her collar and asks her to understand his actions, but she leaves him dying in the desert. In Russia, Hopper's group escapes the prison after discovering captive creatures and swirling particles. In Hawkins, the others take their positions for the attack.