S4E9: Chapter Nine: The Piggyback

In the grand finale of "Stranger Things" Season 4, Episode 9, the gang's attempt to defeat Vecna hits a few snags. Eleven, after some intense psychic battling, manages to break through and help Max, but not before Vecna causes significant damage. Max dies briefly, causing the fourth gate to open and Hawkins to be torn apart by the Upside Down. Meanwhile, in Russia, Joyce and Hopper manage to destroy the Demogorgon and Demodogs in the prison using fire and a sword, which somehow contributes to weakening Vecna. Back in Hawkins, Lucas tries to protect Max from Jason, but Jason gets a taste of his own medicine when the Upside Down splits open beneath him. After the dust settles, everyone regroups as they try to come to terms with what happened. Max is in a coma, leaving Lucas distraught. Two days later, the group reunites at Hopper's cabin, where Eleven tries to reach out to Max but finds nothing. The episode ends with Hawkins looking like a post-apocalyptic wasteland as ominous clouds gather and ash falls from the sky—a pretty clear indication that Vecna's not quite done with them yet.