Stranger Things creators reveal how major easter egg fans spotted in finale sets up spin-off

Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer have explained how a major easter egg in the show’s finale sets up a spin-off, and debunked theories from a fan that another was set to play a part.

The Stranger Things finale was met with a divisive reaction amongst fans, though it overall has been far better received than the three-episode run leading up to it, which led to the worst reviewed episode of the show so far The Bridge.

The Duffer Brothers, the creators of the Netflix show, had promised that the finale would hint at the upcoming spin-off series, leading fans to pick apart the episode for clues as to what it might be.

Previously the writers had stated that it was set to be a completely different show, with different actors, set in a different time period, and not focused on the Upside Down.

One of the big hints fans thought was a hint to a follow-up TV show was from Hopper’s dinner with Joyce where he ends up proposing. In this he mentions that he’s thinking of leaving Hawkins, stating that a job for a Sheriff opened up in Montauk, something which fans thought was a major hint that the spin-off would be focused on following Hopper there.

Why is Montauk relevant and what have the Duffer Brothers said about it

Joyce and Hopper also get engaged in the finale (Netflix)

‘Montauk’ was the original name of Stranger Things, in part inspired by the Montauk Project conspiracy theory that claims the US government carried out experiments focused on ‘psychological warfare techniques and time travel’.

Despite this though, the Duffer Brothers shot this down and said that wasn’t what the hint in the episode actually was.

Ross Duffer said in an interview with Variety: “We did the Montauk shout-out because the show was originally going to be set in Montauk.

“It felt like a nice little wink to the superfans of the show who were aware of that nugget.

Matt added: "Ross wanted to put the Montauk thing in, and this is what I didn't want to happen, is people thinking that there's going to be a spin-off in Montauk. No, but I actually think it's really cute. I'm glad we have it.

But no, there's no spin-off. This is the end of the story of these characters.

So what was the Stranger Things finale hint to the spin-off?

Henry witnessed his own memories in the finale, which will play a part (Netflix)

The hint was actually another hotly discussed scene, the moment where we are shown what was in Henry’s briefcase taken from the scientist who tried to shoot him.

When asked about what the rock in the briefcase which gave Henry powers was, Matt Duffer said he was going to be ‘sketchy’ because they couldn’t answer it.

He went on to say that it was ‘spinoffy’, joking that he was annoyed they’d been pinned down.

The writer added: “I do want to explain, just because people’s expectations go in certain directions: The spinoff is going to delve into that and explain that, and you’re going to understand it.

“But it’s a completely different mythology. So it’s not a deep exploration of the Mind Flayer or anything like that.

Meet your star of the upcoming spin-off apparently (Netflix)

“It’s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining.”

Matt and Ross claimed that they had been working on the show on-and-off, telling the interviewer they were getting back to work on it on Monday.

Fans have responded to the news that the spin-off will delve into the stone with curiosity, with fan theories now revolving around what the show will focus on.

One superfan replied to a tweet about it, saying: “Yep. This is 100% a 50’s spin off set in Nevada going over the government’s discovery of The Abyss.”