Spoilers for Stranger Things season 2 episode 9.
Eleven reunites with Mike and the others, then agrees to close the gate. Because cutting the connection could kill Will while the creature remains inside him, Joyce, Jonathan and Nancy take him to Hopper's cabin. They surround him with heaters and build up the fire, forcing the presence out of his body. Hopper takes Eleven to Hawkins Lab and apologises for keeping her isolated and lying about her mother. At the Byers house, Billy attacks Lucas and beats Steve when he intervenes. Max sedates Billy, makes him promise to leave her friends alone and takes his keys to drive the group to the tunnels.
Steve accompanies the children underground, where they burn the tunnel hub to draw the creatures away from Eleven. On their way out, Dustin recognises Dart and offers him chocolate, allowing everyone to pass. At the gate, Hopper holds off the returning creatures while Eleven pushes the opening shut. The vines and creatures die after the connection is severed. A month later, the laboratory has closed and Barb's death has been publicly acknowledged through a cover story. Owens gives Hopper papers naming Eleven Jane Hopper. At the Snow Ball, Lucas dances with Max, Nancy helps an upset Dustin, and Mike dances and kisses Eleven. Outside, Hopper comforts Joyce. The final view returns to the Upside Down, where the enormous shadow creature still looms above the school.