Stranger Things season 4 spoilers: What is Agent Orange?

Stranger Things season 4 is finally streaming on Netflix and has quickly set the internet on fire with what is shaping up to be a truly amazing season.

Across the first seven episodes of part 1, the Duffer Brothers delve into the season’s core plotlines which take our beloved characters in different directions, yet beautifully still all intertwine as the season progresses. Among the many storylines we follow across the season is the one involving our favorite sheriff, Hopper, who finds himself trapped in a Russian prison as the season begins.

While behind bars, Hopper forms an unexpected bond with an unexpected ally and the two go through quite a lot together over the course of the season. This ally also proves to be a confidant Hopper feels comfortable enough confiding in which brings up his past as a soldier and a certain war tactic that forever changed his life.

Warning: This is where things are about to get spoiler-y. If you want to avoid spoilers of any kind, this is where you might want to leave us.

What war did Hopper fight in?

During a conversation with Dmitri, the guard who attempted to help Hopper escape only to find himself thrown behind bars alongside him for doing so, Hopper recalls his time in the war and being drafted at 18. However, in the conversation, he never mentions what war he was drafted to which is likely to create some curiosity among fans.

Luckily, Hopper has addressed his past before and once revealed that he served in the Vietnam War. In season 4, we find out that he was part of the Chemical Corps, which was a real branch of the United States Army that was tasked with defending against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons.

What is Agent Orange?

In telling Dmitri about his time in the war, Hopper mentions that part of his job was mixing a chemical known as Agent Orange. Exposure to the chemical in war prevented Hopper and the men in his unit from having healthy children which is why Hopper still blames himself for the death of his daughter.

So what exactly is Agent Orange?

According to The Aspen Institute, Agent Orange was a herbicide mixture used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. It was used by the US forces in Vietnam to help defoliate trees, shrubs and crops which provided coverage to the opposition forces.

It happened to contain a toxic called dioxin which was incredibly toxic and led to many side effects in those who came in contact with it including cancers and birth defects in the children of those exposed to it. Thus, why Hopper and his men were unable to reproduce and have healthy children.

Stranger Things season 4 is streaming now on Netflix.