Stranger Things Season 3 gave us an unlikely friendship and a sudden, brutal end. Murray Bauman and Alexei went from enemies to buddies, sharing awkward moments and, yes, corn dogs. When Alexei is killed in Episode 7, actor Brett Gelman says he keeps getting blamed for the outcome, and he wants that to stop.
How Murray and Alexei clicked
In an interview with Dexerto, Gelman explained that Alexei helped open a softer side of Murray. According to Gelman, Alexei allowed Murray to feel like he could be part of something bigger than his bunker-bound life. Gelman said that the friendship was important for Murray’s character arc, taking him from an isolated figure to someone who could belong to a makeshift family.
The fairground scene and the corn dog argument
The moment that fans keep debating comes in Episode 7. Murray and Alexei are at a fairground when Alexei asks for something to eat. Murray goes to buy a corn dog, and right before he can hand it over, an assassin shoots Alexei in the chest. Gelman points out that Murray left to fetch the food at Alexei’s request and that Murray was not responsible for the shooting.
What Gelman said
- On the friendship: Gelman described Alexei as the person who unlocked a vulnerable, more human side of Murray.
- On the death: Gelman called Alexei’s death sad and tragic, especially because Murray had just started to form a real bond with him.
- On fan reactions: Gelman asked fans to stop blaming Murray for leaving to get food, saying, "I’m not the one who killed him. So give me a break guys!"
Whether you defend Murray or keep shouting about corn dogs, the core beat is clear: the show used that friendship to change Murray, and the loss hit him hard. All five seasons of Stranger Things are available on Netflix.
