My theory with regards to Hopper's fate is this:
The devices used to (supposedly) open portals to the Upside down were called 'Keys' by Alexei - but maybe the goal was never to "harness / weaponize the power of the upside down" (whatever that might even entail) but rather them being two keys to a single door, i.e. two sides of a wormhole 'through' the Upside down.
(Which might have also been foreshadowed by the TWO KEYS needed to shut down the machine)
Like, assuming the Russians want to 'undermine and infiltrate' America from within, they're literally 'digging' a transdimensional tunnel into America's backyard. That would also go well with them purchasing more and more land there - maybe to further and further increase the size of their underground operation - to maybe, eventually, have a base of operations to start an actual invasion from.
The demogorgon they (accidentally) released might have just been a little accident, never the actual goal. In a narrative sense, the Demogorgon in Kamchatka (imho) only signifies that the Russians have managed to open a portal there - in some way, shape or form.
So i could see Hopper taking a leap of faith, hopping into that portal and making it through without having to literally travel from Upside-Down-Indiana to Upside-Down-Kamchatka, but rather get there instantaneously.
As a non-narrative indication that Hopper's not actually dead dead - apparently the embargo that was sent out alongside the screeners made a point to not talk about Alexei's DEATH, Billy's DEATH or Hopper's FATE (sic!) in the reviews.
The devices used to (supposedly) open portals to the Upside down were called 'Keys' by Alexei - but maybe the goal was never to "harness / weaponize the power of the upside down" (whatever that might even entail) but rather them being two keys to a single door, i.e. two sides of a wormhole 'through' the Upside down.
(Which might have also been foreshadowed by the TWO KEYS needed to shut down the machine)
Like, assuming the Russians want to 'undermine and infiltrate' America from within, they're literally 'digging' a transdimensional tunnel into America's backyard. That would also go well with them purchasing more and more land there - maybe to further and further increase the size of their underground operation - to maybe, eventually, have a base of operations to start an actual invasion from.
The demogorgon they (accidentally) released might have just been a little accident, never the actual goal. In a narrative sense, the Demogorgon in Kamchatka (imho) only signifies that the Russians have managed to open a portal there - in some way, shape or form.
So i could see Hopper taking a leap of faith, hopping into that portal and making it through without having to literally travel from Upside-Down-Indiana to Upside-Down-Kamchatka, but rather get there instantaneously.
As a non-narrative indication that Hopper's not actually dead dead - apparently the embargo that was sent out alongside the screeners made a point to not talk about Alexei's DEATH, Billy's DEATH or Hopper's FATE (sic!) in the reviews.