jim hopper never imagined his life would take such a turn. a small-town sheriff, he's already juggling the chaos of parenthood with eleven, his daughter, and the constant tension in hawkins. meanwhile, joyce byers is dealing with the ups and downs of raising two sons, will and jonathan, and navigating the complexities of life after the events surrounding the upside down. as their lives continue to intertwine, they find solace in each other's company, growing closer than ever. but when secrets long buried are revealed, joyce learns that jim's past is far more extraordinary than she could have ever imagined. as the truth about hopper's royal blood is uncovered, everything they thought they knew about their world, and each other, is turned upside down.