Warden Melnikov

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Evil-doer
Full Name	Melnikov
Alias	Warden Melnikov The Warden
Origin	Stranger Things
Occupation	Warden of the Kamchatka labor camp
Powers / Skills	Prison command
Goals	Feed his prisoners to the Demogorgon.
Crimes	Mass murder by proxy Slavery Torture False imprisonment Abuse of power Corruption
Type of Villain	Sadistic Gaoler

“	This man does not deserve the peace of death. So I have sent him... to Hell.	„
	~ Warden Melnikov about his decisions to "spare" Jim Hopper.

“	I enjoy this part... when they still believe there is hope.	„
	~ Warden Melnikov to a disguised Murray Bauman.

Warden Melnikov (Russian: Охранник Мельников) is a major antagonist in Season 4 of the Netflix sci-fi horror series Stranger Things.

He is the Warden of the Kamchatka labor camp, a Soviet gulag which houses any traitors or enemies of Russia. Following General Ozerov's failure at opening a gate to the Upside Down beneath the Starcourt Mall of Hawkins, Indiana, Melnikov acquires a Demogorgon and locks it in his prison, sending his prisoners to futilely fight against the creature to get rid of them, with no one succeeding at surviving.

He was portrayed by Vaidotas Martinaitis.

Personality

Melnikov was very sadistic and cruel warden, enjoying torturing his prisoners and making them work in terrible conditions and giving them false hope in order to deny them peaceful deaths. Melnikov also showed a bloodthirsty side as he allowed his prisoners to fight an imprisoned Demogorgon like a gladiator game. He was also shown to be a coward, as he threatens one of his own guards by pointing out that if he opens the door to the Demogorgon's arena it will kill them all in a desperate attempt to save himself, convincing his soldier to not open it. While the soldier refuses to do this out of care for his fellow comrades, Melnikov doesn't express any concern, showing that he only cares for himself, even in his final moments, where, in order to save his own skin, he gives information to Murray Bauman, (because he thought that Murray, Hopper and Joyce may be able to stop the Demogorgon and the possessed Demodogs after they massacred everyone in his prison) only to die from his wounds seconds later.

Biography

After Jim Hopper narrowly escapes the destruction of the Key under Starcourt Mall, he is taken into custody of the Soviet Union, whose agents torture him for information before imprisoning him at Kamchatka, as Melnikov personally requested Hopper to be sent to his prison to show him "hell". There, he is warned of heavy punishment if he tries to escape. Despite this, Hopper strikes a friendship with guard Dmitri "Enzo" Antonov, and concocts a plan to claim his freedom, but is foiled after Enzo's smuggler, Yuri Ismaylov, betrays them to the prison staff. For this, Hopper is ordered to face even further torture as Antonov is jailed.

When Murray arrives to the camp, posing as Yuri, to sell Joyce and himself (actually a captured Yuri) to the camp, he convinces the warden of his stolen identity. They have arrived in time to see the prisoners put in a cage match against an agile white Demogorgon. Murray holds Melnikov at gunpoint and tries forcing him to order the gates open to free Hopper, but he refuses as it would let the Demogorgon inside. Murray knocks him out with a pistol whip, before opening the gates himself in time for Hopper and Enzo to escape. Afterwards, the Demogorgon attacks him and the other guards as it tries to escape. Before he dies to his wounds, he tells Murray about what happened at the room next to where the restrained Demogorgon was.

Gallery

In 1985, Melnikov captures Police Chief Jim Hopper after he infiltrated the Soviet base in Hawkins, Indiana.

Melnikov going to interrogate Hopper.

Melnikov questioning Hopper.

Melnikov watching Hopper being tortured.

Melnikov approaching Hopper again.

Melnikov showing Hopper a photograph of Joyce Byers, demanding to know who she is.

(in Russian) "Bring the Elephant."

Melnikov taunting Hopper for wanting to die for Joyce.

Melnikov checking his watch as Hopper begins to suffocate in the Elephant mask.

Melinkov having a doctor check on Hopper after torturing him.

Melnikov and the doctor seeing Hopper is still alive.

"You are strong, American. Perhaps the Motherland could use that strength."

Melnikov deciding to send Hopper to Kamchatka.

Melnikov talking to the doctor on why he's sending Hopper to his prison in Kamchatka.

"This man does not deserve the peace of death."

"So I sent him to hell."

Melnikov addressing his new prisoners.

Melnikov telling the prisoners what would happen if they try to escape.

"You will suffer greatly."

"Run, you die. You hear, American?"

Melnikov ordering his men to stop torturing Hopper after he's been recaptured.

Melnikov promising Hopper more pain and suffering before having him transferred to a different part of the prison.

Melnikov arriving to meet Yuri Ismaylov.

Melnikov meeting "Yuri" who is actually Murray Bauman in disguise.

Melnikov noticing the captured "Murray" who is actually the real Yuri in disguise.

Melnikov being fooled by Murray that the disguised Yuri shaved his beard off in order to arouse his suspicions.

Melnikov watching the disguised Murray hitting the disguised Yuri in order to keep him quiet.

"Ah, this one I would recognize a continent away."

Melnikov walking over to the "captured" Joyce.

Melnikov looking at Joyce, taking interest in her looks.

Melnikov glaring at Joyce when she angrily demands to know where Hopper is.

Melnikov being questioned by the disguised Murray about Hopper.

Melnikov listening to the disguised Murray describe what he imagines Hopper's death to be like.

"You are not the Yuri I have heard of."

(Murray: "I am not?") "No. The Yuri I was told of had a screw loose. And you have many screws loose."

Melnikov chuckling as he's amused with the disguised Murray's "sadism".

Melnikov and Murray laughing.

Melnikov escorting the disguised Murray and his new "prisoners".

Melnikov having taken "Yuri" and his "captives" to the top of an arena where Hopper and the other prisoners are being prepared to fight a captive Demogorgon.

"I could tell you, but that would spoil the fun now, wouldn't it?"

Melnikov and his guests watching the prisoners about to start getting weapons.

"I enjoy this part...where they believe there is still hope."

Melnikov having noticed Hopper tie a piece of cloth around a spear and pour alcohol on it.

(in Russian) "What is the American doing?"

Melnikov ordering a soldier to find out what Hopper is doing.

Melnikov about to return to his guests.

Melnikov surprised to suddenly be threatened by "Yuri".

"What is this? Some kind of sick joke?"

Melnikov seeing Murray & Joyce reveal themselves where Murray pretended to be Yuri while Joyce pretended to be a prisoner.

"Then I'm afraid you're going to have to kill me."

"Because your friend is already dead."

Melnikov, Murray, Joyce, and Yuri seeing the Demogorgon being released where it starts slaughtering the prisoners.

Melnikov watching the prisoners being massacred by the Demogorgon.

Melnikov refusing to cooperate when Murray orders him to tell his men to kill the Demogorgon as he knows he'll be branded a traitor to his country if he does so.

Melnikov being taken hostage by Murray.

Melnikov being held at gunpoint by Murray.

Melnikov, Murray, and Joyce entering the prison's control room.

When Murray orders a worker to open the door to let the prisoners, Melnikov warns the Demogorgon will be set loose if the doors get opened.

Melnikov hearing the worker refusing to cooperate with Murray and Joyce out of concern for the lives of his fellow coworkers.

Melnikov being knocked out by Murray.

Melnikov mutilated and injured after the Demogorgon and Demodogs escape, massacring everyone in the prison.

Melnikov being questioned by Murray when he, Hopper, and Joyce return to the prison.

Melnikov telling Murray how the Demogorgon got into the control room.

Melnikov explaining to Murray how the guards attempted to kill the Demogorgon, only for their gunfire to release the Demodogs from their containment.

When Murray asks him what happened to the Mind Flayer's fragment, Melnikov answers it also free and went into the demodogs.

Melnikov dying from his injuries after telling Murray, Hopper, and Joyce what happened to everyone in his prison.

Trivia

• His name was never mentioned in the series, only appearing in the credits
• He is the second major Stranger Things villain to be attacked by a Demogorgon, with the first being Dr. Martin Brenner (although Brenner survived the attack)

External Links

• Warden Melnikov on the Pure Evil Wiki
• Warden Melnikov on the Stranger Things Wiki