The concluding season of Stranger Things is generating a wealth of theories, particularly one that addresses a significant enigma concerning the Upside Down, while simultaneously deepening the tragedy of Will Byers’ narrative (played by Noah Schnapp). As the series prepares to wrap up with its fifth season, multiple mysteries remain unsolved, especially following the dramatic conclusion of season 4, where Max (Sadie Sink) was left in a coma after her confrontation with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). This event set into motion Vecna’s ominous plans.
The storyline for Stranger Things season 5 is hinted to occur in the fall of 1987, with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) mysteriously disappearing. As fans speculate about the fates of various characters, one prevailing theory delves into Will’s fate and sheds light on a major aspect of the Upside Down.
Theories About Will’s Connection To Vecna in Season 5
Will’s Connection To The Upside Down
From the onset of Stranger Things, Will Byers has been a pivotal character. His mysterious disappearance not only catalyzed the main plot but also introduced audiences to the horrors of the Upside Down, the Demogorgon, and the enigmas posed by Hawkins Lab. The fallout from Will’s week-long ordeal in the Upside Down has shaped his character, leading to troubling developments, particularly revealed in season 2, where he exhibited a psychic bond with the Mind Flayer, resulting in trance-like visions of the Upside Down.
By the culmination of season 2, Will had been liberated from the Mind Flayer’s grasp. However, the finale of season 4 showcased lingering connections, evidenced by Will sensing the Upside Down’s influence prior to the ominous spores raining down and permeating the human realm. This has fueled speculation that a deeper, more dormant connection exists within Will that could be awakened as season 5 unfolds.
Interestingly, a theory circulating on Reddit proposes that Will may have developed powers akin to those possessed by Eleven and Vecna while he was enveloped in the Upside Down. According to the theorist, Will’s injury from falling off his bike right before being captured could have facilitated direct exposure to the enigmatic spores and other phenomena within that realm. The narrative of season 4 hints that although Henry Creel had abilities pre-dating his experience in the Upside Down, it was the unique environment of that dimension, along with his ties to the Mind Flayer, that unlocked further potential.
As such, Will’s prolonged entanglement with the Upside Down might have endowed him with abilities beyond mere psychic connections. The theorist further draws parallels between Will and Henry, noting their shared traits as lonely, artistic individuals, suggesting that this similarity made Will a target, perhaps positioning him to acquire powers during his extended stay in the alternate dimension, though the exact nature of such powers remains speculative.
The Reason Behind The Upside Down’s Stagnation in Time
Understanding The Upside Down’s Temporal Stasis
In season 4, it was unveiled that the Upside Down doesn’t operate in real-time alongside the human world. Instead, it remains frozen on November 6, 1983, a crucial date marking both Will’s abduction and the Demogorgon’s escape from Hawkins Lab. Although the series did not clarify why this temporal anomaly exists, theories abound—some posit that Eleven’s act of opening the gate established a replication of Hawkins within the Upside Down, while others speculate that Vecna had been creating this duplicate but ceased upon the gate’s opening and Eleven’s emergence.
Furthermore, another theory suggests that the Upside Down’s stasis on that date could represent a manifestation of Will’s trauma. According to proponents of this idea, Will’s injury and resultant exposure to the Upside Down may have not only granted him special abilities but could also account for the timelessness of the dimension itself. This could imply a deeper psychological connection, where Will’s developing powers inadvertently led him to project his traumatic memories onto the Upside Down.
Will’s Role as Vecna’s Potential Human Host
The Potential Unfolding of Vecna’s Strategy
If the theory holds true and Will has indeed acquired supernatural powers that contributed to the formation of the Upside Down, then these developments must serve a greater purpose. It’s important to note that Vecna is not an antagonist who acts without intent; thus, Will could represent the final element required for Vecna’s grand design, potentially serving as a human vessel that would allow him further dominion over the human world. A theory shared by a user on Reddit elaborates that given Vecna’s deteriorating state, he would require a robust human host to navigate the human realm effectively.
Should Vecna succeed in possessing Will, the outcomes would vastly differ from when Will was under the influence of the Mind Flayer during season 2, as Vecna’s intentions are far more nefarious. Will’s once dormant gift of true sight could resurface with dreaded implications once under Vecna’s influence, making him instrumental in Vecna’s takeover of the human realm. Tragically, this scenario places Will in jeopardy, positioning him for a potentially heart-wrenching conclusion.
The Possibility of Will Byers’ Demise
Anticipating Major Character Deaths in Season 5
If Will is indeed integral to Vecna’s plan and is destined to become his host, it suggests that he could be pivotal in defeating Vecna—though this outcome carries dire implications. Inflicting harm upon Will could be necessary to defeat Vecna, which raises the stakes for his character’s survival. Should Will channel his humanity amidst Vecna’s manipulation, he might opt for self-sacrifice to protect his friends, family, and Hawkins, creating a narrative circle that harkens back to his abduction in season 1.
Nonetheless, the possibility exists for inflicting damage on Vecna through Will without resorting to his death, as such an outcome would feel excessively tragic and could undermine the character’s rescue arc from the earlier seasons. With a considerable emotional investment in Will’s journey, it seems unlikely that Stranger Things will render his fate so predictable or terminal, particularly given the foreshadowing of his connection to the Upside Down evident at the end of season 4.
Source: Reddit.