Will Byers’ Connection to Vecna Finally Explained in Stranger Things Season 5

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Summary

  • Season 5 of Stranger Things focuses on Will Byers’ mysterious survival in the Upside Down.
  • Flashbacks from season 1 might reveal details of Will’s disappearance and time on the Upside Down.
  • Will likely confront Vecna in the Upside Down, playing a significant role in defeating the ultimate villain.

The fifth season of “Stranger Things” is nearly here, and yet, one of the most intriguing enigmas in the series remains unanswered: the vanishing of Will Byers (portrayed by Noah Schnapp). His disappearance sparked the events in the first season, but the specifics behind his disappearance have never been explained. In the premiere of season 1, Will was pursued by a creature that would later be called a Demogorgon. What makes this particularly intriguing is that he vanished for an entire week without meeting his demise.

In contrast, as Stranger Things concludes, questions remain unanswered from the events involving Nancy Wheeler’s friend, Barbara “Barb” Holland (Shannon Purser). For instance, how did a 12-year-old boy endure the horrors of the Upside Down? And why did Will Byers vanish initially? Luckily, clues left by the Duffer Brothers may provide insights into the mysteries that fans are eager to unravel.

Confirmed Flashbacks From Stranger Things Season 1

In a recent Instagram post by struniverse, the creators of Stranger Things announced that season 5 will include flashbacks filmed during the initial season. This might allow viewers to delve into various characters’ experiences related to Will’s disappearance. Additionally, fans will finally catch a glimpse of what transpired during the week when Will went missing, providing insights into his ordeal in the Upside Down, his encounters with the Demogorgon, and how he ultimately ended up captured and managed to survive.

A recently released photograph confirms an actor wearing clothes similar to those of young Will Byers, as seen in Season 1. Standing beside him is Noah Schnapp, who plays Will now, seemingly depicting a scene from the past. Just as they used computer-generated imagery (CGI) to make Martie Blair resemble Millie Bobby Brown when she played young Eleven in Season 4, it’s expected that special effects will be employed to de-age young Will Byers for scenes not originally filmed years ago. The flashbacks and new CGI effects hint at a more detailed exploration of the events from Will’s perspective back in 1983, as depicted by the Duffer brothers in the series.

Will Can Still Sense Vecna

At the end of season 1 of “Stranger Things”, viewers watch as Will expels a creature, later identified as a Demogorgon nicknamed D’Artagnan or simply Dart. Instantly, it’s clear that his environment shifts, indicating he remains linked to the Upside Down even though he is now on our side of reality. This connection forms a crucial part of the storyline in season 2.

Initially, what Will perceived was thought to be the source itself, later known as the Mindflayer. However, it was eventually unveiled that Vecna (portrayed by Jamie Campbell Bower) had been orchestrating events all along. In the 7th episode of season 4, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) makes a remarkable discovery, concluding that Vecna plays a crucial role in the Mindflayer’s schemes.

If the Demogorgon is more like a common soldier, then Vecna would be his highly skilled and powerful field commander, capable of opening portals.

As a devoted fan of “Stranger Things,” I’ve noticed an intriguing pattern in the series – whenever Will senses the proximity of the Mindflayer or Vecna, he subtly touches his neck. Despite his storyline in season 4 seemingly unrelated to Vecna at first glance, the moment he re-entered the devastated town of Hawkins, I could feel his presence like a chill down my spine. Mike later declared that Vecna, also known as 001, had been vanquished, but Will swiftly corrected him, assuring us all that while he may have been injured, the menacing entity was most certainly still alive and breathing.

Will Byers Parallels Henry Creel

In the initial season and later in the fourth season, it’s interesting to note that Henry Creel, also known as Vecna, shared striking resemblances with Will Byers. In the first episode of season 1, Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) pointed out that Will is a sensitive child. Similarly, in the fourth season’s fourth episode, Victor Creel (Robert Englund) used similar terms to describe his son, highlighting traits that became more prominent after they moved into their new residence.

But Henry, my… My boy, he was a sensitive child… And I could see he felt something was wrong.

Beyond being compassionate and artistic, Henry also had a knack for sensing the extraordinary, much like Will did. The fourth season reveals that this talent of Henry’s caught the attention of Dr. Martin Brenner (played by Matthew Modine), who later assigned him the number 001. Given the similarities between Will and Henry, it isn’t entirely implausible to infer that Will may possess powers akin to those of the children in the lab. After all, it seems unusual for the government to conceal his disappearance and even stage his demise.

Will Is Likely Going to Meet Vecna (Again) in the Upside Down

It appears that Will’s role in “Stranger Things” season 5 could be more substantial than many viewers anticipate. There’s a strong possibility he might become the lead character for the series finale. Despite the town of Hawkins now resembling the Upside Down due to the opened gates, the struggle still lies on the other side. Given that Eleven couldn’t defeat Vecna alone, she will likely rely on Will and his skills to help her vanquish the ultimate antagonist.

It’s plausible that Will might have overlooked certain interactions he had with Vecna during the time he vanished. Yet, their eventual meeting in the Upside Down could serve as a powerful moment to illustrate the ties binding these key characters in the Stranger Things universe. As viewers know, Vecna exploits people’s deepest fears and past traumas. Given Will’s history of suffering and possibly unique abilities that Vecna requires, he may be Vecna’s main focus, enabling him to carry out his destructive plans for Hawkins.

In the upcoming Stranger Things season 5, understanding Will’s past and his link to the Upside Down will be key to defeating Vecna. However, utilizing his powers won’t come easily for Will, as he must recall harrowing experiences that he may have suppressed. The new mature rating of season 5 could lead to intense flashbacks and action sequences involving Will, making the climactic fight against Vecna all the more satisfying and worth the anticipation.

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2025-03-06 17:00