Well, well, well, folks! Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 is finally here, and oh boy, the theories we have been brewing are actually coming to life. If you are a regular viewer, you know exactly what I am talking about. We finally understand the true nature of the Upside Down.
Will Byers hasn't just revealed his identity; he has fully accepted it. We have laid eyes on the ultimate boss, and spoiler alert: it is not Vecna. It is the Mind Flayer itself. Our hero gang is gearing up to take down Vecna and end this madness once and for all.
We also learned that there is another world beyond the Upside Down and Hawkins. I am going to break down all of these massive reveals because we finally have Volume 2 in our hands. So, hold your breath because this discussion is going to be amazing. Let’s dive right in!
The Final Battle Begins
Towards the end, we see our hero gang entering the Upside Down while engaging in a fierce gun battle at the military base. I am absolutely hyped because our theories are becoming reality. The finale episode is going to be a massive two-hour spectacle filled with non-stop action and battle.
It is going to be a joint war. On one side, Will, Kali, and Eleven will come together to stop and destroy Vecna. On the other side, the rest of the hero gang will fight against Dr. K and his soldiers. No doubt, Will is going to play a very crucial role here.
He will surely control the Demogorgons through the Hive Mind, using them not just against Vecna's army but potentially against the US soldiers as well. Practically speaking, only Jim Hopper and Nancy can participate in a gun battle, which wouldn't be enough against hundreds of soldiers without supernatural help.
Vecna's Master Plan Revealed
On the other side, Vecna has started the Hive Mind connection with all 12 children. Now we know what he intends to do. He wants to connect Dimension X, that other world, with Hawkins. The Upside Down is merely acting as a bridge between these two worlds.
The "wall" theory I discussed previously seems correct; the walls are acting as a vessel or a bridge. Mr. Clarke’s wormhole theory is also coming true. We saw a glimpse of this in the sixth episode, where a hole in the wall nearly killed our heroes due to high pressure.
The crazy fireball we saw helps balance those walls. If that fireball is disturbed, the walls will break, creating a vacuum that sucks everything in and destroys it. Vecna is using those 12 children to link Dimension X, but there is even more to his plan than just that.
The True Form of the Mind Flayer
Remember the theories about a giant monster? That mountain-like object located at Camazotz is the giant monster. It appears that this is the actual Mind Flayer. However, it isn't alive yet; only its soul is active. The particles we see are essentially its soul.
Vecna is putting those Mind Flayer particles into the mouths of the 12 children. With their help, he will generate a power that resurrects the dead Mind Flayer. This is the real Mind Flayer, and the shadow form we’ve seen before was just a projection. This is its physical body.
The interior of Camazotz shows teeth, suggesting the entire area is the mouth of this terrifying creature. Vecna might control this Mind Flayer, or perhaps Vecna is the "mind" while this giant monster is the "body." The entire Upside Down is connected to Vecna's mind, so this makes perfect sense.
The Role of the 12 Children
Our heroes are in for a tough time. They have no idea about this giant monster. Defeating Vecna won't be as easy as they think. The 12 children might function like the legs of the Mind Flayer, with each child providing the life force for a specific part of the creature.
Vecna acts as the central mind. The children work like cells, converting their energy to keep the Mind Flayer alive. If even one child is removed, the energy flow breaks, and the Mind Flayer could die again. This explains the four-chime ritual from Season 4; it opened the door for this very moment.
Young Henry Creel’s Secret
We also saw a younger version of Henry in the cave, opening a briefcase after killing a scientist. This connects to "The First Shadow" play. The briefcase likely contained Mind Flayer particles found by Henry in 1959. These particles entered his body, transporting him to Dimension X.
Young Henry spent about 12 hours wandering Dimension X (or the Right Side Up). This experience was traumatic and acts like a nightmare he constantly relives. This is likely why Vecna avoids that specific cave. This trauma is his weakness.
Eleven and Kali will surely uncover this to find Vecna's weak spot. Just as Vecna uses his victims' fears to manipulate them, our hero gang will use his own fear against him. This cave loophole is going to be expanded significantly in the finale.
What to Expect in the Finale
This was just the ending explained for Volume 2. There are still major plots to break down, like Dr. Brenner’s diary and Dr. K’s true intentions for creating more superhumans. Something very fishy is happening behind the scenes for the final episode.
I am incredibly excited for this plot twist. If you’ve watched Volume 2, what was your experience? What are your theories for the future and the story of Volume 3? Let me know your thoughts, and I’ll see you in the next breakdown!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vecna the final boss of Stranger Things?
Actually, it appears he is not. The breakdown reveals that the ultimate boss is the Mind Flayer itself. While Vecna is powerful, the giant mountain-like creature we see is the Mind Flayer's physical body. Vecna is likely acting as the "mind" to control this body, rather than being the supreme entity himself.
What is Vecna doing with the 12 children?
Vecna is using the 12 children essentially as living batteries. They are connected via a hive mind to generate the energy needed to resurrect the dead Mind Flayer. It seems each child powers a specific part or "leg" of the giant monster. If one child is removed, the entire process could fail.
What is Dimension X?
Dimension X is the "Other World" or the "Right Side Up" that exists beyond the Upside Down. The Upside Down is currently acting just as a bridge or a vessel connecting Hawkins to Dimension X. Vecna’s ultimate goal is to merge this dimension with the real world to rule over it.
How can the hero gang defeat Vecna?
The secret likely lies in Henry Creel’s past. We saw that young Henry was trapped in a cave in Dimension X for 12 hours, a traumatic experience that still haunts him. Eleven and Kali will likely discover this fear and use it against him, just as he uses trauma against his victims.