We’re in the home stretch with Stranger Things as we get closer to the big series finale on New Year’s Eve. But now, fans are watching the Christmas Day episodes. Three dropped the night of St. Nick’s day and we’re all diving in. But as I watch, I cannot stop thinking about Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and Will’s (Noah Schnapp) connection.
The end of the first batch had Will Byers taking out a sea of Demogorgans all coming for his friends. The moment came with the realization that Vecna/Henry Creel chose Will from day one. He underestimated him, thought Will would do his bidding, only to be overpowered by the young man he thought was weak. Now, in the second volume of season 5, we’re seeing more of their connection together.
**Spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 2 lie ahead**
When Will is trying to connect to the hive mind to find Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher), he discovers that Max (Sadie Sink) is helping her. And, in return, Will saves Max and Holly from Vecna. The two fight with Will using Vecna’s powers against him and Max and Holly can run away. But it takes Vecna throwing Will from his mind to break the connection.
Their back and forth with Will using Vecna’s powers to hurt him? It reminds me of something. But my problem is I just can’t quite place it. Maybe that’s the point, as many elements of Stranger Things are. Familiar enough to stories from the 80s we knew and love but not exactly the same. I wish I just knew what their back and forth made me think of.
The student (ish) becomes the teacher
We keep learning more about the Upside Down. Like how Will’s dreams helped Vecna build it and how the two are bonded all because of that fateful night on November 6th in Hawkins, Indiana. But again, I go back to trying to think about their dynamic and what it makes me think of. Is it just Thanos and Nebula? Maybe but not exactly. Their connection is more planned and less “familiar.”
Different elements of Stranger Things connect to different nostalgic moments from the 80s. The Will and Venca connect leans more into horror movies and Vecna does have Freddy vibes. But Freddy didn’t chose a child to take over his legacy. But maybe I’m thinking of Freddy and Nancy in A Nightmare on Elm Street? To be honest, that might be it. Because while Will has powers and Nancy decidedly did not, it still feels like that kind of twisted torture that exists but it isn’t exactly it.
My point is: There is something up with these two and how their “bond works.” Even if I never quite put my finger on it, I at least know that that is something I am going to be thinking about for a while because there is something there that the Duffer brothers put into the show. I just wish I knew what that was before we move on.
(featured image: Netflix)
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