Stranger Things 4 had huge shoes to fill as it was returning after three years. The towering expectations the fans had were satisfied as we got seven episodes with crazy runtimes but more the merrier for us. We meet the new bad guy that has his eyes on Hawkins- Vecna. The final episode of Vol. 1 reveals Vecna to be Henry Creel and 001. He shares the same abilities as Eleven. This does beg the obvious question- is he the bad guy to beat or is there someone over him as well? Well there are two possibilities, one pretty simple- The Mind Flayer is the main villain and the other is Vecna is the main villain with the Mind Flayer working for him. Let’s explore both possibilities.
Stranger Things 4 Villain Possibility 1: The Mind Flayer
This one is pretty straightforward. We were introduced to the Mind Flayer in season 2 and it was pretty clear that he is the brain behind whatever sinister takes place in Hawkins, although he can’t function if the gate to the upside down is closed. If we believe the possibility that the upside down existed millions of years ago then it seems that an ancient entity like the Mind Flayer is more likely to be the boss as Vecna aka Henry Creel was banished to the Upside Down just a few years ago. The Mind Flayer plans to take over out reality but because he doesn’t a have physical he depends on his pawns like Demogorgon or Demo dogs and in this case, Vecna. He is able to take over hosts from out world and use them as well like Billy and Will.
Although, if this is the case then I theorize there is someone above the Mind Flayer as well… something called the Elder Brain. All the monsters in Strangers Things are named after characters in D&D even if they’re way different than their counterparts. The Elder Brain in D&D is one such entity that is higher than the Mind Flayer and more powerful. It only seems possible that a brain is behind all this, as the characters theorize, only difference being there is a literal brain there and it is not the Mind Flayer. If this turns out to be true then we may as well see multiple Mind Flayers being controlled by the Elder Brain.
Possibility 2: Vecna
This is possible only if the Upside Down is not some ancient relic rather a manmade dimension caused by Eleven when she banished 001 into it. Once he got there he realized the powers he possessed in our reality work there as well and he assumed control of it and started his attacks on us after a gate opened. After multiple unsuccessful attempts via Demogorgon, Demo dogs and the Mind Flayer, he decided to do take charge himself. This is supported by the creepy clock noises that mark his arrival. Same noises were heard when the Mind Flayer possessed Billy and the Demogorgon attacked Will. There is a possibility he was there from the very start. He didn’t come himself because maybe he was preparing, evolving, mutating. Regardless, there is a possibility it is Vecna after all.
Now then share your thoughts on this as well. Vol. 2 of Season 4 will debut on Netflix on 1st July 2022, hopefully it answers this question.
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