Vecna as the Culprit in Stranger Things: Unraveling the Truth

Stranger Things fans have debated long and hard about who kidnapped Will Byers in the first episode. It begs the question: could it have actually been Vecna who pulled off this looming threat? Let's delve into some fascinating theories and evidence.

Possibilities and Theories

One significant possibility is that it was Vecna himself who instigated the kidnapping during the brief window when he could enter the physical world. This would add a chilling layer to the storyline, especially if Vecna appeared coinciding with Eleven’s scream, which supposedly made a crack in the gate that held him.

Another intriguing theory posits that Vecna could have possessed a demogorgon, thereby explaining the telekinetic abilities that the demogorgon exhibited. This is a notable deviation from the norm, as other demogorgons have displayed no such powers. Vecna’s possession theory aligns with his inherent magical abilities and his desire to explore the physical realm.

Additional Clues and Evidence

Throughout Will’s time in the Upside Down, he was humming a Clash song, mirroring the activity between him and Jonathan Byers to drown out the sound of their parents fighting. This detail adds a layer of subtle foreshadowing and hints at Will’s sensitivity and creativity, qualities that also paralleled young Henry Creel.

The end of Season 1, where Eleven banishes the Demogorgon, mirrors the sequence in Season 4 when Eleven initially banishes Henry Creel to the Upside Down, complete with matching movements. At the time of Will’s capture, a grandfather clock chimed, serving as a harbinger of impending doom. This is notably reminiscent of Vecna’s trademark clock chimes in Season 4, introducing a potential connection.

Final Thoughts on Vecna’s Involvement

Both possibilities are compelling. However, the second theory leans more plausible: Vecna’s immense power grew to the point where he could possess a being from the Upside Down to enter the physical world. This explanation fits the pre-existing Vecna mythology in the Stranger Things universe. With Vecna's ability to possess creatures and his intrinsically magical nature, such a scenario aligns well with his character development throughout the series.

Fan Theories and Evidence

Multiple fan theories suggest that Vecna's presence was indicated before his official appearance. Notably, the silhouette of the entity kidnapping Will looks eerily similar to Vecna’s design. Additionally, the demogorgon’s telekinetic opening of the lock—although a unique ability in this context—could be a trait of Vecna. Further, the chiming clock, a known symbol of death associated with Vecna, was heard at the time of Will’s kidnapping.

Given all these clues and the deep-rooted Vecna mythology in the series, it’s not unwarranted to conclude that Vecna indeed orchestrated Will’s kidnapping. These intricacies hint at the meticulous storytelling of the Stranger Things creators, leaving fans with much to speculate and discuss.