Stranger Things Season 5 Drops Major Vecna Motive Hint

Stranger Things’ latest instalment has only just landed, yet viewers are already dissecting every detail from the opening episodes. Among the most intriguing discoveries is a theory that could unravel the entire storyline. When Holly Wheeler finds herself ensnared in Henry Creel’s Mindscape, it’s revealed that Max’s consciousness has been trapped there since her coma at the end of the previous series. During a flashback, Max roams through Creel’s memories from the 1950s, stumbling upon a scene at Hawkins High where Joyce Byers is distributing leaflets for a school production of Oklahoma.

Fans, ever the detectives, have zeroed in on a seemingly innocuous piece of paper as a potential key to Vecna’s long-standing grudge against the town. The flyer lists Oklahoma as being directed by Joyce, with Jim Hopper, Karen and Ted Wheeler, Patty Newby, Alan Munson, and Creel himself among the cast. Yet, it’s the date that has set tongues wagging: 6 November 1959. For those keeping track, Will Byers vanished on 6 November 1983. The parallel is hard to ignore, prompting speculation that the events of the play’s night may have set the stage for Vecna’s revenge. The echoes of a classic horror film are unmistakable.

Unravelling the Play’s Significance

One viewer summed up the growing suspicion on social media:

“November 6th. All the parents. They were all targeted,”

highlighting that the children of Joyce, Hopper, and the Wheelers have all become entangled in the chaos unleashed by Vecna. Alan Munson’s inclusion is particularly notable, as he could be related to the late Eddie Munson, adding another layer to the web of connections.

The mystery deepens with the stage production Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which centres on this very school play. In the theatrical version, Joyce orchestrates a supposed Oklahoma! performance, casting first-year students Henry Creel and Patty Newby in leading roles. Their budding romance, however, is a smokescreen. Joyce is actually directing Dark of the Moon, a supernatural tale about a witch boy’s doomed love for a human girl. Behind the scenes, Joyce and Hopper are using the play as a pretext to persuade Henry to testify against his father, who is under suspicion for animal killings in Hawkins. Patty’s promise to run away with Henry after the play never materialises, as Creel is abducted by Dr. Brenner and subsequently murders his family on the very night of the performance.

Vecna’s Grudge and the Power of Memory

These revelations suggest that Vecna’s campaign against Hawkins’ youth may be rooted in a desire for retribution against their parents’ actions. Alternatively, the play itself could represent a deeply traumatic episode that Creel has locked away in his psyche, much like the cave motif that recurs throughout the series. This hidden memory might hold the secret to restoring his lost humanity and thwarting his sinister ambitions.

The first volume of Stranger Things’ fifth series is now available to stream, with the concluding episodes scheduled for release on Christmas Day. For those eager to keep up with the unfolding drama, the release calendar offers all the key dates. Meanwhile, the show continues to spark debate and speculation among its devoted following.