Warning: Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things, season 5, volume 1Stranger Things season 5 has officially begun with the release of Volume 1 on November 26, and fans are already clamoring for more. Netflix’s sci-fi series creators, The Duffer Brothers, have revealed what could be in store for Volume 2, including the show’s main antagonist, Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower).
In an interview with Variety, Matt and Ross Duffer spoke about the new Volume of season 5, which is due to be released on December 25. While it’s not officially confirmed what will happen, Matt spoke briefly about what fans can expect to see during the next few episodes, including more of Vecna’s memories:
Yes, that’s what we call our new Russia storyline, because it’s very few characters. They’re kind of isolated off on their own, Max and Holly. We’re very happy with how it integrates with the other storylines.
Max and Holly in Stranger Things season 5Image via Netflix
The Russia storyline refers to Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour) as he is trapped in a Russian prison and has to plot an escape. Similar to Max (played by Sadie Sink) and Holly (played by Nell Fisher), who are planning their escape from Vecna’s mindscape during Volume 1 of season 5.
Vecna/Henry/001/Mr. Whotsit has a deep and complex history, which warranted the creators to team up with Kate Trefry and bring to the stage in a play titled The First Shadow, which acts as a prequel to Stranger Things, focusing solely on a young Henry Creel. During the interview, Matt and Ross confirmed that the cave shown during Volume 1 is the same as in the Broadway play:
Matt Duffer: There was always a balance that we had to find in terms of how much we were going to put in the play. [The director] Stephen [Daldry] and [the producer] Sonia [Friedman] were always pushing for more, and we were pushing back and saying, “Well, we have to wait to reveal that in the show.” You’ll see, especially as you reach the final episode, that there’s more overlap with the play.
Ross Duffer: And, like, Max finds that “Oklahoma” poster, which people who haven’t seen the play are maybe like, “Why is Henry in ‘Oklahoma’?” But I think it’s nice for us to start to tie those two together.
Matt Duffer: But you absolutely do not have to have seen the play to understand. They’re Easter eggs more than anything.
While Matt stated that you don’t have to see the play to understand what’s happening, it can’t hurt to get a little extra context. Henry is shown exploring these caves near an army base in Nevada during The First Shadow when he’s accidentally transported to Dimension X, an alternate dimension created way before the Upside Down and this is how Henry meets the Mind Flayer.
While it’s not entirely clear why Henry is deeply afraid of the caves, it’s obvious that whatever happened will be shown in later episodes as Matt and Ross unpack Vecna’s dark history. Variety continued and tried to inquire if the Mind Flayer is truly the real evil of Stranger Things, to which Matt replied:
You’re asking a question that will be answered in the final episode. The next spoiler talk we do, I’ll address it.
The Oklahoma poster Max finds in Henry’s memories shows the date, November 6 (the same date Will was taken in season 1), as well as Joyce (played by Winona Ryder) directing a play which also features Henry. Perhaps their history will also be addressed in Volume 2, as well as the significance of November 6.
Perhaps the true evil has yet to emerge, and Max and Holly’s mission could be the unraveling of a long-kept secret.
Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 5 is now available on Netflix. Volume 2 is set to release on December 25, with the series finale coming to Netflix on December 31.
Release Date
2016 – 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
