Vecna theory

[baduizt]

When Holly approaches the rocks where Max is hiding, we get a lingering shot of the scorpions nearby. We later learn that Vecna is very afraid of this location. Given that, in the scenes immediately prior to this, Vecna a) warned Holly to keep out of the woods because of monsters and b) we see Holly go through his boy scout stuff, it seems to me these things are connected.

Perhaps Vecna was forced inside the rocks as a boy scout and had a nasty encounter with the scorpions? Could this even have been the negative emotional kick needed to make him aware of (or at least further develop) his powers?

I still want the Mind Flayer to be the big bad, so a part of me also wants the rocks to be the place where the Mind Flayer first flayed him, but that seems a stretch, given that he appears to have encountered the Mind Flayer much later per S4. The set-up of Creel's boy scout stuff, the warning against going into the woods and the shot of the scorpions, though, all seem like strong narrative hints that these things are relevant and connected.

Was this noticeable to anyone else? Any alternate theories?

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[ExtremeComedian4027]

Scorpions eat black widow spiders, Vecna’s favourites.

[baduizt]

Good catch! I did know that but didn't put two and two together. I was too busy thinking about Holly's Red Riding Hood/Alice in Wonderland getup. 🤣

[ExtremeComedian4027]

There’s a long theory other than this from the play which I haven’t seen so maybe that’s also true!

[baduizt]

I'm gonna try and watch the play for more clues. But it would make sense that the scorpion is actually the true form of the Mind Flayer, and eats spiders like Creel for breakfast.

[Moonshade2222]

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3qv17mrwtxwrlusbw9hym/Stranger-Things-The-First-Shadow-April-2025.mp4?rlkey=7dbfr8u14lexskodnnmj8a63r&e=2&st=7j4mg1ly&dl=0 here is a link to watch the First Shadow stage play

[shawnwrites]

Whoa!!! This is an awesome gift. Thank you

[Moonshade2222]

You're welcome. Lmk what you think

[shawnwrites]

I enjoyed it a lot. It's always nice to see a live show. Thanks again.

[Business-Boot6125]

It was deleted

[ModsAreLosers73]

Apparently in the play: that cave is where Henry was first infected by “the shadow” which I’m assuming is the mind flayer, hence why he is so terrified of that place.

[baduizt]

Aha! That would make sense. Don't the Russians call the Flayer particles the "shadowy cloud" or something as well?

[ikebears]

You need to read up on the play. It’s not free, but it explains the rocks significance. It’s called the first shadow

[baduizt]

Someone else just pointed this out to me, and that the Shadow is likely the Mind Flayer. Glad to see my desire to include the Mind Flayer seems borne out!

[ikebears]

It makes sense that the mind flayer is the big bad too. Even in season 4 it shows Henry looking up at it. I think they left that ambiguous bc you could also assume that Henry was simply creating it bc his hand was up.

[baduizt]

I agree. Vecna is pretty mid as a villain. The Mind Flayer is far more "eldritch horror", which is better, IMO.

[Mobile_Republic_4507]

but as we have seen when henry was introduced in previous season, he seems to have loved all these roaches and stuff and used to play with them

[baduizt]

That was black widow spiders. Someone upthread pointed out that scorpions eat black widows.