Since the first season, the “Upside Down” has fueled the craziest theories. In episodes 5 to 7 of volume 2, Stranger Things finally takes the plunge: this nightmarish dimension is not a simple parallel world, but a wormhole connecting Hawkins to a still unknown universe – the famous Dimension X. It is Dustin who discovers the truth by consulting old documents of Dr. Brenner: the “Upside Down” is a conduit between two worlds, a physical phenomenon to which the red sphere which hovers above Hawkins’ laboratory is the key.
This narrative upheaval redefines all the foundations of the series. By breaking through the walls of this wormhole, characters trigger a destructive pull. This is how Nancy, Jonathan, Steve and Dustin come close to death in a tense scene, where a molten material almost engulfs them. The discovery of Dimension X also calls into question all methods of combat against Vecna.
Vecna prepares the collision between worlds
Henry Creel, alias Vecna, continues his plan of annihilation. He has captured all twelve children from the program, except Holly and Derek, and keeps them in a distorted memory of the Creel house. Its objective: to bring Dimension X into collision with Earth, via the wormhole, to reshape reality in its image.
In a chilling scene, the children form a circle around a table. Vecna enters their minds one by one to the sound of a clock. Meanwhile, Max and Holly escape Vecna’s mental prison with the help of Will, who takes possession of Henry’s body. Holly then falls into the sky of the “Upside Down”, revealing a crucial detail: the real world is at the bottom of the wormhole, while Dimension X is located at the top.
Will’s coming out reinforces the emotional core of the series
Among the most intimate moments of this volume 2, Will’s revelation remains a major turning point. Overwhelmed by his doubts, he eventually confided his homosexuality to friends and family, fearing rejection. But their kind reaction frees him from a burden and solidifies the group’s bonds.
This scene gives new depth to his character. Having remained in the background for a long time, Will becomes a real emotional pivot of the series. He doesn’t explicitly admit his love for Mike, but suggests it enough to move fans. If the “Byler” couple does not materialize, their friendship emerges stronger than ever.
An inevitable sacrifice to end the war
As the group prepares for a final offensive against Vecna, a moral dilemma looms: Kali and Eleven plan to sacrifice themselves. Using the bathtub in Hawkins’ laboratory, Eleven must enter Vecna’s mind with the help of Max, Will and Kali, while a bomb is dropped to destroy Dimension X for good.
But this plan hides another truth: according to Kali, even after the fall of Vecna, the military will continue to hunt down test subjects like them to create human weapons. The only way to end this spiral, according to her, would be sacrifice. Eleven, still a teenager, finds herself faced with an unbearable decision.
Despite her doubts, she agrees to the plan. But Hopper is unaware, and everything suggests that this final fight may not end without loss.