How to watch ‘Stranger Things: First Shadow’? Sequel holds major clue to why Vecna can’t enter the cave
'Stranger Things' creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, confirmed how season 5's cave storyline connects to the prequel play. 'The First Shadow'. The production, performed in the West End and on Broadway, follows the origins of Henry Creel before he becomes Vecna.
In season 5, it is revealed that Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is indeed alive and is trapped in Vecna's memories. She seeks refuge in a cave, calling it her "sanctuary" after Vecna is unwilling to enter the place. In an interview with Variety, the Duffer Brothers were asked if the cave was the same as the one referenced in the play, and the duo dropped their take.
"Yeah. When we were working on the play with Kate Trefry, we had Henry’s backstory worked out," said Matt. "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, there’s more overlap with the play."
"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, Ross added. "But you absolutely do not have to have seen the play to understand. They’re Easter eggs more than anything."
According to 'The First Shadow', a young Henry was shown to be exploring the caves in Nevada near an army base when he was accidentally transported to an alternate dimension known as 'Dimenson X'. The version predates the Upside Down version of Hawkins and marks the first time he comes into contact with the Mind Flayer. Speculations now say that Vecna's memories of his encounter are the reason behind his reluctance to enter. This also adds more fuel to the fact that Vecna is just another pawn, with the Mind Flayer possibly being the ultimate evil.
With four episodes released, fans had some insight into the form of Max's fate and the Hawkins heroes' plans to stop Vecna. However, the explosive midseason finale now sets the tone for the remaining episodes dropping on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
'Stranger Things 5' is streaming on Netflix
