conflictofthemind - hawkins high theory club
hawkins high theory club

🌈nico \ 21yo \ infp \ šŸ‡µšŸ‡ø ā˜®ļø discussing production updates and S5

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Churchgate Master Post Tonight, Buckle In

Churchgate master post tonight, buckle in 😌

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More Posts from Conflictofthemind

1 year ago

Will already has powers…

And I think I figured out exactly what they are.

Will Already Has Powers

This is a long theory post. Get some popcorn, get comfortable and be prepared to have some common fandom perspectives get flipped upside down. Nothing is as it seems.

(Trigger warning for some serious subject matters such as: homophobia, SI, m*rder, and CSA.)

Before we begin, let me remind you of what’s seen behind our boy in the photo above.

Will Already Has Powers

This post will, indeed, open that curtain. As Murray states, revealing what’s behind the curtain will cause some to feel unease. The unease may be caused by distaste of the theory overall or discomfort of the serious subject matters. So proceed with caution…

To begin, who is Will Byers?

Will Already Has Powers

A young boy who doesn’t fit in with the 1980s norms. A boy who escapes through fantasy.

In fantasy he’s a wizard… a cleric…

Outside of fantasy he’s an artist… a creator…

He’s a boy who’s different. He stands out from the rest, yet he manages to remain hidden for the most part. He’s ā€œgood at hidingā€.

Will Already Has Powers

He is a part of a small loving family of three. His mother Joyce and his older brother Jonathan. His biological dad is estranged (more on him later).

Will has a few friends when we begin the show: Lucas, Dustin, and Mike. Mike and Will have a bond that’s different from the others (more on them later).

Will is a young boy who has experienced a lot of trauma, from bullying peers and an abusive parent to being victimized by supernatural forces. There’s a lot going on for him both internally and externally. These also happen to correlate with each other quite frequently. Suspiciously frequently in fact. Which leads me to this conclusion:

Will Already Has Powers
Will Already Has Powers

Will’s powers involve shaping the world around him based on his warped views of himself, his sexuality, and his mental health. He’s literally ā€œreshaping the [external] worldā€ to match his internal world; ā€œremake it however [he] sees fit.ā€

Wow okay slow down there, you may be thinking. You’re really saying he has God like abilities? Well, sort of- but he lacks the insight or control over his own abilities at this point. Just bare with me here and keep an open mind as things will get stranger…

Moving away from the deeper aspects of his character, let’s look at something superficial: his name.

William ā€œWillā€ Byers

The name William means ā€œDeterminedā€ or ā€œResolute Protectorā€ or ā€œStrong Helmetā€. Okay.

Byers means someone who lives by a cattle-shed. Hm. Okay.

But wait… let’s go back. What does the name ā€œWillā€ mean?

Will Already Has Powers

Well… there’s multiple meanings but let’s focus on the highlighted one.

ā€œMental powersā€ you say? A name that literally means the ability to make others do things or make things occur? To bend things to one’s will…

When did he get these powers?

I’m not confident in the answer to this but I think he may have always had the powers. Just like his sexuality, he was born this way.

It’s very likely that he was specifically targeted back in the first episode because of this, then was possessed afterwards for the same reason.

I mean… for a villain who wants to ā€œreshape the worldā€- why wouldn’t he want the powers of a boy with this ability?

As I believe his powers are intertwined with his sexuality, they began manifesting much more once puberty hit. Will likely has used his powers in seasons 1 and 2 but very subtly. In season 3, they become more obvious but still in the shadows (and unbeknownst to him…he suppresses it). They emerge in correlation with his blooming sexuality.

Season 3 is associated with possession, and the concept of free will is a frequent theme. The characters discuss how to look out for people acting out of the ordinary, out of character if you will. Any characters that come to mind?

Will Already Has Powers

Hopper was noticeably different this season. Coincidentally, the same season Will desperately held onto his childhood innocence, Hopper acted suspiciously immature.

Will Already Has Powers

Will wants El and Mike to break up. Hopper wants El and Mike to break up.

Mike explains to Lucas that Hopper ā€œthreatenedā€ him while we immediately cut to Will. What’s Will doing here? He is moving DnD characters on a board. He is manipulating the characters here… playing dollhouse… being a puppet master. This little guy was so jealous of Mike and El that he influenced Hopper to try and break them up!

Will Already Has Powers

We are shown other little incidences of Hopper acting Will-like too. He suddenly buys a shirt that’s different than his usual wardrobe- ā€œthat’s a lot of color chefā€. Will is known for wearing colourful clothes, that’s highlighted as a reason he is seen as ā€œdifferentā€ and is bullied for it. Hopper has trouble pronouncing an alcoholic beverage, saying ā€œcheeantiā€ when he is well acquainted with alcohol. While Will is dressed up as Will the Wise, Lucas asks Will for permission to shower- then we cut to Hopper showering. Hopper acts very immature in his jealousy, just as Will does. Both Hopper and Will have big fights with Joyce and Mike in episode 3 of season 3. When El asks ā€œhow do we know when someone’s a host?ā€ the scene immediately ends and we are shown Hopper. Will is using Hopper as a host! There’s even more evidence than this but we shall move on from here.

So wait, Will possessed Hopper? Well, not exactly. Hopper was under the influence of Will. Remember what Will said about the mindflayer: ā€œHe likes to hide. He only used me when he needed me.ā€

There was another character acting out of the ordinary this season…

Will Already Has Powers

That’s right! Mike.

I’ll come back to him more later but in the meantime, let me offer you this theory:

Will Already Has Powers

The rain scene. Now what if I said that Will was the one projecting onto Mike? What I mean is: Will’s internal thoughts ā€œit’s not his fault I don’t like girls!ā€ becoming a reality. Mike never meant to say this- it was all Will’s doing. His internalized homophobia became externalized. It’s oddly fitting too that in the episode with Will’s emotional breakdown, it’s raining.

The devastating depth of Will’s trauma

Will Already Has Powers
Will Already Has Powers

Within the show, we know our boy has experienced a lot of suffering, but subtext tells us it’s much worse than we see on the surface.

Will’s father is a homophobic and abusive asshole yes, but he’s more than that.

There’s an alarming amount of evidence that this man was not only emotionally and physically abusive but also sexually abusive to both Will and his older brother.

He likely was especially homophobic towards Will because he projected his actual perverse sexuality unto him. He likely dealt with his shame by blaming his innocent young son.

Will Already Has Powers

This leads us to: November 6th, 1983. Originally, I do believe that Will died by the hands of his own cruel father. His father likely picked him up from his bike ride home (his bike left behind), ended his life by strangulation, put him in the back of his trunk, and dumped him into Sattlers Quarry (where his fake body was found).

I believe somehow someone was able to reverse this (more on this later). The clock turned back and a new timeline was created. Will was then abducted and brought to the upside down. Instead of heaven or hell, he was in purgatory. Time came to an abrupt halt in the upside down… the exact same time his life ended in the original timeline. This is where timelines diverge.

Will Already Has Powers

Now Will’s purgatory is also his internal world, his own mind. The upside down manifests itself as this. It’s dark, cold, scary, lonely, and unsettling. He’s trapped in his own head, where he relives some of his most traumatic memories. We see him being victimized by the Demogorgon (an alternate title for Demogorgon is ā€œThe Deep Fatherā€ x ) and we also see him being assaulted (in a sexual manner) by vines.

By the time Will is rescued, he is struggling with suicidal thoughts (the song ā€œWhen It’s Cold I’d Like to Dieā€ tells us this). Poor boy has been in a deep dark depressive state. In season 2, his possession is a real manifestation of his PTSD.

The monsters represent how he views himself- he’s a monster. I’d argue his internalized homophobia is a lot worse than we actually think. It’s not just the homophobic environment around him, it’s also the ongoing rhetoric that the victim will inevitably become a perpetrator. As we see the common occurrence of toxic cycles continuing: he fears he has no agency and will become his own father.

Will Already Has Powers

Jonathan can relate, but because he’s solely attracted to women and thus more ā€œnormalā€, it’s not as bad for him. But Steve really pushed his buttons when he implied that Jonathan is a creep like his father.

So yes, Will sees himself as a monster because of his attraction to men. Thus, he manifests the monsters in the monster show.

Speaking of his attraction to men…

Mike

Will loves Mike, he’s hopelessly devoted to him. Mike feels the exact same way. In the original timeline, Mike ultimately decides to jump into Sattlers Quarry to reunite with his love in death.

Will Already Has Powers

Will ā€œjumpsā€, Mike jumps too. Luckily, a new timeline was created, giving both of them a second chance at life and love.

In the alternate timeline (the show), season 1 sees Mike leave no stones unturned in his search for his best friend. In season 2, we see how Mike normally is with Will. He’s so devoted! He’s always by Will’s side throughout everything. It’s beautiful! This is the authentic Mike.

So. What happened in season 3? Mike’s internalized homophobia?

Well partially I’m sure, but in this post I’m offering an alternate theory: Mike’s behavior is explained by Will’s internalized homophobia.

What do I mean by this?

Will Already Has Powers

Well as I said, Will reshapes the external world in the image of his internal world. He doesn’t believe he deserves Mike’s love. He’s scared. He’s been ā€œinventing thingsā€ so he can push Mike away.

Will Already Has Powers

He obviously wants nothing more than to be with Mike, but due to his insecure attachment style and his internalized homophobia, he’s been the one pushing him away this entire time with his powers.

Will Already Has Powers

How has he been pushing Mike away exactly?

He’s been pushing Mike towards El.

Wait, didn’t he help break them up through Hopper?

Will Already Has Powers

Well, yes, but the sweet sensitive boy that he is likely felt bad, he regretted his actions after their rain fight fallout and wanted to give his ā€œolive branchā€ and make amends.

Will believes the best way to do so is to push Mike and El back together. Like Lucas, Will gives Mike guidance by, essentially, being the master to his puppet.

Will Already Has Powers

(Above is actually Will’s apology to Mike.)

In Will’s mind, Mike is straight. He would never reciprocate Will’s feelings. So, Will believes that Mike should be happy with El then.

Will Already Has Powers

Will literally is putting words in Mike’s mouth here. Look how focused Will is in this scene, and how often Mike turns to him. It’s as though Will is mouthing to Mike exactly what words he (thinks) he should say.

Will Already Has Powers

Here Will is at it again! But Mike is resisting. The words aren’t able to come out. Will’s signal is poor, Mike couldn’t fully understand him.

So Will, as misguided but well intended as he is, attempts to bring Mike and El back together.

No wonder Mike couldn’t exactly remember his words…

Will Already Has Powers

He’s genuinely confused here!

This leads me to…

Will Already Has Powers
Will Already Has Powers

This foreshadowing shot tells us that Will is the director here. He fed Mike the script he had to read. So yes, I’m saying that Will did not just push Mike to say those words to El, he forced him to. Mike did not have any agency here.

Now, like me, you may be concerned about this. Will is bending Mike to his will? Won’t the audience then assume Will forced Mike to be gay with him? Pushing that toxic homophobic narrative?

Well that’s the thing- Will is not forcing a straight man to be gay. Will is trying to make a gay man straight! Ahhh trope subversion.

El

So I’m not going to delve too much into El in this post, because El and Will deserve their own post. But I do strongly believe they are much more connected than we think.

Vecna

Will Already Has Powers

Where does Vecna fit into this theory? Well for starters, I don’t believe Vecna himself is Will, he is definitely a separate entity. The major difference between Will and Vecna is that Will will no longer be restrained by his shadow, he will be able to differentiate himself from his shadow. Vecna has chosen to become one with the shadow.

Also, like Mike, Vecna is heavily associated with time. Vecna takes time away from others but Mike gives time. I do agree with the Wheeler and Creel being connected theories.

Time

Time is a major theme within the show. As I mentioned previously, Will possesses powers where he can manipulate his environment, his space. Will is space, but he is lacking the 4th dimension.

The upside down is frozen in time, essentially lacking time. It needs time, and it always will! That’s right- Mike is time.

That boy is frequently associated with it. Running late at the beginning of each season, mentions of ā€œturning back the clockā€, etc.

Mike ā€œturned back the clockā€ and saved Will from his original fate. Similar to the scene where Mike jumps off the cliff and is saved by El, Mike reverses his fall by rewinding time. He went all the way back to the night of November 6th, 1983. Preventing the original timeline from occurring.

Mike gave Will the greatest gift of all- time.

Remember time heals all wounds. Wounds being the gates.

Together, Mike and Will are spacetime. Which is beautiful because not only does this mean they are equals in every way but they can literally create their own fantasy world together.

Conclusion

This show has a lot of layers. I tried to really dig deep but still I feel like I just scratched the surface. I will say this though: I am utterly confident that everything leads back to Will. He is the center of the entire show, like it or not. Without Will, there is no Stranger Things. Now of course this is not ā€œthe Byler showā€ but their relationship is incredibly important. Mike’s unconditional love and devotion to Will is a key aspect of the solution to the conflict. He makes Will ā€œfeel better for being differentā€. His love, along with his other friends and family, will inevitably lead to the upside down (Will’s mind) becoming a beautiful place. Instead of rot and decay, there will be blooming flowers and sunlight.

If you’d like to discuss any aspect of these theories with me, feel free! Like I said, I’m only scratching the surface here. Let me know your thoughts.


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1 year ago

If anyone’s wondering how this person was able to be confirmed, their source gave them information about scenes involving the Linda Hamilton and kids plot that matched with information already known by paparazzi and a few other minor sources.

Also, this is the full extent of everything this person knows because Dani and I have been talking to them personally now. It might get reported by other people with slightly different wording but they are all talking about this.

So I'll put the leaks together to make things clearer-ish (?)

the leaks we have are only until episode 4 so keep that in mind, plus the person leaking may have their own interpretation of the scenes/not have seen all the scenes/not understand queer subtext

The source said that Mlv did not break up, has not filmed a break up scene (honestly I doubt they are still together but ok)

Will and Mike get on very well together

They don't think there's "any indication" of Mike and Will getting together for now

Will and Mike's relationship is extremely important

Mike has a lot of screentime and many of the storylines revolve around him ( From Hellfire, Will, El, Holly, Nancy )

Will is going to have a guy, that we've seen before in previous seasons, interested in him - we don't know who it is but speculated about him being Chance (one of Jason's friends from S4)

Will does NOT like him back

Mike & Will have many scenes together and during one of these scenes Finn and Noah cried for some reason

This guy MAY be the guy, it's not confirmed

So I'll Put The Leaks Together To Make Things Clearer-ish (?)

Steve has "the most epic scene"


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1 year ago

Tagged by @will80sbyers

10 GIFS from 10 Favourite Shows (no order and non-exhaustive list)

Stranger Things

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The X-Files

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Derry Girls

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Madoka Magica

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer

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Avatar The Last Airbender

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The Boys

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Over The Garden Wall

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Parks and Recreation

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Hannibal

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I tag: Anyone who wants to make their own post! I am a little too shy to tag anyone.


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1 year ago

I’m done talking about leaks stuff for now so don’t send me messages on it please, thank you. ļæ¼


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