Summary
Stranger Thingshas had its share of villains throughout its run. Still, no enemy matched thewrath and horror of Vecna(Jamie Campbell Bower), Season 4’s main antagonist. Last season, he seemed to be an unstoppable and undefeatable force. However, inStranger ThingsSeason 4 episode “Chapter Four: Dear Billy,” his father, Victor Creel (Robert Englund), revealed how he got out of the trance he was in years ago through music. In the same episode, Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is saved from certain death through this technique.
With the invasion of the Upside Down in Hawkins, Vecna’s reach has become wider than anyone could have imagined. The heroes are left wonderinghow to stop Vecnaand his cruel plans for Hawkins. However, they do have something in their arsenal that they can use to counter his attacks. Since music was a primary element in the line of defense last season, chances are it will be used again for Hawkins' survival. But how exactly will the protagonists use this knowledge to save the people in their small town?
Stranger ThingsSeason 4 Establishes How Music Breaks Vecna’s Curse
Vecna’s curse works by triggering traumatic eventsor dark secrets that his victims don’t want others to know. And, of course, nearly everyone has skeletons in their closets. Vecna preys on those who are vulnerable and whose psyches are unstable. Those traits make it easier for him to access their minds. As seen in Season 4, he taunts his victims and puts them in a trance before gouging out their eyes, breaking their bones, and ultimately killing them.
The crucial step for Vecna’s curse to reach completion is for the victim to remain in a trance while he’s in the process of killing them. When Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) question Victor Creel and analyze his story, they realize that music was the key to getting him out of the trance. Music helps redirect the victim’s attention back to reality and away from Vecna’s mind games. With this knowledge, they managed tosave Max before Vecna could successfully kill her.
OfficialStranger ThingsSet Photos Prominently Show A Radio Station
When the cast and crew finally beganproduction forStranger ThingsSeason 5, they shared photos of different sets and cast members in character. Although they didn’t show enough to spoil the plot, they did share just enough to give the fans an idea about what would happen next season. Ross Duffers, in particular, shared photos that more or less confirm there will be a radio station called WSQK 94.5 FM inStranger ThingsSeason 5.
Rumors online say that a lot of time was spent filming on this set, indicating that the radio station will be significant to the plot. Admittedly, it isn’t one of thefirstStranger Thingslocations people would think ofwhen discussing the series.
Introducing a radio station inStranger ThingsSeason 5 is intentional and serves a purpose. Simply put, there’s only one reason why a radio station would suddenly become relevant in the bigger picture next season. Radio stations are ideal for reaching the masses from a singular location. And if the main characters who gain control of the radio station are the ones who knowthe link between music and Vecna’s curse, then they can provide the citizens of Hawkins with constant protection in the guise of entertainment.
RUMOR: Steve And Robin Are The Main Hosts Of The Town’s Radio Show
A radio station wouldn’t be complete without a radio show. As seen in the official set photos, Hawkins’ radio station, WSQK 94.5 FM, will have one called “The Squawk.” And who else would be a better fit to fill in as the show’s host other than Robin herself? ATweet shared by UpsideDownScoopreveals that the quirky queer icon of the show will be headlining the show as “Rockin’ Robin.” Of course, the show wouldn’t be complete withouther partner in crime, Steve Harrington(Joe Keery). With Robin’s knowledge of using music against Vecna, she is undoubtedly the perfect fit for the job.
Theexistence of the Upside Down and the monstersin it remain a mystery to the citizens of Hawkins. With how things are going down, the group in charge of the radio station will likely do their best to maintain a sense of normalcy in the first couple of episodes ofStranger ThingsSeason 5. To achieve this, they will make “The Squawk” a seemingly ordinary radio show. As the other characters battle the ongoing horrors of the Upside Down behind the scenes, the radio station group will put up smoke and mirrors for the benefit of the citizens of Hawkins.
The Radio Show Will Be Hawkins’ Main Line of Defense Against Vecna
Music will not be the only defensive move up the heroes’ sleeves. However, it will be the first line of defense against the main antagonist of the story. As Vecna recuperates and tries to regain his power over the Upside Down and eventually Hawkins, the main characters are left to protect the citizens who have decided to stay in town. Although this initial line of defense would most likely be effective just as it was in the previous season, Vecna wouldn’t be so easily defeated by this strategy.
With the confirmed time skip, Vecna would have found new methods to refine his plans and make music as ineffective to his attacks as possible. His aim of becoming strong and getting back at Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends for foiling his plans will come into full force by the final season. Quite frankly, it would be anticlimactic if the solution to Vecna’s curse inStranger Thingsseason 4 remains the same in the final season. Narratively speaking, the story has to introduce new ways to combat and defeat Vecna.
Although music will be an effective line of defense, the heroes inStranger Thingsstill need to become creative about defending themselves and their town against Vecna. After all, music might not be effective in the long run. Since rumors say thatStranger ThingsSeason 5 will have two volumeslike its predecessor, Volume 1 could cover the initial inefficacy of the “music for survival” strategy they’ve been using for so long. Although this would make Vecna seem invincible, it would also make the journey of defeating him cementStranger Thingsas a masterclass in storytelling.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a horror and supernatural franchise that was originally a popular show on Netflix. The viral success of the television program cause it to have its very own mobile game, Stranger Things 3: The Game, where you play one of 12 characters in a SNES-like version of Hawkins.
