Following the release of the first volume of Stranger Things Season 5, numerous fan theories have begun to circulate, addressing everything from the true nature of the Upside Down to the grim fate of characters trapped within it. Among the most prominent theories is the speculation surrounding Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), suggesting he may experience a significant physical loss—specifically an eye—after acquiring or borrowing Vecna's (Jamie Campbell Bower) formidable abilities.

This theory isn't without its roots, as the series appears to have subtly foreshadowed such a twist for quite some time. As far back as Season 2, Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens) educated his students about Phineas Gage, a man who miraculously survived an iron rod piercing his skull. While his survival was extraordinary, Gage's personality underwent drastic alterations. This historical account draws a clear parallel to Will, who has already experienced personality shifts due to his possession by the Mind Flayer in Season 2, leading some to believe he may still be internally changing. The narrative thread continues in Season 5's opening, with a flashback to Will's original abduction by the Demogorgon in Season 1, an event orchestrated by Vecna, which critically established Will's otherworldly connection to Henry Creel and ultimately granted him the capacity to tap into Vecna's powers at the conclusion of Vol. 1.

Further supporting this intriguing possibility are the deliberate cinematographic choices observed throughout Season 5. Various shots artfully obscure one of Will's eyes, utilizing elements like door frames, bursting pipes, and parked cars to frame his face in a way that consistently favors one eye over the other. When juxtaposed with Mr. Clarke's earlier lesson—a period when Will was last central to the plot—these compositional decisions suggest more than mere aesthetic choices, hinting at a long-conceived foreshadowing by the Duffer Brothers, implying Will's survival of Vecna in Vol. 1 might lead to a future confrontation with a different, more permanent battle scar.

The concept of Will "seeing" through Vecna's eyes, and consequently gaining an advantage against the Upside Down, also brings to light a powerful Dungeons & Dragons artifact: the "Eye of Vecna." In D&D lore, this artifact grants incredible powers, but only if the user first removes their own eye and replaces it with Vecna's. This mythological parallel perfectly aligns with Will's newfound ability to utilize Vecna's powers by tapping into the dark lord's mind, as demonstrated in "Chapter 4: Sorcerer." However, the show might introduce a sinister twist on this lore. It's plausible that Vecna, upon realizing Will is using his powers to spy, could take revenge by removing one of Will's eyes, thereby severing his connection and ability to monitor Vecna's activities. This reversal of the D&D legend would not only be a significant blow to the heroes but also keep the narrative engaging and unpredictable.

Stranger Things 5 is poised to rectify Will Byers's diminished role in previous seasons, re-elevating his importance by directly linking his initial abduction in Season 1 to the overarching events of the final episodes. This full-circle approach also involves retroactively shifting audience perceptions of past events, such as the true meaning behind Castle Byers, suggesting a darker, more intricate purpose to Will's powers than previously understood. If these theories hold true, the loss of an eye might be only one of many challenges awaiting him.

Beyond Will's storyline, the final seasons still have a multitude of unresolved plotlines to address. Questions remain about Max's (Sadie Sink) escape from Vecna's clutches, Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) efforts to enlist her sister's aid, the fate of the Wheelers, and the enigmatic origins of the Upside Down and the Mind Flayer's role within it. Regardless of the answers, the creators have stated this will be the definitive conclusion to the story. Stranger Things 5 Vol. 1 is currently streaming on Netflix, with Vol. 2 scheduled to premiere on December 25, followed by the series finale on December 31.