The Nostalgic Flashback

In the wacky world of Stranger Things, the fourth episode of season five, titled “Sorcerer,” kicks off with a flashback that brings back memories of Max Mayfield, our favorite fierce fighter, looking like her teen self as she narrowly escaped the clutches of Vecna in season four. This quick jaunt into her mind gives us a peek at a high school hallway that’s both familiar and slightly off-kilter, where adult faces float around in the youthful chaos.

An Echo of the Past

Max’s brief venture into the high school gym has a purpose—it’s a gateway into Henry Creel’s memories, before he morphed into the big, bad villain we love to loathe. For those who caught the play The First Shadow, this flashback hits hard, reminding us of the haunting transformation from boy to monster.

Understanding Henry’s Backstory

Written by Kate Trefry and brought to life by the fantastic Tony winner Stephen Daldry, The First Shadow takes us back to the groovy year of 1959. Back then, Joyce was just a girl with dreams of escaping Hawkins, while Jim Hopper was knee-deep in mystery-solving—not of the supernatural kind, but more along the lines of ‘Who killed the neighborhood cat?’

The Changes Begin

Henry Creel makes his debut as an awkward kid, who once stumbled upon some spooky tech left by Russian spies in a Nevada cave. Yep, that’s right! This tech zaps him into the Upside Down, aka Dimension X, turning his once ordinary life into a twisted tale of psychic powers and Mind Flayer madness!

The Rise of the Monster

This tortured soul tries to fit in when he moves to Hawkins, making friends with Bob’s sister Patty and even acting in a school play. But the shadows of his past loom large, chasing him down with a vengeance. By the end of the play, it’s a tragic scene as Henry’s family suffers at his hands, with the blame shifting to his unsuspecting dad, Victor.

Not Just a Villain

What’s fascinating is how The First Shadow dives into Henry’s treatment and the stigma surrounding him. He’s not the black-and-white monster we see later; rather, he’s just a kid who faced some serious dark moments. And here comes Max—she’s also misunderstood and her little detour through Henry’s memories may just steer her away from a similar fate!

Will’s Dilemma

Meanwhile, poor Will is left standing at the crossroads between light and darkness as he stares down Vecna, embracing the chaos. Robin’s inspirational pep talk about self-acceptance plays in the background like a triumphant soundtrack. But let’s be real—the glazed-over eyes and creepy body contortions paint a rather ominous picture.

The Big Question

So, is Will headed for a similar fate as Henry? Or will his buddies come to the rescue before he transforms into Hawkins’ next big bad? We’ll have to tune in to find out in the remaining episodes, but let’s just say The First Shadow doesn’t exactly give us warm fuzzies about his future!

Catch Up!

As we binge-watch episodes one through four of season five, streaming now on Netflix, let’s keep our fingers crossed for our favorite characters. Will they rise or will they fall? Stay tuned!