Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 Clarifies the Upside Down

Upside Down Unveiled in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2

After years filled with speculation and half-truths, Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 finally demystifies the Upside Down, revealing its true essence. Initially thought to be a shadow version of Hawkins, we learn that it’s actually a much more precarious, volatile entity tied to the series' climax.

The True Nature of the Upside Down

When the Upside Down was first introduced, audiences assumed it represented a parallel dimension. However, the latest revelations clarify that it functions as a wormhole, which Dustin aptly describes as an interdimensional bridge. This passage links Hawkins to a far more ancient and perilous realm dubbed the Abyss.

How the Upside Down Was Formed

The critical detail emerges that the Upside Down only exists due to the bridge's existence, which is maintained by unstable exotic matter. This makes it a precarious corridor rather than an independent world. Key scenes, such as Holly's alarming descent through the Upside Down, showcase her navigating this fragile structure rather than traversing a landscape.

The Abyss: A Prehistoric Threat

Significantly, Season 5 indicates that the Abyss is older than Hawkins itself. It teems with hostile life, and it's here that Henry Creel, also known as Vecna, originally encountered the Mind Flayer after being banished by Eleven in a crucial event in 1979. This moment initiated his transformation and set the stage for the darker elements of the series.

The Birth of the Upside Down

The Upside Down emerged on November 6, 1983, when Eleven's psychic connection with the Demogorgon created the bridge between Hawkins and the Abyss. This union formed a warped reflection of reality, effectively shaping the Upside Down.

Monsters Not from the Upside Down

In a significant twist, it’s revealed that none of the series' notable monsters originated in the Upside Down. Instead, they are inhabitants of the Abyss, utilizing the Upside Down as a transit space to invade the real world. The Duffer Brothers further clarified that despite earlier names for the Abyss, this ancient domain has always posed a profound threat to Hawkins.

This reinterpretation of the Upside Down as a delicate wormhole amplifies the stakes as the series heads towards its conclusion.

Source: GeekTyrant