Summary
TheStranger Thingscommunity has no shortage of intriguing fan theories, but perhaps one of the most fascinating of all concerns Eleven and 001, otherwise known as Vecna.Stranger ThingsSeason 4 explores Vecna’s backstory in detail, showing how he developed psychokinetic abilities as a young child and attracted the attention of Dr. Martin Brenner, AKA Papa. Henry Creel was designated ‘001’ by Hawkins Lab, becoming Papa’s first-ever child test subject. As time passed, Henry grew up to become one of the orderlies under Brenner’s watch, which is how he met young Eleven. But one fan theory suggests that 001 and 011 have a more complex past, specifically hinting that the pair are relatives.
In 1979, Eleven and Henry formed an unlikely friendship at Hawkins Lab. Henry would offer Eleven advice on how to deal with bullies, while Eleven offered to get “Soteria” – a chip that suppressed his powers – out of Henry’s neck. However, once One’s powers were restored, he went rogue andmassacred the faculty staff and test subjects. He tried to do the same to Eleven, who overpowered him and sent him hurdling through an interdimensional portal. Unbeknownst to her, Eleven had sent Henry Creel to the Upside Down, where he would adapt over several years to become Vecna, the dimension’s ruler.
Now, evidence has suggested that Henry and Eleven could be connected. More specifically, Henry/Vecna is Eleven’s biological father. The theory originated from the Just The Nobodys podcast and offers up some compelling arguments as to One and Eleven’s unique connection. As for Dr. Brenner, he knew all along thatEleven would be the offspring of One and Terry Ives, he just needed to manipulate her from a young age to believe that he was her ‘Papa’ in the absence of her ‘real’ father, Henry Creel.
Vecna Could Be Eleven’s Dad
Let’s break down the theory.Stranger Things(so far) has led viewers to believe that Dr. Martin Brenner is the paternal figure in Eleven’s life, just as he was to the other test subjects. Eleven’s biological mother, Terry Ives, can be seen in some flashbacks and then later in person when Eleven goes to visit. But Terry is effectively braindead, repeating the same words over and over again. In Just The Nobodys' own words, here’s how the theory plays out: “The theory is that Brenner knew that none of the kids, numbers Two through Ten, were as strong as number One. So, Dr. Brenner waited for One to get older to make him breed with Terry Ives to create Eleven — to verify that she was the strongest, and clearly, she is.”
So that means Papa bred One and Terry Ives knowing that they would reproduce to create the most powerful child of them all, whose full potential has yet to be uncovered. There are quite a few telltale signs of One and Eleven’s relationship, especially asHenry has specific knowledge of how to trigger Eleven’s full powersand even tells her that she reminds him of himself. In “Chapter Six: The Dive,” Vecna hints at the true identity of Eleven’s mother, but when Brenner hears this, he punishes him because he doesn’t want Eleven to know the truth. From what can be inferred through Season 4’s many flashback sequences, Vecna was 12 years old in 1959, which means he would be roughly 24 years old when Eleven was born in 1971.
It also would explain why Papa plants “Soteria” in One’s neck. He knew that an alliance between One and Eleven would be catastrophic. After learning that One had been banished to the Upside Down, Papa knew he would eventually return to seek vengeance. While he was assembling an army in the Upside Down, Papa was training Eleven (and only Eleven) to prepare her for their inevitable battle. Their encounter in the Upside Down in Season 4 was just a glimpse ofwhat’s to come in Season 5.
What Vecna and Eleven’s Relationship Could Mean For Season 5
But what does this mean for Season 5? Well, the stakes will be higher than ever if Eleven finds out that she has some relation to One. Season 5 appears to be setting the stage fora final showdown between Eleven and Vecna, but if Eleven learns the truth about her father’s identity, she might face a morality struggle as she makes the hard choice to spare her father’s life and sacrifice Hawkins or destroy One for good and protect her new, chosen family. Fans have speculated for a long time that Eleven will die in Season 5 after sacrificing herself, but that could mean a Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader moment for Eleven and One right before their combined powers destroy each other.
All things considered, it’s one of the more convincingStranger Thingstheories. There have been a few far-fetched theories over the years, but this one seems to have foundations in reality and a lot of plot points to back it up. So,Eleven will essentially be left with the difficult choiceof killing Vecna or joining him, all with the added incentive of knowing that he’s her biological father (potentially). There’s a lot of evidence to supportStranger Thingstaking this route, but fans are divided as to whether the theory should play out. On one hand, it would pay homage to theStar Warsmovies of the ’80s, but on the other, it might be a little too predictable and overplayed now that everyone seems to be expecting it.
