Details on Stranger Things season 4 are a mystery, making way for different theories on who the villain will be, what the Russians’ plan is, and more. Though most of these theories are focused on Eleven’s powers and what truly happened to Jim Hopper, others are taking a look at other characters and exploring potential paths they could take – such as Will Byers, who could be getting powers. His disappearance at the beginning of season 1 was the basis for the whole season, with the following one exploring the effects that the Upside Down had in him.
Season 3 focused on the Russians and the experiments they were working on at an underground base in Hawkins, leaving Will and his previous experiences with the creature and the other dimension aside for a while. So far, Stranger Things has only introduced two characters with powers: Eleven and Kali, both test subjects from Hawkins Lab. Though there are more children that were experimented on and quite possibly developed powers too, only Eleven and Kali have been formally introduced – but the experiments at Hawkins Lab might not be the only way a person can get powers in the universe of Stranger Things.
If Stranger Things season 3 established something is that anything can happen, like Hopper (supposedly) dying and the Mind Flayer finding bigger and creepier ways to take control of this dimension. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility if Will Byers gets powers in season 4.
Will Has A Connection To The Upside Down & Mind Flayer
As mentioned above, Stranger Things season 1 began with the disappearance of Will Byers in 1983. Outside of those working (and living, as was Eleven’s case) at Hawkins Lab, Will was the first person to come into contact with the Demogorgon, which took him to the Upside Down. Will spent a week in the other dimension and was found unconscious, entangled in a web, and with a tendril extending down his throat. Will regained consciousness and was brought back and hospitalized immediately. Weeks later, Will had supposedly recovered, but it was revealed he still held a connection with the Upside down as he was seen throwing up a slug-like creature, and the Upside Down momentarily manifested around him.
Will’s time in the Upside Down made him develop a psychic connection with the shadow monster, a.k.a. the Mind Flayer, and as result, season 2 saw Will being treated at the Lab by Dr. Owens. The Mind Flayer took possession of Will and used him as its spy, with Will being able to know and see what the creature did. As their connection grew deeper, the Mind Flayer took over him almost completely, and Will became part of the hive mind. The only way to break Will free from the Mind Flayer’s control was by making his body uninhabitable, something that was achieved by increasing his body temperature. Although that made the creature leave his body, he still kept a connection with it, as seen in season 3 when he could sense the creature’s return.
Will hasn’t been able to detach himself completely from the Mind Flayer, and it’s unknown if he will ever do. The origin of his connection to the Upside Down and the creature is most likely in the tendril that was holding him down in season 1: it’s believed the Demogorgon was keeping him alive to feed on him later, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it was actually keeping him alive as he could come in handy for the Upside Down once he was taken back to the real world.
How Will Could Have Got His Powers
There are a lot of elements from the Stranger Things universe that are a mystery, especially about the Upside Down and the creatures that live in it. The Mind Flayer has different ways to possess people, but it was also able to block Eleven’s powers after biting her, leaving her powerless by the end of season 3. However, the part that lived in Will allowed him to see the Upside Down, and even without it controlling him anymore, he could still sense its presence. Will’s powers could come from that connection with the Mind Flayer and whatever the tendril did to him (aside from keeping him alive, of course), and could be waiting for a little push or trigger of some kind to fully develop.
The possibility of Will getting powers connects with another theory that says Will created the Upside Down. In that case, it’s easier to see why he could be getting powers, as he would pretty much be giving them to himself, which doesn’t necessarily mean it will turn out ok – after all, that would mean he’s also the creator of the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer, and they aren’t friendly creatures. Or, as he was able to create the other dimension thanks to Hawkins Lab’s experiments (again, this is just a fan theory), those same experiments could be the ones that granted him powers, and these are just waiting for the right moment to fully snap.
What Will’s Powers Could Be In Stranger Things
Again, because the Upside Down and everything that comes from it are a mystery even for the scientists within the series, it’s hard to say what Will’s powers could be – but they wouldn’t be the same as Eleven’s. Looking back at Kali, who was also a test subject at Hawkins Lab, her powers were completely different to Eleven’s, so Will would most likely have a different power set than those of Eleven and Kali.
Will is the most creative character from the group, and is often seen drawing and creating stories. In fact, and going back to the theory of how he created the Upside Down, it’s this creative side which allowed him to envision such a dark place with monstrous creatures. With that in mind, and also taking into account that he can sense the Mind Flayer’s presence and his previous ability to move between dimensions without really living the real world, his powers could be more oriented towards bringing the Upside Down to this dimension, or simply spying on both and communicating what happens in the dark dimension. A bit like what he did in season 2 but without the Mind Flayer taking control of him.
What Will Having Powers Would Mean For Stranger Things 4
Will having powers could be of great help for the group on their battle against whatever threat is thrown their way in Stranger Things season 4 (he could also be the threat, but as he already was in season 2, it seems unlikely the writers would give him that role again). The mid-credits scene in Stranger Things season 3 finale made it clear that the Russians are still experimenting on the Upside Down, though not in Hawkins anymore. Will’s powers could allow the group (and, perhaps, Dr. Owens and his team as well) to see what the Russians have been doing with the Upside Down and could also help them locate Hopper, or even Dr. Brenner.
As Eleven lost her powers and it’s unknown how or if she will get them back, Will could now be the hero thanks to his powers, same if Eleven becomes the villain in season 4. Will’s powers could also hold the answer to properly closing the gate, which would work perfectly if season 4 really is the final season of the series. On the other hand, Will could also be used as a weapon if the “bad guys” (whether the Russians or someone else) learn about his abilities, and if Eleven doesn’t regain her powers in time, his rescue would pretty much depend on him – not to underestimate the rest of the characters, but Stranger Things has relied a lot on Eleven and her powers to save the day. Will getting powers in Stranger Things season 4 would be an interesting (and dramatic, depending on the approach) addition to the series and the character, and could very well be a path for the writers to break free from the same formula they have been using in the previous seasons.