Rewatching Stranger Things' Worst Season, I Realized Vecna Saved The Entire Show

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Published Aug 8, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

El is a Junior TV Features Editor for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.

After rewatching Stranger Things' worst season, it's clear that Vecna saved the entire show. Stranger Things has been one of Netflix's most successful original productions since its 2016 debut, a compelling blend of sci-fi and fantasy anchored by an incredible ensemble cast. Each season experimented with different types of horror storytelling, from straightforward monster stories to body snatching, possession, and otherworldly threats.

With each season, Stranger Things' monstrous villains became bigger and more powerful. The Demogorgons were the show's scariest creatures until the shadowy Mind Flayer came along, only for Billy Hargrove and other townspeople to become part of the gooey, fleshy, Starcourt Mall-destroying version of the Mind Flayer in season 3. It wasn't until Stranger Things season 4 introduced Vecna (aka Henry, aka 001), however, that the series truly explored the psychological ramifications of living in Hawkins, Indiana, as Jamie Campbell Bower's terrifying telepath hunted down the town's most troubled kids, one by one.

Of course, the final season proved that Vecna wasn't the show's true big bad after all. The interdimensional Mind Flayer was still pulling the strings, using Vecna as his personal lackey. Had the Mind Flayer's real role been revealed right after season 3, however, if Stranger Things had never introduced Vecna, Henry, and his close connection to Eleven and Dr. Brenner, Netflix's flagship franchise likely would have fizzled out before it ever had the chance to leave behind a true lasting legacy.

Stranger Things Season 3 Was The Weakest

As with any show, one season will always be considered weaker than the rest, a necessary if less inspiring bridge between better, more exciting seasons and character arcs. In Stranger Things' case, that season is season 3. Between the ridiculous Russian Terminator plot, important characters like Will being sidelined, and the lack of a central antagonist with a genuine personal connection to Hawkins' heroes, the season felt lacking in both urgency and creativity.

It had its moments, of course, including Eleven's sauna fight against a possessed Billy, the Mind Flayer's appearance in the hospital, Dustin and Suzie's hilarious "Never Ending Story" duet, or Hopper's heartfelt letter to Eleven after his apparent death, but something was missing. Fighting against Billy and the Mind Flayer was too easy, too obvious. Sure, Billy was Max's stepbrother, but he'd been set up as a bully in season 2; there was no real reason to root for him. Did we really care when people we'd never met before were being sucked into the Mind Flayer's body?

The emotional foundation wasn't there. They weren't searching for their best friend, seeking revenge for the death of a loved one, or trying to remove the Mind Flayer's particles from a young, helpless boy. The Mind Flayer wanted to hurt El, sure, but was a massive monster really the smartest way to do it, when we'd seen it take hold of Will's body as a spy just one season earlier? Stranger Things season 3 was the epitome of "bigger isn't always better." That Godzilla-sized flesh monster just wasn't as interesting as the stories Stranger Things had told before.

Stranger Things Season 4 Bounced Back, Mainly Thanks To Vecna

Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel in Hawkins Lab in Stranger Things season 4

It was a long, nearly three-year wait between Stranger Things seasons 3 and 4. That wait was undeniably worth it, though, thanks in large part to Vecna's introduction and Bower's impressive dual performance as the powerful psychic monster and the seemingly subservient Henry. Everything about Vecna's story, from his personal relationship with Eleven and Dr. Brenner to his hunting method — I'll never forget the first time I watched him kill someone while inside their mind — was inspired.

The way Stranger Things season 4 handled Max's story through Vecna was especially compelling. Max's relationship with Billy was understandably complicated. He was a racist brute, a bully, but in the end, he did sacrifice himself to save Eleven's and their friends' lives. Would Billy have been in that situation if Max hadn't gotten involved with the Party in season 2? Would he have had a chance to redeem himself if the Mind Flayer hadn't snatched him? Max's guilt, while unwarranted, was still understandable. The way Vecna tortured her with it was horrifying but undeniably engaging.

Hawkins, Indiana · 1986 Which Stranger Things Character Are You? “Friends don’t lie.”

🧠 Eleven The Protector

📡 Mike The Leader

🤓 Dustin The Brain

🏂 Max The Fighter

🪧 Steve The Babysitter

ENTER THE UPSIDE DOWN →

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It’s Friday night in Hawkins. What are you doing?

ASetting up a radio tower in my room to pick up distant signals BRunning a D&D campaign in my basement — it’s been planned for weeks CWatching TV alone, eating Eggos — quiet is good DDriving the kids somewhere and pretending I don’t care ESkating at the rink with my headphones on, blocking out the world

← BACKNEXT →

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The lights start flickering and something growls in the dark. What’s your first instinct?

AStand my ground — I’ve faced worse than this BGrab a weapon and put myself between the danger and the kids CStay cool, assess the situation, figure out an escape route DStart theorizing what it could be while everyone else panics ERally the group — we’re stronger together, we need a plan NOW

← BACKNEXT →

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Your best friend is missing and nobody believes you. What do you do?

AComfort the group, keep morale up, and make sure nobody does anything stupid BGo looking alone — I don’t need anyone else to believe me CResearch everything — maps, records, science — find the pattern DChannel the anger into action — someone is going to answer for this EOrganize a search party, assign roles, lead from the front

← BACKNEXT →

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How would people at Hawkins High describe you?

AIntense and passionate — once I care about something, I go all in BThe funny one who’s smarter than people think CSurprisingly dependable — like, when did THAT happen? DQuiet, misunderstood — I don’t let many people in ETough as nails on the outside, but dealing with a lot underneath

← BACKNEXT →

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Someone at school is being bullied right in front of you. What do you do?

AGet in the bully’s face — I know what it’s like to feel powerless BStand up and say something, even if my voice shakes CStep in silently and stare them down — no words needed DBreak it up, tell the bully to grow up, and walk the kid to class EDefuse it with humor so nobody has to throw a punch

← BACKNEXT →

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You discover something impossible — a secret that could change everything. Who do you tell?

AEveryone. Immediately. This is too big to keep to myself! BNobody — I handle things on my own until I know who I can trust CMy inner circle only — the people who’ve proven themselves DWhoever needs to know to keep people safe — I’m practical about it EI’d keep it inside — I’m used to carrying things alone

← BACKNEXT →

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When things feel overwhelming and the world seems dark, how do you cope?

ATake care of other people — helping them helps me forget my own stuff BShut down, go quiet — retreat into myself until I’m ready CMusic. Loud music. It’s the only thing that drowns it out DWrite it down, talk it out — I need to process with people I trust EThrow myself into a project or problem — keep my brain busy

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When the Upside Down is finally closed and Hawkins is safe, what matters most to you?

ABelonging — finally having a place and people to call home BFreedom — being able to just be a normal kid for once CKnowing I kept everyone safe — even when I doubted myself DThe adventure — I mean, it was terrifying, but also kind of awesome? EThe bonds we made — nothing brings people together like fighting monsters

REVEAL MY CHARACTER →

Hawkins Lab Report Complete Your Stranger Things Alter Ego

🧠

Eleven

“I can save them. I’m the only one who can.” You’re quiet but powerful — and people underestimate you at their own risk. You didn’t have the easiest start in life, but that’s made you fiercely protective of the people you love. You don’t always have the words, but your actions speak volumes. When everyone else is running away from danger, you’re walking straight toward it. You carry more than anyone should, and you rarely ask for help — but you’re learning that vulnerability isn’t weakness.

Powerful Protective Resilient Empathetic

📡

Mike Wheeler

“We never would have upset you if we knew you had superpowers.” You’re the natural leader of your group — not because you’re the loudest or the strongest, but because you genuinely care. You’re passionate, sometimes to a fault, and when you believe in something (or someone), you go all in. You hold your friends to high standards because you hold yourself to the same. People might see you as intense, but that intensity is born from love. You’d go to the Upside Down and back for the people in your life.

Passionate Loyal Determined Emotional

🤓

Dustin Henderson

“I am on a curiosity voyage, and I need my paddles to travel.” You’re the glue that holds everything together, even if nobody realizes it. Your brain never stops working — you see connections other people miss, and you’re not afraid to geek out about it. Sure, people might laugh at your enthusiasm, but you don’t care because you know who you are. You bring heart and humor to every situation, and when things get dark, you’re the one who reminds everyone that there’s still something worth fighting for.

Brilliant Optimistic Authentic Heart

🏂

Max Mayfield

“I’m not afraid of you.” You’re tough — not because you want to be, but because life made you that way. You’ve built walls higher than Castle Byers, and you don’t let just anyone past them. But beneath that armor is someone who feels everything deeply and fights harder than anyone for the people she loves. You cope through independence and sometimes push people away when you need them most. But when you finally let someone in? That bond is unbreakable.

Fierce Independent Brave Complex

🪧

Steve Harrington

“How many times do I have to save you people?” You’re the unlikely hero — the person nobody expected to step up, least of all yourself. You started out focused on your hair and your reputation, but when it mattered, you discovered something more important: protecting the people who need you. You’re brave, selfless, and way more capable than you give yourself credit for. You might downplay your role with a joke, but everyone knows: when the Demogorgon shows up, you’re the one grabbing the nail bat.

Selfless Brave Loyal Underestimated

↻ PLAY AGAIN

Everything good and even excellent about season 4 is connected to Vecna's introduction. The flashbacks in the Rainbow Room with a young Eleven were so important to establishing her character and the horrors she endured under "Papa's" care; that moment when she opens the rift to the Upside Down for the first time is one of the most stunning sequences in the entire show. Vecna allowed the characters to become more than firework-throwing, flesh-hacking victims. They all got a chance in the spotlight, and their relationships were stronger and more important than ever. Vecna gave them someone to fight emotionally, rather than just physically.

Even Stranger Things' Divisive Final Season Couldn't Dull Vecna's Shine

Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) gritting his teeth and with his arm thrust forward in Stranger Things season 5, episode 4

Stranger Things' fifth and final season wasn't as widely beloved as season 4. Criticism included the ongoing military subplot, new characters getting the spotlight when OG characters were ignored, the underwhelming final battle against the Mind Flayer, and Eleven's seemingly tragic but ambiguous fate. Even so, every scene that included Vecna was worthwhile, especially when he walked through the Upside Down's main gate, indirectly inspiring Will to use his powers and save his friends for the first time.

Bower gave an incredible final performance as Vecna, whether he was in his full Vecna costume or manipulating the children of Hawkins as Mr. Whatsit. Even the twist that he wasn't the Upside Down's true big bad, but had instead willingly submitted himself to the Mind Flayer when he was younger, didn't undermine the character's villainous appeal. If anything, it made him all the more terrifying, especially after watching a younger Henry bash that scientist's head in with a rock. What kind of person would want that future for themselves?

Vecna Will Go Down As An All-Time Great TV Villain

Vecna holding Will Byers' face in Stranger Things season 5 part 1

All in all, without Vecna's introduction in Stranger Things season 4, it's hard to believe the show would still be as widely beloved and popular as it is now. He is, without a doubt, one of the best TV villains of all time. Bower gave his all to the role, and it paid off. Vecna is the kind of Hollywood monster that haunts your nightmares, his humanity ripped away piece by piece until there was nothing left for Eleven and the others to appeal to.

The character's practical design, his power set, his manipulative, cunning mind, the psychological trauma he inflicted, his close personal history, his growth between seasons — all these aspects made him one of the most complex and well-written villains in science fiction and fantasy. His entire arc made the Mind Flayer's story better, too, giving the monster a connection to Earth and Hawkins and El, specifically. Had Stranger Things' third season been the last, had season 4 never introduced Vecna? I don't even want to think about what that would look like. At this point, Vecna is Stranger Things, just as much as Eleven is.