In Stranger Things 5, Volume 1, it finally happened. Will Byers went from victim to fully in control as he discovered his own powers. Okay, so technically, they aren’t his own powers, they’re Vecna’s powers and Will just tapped into the Hive Mind to use them in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1. But he did so by remembering what Robin told him and focusing on moments where he felt loved. It was beautiful. But although Will had a true hero moment at the end of Stranger Things 5, episode four, having powers is no easy feat. If you want to know how Will used his powers, how his powers backfired on him, and how he learned to really be strong in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, read on. If you’re not ready for that, head back to our spoiler-free review of Stranger Things 5, Volume 2 instead.
Will Uses His Powers to Try to Kill Vecna Inside His Mind in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2
Will has powers now—or as mentioned, he’s at least able to use powers now, and that’s a powerful addition to The Party’s fight against Vecna in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2. For once, Joyce Byers doesn’t shy away from the strength of her son; instead, it’s her idea that Will could re-enter the hive mind, find Vecna, and use his powers against him to kill him. She promises no one will ever underestimate Will again.
Lucas then comes up with the idea to bring a demogorgon back to life, so that Will can hack back into the Hive Mind, take over Vecna, and kill Henry Creel once and for all. He explains, that as they learned when they trapped Billy in the sauna in Stranger Things 3, the Mind Flayer/Hive Mind particles can be activated with heat and energy. In this case, they’ll use electricity from the power to do it. Once the power hits the Demogorgon, the particles inside of him will awaken again. The gang, including Joyce, Murray, Erica, Mike, and Will agree to Lucas’ plan.
Will Succeeds in Using His Powers to Hurt Vecna, But Can’t Kill Him
It’s Frankenstein time. The gang manages to hook up the dead (safely secured) demogorgon to the radio tower and send electricity into its body. When the electrical flow reaches 50%, the demogorgon flickers back to life, and Will is able to re-access the Hive Mind and his powers once again. He can see through Derek’s eyes, just as Vecna is looking for an escaped Holly. But, just at the moment when Vecna/Henry arrives to kill Holly and Max in his mind prison, his fingers choking Max to death in the real world and in his mind, Will manages to use the powers of the Hive Mind to take over Vecna. Will actually manages to snap Vecna’s leg with his powers in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, which is impressive. And he saves Max’s life, causing Vecna to drop her. Will then speaks through Vecna, ordering Max and Holly to run.
But, of course, the victory is short-lived. Vecna fights back and takes control from Will. He pushes Will away, causing Will to go flying backwards in the real world, where he lands unconscious. Vecna even uses his powers to heal his leg.
Trying to use Vecna’s power to kill the monster from within was a bit stupid. Vecna has way more experience with his powers than Will, and they are his powers. Not to mention, he still knows how to manipulate Will.
Will Is Trapped In a Trance Inside of Vecna’s Mind
In the real world, the voltage on the Demogorgon reaches 100%. Black particles come out of its mouth, and that ends the team’s connection to Vecna and the Hive Mind… and maybe to Will. Will remains unconscious, even after the particles fly away. Although the Demogorgon is no longer connected to the Hive Mind, Will isn’t waking up. Stranger Things 5, Volume 2 reveals that even though Max, Will, and Holly are in different places physically, their minds are in the same place, trapped in Vecna’s Mind Prison. Will, Max, and Holly are not in a coma in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2; they’re in a trance. Their bodies are fine, but their minds are captive in Vecna’s world.
Vecna Reveals Will Has Been Using His Powers Much Longer Than He Thought on Stranger Things, But To Be “A Spy” for Evil
Vecna literally has Will tied up with vines in his mind. And as he taunts him, he reveals that Will has had access to the powers of the Hive Mind long before Stranger Things 5, Volumes 1 and 2. In fact, Will had access to Vecna’s powers all the way back in Stranger Things 2, right from the time he returned home from the Upside Down. Vecna says Will was his “vessel, my spy, my builder.” Vecna reveals that Will actually built the tunnels under Hawkins while sleeping at Vecna’s behest in Stranger Things 2, using the powers of his mind for evil.
“There is much power within you,” Vecna tells Will, acknowledging that Will is strong. But confirms that the powers Will uses on Stranger Things 5 are Vecna’s powers, not Will’s. And Will cannot use Vecna’s powers to defeat him; Vecna is stronger… For now.
Vecna Uses His Connection with Will to Find Max in the Real World
Vecna lets Will tap back into his powers, kind of. Rather in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Vecna exploits Will’s abilities to connect to the Hive Mind to see where Max’s body is in the real world. He says Will is going to be his spy one last time as he taps into Will’s mind, causing his eyes to bleed. With Will’s mind Vecna locates Max’s body at the hospital. He then sends demogorgons after her.
Will’s new powers are strong and amazing, but sadly, the connection works both ways on Stranger Things 5, Volume 2. But luckily, Lucas rescues Max with Robin, Vickie, and Karen Wheeler’s help before Vecna can get her. Meanwhile, Eleven manages to find Will in Vecna’s mind and frees him from his veins, allowing him to wake up as well.
Despite His Heroic Moment with His Powers, Will Blames Himself For Vecna Using Their Connection on Stranger Things 5, Volume 2
Will’s connection to the hive mind and his use of powers in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1 saved Mike, Joyce, Robin, Murray, and Lucas’ life. In Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Will again used his powers to hurt Vecna and save Max from death. But despite everything, being called “a spy” is not easy for him, and Will is holding a lot of blame. He feels responsible for that, as well as for using Vecna’s powers to build the tunnels in Stranger Things 2, which allowed the Upside Down to spread and cause ruin in Hawkins. He blames himself for all the people who died because of those acts. Will thinks it’s all his fault. He also thinks Vecna took the children because he was too slow to act.
Ultimately, though, Will realizes in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, that if he has any chance of defeating Vecna, it’s not about his powers; it’s about being strong in himself.
Powers or Not, Will Is Strong and Brave in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2
As Will already discovered in Stranger Things 5, Volume 1, it’s not his powers that make him strong. It’s his acceptance of himself and the bravery he already possesses. Before it’s time for the final battle to begin on Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Will allows himself to be brave one more time, and it has nothing to do with his powers. Instead, he understands that the crucial step toward victory, toward not letting Vecna get the best of him, is to let go of what makes him the most scared.
Vecna can see Will’s secrets and fears, and he uses that knowledge to overpower Will. Vecna shows Will what scares him most while Will is cursed in Vecna’s mind. Will sees a possible future where he tells his friends and family the truth about his sexuality. In this vision, some worry for him while others slowly drift away until he’s all alone. This terrifies Will, but that fear is holding him back. So long as he’s afraid he can’t fight Vecna and can’t fully use the powers at his disposal, so in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, he shares the truth about himself with his mother and his friends.
During an emotional speech full of tears, Will says he’s just like his friends in almost every way except for one. He reveals that he likes girls, “just not like you guys do.” Will finally lets his friends and family in to the core of himself, and, of course, everyone, Joyce, Jonathan, Mike, Max, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, and Robin, and everyone else are beautifully supportive of him. He knows he doesn’t have to be alone for being who he is. And with his secret out in the world and his fears laid to rest, Will is ready to join Eleven, Max, and Kali in the fight against Vecna.
Will Believing in Himself Will Supercharge His Powers on Stranger Things 5
In Stranger Things 5, Volume 1, Will finally managed to control his powers by accepting himself. No doubt, in Stranger Things 5, Volume 2, Will’s bravery and strength in allowing himself to be vulnerable and seen by those he loves most will supercharge his powers even further. Will is finally not scared AT ALL anymore, and he’s ready to fight. We can’t wait to see what Will’s powers look like in Stranger Things 5, Volume 3.
Stranger Things 5 Volumes 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix. Stranger Thing 5, Volume 3, or Stranger Things 5: The Finale will arrive on December 31 at 5pm PT/8pm ET.
Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. She is all for queer people having powers and a found family. Good job, Stranger Things.