Stranger Things 4 Makes Will's Survival In Season 1 Even More Impressive

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Warning: SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2.

Stranger Things season 4 makes the Upside Down a scarier place than ever, which only makes Will Byers's survival there in season 1 even more impressive. Throughout Stranger Things, few characters have entered the Upside Down and lived to tell the tale, with Barb Holland among those who never returned. Even when gates are opened between the real world and the Upside Down, it causes enough danger, as creatures such as Demogorgons and demodogs step between realms to reign terror in Hawkins. Strong grown adults have met their end against these creatures, yet little Will Byers somehow managed to survive a week in the Upside Down.

While Will was in the thick of the supernatural action in Stranger Things' earlier episodes, season 4 focuses more on Will's personal struggles, especially his love for his best friend, Mike. This conflict continues to illustrate Will's inner strength, and how he often tries to tackle his problems alone, not even talking openly with his brother, Jonathan. This aspect of Will's character is likely linked to how he survived alone in the Upside Down and learned to only trust in himself to survive. Despite Will's smaller role in Stranger Things season 4, the finale teases that Will is still connected to Vecna and the Upside Down since he can sense that Vecna is still alive. This connection will lead to Will having a larger role in the show's fifth and final season, which the Duffer Brothers have confirmed.

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The expedition into the Upside Down in Stranger Things season 4 demonstrates its true dangers, as those who go there fight off storms of demobats and Vecna's