Stranger Things | S5 E2 | "The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler" Recap & Review

*SPOILERS AHEAD

Episode 2 of Stranger Things dives even deeper into the connection between Will and the Upside Down, expanding his long-established sensitivity into something far more powerful. His new “hive mind” sense now allows him to see through the eyes of Vecna’s next target—an eerie, intrusive ability that feels like the final evolution of what began back in Season 1. These visions aren’t just glimpses or feelings anymore; they’re full windows into the experiences of those marked by Vecna. It puts Will in a terrifying position as both an observer and unwilling participant in Vecna’s hunt, raising the stakes for the entire group.

One of the most unsettling developments in the episode is Holly becoming Vecna’s latest target. Fans have asked: why Holly? And if Nancy told everyone what Vecna once showed her about their family’s vulnerabilities, why didn’t the Wheelers take action? The episode seems to suggest a painful truth—Vecna targets emotional fractures, unresolved trauma, and hidden fears. Holly, despite being the youngest and often overlooked, represents the innocence and stability the family tries desperately to project. Vecna preys on what they didn’t confront, on the secrets and silence Nancy warned them about years ago. Their inaction becomes a chilling reflection of how denial itself can open doors for danger.

Another shocking reveal this episode is the demogorgon’s newfound ability to create doors to the Upside Down at will. This raises questions about whether the Upside Down is weakening, the walls between worlds thinning, or if the demogorgons themselves are evolving under Vecna’s direction. The episode frames it almost like a learned behavior—a dark mimicry of Vecna’s own reality-warping. It implies the creatures are no longer mindless hunters but instruments with growing autonomy, capable of manipulating the fabric between dimensions faster and more unpredictably than before.

And finally, the mystery of Mr. Whatsit—one of the strangest, most talked-about new figures this season—is officially resolved. As many suspected, Mr. Whatsit is none other than Vecna in his human form: Henry Creel. The reveal plays out with chilling calmness, showing Henry carefully reintegrating pieces of his past identity to manipulate those around him. It’s a reminder that Vecna’s power isn’t just physical or supernatural; it’s psychological. His human façade allows him to step into the world with calculated intent, proving the fight against him will be more complex than ever.