Stranger Things Finally Confirms Will’s Role With The Tunnel Mystery From Season 2

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Beware – spoilers ahead for the final part of Stranger Things season 5! The latest episodes of Stranger Things have finally explained the mystery around Will Byers and his connection to the hive mind, confirming a fan theory from as early as season 2 back in 2017. While Volume 1 showed us Will’s abilities through the hive mind, it turns out his connection was even more significant than we realized. He wasn’t simply acting as a spy for the Mind Flayer and Vecna in season 2 – he had another crucial purpose.

In the fifth season of Stranger Things, the group frequently uses a complex network of tunnels beneath Hawkins to get around. Dr. Kay continues her search for Eleven, and with the town under military lockdown, the group tries to stay hidden while traveling. The season also reveals how these tunnels were originally built, though they may not be necessary for much longer.

Theory Confirmed: Will Built The Tunnels Under Hawkins In Stranger Things Season 2

Image via Netflix

Will Byers falls into a trance after using his powers to rescue Max and Holly from Vecna, becoming trapped within Vecna’s mind. In the season 5 episode “Escape from Camazotz,” Vecna reveals his plan to use Will as a spy, similar to what happened in season 2. He also calls Will his “builder,” which confirms a fan theory that has been circulating for a long time about Will’s unique connection to the Upside Down.

It’s been revealed that Will Byers unknowingly created the network of tunnels beneath Hawkins during season 2 of Stranger Things. While asleep, he was controlled by the hive mind, and through Vecna’s influence (not the Mind Flayer directly), Will used his connection to this collective consciousness and strange vines to dig out the tunnels.

The tunnels were always connected to the Mind Flayer, but Stranger Things left unanswered how they were created. Season 5 not only explained the true nature of the Upside Down, but also solved the mystery of the tunnels, confirming the long-held theory that Will Byers built them – though he was unknowingly controlled by the hive mind at the time.

Why Vecna Used Will To Build The Tunnels & What It Means For Stranger Things Season 5

Image via Netflix

Will’s connection to the Upside Down unintentionally made Hawkins more vulnerable to creatures like the Demodogs. While he was unknowingly being used as a sort of scout during season 2 of Stranger Things, the tunnels he helped create actually increased the danger for his family and friends.

The tunnels helped the Upside Down grow under Hawkins, which is exactly what Vecna wanted. He was creating more openings and making Hawkins weaker, bringing him closer to his goal of merging his world, the Abyss, with ours. He used Will Byers as a key part of this plan, and intends to complete it with the help of the other kids in the fifth season of Stranger Things.

The ending of Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 suggests Vecna is taking control of the kids’ minds, probably to use them as he did Will. By connecting them to a shared consciousness, Vecna is growing more powerful, and now has a whole group of people to help him try and change the world.

The final season of Stranger Things, split into two parts (Volumes 1 & 2), is now streaming on Netflix. The very last episode will be released on December 31, 2025.

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2025-12-27 15:58