The fourth season of “Stranger Issues” seemingly introduces essentially the most highly effective villain we have met thus far: Vecna, a lethal monster from the Upside Down. However Vecna is not simply any interdimensional baddie — he was once One, one other take a look at topic like Eleven within the lab run by Dr. Brenner. Whereas the present’s writers appear to need us to suppose that Vecna is “Stranger Issues”‘s new most important baddie, we won’t assist however keep watch over Dr. Brenner, who’s again after inexplicably surviving a brush with the Demogorgon. There’s loads of proof that Dr. Brenner truly is perhaps the baddest of all of them, so let’s take a better have a look at the proof (and theories) thus far.
Does Dr. Brenner Have Powers in “Stranger Issues”?
Whilst we study increasingly in regards to the backstory of the lab the place Eleven and her “siblings” originated, we nonetheless know remarkably little in regards to the mad scientist she known as “Papa.” Lots of questions stay about who he’s, how he bought concerned with the mission, and the way he has managed to outlive all the hazards and near-death experiences working with these superpowered children has introduced upon him. Is it doable that he has powers of his personal, and that is how he has stayed alive by way of all of it?
We won’t assist questioning in regards to the particulars of Dr. Brenner’s “work” with the youngsters within the lab. Did he “give” them powers merely by way of sheer mad-science experimentation, or was he in a position to give them superpowers as a result of he already had a head begin from having powers of his personal? Dr. Brenner having powers would additionally clarify a number of issues about his unlikely survival; we have seen him survive a Demogorgon assault and One’s assault on the lab, and who is aware of what different “accidents” occurred throughout his time on the lab.
One Reddit concept takes this chance even additional, positing that Dr. Brenner is perhaps “000,” or the unique superpowered being. The Reddit consumer, Jamcam007, factors out that we by no means see the spot on Dr. Brenner’s wrist the place numbers could be; it is at all times lined by a watch. It is also value contemplating within the context of the “affected person zero” colloquialism historically used to indicate the unique supply of one thing uncommon. If there is a affected person zero among the many superpowered people, then Dr. Brenner would positively be an fascinating chance.
What Is Dr. Brenner’s Hyperlink to the Upside Down?
The connection between the Upside Down and the experiments — each on the lab in Hawkins and on the Russian facility — has already been made clear. Human experiments have cracked open a door to that demonic dimension, permitting monsters by way of. However we nonetheless do not know for positive how the Upside Down got here to exist within the first place.
One chance: Dr. Brenner is, someway, personally liable for the creation of the Upside Down, not only for breaking by way of to it. This might go considered one of two methods: both as a part of the “Dr. Brenner has powers” concept, or just by way of supernatural science experiments gone horribly unsuitable (or horribly proper, relying on what his unique intentions have been). His reactions to shows of energy — Eleven discovering the monsters, as an illustration, and even her extra violent unintended makes use of of energy — appear extra awestruck than horrified, additional indicating that he is getting what he desires out of his experiments. The one time he really appears horrified is after One’s killing spree — that’s, after his life’s work is all however destroyed.
Dr. Brenner’s curiosity within the Upside Down might additionally intently connect with his curiosity in Eleven. It appears too unlikely that he has helped El get her powers again simply because he believes it is the appropriate factor to do. He is aware of how highly effective she is, and he is aware of how highly effective their enemies within the Upside Down are. Might he be attempting to make use of El to not defeat the monsters for the great of everybody, however to take management of the Upside Down for himself?
What Does Dr. Brenner’s Crossword Puzzle Imply?
Everyone knows that the “Stranger Issues” writers like to cover their clues in plain sight. A pair of Reddit customers zoomed in and took a better have a look at Dr. Brenner’s crossword puzzle from the opening minutes of season 4, and it appears like there could possibly be some related hints buried there.
Among the many phrases within the puzzle are some ominous references, akin to “Robespierre,” famed for the Reign of Terror in revolutionary France, together with a number of references to Russia and the Soviets, like “Tsar” and “Eurasian.” The identify “Kali” additionally seems, aka the identify of Eight, one of many surviving take a look at topics from the lab.
Whether or not these are supposed to be hints or — as one clue within the puzzle says — only a bunch of “shams” meant to misdirect us stays to be seen. However, there are simply too many issues about Dr. Brenner that do not add up, and we’ll be ready eagerly to see whether or not he is revealed to be the final word villain behind all of it!
