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For much of the concluding season of the popular Netflix show, Holly Wheeler and Max Mayfield are held captive within a psychic prison constructed from the recollections of the villain Henry. The search for a way out in episode 6 forces them to experience a life-altering moment from Henry's childhood—a discovery that could contain the key to defeating him once and for all.

Editor's Note: This discussion reveals crucial plot points for the second part of the final season.

The Discovery in the Mine Shaft

Upon meeting Max in the mental landscape called Camazotz, Holly discovers she is hiding out in a grotto that Henry strangely fears. By leaving the lens cap on a telescope pilfered from Henry's old home helps Holly understand that the source of fear lies outside of the cave. When she lines up her view with the shape, she and Max plummet into a deep mine shaft.

There, they witness a child version of Henry come across an man who is hurt and scared. When Henry tries to help, the man fires a gun, hitting him in the hand. To protect himself, Henry ends the threat with a rock. "Is this what corrupted him?" Holly asks tearfully. Essentially, yes, but the act involved more than a defensive killing.

In keeping with mysteries in volume 2, the truth about the mine shaft incident is detailed in the live show Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

The Philadelphia Experiment and Stolen Research

The play reveals the infamous Philadelphia Experiment, which transported a warship into a plane known as the Abyss. Demogorgons assaulted it, and the sole survivor was the ship's commander, who came back in a vegetative state with an altered blood type.

That survivor's offspring, the future Dr. Brenner, sought to replicate this dimensional breach in remote Nevada. However, a treacherous employee stole research materials to sell to the Communist spies, who were desperate to launch their version of the tests. That traitor in the tunnel is the one who stole the materials.

So, What's in the Case?

Considering what is understood of his research, the case most likely held some of the altered blood. As shown, Henry is bleeding from his hand. It's probable he was infected upon handling the contents, which triggered the origin of his telekinetic gifts—traits he would inadvertently transfer to the kids under Brenner's care.

A second theory, the box could have held exotic matter that eventually found its way to the secret facility, where it acts to anchor the parallel world. The prequel shows that Henry ended up in the Abyss, reappearing hours later fundamentally changed. Throughout the play, he struggles with the influence of a dark entity, much like how Will was possessed by the Mind Flayer in an earlier season.

The Power of Fear

Henry's enduring terror associated with the mine shows how utterly horrifying the encounter was for him. While he commands the collective consciousness and seeks to merge the Abyss into Hawkins, a part of him remains. Vecna uses fear, and the show is setting up a showdown between the monster and Will, who has confronted his personal demons to gain strength.

His confrontation has neutralized a key tactic of Vecna. More importantly, Will now knows what his enemy truly fears, which could provide a key upper hand in the ultimate battle ahead.