The Ghost of Mistakes Past: How Zach Could Save Belasco in Season 5
Season 4 of "Stranger Things" was a sprawling epic, a tapestry woven with threads of grief, trauma, and the impending apocalypse. In the face of Vecna's mind-bending horrors, it's easy to understand why certain elements faded into the background. Zach, the unfortunate basketball player possessed by Vecna and brutally murdered in front of the Hawkins basketball team, is arguably one of the most overlooked ghosts of that season. He was a pawn, a spectacle, a plot device. But ignoring Zach in Season 5 is a mistake, because his unfinished story holds the key to solving what promises to be the season's biggest problem: making Jason Carver’s cult leader, Belasco, a believable and compelling villain.
Season 4 was, at its heart, about the invisible wounds of trauma and the insidious way Vecna exploited them. Max’s grief over Billy, Chrissy’s eating disorder, and Eddie’s social ostracization were all meticulously explored as avenues Vecna used to prey on his victims. The brilliance lay in how these individual traumas mirrored the collective trauma of Hawkins itself, a town reeling from years of supernatural assaults. But Zach’s trauma, arguably the most visceral and public of them all, was swept aside. He wasn't given a name beyond "basketball player," no backstory, no depth. He was simply a body contorted in a horrifying spectacle, a catalyst for Jason Carver’s descent into religious fervor and ultimately, his demise.
This brings us to Season 5 and the impending threat of Belasco. Jason, fueled by grief and manipulated by Vecna’s psychic residue, ended Season 4 a broken man, convinced of the supernatural's inherent evil. The Duffer Brothers have hinted that he will become a powerful figure, a cult leader driven by righteous zeal and a burning desire to "cleanse" Hawkins of its perceived demonic influence. The potential for a compelling villain is there, but simply portraying him as a religious fanatic would be a disservice to the complexities established in previous seasons. He needs nuance, a driving force beyond simple madness, and that's where Zach comes in.
Imagine a scenario where Zach, not fully "gone" despite his horrific death, lingers in the psychic residue of Hawkins. He becomes a focal point for Belasco's followers, a symbol of Vecna's corruption. Belasco, in his twisted interpretation of faith, sees Zach as a spirit needing "liberation," a soul trapped in the Upside Down's tendrils. This isn't just about killing monsters; it's about saving souls, about performing a grotesque exorcism on the very town itself.
This connection between Zach and Belasco would offer several crucial advantages:
- Adds Depth to Belasco's Motivation: He's not just a madman; he believes he's acting on divine purpose, fueled by the tangible evidence of Zach's suffering. This gives him a believable moral compass, albeit a warped one. His actions are driven by a misguided sense of compassion and a desperate need to make sense of the chaos that has consumed his life.
- Connects Season 5 to Season 4's Themes: Reviving Zach's narrative directly addresses the overlooked trauma of Season 4, solidifying the idea that the events of the past have lasting consequences. It reminds us that Vecna’s victims are more than just casualties; they are lost souls trapped in the psychic landscape of Hawkins.
- Raises the Stakes: The stakes aren't just about stopping Vecna; they are about saving the souls of those he has already destroyed. The characters would be forced to grapple with the ethical dilemmas of dealing with these lingering spirits, perhaps even finding a way to help them find peace instead of simply banishing them.
- Offers Character Development: The protagonists, particularly those involved in Zach's death like Lucas, would be forced to confront their guilt and complicity. This could lead to powerful moments of redemption and self-reflection, adding another layer of emotional depth to the final season.
By bringing Zach back into the narrative, not as a monster but as a victim, the Duffer Brothers could elevate Belasco from a caricature of religious extremism to a truly compelling and complex villain. He wouldn't just be fighting against the monsters of the Upside Down; he would be fighting for the soul of Hawkins, as he misguidedly believes, creating a fascinating parallel to the protagonists' own fight.
Ignoring Zach is ignoring the pervasive impact of trauma that defines "Stranger Things." By resurrecting his story and weaving it into the fabric of Season 5, the show can not only address the ghost of its own past mistakes but also solve the potential problem of a shallow villain and deliver a truly resonant and impactful final chapter. It's a chance to give meaning to a tragic, forgotten character and, in doing so, solidify the show's legacy as a masterclass in character-driven storytelling.
