Could Ted Wheeler Be the Mastermind Behind the Upside Down?

With the latest episode featuring a Demogorgon and a golf club, an old fan theory from the second season of Stranger Things has made a comeback. This time, it’s got punters wondering if Ted Wheeler, usually seen as a bit of a background bloke, might have a much bigger role in the story than anyone expected. Heads up: there are spoilers for season 5 ahead.

After the second episode of the new season dropped, a TikTok started doing the rounds, suggesting that Ted Wheeler – the often clueless dad to Mike, Nancy, and Holly – could actually be the one responsible for the Upside Down. While it’s a stretch to say Ted created the whole thing, there’s a growing sense that he’s been keeping something under wraps for all these years.

The Theory’s Origins and Odd Clues

This idea first popped up back in season 2, with some fans even floating the notion that Ted might be 001. That’s been ruled out, but the theory stuck around, partly because of Ted’s habit of never leaving his favourite chair in the lounge. The new TikTok brings this up again, pointing out that when Eleven sits in the chair, she gets a strange vibe. Some reckon the chair is like a throne, helping Ted ‘recharge’ his mysterious abilities.

In season 3, Ted doesn’t get much screen time, mostly just being his usual oblivious self. But season 4 throws in a curious detail: when Vecna shows Nancy a vision of her family being wiped out, Ted isn’t there. It’s odd – why would Vecna leave him out? At the time, it seemed like the writers just forgot about him, the same way they seemed to lose track of Argyle in the latest season. Ted’s been a bit of a running joke since the start, barely making an impact.

Season 5 Hints and Fan Speculation

The TikTok also notes that Ted doesn’t look particularly rattled by the Demogorgon, almost as if he recognises it, though he might not know why. Right now, Ted’s in a medically induced coma, and it’s anyone’s guess what’s coming up in the next batch of episodes. If he does turn out to be a villain, it’d be a real shake-up – the bloke could finally have something to do, considering no one’s quite sure what his job is anyway.

For those keen to dive deeper, there’s plenty more to unpack in the first volume of the new season, and the release schedule for the rest of the episodes is out for anyone wanting to stay ahead. While waiting for the next chapter, there are heaps of other top Netflix series to check out.