It's true. Henry is both a victim and a predator. He basically became what was done to him. And that makes him such a complex character!!
It's always been understood that there was this strong connection with the SA/CSA, whether intented or not. And it's always been understood that this is precisely what Vecna's thing represents! And I'm the first to say that the way they showed Henry in season 5 (mr whatsit, the kids, etc.) was very disturbing. Because that's the feeling they wanted to give! Uncanny: something that looks okay (the colors, the food, the gifts) but isn't.
The thing that hasn't been understood by everyone yet, however, is the fact that Henry had been FLAYED since he was 7 years old. With calm moments (as shown in The First Shadow), yes, but the moment he starts feeling like he deserves it, he lets the monster take control.
Do you remember how he was like in the lab in the series? Calm, almost kind, HE WAS CRYING because he was being tortured with teasers, begging them to stop, he couldn't even look that pig Brenner in the face (also can we talk about how, especially in TFS, Brenner and Henry's relationship is full of csa allegory?) And do you remember what he's like as soon as Jane takes away his Soteria, that thing in his neck? COMPLETELY CHANGED! I've been saying since 4th season that this was like a way to keep the mind flayer out of his brain, to take away his powers and everything (it definitely wasn't a gesture of affection from Brenner, BUT it would have been useful in a normal situation!). It changes everything. The expressions, the voice, the smile. It's clear that it's not totally him.
It's true that everything Vecna did (which in the end is nothing but Henry's flayed form, the most monstrous part of the mind flayer invasion) did horrible things and certainly all SA related. But again, he was flayed.
As Will was when he went crazy and wanted to kill everyone and they had to tie him up.
As Billy was when he did those things to Heather and the others.
The infamous "stay very still, it will be over soon" thing is a classic reference to SA. I'm pretty sure that's something csa (or child abuse in general) related that the mind flayer used from Henry's mind (who was the one that shaped it and let it take control, so basically Henry's mind became his little puppet) from his lab times. Something that was told him and that turned into a double weapon. And making Henry the monstrous things he experienced.
"It was never you", as Will said. It was always the Mind Flayer.
Why is there all the house theme with Billy flayed, meeting Heather's mom and dad? I truly believe that's because the mf knew that Billy's relationship with girls could have been used.
I think it is the same thing for Henry.
Basically using his own traumas to make him the predator.
I love Will and Holly so much, they are basically my favourite characters, and everything that happened to them and others was SA related. But that goes for Henry too: he's a villain, but this needs to be acknowledged. It doesn't matter if you like him or not! ❤️
Friendly reminder that, as soon as the mind flayer was d3ad and Vecna was being beh3aded, he wasn't flayed anymore. He was Henry. And he was supposed to say "please don't".
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