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Vines, also referred to as tendrils, are one of the dominant forms of life present in the Upside Down, and make up part of the Mind Flayer's hive mind; the vines are a form of life existing somewhere between the traditional idea of "plant" and "animal". Vines would often emerge from within interdimensional gates, sprawling across the surrounding surface.

Will Byers was attached to a vine while he was strung up in the Upside Down equivalent of the Hawkins Public Library. Later, Jim Hopper was attacked by vines when exploring the tunnels beneath Hawkins; these tunnels themselves could be described as giant vines, containing smaller vines inside them.

While at the Upside Down version of the Creel House, Vecna would connect to a series of spiked vines through special junctures in his back, strengthening his abilities. Vecna's "mindscape" was also populated by imaginary vines, which Vecna used to restrain the psychic avatars of his victims.

Description[]

The vines were animated by the Upside Down's hive mind. They grew like plants but behaved and moved like snakes, and could bind, amass and tangle up many things, including humans. Furthermore, the tendrils were vulnerable to brute force and fire.

Organic web-like structures often accompanied vines. Like the vines, these webby structures were present at most places related to the Upside Down, including gates and the Hawkins Tunnel System.

History[]

1979[]

The alien vines were first seen at Hawkins Lab, making up part of the temporary gate Eleven sent Henry Creel through.

1979-1983[]

When Henry traversed the "pre-freeze" version of the Upside Down, vines were nevertheless present, covering parts of the mountainous terrain.

1983[]

November[]

Many vines emerged from the Mothergate after its creation, sprawling across the walls of Hawkins Lab's tank room.

When Nancy Wheeler briefly visited the Upside Down, she accidentally stepped on a vine, drawing the attention of the Demogorgon.

Joyce and Chief Hopper found an unconscious Will Byers strung up in the Upside Down version of the public library; he had a tendril in his mouth, extending through his trachea, and into his lungs. Hopper pulled it out of his throat before shooting and destroying it.[1]

1984[]

June 28[]

When the Russians attempted to open a gate at their mountainside facility, a couple of vine-like growths grew out from the fissure.

November[]

When Jim Hopper was exploring the subterranean tunnels beneath Hawkins to ascertain a way out, he came to discover that the vines were vulnerable to fire, compelling him to make a torch. Scaring away the vines, he tried relentlessly to dig a way out, but his efforts were futile. He was then entangled by the mass of vines. Later, with the help of Joyce and Bob, he was freed.[2]

In order to test Will's mysterious connection with shadow monster, a tendril was exposed to flame by a scientist at the Hawkins Lab. Following simultaneous painful responses from both Will and the vine, Dr. Owens confirmed their connections to the hive mind.

Afterwards, when the kids entered the tunnels and set them afire to distract the Demodogs from Eleven and Hopper, Mike was caught by a vine during their return and fell behind. Steve came back in time and vigorously attacked the vine with his bat, freeing him from the constriction in the process.[3]

1986[]

March[]

When Eddie, Robin, Nancy, and Steve were in the Upside Down, Eddie asked about the Upside Down. He was informed that it is all one connected hive mind; if you step on a vine, you're stepping on bats, Vecna, and the other species in the Upside Down.[4]

Later, while at the Upside Down version of the Creel House, Nancy, Steve and Robin were attacked by vines, which entangled them, pushed them up against the walls, and started to suffocate them. After Murray Bauman burned several Demodogs to death over in Kamchatka, the vines felt pain through the hive mind and released the trio.[5]

Behind the scenes[]

The Stranger Things art department have done "a lot of experimenting" when creating vine props; they've used various materials, including rubber, foam and plastic.[6][7] Furthermore, the "webby structure" that sometimes appears around vines, nicknamed "nether stretch" by the effects team, is made out of melted bubble wrap.[8]

The sound team recorded ironing board squeaks and cappuccino machine squeals, using them to create the sound effects associated with vines.[9]

Vecna's prosthetics were digitally augmented using a "UV Texture Crawl" effect, providing subtle movement to the vines within his body; with this technique, the Duffers could dial in the amount of movement in every shot, making sure the eerie vine movements were noticeable without detracting too much attention from the performance and story. The vines in the Creel attic, extending from Vecna's back, are fully CG.[10][11]

Trivia[]

  • While the tendrils are predominantly referred to as "vines" from the second season onwards, their official name has not yet been clarified.

Gallery[]

References[]

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