The Netflix series Stranger Things is one of the most popular shows on the entire platform. Despite this, however, there are still flaws as with all films or television shows. In fact, some Stranger Things fans have been pointing out what appears to be a plot hole regarding the character Eleven. It appears that this plot hole is tied directly with the events of the newest season and the first season of the series.
As those who’ve seen the first season know, Eleven’s speaking abilities are shown to be very limited. It’s unclear why, exactly, so fans assumed that she simply didn’t ever know how to talk. The newest season appears to contradict this, however, during its flashback scenes with Eleven. During these scenes, a younger Eleven is shown to be speaking very clearly with those around her. So why does this feel like an abrupt retcon or plot hole?
At least, that’s how many fans have felt about it. You can see some of their Stranger Things plot hole complaints below via social media:
…oh, and Eleven can mysteriously talk.
Brenner could be feeding her false memories bc he’s the only one what’s actually happening… #StrangerThings
— Alej G (@Cinephile420) June 1, 2022
The only thing I’m confused about in stranger things is how Eleven can talk so well in the flashbacks #StrangerThings4
— Riley (stranger things spoilers) (@Luckyleons) May 28, 2022
#StrangerThings eleven’s memories are kinda confusing because didn’t she not be able to talk at all in season one????? and it seems like she can talk perfectly back in those memories
— rue rue’s house (@wszvstkojedno) May 28, 2022
stranger things is full of potholes but i love it so much
why the hell does one tell his lifestory to a random child. why the hell would vecna want nancy to know about his origin.
how the fuck can eleven talk in the flashbacks.
why can you see the electricity from the present-— citrus (@nexcitrus) June 1, 2022
Not a spoiler but – how come Eleven can’t talk at the start of Stranger Things but in her S4 flashbacks the other kids at the lab can? I NEED ANSWERS 🧇🧇🧇
— Beccy Speedie (@BeccySpeedie) May 29, 2022
Of course, some fans have also tried to justify the change. They’ve suggested that perhaps Eleven was always able to talk – but that either her childhood trauma caused her speaking skills to regress or she actually had something of a stroke due to her psychic powers.
so why can the rainbow room kids talk when eleven did not talk at all at the beginning of s1 ?? did she just go mute bc of trauma ??
— leah is our annabeth (@eliandmorty) May 31, 2022
Most people are too stupid to realize Eleven yeeted One to actual hell as a fucking tiny child using brain powers and Brenner literally the episode before this one talked about how STROKES CAN MAKE YOU FORGET HOW TO TALK
— mint ‘morbin’ toby (@mint_toby) June 1, 2022
“why is eleven able to talk in her flashbacks when she couldnt in season one” i developed selective mutism at 9, speech can regress my brother in christ
— Erica Nichols (@yikejordans) June 1, 2022
Eleven baby, can we talk about coping mechanisms? 🙂 #StrangerThings4
— kb THE TRAVELLER (@melanchocho2) June 1, 2022
When you consider what she’s been through and how her superhuman mind might function – neither of these explanations are hard to believe. So perhaps we’ll see more on this topic once the second volume of Stranger Things 4 arrives on Netflix. Or, with a fifth season still on the way, we could get additional answers there as well. As such, fans can stay tuned to ScreenGeek for updates on Stranger Things as we have them.
Fans can currently watch the newest season of Stranger Things on Netflix, with the second volume of episodes scheduled to be released on July 1.