The Decision to Not Kill 001 in 'Stranger Things'

Throughout the series, Eleven (El) is portrayed as a character who values life and often spares individuals, especially her friends. Her choice not to kill 001 Vecna at the beginning of the story stems from a combination of her inherent non-violent nature and her deep emotional attachment to human life.

Eleven's Nature and Motivations

Elle is not a violent person; whenever she does kill, it is usually in self-defense or to protect her friends. For instance, in Season 2, despite being ready to kill a man who put her mother into a mental coma, she refrains from doing so after seeing a photo of him with his daughters. This character trait is consistent throughout the series, as evidenced by her actions towards Eight (also known as Vecna).

Even when Eleven fights the Demogorgon in Season 1, which is a major threat, she uses her powers to dissolve it rather than kill the creature, effectively banishing it to the Upside-Down. This demonstrates her ability to be brutal when necessary but also her inclination to find a less lethal solution to a problem.

Encounter with 001 (Vecna)

When Eleven encounters 001 (Vecna), she is a child, unfamiliar with the kind of situation she is being placed in. She wants to escape the hospital, and the saw she uses as a means of escape seems to be a manifestation of her desperation to get out. Seeing Henry (001) kill people, and possibly withholding her full power for fear of losing control, likely contributes to a coma similar to how she was comatose after fighting the Demogorgon.

While Eleven is capable of using brutal force, such as in her fight with orderlies and Brenner's men, the encounter with 001 is a more ambiguous situation. Here, she faces a formidable opponent with psychic powers comparable to hers. The fight is a critical moment where she must neutralize 001 to survive. However, her inability to fully control her powers leads to a miscalculation, resulting in 001 being sent to the Upside-Down rather than being fully eliminated.

Impact of the Fight and Emotional Connection

The fight between Eleven and 001 is a pivotal moment in the series. The emotional stakes are high as 001 has shown kindness to Eleven throughout her stay in the lab. The intensity of the fight and the ease with which he could have killed her likely made it difficult for Eleven to resolve to kill him. Furthermore, the distress caused by 001's attempt to keep her in the lab, coupled with a sense of ambivalence towards him, creates a complex emotional landscape.

The fight with the Demogorgon is compared to the fight with 001 in terms of the intensity of her powers. However, the ambiguity in the fight with the Demogorgon leads to a more mysterious outcome, possibly suggesting that the original Demogorgon was transported to the Upside-Down instead of being dissipated. This leaves room for speculation and adds an intriguing layer to the story.

Overall, Eleven's decision not to kill 001 at the start of the series is a reflection of her character development and the complexity of her interactions with powerful adversaries in a world filled with supernatural threats.