The field scene and the tower changing colors
By now we've all noticed how the tower repeatedly changes colors from red to grey/green and back during Mike's and Will's conversation in episode 4. But why does the color change multiple times?
If we assume that changes in color are hints towards something being off - maybe a memory maybe being manipulated - then the pattern of color change could tell us which parts are altered.
During the group shot, we start off with the usual red tower.
(...) Joyce: “Sometimes people need someone to believe in them. And then they can do amazing things.”
As soon as we get the close-up, the tower is grey/green and stays that color until this part of their conversation:
Mike: “Your mom and Robin are getting along better.” Will: “Well, it didn’t hurt that Mom scared off that Demo. Saved Robin’s life, everybody’s life.” Mike: “So, when your mom, when she had her axe, you could see her? Like, through the Demo’s eyes?” Will: “Yeah. And I was so close to the hive, it’s like I could feel what it was feeling, like this anger. That I was still in there too. And I was afraid. I was afraid for my mom.” Mike: “You wanted to protect her.” Will:“Yeah. But I… I just couldn’t. It was like this scary movie you just can’t turn off.”
After this line, there's the "open sesame" interruption by the party, and when we get to see the tower again it's red now.
Mike: “Are you positive you didn’t?” Will: “Didn’t what?” Mike: “Turn off the scary movie. Protect your mom, not the other way around. No offense. I know she’s badass and everything, but you know.” Will: “Yeah, she’s 5’3”.” Mike: “Yeah! And Vecna likes to control the hive mind like a puppet master. So maybe when you tap into the hive, you can pull the strings too.” Will: “Except I’m not Vecna.” Mike: “You sorta are.” Will: “You’re trying to say that I’m evil and hell-bent on destroying the world?” Mike: “Totally! No, I’m just saying that, you know, you’re like a wizard like him.” Will: “In D&D, Mike, not real life.” Mike: “True. In real life, you’re more like a sorcerer, because your powers don’t come from a book of spells. They’re innate.”
But after the shot of Robin noticing them, the tower is once again grey/green.
Mike: “... Listen, as far as crazy theories go, I’ve had crazier. And with Eleven in the Upside Down, we really need some magic up here.”
And then Will pushes Mike, and Mike walks away.
If we assume that not the entirety of season 5 happens under Vecna's spell, then the tower should be red and so red would represent real memories, while grey/green would be altered memories.
Altering that last part makes sense to me - maybe Mike did reciprokate the push/flirting, and so that's what was altered. But why would the first part of their convo be altered? People have pointed out that Mike might have thought that Will and Robin were dating, and that he was jealous of that. He does mention Robin at the beginning, so maybe what's missing here is him asking about whether or not they are dating or something? Who knows...
This is just one potential interpretation - I'm sure the color switch can be interpreted in other ways, too.
Also, I've conflated the tower being grey and green - to me it looks grey after the first 'switch', and kinda greenish after the second one. But I don't really know, so...
