Generally fan theories are the extremely tenuous products of deranged, deeply bored minds and whole about as much water as a common household colander, but this one has at least a few legs (am I mixing too many metaphors?) – Elle Woods from ‘Legally Blonde‘ is Eleven from ‘Stranger Things‘ as a grown up.
You’re probably already familiar with the theory that Steve Harrington is the father of Jean-Ralphio from ‘Parks and Recreations‘, which might not add up in quite a few regards but I mean they just look so similar I’m willing to give them a free pass.
So how does this one work out? Easy: the timeline pretty much adds up, “Elle” is just a short form of “Eleven“, “Woods” is a reference to her former home (the literal woods), and Elle’s hair is very clearly a wig.
So how does this change your reading of the ‘Legally Blonde‘ films? Luckily writer Kaitlyn Plyley, who came up with the theory, also wrote some fan fiction of it:
“Years later, at Harvard Law, Emmett Richmond would tell her that her blonde hair gave her a power she underestimated, and that he hoped she would channel it to use for good. She smiled a little: here was somebody who had an inkling of what she was. Elle had never been seriously intimidated by the Harvard admissions process – she’d strode through high school and college knowing she could break arms with a tilt of her head. Her self-worth came from knowing that she chose not to harm.”
All that pink? An active rejection of the sense that she was threatening:
“Elle surrounded herself with soft, pink things – fluffy pillows, sweet fragrances – and avoided anything that would make her seem intimidating. It took her a long time to work out that she was still trying to prove she wasn’t the monster. Self-care was prime: she carried her service animal Bruiser with her everywhere. Being a survivor is an ongoing act. Elle took good care of herself.”
Incredible work. You can read the whole thing here.
