Why Mike Has Been Acting WEIRD Weird Since He Arrived in Lenora:

This take is inspired by an ask I got about how Will actually rejects Mike, and here's why I think that take is actually correct:

So if you've seen my latest post about the Rink O Mania fight and why Mike is actually angry, then you'll know that my takeaway from this scene was actually that Mike is upset with Will because Will hasn't been talking to him or reaching out to him. Mike believes that Will hasn't made any efforts to call him during their year apart, so let's take a look at how this contextualizes Mike's airport arrival:

When Mike gets to Lenora, he's upset with him because he thinks Will is the one who dropped the ball on their communication, which I'll talk about a little bit more later, so when Will goes in for a hug and Mike kind of brushes him off, he's not necessarily doing this because of gay panic (though that definitely still plays a part), he's doing this because he's feeling hurt and insecure and he's being petty with Will, so he brushes him off just like he thinks Will has been brushing him off. We also remember that before Mike got to Lenora, El tells Mike that Will has been working on a painting and acting "weird" because of a girl, so when Mike sees Will's painting at the airport, he gets jealous because he thinks it's for a girl, but more than this, Mike thinks that Will hasn't been reaching out to him because he's been wrapped up in thinking about a girl. Mike is JEALOUS because he thinks Will is paying more attention to this girl than he is to Mike (read: "And for what? So you can swap spit with some stupid girl?").

Cue Mike's jealous airport behavior: he runs up to El and kisses her, presents her with flowers, and puts his arm around her, basically acting like he's not paying attention to Will. He's trying to make Will jealous and he's acting out because Mike lowkey wants Will to apologize to him. Mike feels a little bit betrayed by Will.

And then we get to Rink O Mania, and Mike is still acting pretty passive aggressive with Will and continues to show off with El, but the entire time, Mike is actually paying more attention to Will and is frustrated at the fact that Will is still not making an effort to talk to him.

After the scene where El gets bullied, we see Mike express his true feelings and his anger. He comes after Will for not telling him about what's been going on with El. He's not upset about the fact that El was being bullied, he's more upset about the fact that Will didn't tell him this.

And when Mike says that Will sabotaged the whole day because Will was "rolling [his] eyes," "moping," and "barely talking," we're really clued into the fact that Mike is upset with Will for not communicating with him, because Mike wanted Will to be paying attention to him the entire time they were apart, but especially now that he's in Lenora, right in front of Will's face.

And when we get to see Will's perspective on this, that he's upset that Mike only called him a few times, meanwhile El has tons of letters from Mike, this is the first time that Mike realizes that Will wasn't intentionally pushing him away. We also later get clued into the fact that Mike has been complaining to Dustin about Joyce's telemarketing job because the phone line is always busy, so Mike has likely called Will WAY more than just a couple times, but the call wouldn't have gone through because the line was busy. Mike thinks it's on Will to reach out to him because Will knows Joyce is always on the phone for her job and should know her schedule and when the phone line is actually free, so Mike feels rejected at the fact that Will hasn't called, but Will feels rejected by Mike because Mike hasn't written to him.

After Rink O Mania, we see Mike and El have a big fight about how Mike can't tell her he loves her, and then we see her run off with Owens to go become a superhero again, leaving Mike with just this note. When Will finds Mike staring at the note, he tells him staring at it won't change anything and this is where we have Mike saying "You're right," and throwing the letter away. Here is where we see Mike open up to Will about the fact that he should have said I love you to El because that would mean Mike could be there with her, protecting her. I think it's important to note here that Mike doesn't want to tell El he loves her because he means it, he feels guilty for not saying it, and he feels like he has to say it because that's the only way El will allow him to continue to protect her. In other words, Mike still wants El to need him, even if he doesn't necessarily love her like that. So when Will tells Mike that he can say whatever it is he didn't say to El when he sees her again, Mike isn't picking up on Will's feelings for him because Will is actively trying to repair his relationship with El, just like Lucas was in season 3, and so Mike reads this gesture platonically and as a rejection of his own feelings toward Will.

Now when we get to the apology scene in Will's room, whether you take Mike's "self-pitying idiot" line to be about his behavior in general (acting jealous and petty over Will's lack of communication) or as a direct follow from their conversation about the letter (Mike not being able to tell El he loved her because he's actually been missing Will more than El), Mike's feelings for Will are centered here, so when he apologizes to Will, Mike was not planning to bring El into that until Will did. And we see this because his entire apology revolves around the fact that Mike feels like he lost Will. It has nothing to do with his being upset over El.

So when Mike puts things aside and says that he wants to work as a team and be best friends again, I actually think this might be Mike putting aside his own complicated feelings for Will in order to return to the dynamic that he thinks Will wants from him: being best friends.

In the following heart-to-heart scenes that we get between Mike and Will in the desert, Will is veiling his feelings for Mike, but Mike doesn't really pick up on this because all of Will's words and actions seem to be trying to help him get back together with El. He once again reads this as his feelings for Will not being reciprocated.

And this is why when we get to the painting scene we see such a genuine reaction from Mike when he opens it.

He realizes that Will has actually been thinking about him this whole time, and that the painting wasn't actually for a girl. But then we see Mike get really confused again when Will brings El into it, because whether or not Mike can read that Will is using El to veil his own feelings, Mike is still interpreting Will's actions here as pushing Mike back towards his relationship with El. Even if Mike suspects that Will may feel about him the way Mike feels about Will, he's still getting rejected here.

So when we get to this final scene where Will pushes Mike into telling El he loves her, we see this genuine look of heartbreak on Mike's face once again because he sees this as Will pushing him back towards his relationship with El, and he thinks that he'll never be able to have that relationship with Will, so he goes through with the confession because it was Will that rejected Mike's feelings for him.

Michael Wheeler I know what you are (based on this)

the duffers were kinda genius for the whole painting thing. it was able to show us how selfless and unconditional will’s love is for mike, it shows how flawed mike and el’s relationship is. it is essentially a ticking bomb for their relationship because the moment that painting is brought up they will realise that they both expect something different from the other. it also plays as a big catalyst for byler. we know that will is not going to make the first move he isn’t going to confess to mike because he’s 100% sure that mike is in love with el. but finding out the truth about el never comisioning it would leave mike with no choice other than to confront will about it. which would probably turn into one of their fightsᵀᴹ which in turn leads to both of them revealing their feelings for each other. basically the painting is a perfect set up for requited byler. and what makes it even better is that we were shown from the first season how special will’s paintings are for mike, and how much he cherishes them

"you didn't have to" and "best friends"

these two lines are very interesting to me and i believe they exist to serve a similar purpose but also kind of have two different targets

you didn't have to.

this of course is something mike tells will trying to communicate something like "i still understand you". but this is actually for us, the general audience watching. we're supposed to see here how mike handles will and eleven different because the levels of tacit understandment between mike/will and mike/el are different. we're supposed to see mileven aren't on the same page the way byler are. eleven had to verbally explain mike why she was upset and TELL HIM what he had to do to make it right with her (tell him he loves her) but even then, he wouldn't say it. however when he goes to will he apologizes quickly for being a self-pitying idiot and when will says he never said that, mike swiftly replies "you didn't have to." they both know it's true. this scene comes not that long after the mileven fight and we're supposed to pick up on those details. then the second point.

best friends.

this is also for us an audience, but it is more for will. at the roller rink, mike said a lot of hurtful shit to will, he was dismissive of him too, couldn't even acknowledge will was his best friend. we're friends. we're FRIENDS. will never said nor implied otherwise. but we were best friends, mike couldn't admit it.

so back in will's room he calls them a team. best friends. and he smiles. and it's funny, because he is subconsciously (or maybe consciously idk) fixing his and will's relationship, their "friendship", the same way he should've fixed his with el. he's telling will something he thought he wanted to hear because mike wasn't saying it, except it's easy now, he can reassure will when he knows he needs it, without will telling him he needs it, he just knows.

Regardless of show or ship, the romantic writing situationally on its own of having Will be sad that Mike was ignoring him and then have Mike list everything tiny thing he noticed while “ignoring him” was absolutely brilliant

I recommend Bylers to read this tweet made by someone with film experience and marketing experience. They explain Byler subtext perfectly and other set decisions and lighting.

Everyone but us be like:

Mike’s “Fall Arc” in s4

Found this on the internet and just replaced a few words. Seems fitting.

I believe Mike’s character went through a fall arc this season. This is long but interesting.

Bold red words replace “the lie”

Bold purple words replace “the truth”

Bold green words replace “the thing he wants”

My notes are in pink.

Act 1-

The protagonist believes he loves El which has so far proven necessary or functional in the existing (often destructive) Normal World. Comphet city

The Call to Adventure, when the protagonist first encounters the main conflict, also brings the first subtle hint that not loving El will no longer effectively protect or reward the protagonist in his current circumstances. Confronted with, and can’t handle, seeing Will at the airport+rink

The protagonist is faced with a consequential choice in which the “old ways” of the pretending to love El-ridden First Act show themselves ineffective in the face of the main conflict’s new stakes. The protagonist is given an early choice between pretending to love El and accepting that he doesn’t. He passes through a Door of No Return, in which he makes a move toward accepting that he doesn’t love El and, in so doing, is forced to leave the Normal World of the First Act and enter the Adventure World of the main conflict in the Second Act. Refuses to say “I love you” to El

Act 2-

The protagonist tries to wield pretending to love El as a means of feeling needed, but does so only with limited understanding or enthusiasm. He is stuck in a limbo-land where pretending to love El is no longer a functional mindset, but where his halfhearted attempts at being honest prove likewise only half-effective. Rekindling with Will but not being completely honest with himself

The protagonist encounters a Moment of Truth in which he comes face to face with the fact that he doesn’t love El (often via a simultaneous plot-based revelation about the external conflict). This is the first time the protagonist consciously sees the full power and opportunity of admitting his true feelings. However, he also sees the full sacrifice demanded if he is to admit he doesn’t love El. Unwilling to make that sacrifice, he rejects being queer and chooses instead to embrace pretending to love El “what if they don’t like the truth” chat

Uncaring about the consequences, the protagonist wields pretending to love El well and finds it effective in moving toward feeling needed. However, the closer he gets to his plot goal, the more destructive pretending to love El becomes both to him and to the world around him. Throws himself into trying to find El, feeling doubtful of El needing him

Act 3-

The protagonist is confronted by a “low moment,” in which he experiences a complete failure to gain feeling needed. This failure is a direct result of the collective damage wrought by pretending to love El in the Second Half of the Second Act. The “means” caught up to him before he reached his “end.” However, even when faced by all the evidence of lying about loving El destructive power, the protagonist still refuses to repent or to turn to his true feelings. Van scene (Superman chat then painting reveal)

Upon entering the final confrontation with the antagonistic force, the protagonist doubles down on pretending to love El in a last-ditch attempt to salvage feeling needed. Love confession

Crippled by pretending to love El, the protagonist is unable to fully feel needed. Instead, he succumbs to total personal destruction. Doesn’t acknowledge that Will is the one that actually needs him, love confession falls flat

The protagonist must confront the aftermath of his choices. He may finally and futilely accept the inescapable truth of being queer. Or he may be left to cope, blindly, with the consequences of his choices Fallout after the confession, symbolic couch scene and final shot

Idk… it’s a working theory.

The duffers aren’t even trying to be subtle anymore, guys. That boy is STARING

Ok but if you actually look at season 4 as a whole, we didn’t just get Byler crumbs, we got a whole ass meal. I know they aren’t canon yet, but like, compared to Milkcurd, we got a lot of scenes and they bonded a lot over the season.

K guys I’m not gonna lie, I think Will made things worse for Mike and El.

Like, he meant so well. Poor sweet Will.

Will was out there cheerleading Mike into his relationship grave. Mike pulled the confession out of his ass and El didn’t seem impressed. He and Mike were probably patting each other’s backs after that shit show like they did something (they did, but let me joke for a second).

Mike and El were hunky dory eating at the pizza place then after Will encouraged Mike to give an ILY confession there is barely any Milk curdle interaction? (She rests on his shoulder for 3 seconds at the hospital but no scene together? Huh? Mike and Will get a good 3 min long scene at the cabin tho, totes platonic, nbd) El isn’t really talking to Mike and seemingly ignores him at the cabin. What she did say to him was stuff about Dr. Owens/superpowers. So romantic. Much cute. Mike really grew from seeing her as a superhero this season. What a great arc for Mike.

Mike’s actual arc was rebuilding his friendship with Will that broke down because of the gay panic™️ at the end of s3.

This series of faces Mike made was a better love confession that what he said to El, honestly. I wish Mike and Will would notice the god damn heart eyes they are serving each other constantly.

Feed my delusion for a sec:

This season we saw Will quietly pining and Mike being a walking tornado. Will was a steady calm for Mike all season.

Next season, I want to see Mike pine. Give me jealous Mike. Mike isn’t as reserved as Will, so I imagine it being intense and attitude-riddled. I want to see Mike grovel, for real. Will deserves to be worshiped after all the shit he’s been through.

Honestly, even if Byler stays platonic (doubtful but I’ll entertain the idea), this relationship was repaired a lot this season and is about to ramp the fuck up. Mike has some making up to do and I hope they don’t gloss over everything they set up in s4 (aka internalized homophobia ruining Mike’s relationships).

IF THIS ISN’T LOVE THEN WHAT THE FUCK IS IT?

Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp in Stranger Things | 4.08

Petition to refer to Mi|evens as “milk curdles” from now on because that relationship is way past its expiration date.

Just want to say that I’m so happy to see that Byler nation licked our wounds in the matter of one weekend and we are back to full delusion.

You truly are my people.

no one loves will’s art more than michael does

This scene is dripping with Byler hints, and I need you to read this!

This entire scene, from the time El walks past Mike and Will into her bedroom until they get off of the couch….this is THE scene, babes. Please watch it multiple times and just absorb the subtext.

El does not look thrilled with Mike. In fact, I think this six second shot of El not acknowledging Mike, followed by “did she talk to you at all?” “Not much” is dripping with breakup foreshadowing. That plus the “fight you can’t come back from” was never discussed.

The honest and relaxed conversation. Their road trip adventure bonded them, mended some of the cracks in their friendship, and it shows.

The lingering shots where we can see both boys. The one in the screen shot above is 15 seconds. One single shot. This Byler-specific framing is ripped straight out of season 2.

The lighting- Will in the light, Mike reaches into the light. They really can’t get more obvious here. I just posted a lighting analysis for Byler scenes of you wanna see more on that topic.

Mike is staring at Will for 37 seconds. Guys. Mike literally doesn’t stop looking at Will, barely blinking. He has let his guard down with Will considerably and this makes that clear. He is taking what Will says very seriously and doesn’t care or notice that he’s staring. He’s just listening.

Mike “I’m the only one who cares about Will” Wheeler makes an appearance when he reaches for Will and says “and we will, we will!” He initiates physical contact that is literally highlighted by the backlight. They went out of their way to show us in e2 that he was afraid to touch Will and now they are shining a giant spotlight on him initiating physical contact. Mike’s whole arc this season was about growing closer to Will and you absolutely can not convince me otherwise.

My brothers in Byler, season 5 is our time to shine.