#i think it's interesting how the part of hopper's letter about not wanting things to change focus on mike (and a bit of will)
Text
Why I Believe That Byler Is Endgame (based only on what we have seen on the show). part 2
And by that, I mean: no color-coding analysis, no set props analysis, no actor interviews interpretation, no script analysis, no movies parallels analysis; nada. Only what we’ve seen on the show and nothing else.
This will use a lot of comparisons with m/leven because, despite the fact that some of you refuse to admit it, this is a love triangle.
season 3: puberty and changes
In season 1, El was found by Mike, Lucas and Dustin in the woods while searching for Will. Although the main goal of the party is to find and save Will, they also keep El safe and hidden from the laboratory and Dr. Brenner.
In season 2, Lucas and Dustin are mostly focused on Max, while, on the other hand, we see how during the whole season Mike protects Will and is showed that he has been trying to communicate with El this whole time.
mileven breakup
This is the first season in which Will and El coexist with each other in the same space, and how it affects Mike and his relationships with them. However, I want to make emphasis on the two key moments that take place this season of the two relationships: the breakup and the farewell.
The tone of the scene is unserious and carefree, with bright colors during a sunny day. The scene is not intimate; in fact, everyone reacts to El breaking up with Mike. 'Cold As Ice', a song that describes a lover who is materialistic and selfish (Mike buying a present for El instead of telling her the truth), plays in the background. Mike is left confused while El is rejoicing in the moment with Max.
The tone of the of the scene is serious and somber, with muted colors and downpouring in the background. Despite Lucas being at Mike's house as well, the scene feature only them and no one else. In the two bottom pictures, Will's expression is one of hurt and betrayal, and Mike expresses inmediate regret at the words he just said.
byler 'breakup'
She rejoices in her newfound friendship with Max.
how El reacts to her breakup
He destroys Castle Byers, a place he built with his brother after their dad left and in where he took shelter when he was trapped in the Upside Down. He looked at the place that used to make him feel emotionally and physically safe and destroyed it with a baseball bat and his bare hands.
how Will reacts to his 'breakup'
how Mike reacts to the breakups
the finale
Mike's conversation with Will
Before this episode, I was still on the fence about whether i was reading too much into it or not, but this season finale, in my opinion, confirmed that Mike probably had feelings for Will. Let me show it in images.
We know that three months had passed since the battle at Starcourt, and the Byers are moving. Even though it's not explained what happened during that period of time, it's easy to infer that Mike and Will are in somewhat good terms again.
It starts simple, with Mike askingEel if she packed her walkie and with promises of talking to her often and of whether they are going to meet each other for thanksgiving and christmas. El is about to leave, after the conversation with Mike turns awkward, but decides to turn around instead and makes their conversation serious.
Mike's conversation with El
...they kiss...
... and his face is just pure confusion. love that open closet right behind him tho
The Byers move to California, and with them, so do his girlfriend and his best friend since he was five years old; to put it simply, is a huge change in everyone's lives, but especially in Mike's life. This is one of the few times since season 3 in which we actually get to focus on mike's emotions and perspective but I believe is one of the most important moments for his characters.
Mike
#byler#will byers#mike wheeler#i forgot how angsty the whole fight and destroying castle byers scenes were#don't start a bisexual mike or gay mike debate pls#we can all agree that boy ain't straight and we can leave it at that#i think it's interesting how the part of hopper's letter about not wanting things to change focus on mike (and a bit of will)#and the part of hopper's letter about how life is constantly moving focuses on el#then the part about life being painful and sad focus on max#and the part about life being surprising and happy focus on lucas and dustin gifting erica with a d&d set#max suffers from depression/suicidal thoughts ; lucas join the basketball team ; and erica becomes a d&d nerd in s4#i once heard someone say that gay people have the most dramatic breakups without even dating#they weren't wrong
98 notes
·
View notes
Text
MIKE'S UNSENT LETTER TO WILL
i wasn't a firm believer of the "Mike carries a letter for Will" theory until I combined four different official hints: Music, Costume Designing, ST Social Media and the show parallels.
This theory came from the first hint: costume designing.
It's been pointed out that Mike's side pocket seems kinda.. weird. (Seems like there was some piece of paper inside of it).
This pocket was interesting even before the unsent letter theory, because many people pointed out that the grey piece looks like an arrow pointing to Mike's left, which is curious because we can see Will standing on Mike's left in suspicious scenes like this.
This pocket was mentioned again by Finn just a few days ago in the latest con. 👀
But, this is not part of the letter theory, so let's keep moving. Now let's find the context.
First of all, let's position here.
In season four, letters are probably one of the most relevant topic of the season. They're always brought up. They're meaningful. (El's letter, Jonathan's admission letter, Max's letters) Letters, Letters and more Letters.
So, it wouldn't be surprising if we had another hidden letter too, right?
Now, to go deeper, let's go back to season 3 ending.
First, we have Mike realizing his feelings for Will. (Too late for him, because now Will was moving across the country)
Then we have, surprise, another letter. Probably one of the most important letters in the show.
Hopper's letter. A letter where he tells El how he is feeling about all the recent changes.
But, somehow, this letter not only relates to Hop or El. We've been shown that Hopper's voiceover focuses on Mike at some specific phrases.
"Feelings. Jesus. The truth is, for so long I forgotten what those even were" - FOCUSES ON MIKE AND WILL HUG
"I guess I've been feeling distant from you. Like you're pulling away from me or something" - Focuses on Mike watching the Byers leaving.
"And I guess, If i'm being really honest, that' what scares me. I don't want things to change" - Focuses on Mike turning back to see the empty byers house for the last time, then focuses on Will crying.
"So I think maybe that's why I came in here. To try to maybe, stop that change. To turn back the clock, to make things go back to how they were" - Focuses on Mike hugging his mum, almost in tears. (Which also parallels the scene where he cries because he thought Will was d3ad)
Hopper's letter was not only the main hinter to Mike's feelings. It was also the beginning of some other meaningful letters in the show.
Now, let's focus on this detail before moving back to season 4. Second hint: parallels.
When Hopper wrote this letter, he never gave it to El. He never read it. He just hid it, he kept it on.. oh, his left pocket. Well, it could be just a coincidence, right?
But then, moving forward to season 4, again, we have another "hidden" letter.
Jonathan lies to Nancy about this letter, he says he never received it. But he has it. He hides it. Where does he hide the letter? Oh... his left pocket.
It wouldn't surprise me if there's another hidden letter on a left side pocket (cof cof, Mike's)
Well, now let's go to our third hint: Music.
We know background music is maybe one of the most important ways to send a message in this show.
We've been told about this by the writers. Music is carefully selected.
Then, I found this post on instagram (from @sagebyers on tumblr)
Mike nods. He understands what Will is saying on the heart to heart scene.
"Its scary to open up like that, especially to people you care about the most, because what if they don't like the truth?". Oh, have you got some hidden feelings there Michael? That phrase really got into your heart.
Yesterday, @emily-tumbles-on pointed out that El said, through her letter, that Will may like someone, so he has been acting weird. But the one who has been acting really, really weird this season was Mike.
This is related to his internal struggle. To his internal jealousy, too. But, could it also be about him trying to find the perfect moment to give Will that letter?
Finally, the fourth hint. Social media spoilers, maybe?
We've been hinted about the existence of, probably, another letter.
I believe this could be THE letter from Mike to Will. It couldn't be one of Max's letters, because what we are shown here is the date when Will went missing. So, it may be a letter for him. It must be. A letter signed with "Love, ...."
A letter that's probably about untold fellings "you mean so... / sorry I couldn't get this done.../" makes sense after Mike's realization. Right?
ok im editing this 3 days later cause we have some more hints already, i'll probably keep adding info.
- birthday letter? reblog
ok so now I've read a lot of your theories talking about the fact that the duffer bros may have actually INTENTIONALLY forgotten about Will's birthday, so it's an interesting point to add here because this letter could be a birthday one. It would make so much sense and also it would show us that Mike didn't really forget about Will's birthday, he just felt so uncomfortable that day.
if thay's the case this is going to hit so hard because i'm suffering as a Will Byers stan rn.
- another addition: finn's mention about the pocket
- addition: a great analysis here by @willbylersheart
- another analysis by @vulvatar
- mike's unsent letter to will is from season 1? analysis by @doriandrifting
2K notes
·
View notes
Text
How Mike, Will & El's season 4 intro sequences are all connected (and what that says about the love triangle)
The first we see of Will is him painting. We know how significant that painting is, it’s a representation of his love for Mike. Literally his entire story this season.
The first shot we see of El begins with her “Mike box”, also an expression of her feelings towards Mike, a large part of her character arc this season. I think it’s important to notice that unlike Will, El isn’t actually shown working on the box; instead the first thing we see her doing is intently painting her Hopper figurine and facing the opposite direction.
Both of their intros are clearly a nod to their emotional conflicts involving Mike:
Will's is showing that he's trying to hide and express his feelings for Mike simultaneously. He's very visually obscured in these shots, and we obviously only see snippets of the painting, it's meant to create an atmosphere of secrecy—but at the same time there's super close-ups of his eyes/face and hands, which also gives an impression of intimacy. So we've got secrecy and intimacy as themes pertaining to his feelings surrounding this painting aka his feelings surrounding Mike.
El's is showing that she's idealising and romanticising her relationship; having a sort of shrine to her boyfriend proudly on display meanwhile we know she's a) been lying to him and b) is actually upset with him. Also, the mini Hopper she’s busy creating may be a hint as to what she really wants/needs emotionally underneath the showiness of her “love” for Mike i.e. having her dad back.
El & Will's intros are both visual representations of where their heads are at concerning romance aka concerning Mike. They're both keeping secrets but choosing different methods to cover them up. Will is more literally hiding; hiding his painting from El, hiding his feelings in the painting, whereas El is sort of embellishing and overcompensating for the unhappiness she's feeling about Mike (and life in general, including Hopper's death). Also, the very first thing we see both Will and El doing is painting but while Will’s is about his feelings towards Mike, El’s is about her (familial) feelings towards Hopper. I just thought that was an interesting comparison.
And then we have Mike. The pattern should follow that Mike’s intro shot/sequence is also a hint as to where he stands in this triangle, where he's at emotionally and mentally concerning his girlfriend and best friend. Or more specifically what secrets he is keeping about them, just as they are about him.
There he is…reading El’s letter...decorated with rainbows. We are shown literal rainbows (!!) right before the camera pans to his face. Where he is framed perfectly in the open closet.
Of course this stuff is well known already and the symbolic implications are obvious, but thinking about it in relation to Will & El’s intro sequences just makes it's significance even more clear. A few things:
Mike's face, in fact most of his body, is extremely obscured by shadow. This would be an odd choice for the very first shot of one of the main characters in the very first episode, if not symbolising that something about Mike is being hidden this season. And we know it has to be related to El & Will—they're his entire plot. Also it just tracks with the theme of secret-keeping established not just with El & Will but literally every other character on the show.
It's a letter from El sure, but as opposed to El & Will's intros we don't have any overt indicators of how he's feelings towards her. All we have is him reading meanwhile there’s rainbows right under his nose and a closet at the back of his head. Lol.
It’s more telling what Mike doesn't do, the stuff you have to pay attention to realise. In the next shot we see that unlike El he doesn't have a trace of her in his room, only the letter which he promptly crumples up and throws on the floor.
We see El's feelings towards Mike. We see Will's feelings towards Mike. And then we see Mike thoughtlessly discard El’s expression of feelings to him, whilst having no expression of his feelings toward her to speak of. Along with the 🚪/🌈 symbolism? Oh I can't wait for season 5.
#byler#I love how I said I was going to be less active and I’m still here churning out analyses#I need help
105 notes
·
View notes
Text
I know there are certain points in s3 where we’re supposed to take certain words and actions of Hopper’s as Mike’s own words/actions in a small sense? Obviously not all of them, but some of them definitely are.
Like with the whole letter at the end of the season thing, parts of it were conveying Mike’s feelings for Will and how he feels like he’s losing him. Also Joyce helping Hopper with his feelings at the start of s3, where he’s like, maybe you can do it for me and she’s like no it only works if it comes from you… that was very s4 Will helping Mike with the painting, but it not being successful bc it didn’t come from Mike coded.
Though there is one other detail I didn’t notice until the other day and it’s pretty insane.
While Mike is no doubt stressed about Hopper threatening him about continuing to date El, I think the way they go about it is… interesting in the context of Hopper sometimes representing Mike in a sense.
Its 3x02, just after 9am, and El’s calling Mike like Where are you!? And Mike is just stumbling on his words trying to find a way to get through this smoothly without fucking everything up…
And after the phone call is over, we transition to Hopper smirking, followed by jamming out in his car celebrating, arriving at Melvalds to celebrate with Joyce, saying this is the first day in 6 months that they’re not hanging out with each other…
You’re telling me, for the last 6 months, Mike has been going to see El at the cabin, just for them to sit in her room most of the day doing nothing…
It’s early July and Will says it’s been like this all summer, which presumably means based on what Hopper and Will said, they still hung out during the school year, but it wasn’t as bad bc obviously Mike had to go to school for the first half of the day, and maybe just dropped by the cabin after school for a few hours.
But that got me thinking, would it be so wrong of Mike to not like feeling obligated to hanging out with El at all waking hours?
I never really thought about it, but within the context of Hopper jamming out and celebrating at the prospects of them not hanging out for one day for the first time in months… would it be so mad for Mike to feel some relief about this too?
We see the contrast of how he runs after Will after their fight, but then sort of just dailies around aimlessly after El dumps him. In one scenario he’s panicked and rushing bc he’s scared he hurt Will and it’ll ruin things between them, while in the other it’s treated sort of like a comedy, where Mike is presumably in no rush to fix things with El post-breakup. He seems like he’s almost stalling, especially in comparison to how he reacts to Will yelling at him.
There’s also this moment when Mike is like exaggerating the situation, by saying that if he doesn’t lie to El and avoid her, Hopper is never going to let Mike see her, ever again…
It seems to me like Mike has a sort of all or nothing attitude when it comes to El.
He’s convinced himself that either he can be in a relationship with El and never be apart, or they can’t see each other at all.
Lucas even makes a comment like did he threaten to kill you? And Mikes like No?!? And Lucas is like okay what’s the big deal then?
They literally have experience with ignoring Hopper’s threats ie the pilot episode when Hopper said not to look for Will, yet Mike was at the forefront making that a priority in spite of Hopper’s warning.
Basically, as the saying goes, if he wanted to, he would…
We know that applies to Will more than it applies to El.
All I’m saying is, there’s something visceral about El getting off the phone with Mike and Mike being like SHIT and it transitioning to Hopper smiling and then jamming out in his car.
This would be the first day this summer Mike has not hung out with El most of the waking hours and is instead spending time with his friends. This also gives El a chance to hang out with Max and to grow beyond this idea of what Mike has framed as their only option.
Leading up to their breakup, even though Mike’s fixated on putting up an image of ugghh gf problems, you can see the scenes are meant to be framed like male bonding. Even max makes a claim they’re probably just playing Atari. So there is this concept in Max’s mind even, that this was an out for Mike to hang out with his friends. Albeit a cowardly way to go about it. But all the pieces sort of fit together.
We get a literal shot of Mike staring at Will, pretending to not enjoy himself, with the Cocoa Puffs in the background. We get a shot of Lucas trying to give Mike the Cocoa Puffs and Mike denying them… We get Mike giving a play by play of how they can end the game right then and there, meaning that despite his look of ‘boredom’ during Will’s campaign, he actually was paying very close attention to it.
Mike is out here denying going crazy with Will while simultaneously worrying too much about El, as if them not being romantic means they can’t have a relationship at all…
Someone give this dude some clarity.
83 notes
·
View notes
Text
people that i’m most excited to meet in each dr:
(take this as a motivational exercise & feel free to do your own version)
starting off strong-
the originals - Kol Mikaelson (twin brother)
i’m not even kidding when i tell you this man got me trough the worst times of my life- in theory i had the originals dr years before discovering shifting as a concept. the connection I feel with him is just different level and I can’t wait to finally see him in person, giving him the biggest hug. even in my dr we are the closest so I just can not wait to spend time with him <3 (we’ll annoy the shit out of everyone around)
mcu - Tony Stark (uncle, father figure)
i’m a basic bitch, ofc i have seen Tony as my father figure from the moment I got into marvel- all jokes aside, his d*ath in EG completely crushed me and I cried so damn much multiple times bc of it. i can not wait to see him alive and thrivin. i know he will probably annoy the hell out of me eventually but i’ll do the same, that’s how we bond <3
Bucky Barnes (close friend, it’s complicated- )
adding two people for mcu because this is my exercise, i can do whatever
another person in who I found indescribable comfort. i can’t even imagine our first interaction, i’ll probably be intimidated af. (just imagining him towering over me makes me giggle and kick my feet in the air) we’re friends in my dr so far because i don’t wanna do relationships right off the bat. but i’m just so excited for our night rides around city on his motorcycle.
stranger things - El Hopper (younger sister)
my sweet precious girl. I can not wait to spend time with her. I always wanted a sister but before her i don’t think i ever scripted one. I’m meeting her right after I wake up, since we live in cabin together and I’m so excited. might sneak her into mall cinema sometimes, she deserves some fun.
grishaverse - Genya Safin
my love, my light, the reason my heart keeps beating- i love her so much. I haven’t really been focused on this dr for a while but I still am undeniably head over heels for this woman. we’re not “together” yet, but we have so much tension it must be quite obvious even to Ivan. i will never let her get hurt by anyone (Aleksander I’m looking at you- ) my girl will be safe and sound, I promise.
[i got a channeled letter from her once, which i think is the reason why i’m so damn in love with her it’s embarrassing]
fame - RDJ
i could go on and on about my fame dr. i’m so excited to see the people who are behind my favorite characters, also i can’t wait to be a part of those projects. but if i have to choose one person, it’s gonna be Robert ‘cause he’s such a big inspiration for me in general <3 i started out pretty young with big projects and my parents weren’t around just moved away they are not dead so he became sort of my mentor (i could give a backstory for my fame dr is anyone is interested lol).
#shifting to tvdu#shifting to mcu#shifting to stranger things#shifting to grishaverse#shifting to fame dr#shifting realities#reality shifting#shiftblr#shifting community
12 notes
·
View notes
Text
YOU THERE! Don’t freak out about what finn said at the panel!
“the last two seasons he’s been up in the clouds and as the season ended he-”
so in s3 and s4 mike‘s head has been in the clouds (focused on his romantic relationship with El) but he’s coming down from that (focusing on his friendship with el again + his romantic feelings for will) especially since s5 is supposed to have those s1/s2 vibes again
“He goes through four or five seasons of not telling eleven how he feels which is crazy because everyone knows how he feels”
this is interesting to me because finn literally could have said “he goes through four or five seasons of not telling eleven that he loves her,” and that would have been a totally acceptable thing to say without spoiling anything- but he didn’t say that because “telling her how he feels,” isn’t about telling her that he loves her romantically, it’s about telling her that he doesn’t love her romantically. And the idea that “everyone knows how he feels,” is VERY interesting because at face value it seems like he means that “everyone knows he’s in love with el,” but let’s take a step back and look at how other characters ACTUALLY see Mike’s feelings/“know how he feels”:
-basically everyone may know that Mike hasn’t told el he loves her to her face/that he stumbled and denied it/brushed it away after he said it in the cabin
-max knows that Mike has been overly controlling and lying to El (s3). Lucas also knows this, especially about the lying because Mike was talking to him about the whole “sick nana” situation
-Jonathan knows that Mike’s feelings for El in the monologue are based on Will’s feelings
-Lucas knows that Mike couldn’t even apologize to his gf properly (struggling to buy a gift instead of literally just saying he’s sorry,) but had no issue biking in the rain to go apologize to Will
-Jonathan and Argyle both know that Mike was a total jerk to El at dinner after the roller rink fiasco & couldn’t even comfort his gf & actively made the situation worse
-Dustin (and then everyone else once he mentions it in s4 and Lucas also knows bc it’s mentioned in his book) knows that Mike kept on calling the byers and not getting through and was extremely depressed about it- and I think on some level they know there’s no way he was calling for El because a.) he was writing letters for her and b.) Mike had been using Dustin’s cerebro to talk to El via radio bc with the government & needing to keep El safe, they couldn’t use the phone, therefore all of his phone calls must have been for will & Dustin at the very least, and probably Lucas too, are aware of that.
-Dustin and Lucas may not know about the monologue but they do know that Mike was NOT in love at first sight with El and that he literally wanted to send her to an asylum
I think that the “knows how he feels,” points towards the other characters knowing deep down that Mike genuinely isn’t in love with el, and that it’s a starcrossed lovers/puppy love/Romeo and Juliet scenario. None of these characters really seem to know anything that indicates that Mike is in love with El. They know he is in a relationship with El. They know that he said he loves her once and then retracted it/moved past it in the cabin in s3. They know about all his lies to her. So if “everyone knows,” what Mike feels, then what mike feels sure a she’ll don’t romantic love for El because we haven’t seen anything to indicate that they know that. Even hopper, who has seen a LOT of El and Mike’s relationship in s3, insists that it’s not love and that it’s weird and unnatural.
Especially since while I don’t think argyle fully knows mikes feelings/his feels for will, he DOES literally call him “Romeo,” and then Mike gets set in front of an oven that has “Montague” written on it during the monologue- so even though argyle may not know Mike’s feelings for will, he may very well have picked up that his romantic feelings for El are surface-level/naive like Romeo and Juliet.
this part could also point towards his romantic feelings for will- not because I think everyone knows he’s gay and in love with will but because they’ve seen will and mike’s friendship and how Mike acts towards him- they know how he feels about will, but they may not have put the pieces together that those feelings, those actions, are love.
AND, Mike HAS told eleven that he loves her, in the monologue, so if he was going “four or FIVE” seasons “without telling eleven how he feels,” then there’s no way “how he feels” means “love,” because s4 he HAS told her that he loves her.
and let’s not forget that Noah literally said Will’s sexuality was “up to interpretation,” so if Noah is able to keep that under wraps considering that they’ve been building up will being gay since s1 ep1, then I personally wouldn’t even lose faith in Byler if finn got up and said “Mike wheeler is completely straight and totally in love with eleven and they are endgame and nothing will ever break them apart” bc tbh if I was Finn and I knew byler was endgame, I would have the time of my life straightbaiting the GA and messing with them.
i feel like people forget that lying exists and that finn knows that keeping things under wraps is a.) necessary for his job and b.) going to make it so much better when byler is revealed to be canon and reciprocated. but imo what finn said and the way he said it is literally even MORE byler proof LMAO
129 notes
·
View notes
Text
i literally never stop thinking about the finale scene of st3 so i’m going to break it down bit by bit. each scene was chosen by the creators to coincide with each specific part of narration in this scene, showing the double layered meanings. how what hopper was saying not only applied to himself, but to this scenario as well.
narration: “but lately, I guess I’ve been feeling... distant, from you. like you’re- you’re pulling away from me or something.”
this scene is when the focus pushes onto mike as he watches the byers drive away. the distance for them is about to become physical, what with them moving to california. not only that, but we know now with st4 being released, that the distance is metaphorical as well, particularly between mike and will. (“You called maybe a couple of times! It’s been a year, Mike. Meanwhile El has like a book of letters from you.” & “I don’t know I feel like maybe I lost you, or something.” for example).
narration: “And I guess, if I’m being really honest, that’s what scares me. I don’t want things to change.”
mike hangs back as the others bike ahead of him to take a remorseful look at what was once the byers’ home, then the scene cuts to focusing on will with the word “change”, who is crying in the car. not only with the move, but with everything else that could theoretically happen with the distance and with high school beginning, it’s easy to understand the worry they’re feeling. mike with the byers moving away, but also will, as throughout the season he expressed his discomfort with the way things were changing. whilst the others were seeming to grow at a bit quicker pace, he wanted to focus on more pleasant things such as DnD—his childhood had been stripped from him after all.
narration:
“So I think maybe that’s why I came in here. To try to maybe, stop that change.”
mike stands frozen, having just walked into his house, looking vacant in his emotions but also clearly distressed with the events that have unfolded. there isn’t much of a subtle connection here, as what’s being said is exactly as one can infer. mike just wants it all to stop. this only serves to help show the intentional scene placement with hopper’s monologue, as mike walks into his home at the same time the narration says something about going in somewhere.
narration: “To turn back the clock. To make things go back to the way they were.”
mike embraces his mother, a distinct parallel to the only other time where he’s done this in s01e03. where after “will’s body” was pulled from the quarry, he went home, stood inside in a stunned quiet, then hugged his mother and began to cry. it’s a similar situation to him. his best friend, the person who becoming friends with was the quote “the best thing” he ever did, is gone once more. he’s alive, yes, but it still feels like an echo of that time. it is also interesting that this line in particular was so emphasized, given the fact that st4 has the recurring theme of time.
175 notes
·
View notes
Text
When I say, "fill in the blanks," this is what I personally mean. Let's take the somehow controversial Will quote about scamming Vegas.
To paraphrase, "When El gets her powers back, we can go to Vegas and get rich."
Someone who looks at that conversation in a vacuum and WANTS to draw the worst conclusion possible would refuse to "fill in the blanks," instead jumping to the conclusion that Will only thinks of El as a monkey making machine or wants to use her for her powers, therefore, he doesn't care about her.
If you were to "fill in the blanks," you'd come to understand a few things.
Will has lived with El for the better part of a year with NO powers. She was a normal girl. His sister. They went to school together and shared some classes. Apparently even shared their interests since El was bothered Will wouldn't show her this ONE painting.
El is aware that Joyce sorta hates her new job. In her letter which was half truth half lie, she went on to say how Joyce loves her new job right as Joyce is on the edge of cursing out a potential customer and hanging up the phone.
El is aware that they don't have the money for Jonathan to get his car fixed or a new one.
They spent time together and went places as a family. We know of at least one occasion where they went to a work party with Joyce at the skate rink. El had a whole schedule planned out for Mike's visit. There could've been a whole list of fun places she has been to with Will and family at least a few times, enough for her to want to show Mike.
They are both at least somewhat aware of their financial situation. Neither have spoken about it until now, but the two of them are sharing clothes. Will has gotten hand-me-downs all his life. They've only been to the skate rink once for a company event even though they seem to really like it there.
El "makes her own rules" all the time. She isn't a sweet innocent angel, she will break the law whenever she feels like it. She probably doesn't even KNOW the law. Her morality is entirely based on not hurting other people if they aren't hurting her or her friends. Stealing is not exactly a crime in her eyes, she's been stealing since the moment she was on screen in every season thus far (except season 4)
Using this information, you can EASILY "fill in the blanks." They're aware they are poor even though they live in a nice house. They ARE close with each other and share their interests and ideas. No doubt they have discussed El's powers before and maybe even speculated what she should do to get them back and what she would do when she got them back.
It is not a leap to say, as close friends/siblings now, they have either jokingly or seriously speculated on ways to get some money. We know Will thinks about their financial predicament now (he never mentioned it in season 1, 2, or 3 even though it was obvious). Why wouldn't El?
A fill in the blank scene could involve them casually sitting on the couch, watching a tv show where the main characters go to the super fancy and amazing Vegas and win money.
"You get money from Vegas?"
"Yeah. You have to gamble or pull slots and stuff like that. It's all luck. But they say 'the house always wins'."
"... Not if I used my powers."
"Filling in the blank" is usually just for headcanons and fanfiction. But once upon a time, the Hopper-Byers family combination was just a "fill in the blank" possibility between every season and now it's a reality.
Don't be afraid to fill in the blanks a little bit instead of jumping to the worst possible conclusions. You'll have more fun that way.
53 notes
·
View notes
Text
Heart motif.
Will/Mike/El love triangle analysis - Part 1
In this analysis, I’m going to read beyond the surface level; it’s about subtext, so maybe some points could sound like a reach, but this is just my interpretation of what they’re trying to tell us without explicitly saying it.
The heart is an essential element in the story of this love triangle. It’s used for these characters, but the main focus is Mike. So, with this motif, they tell you how these three characters feel, but especially Mike.
First thing first, what is a motif?
It’s a literary device that consists of a repeated element; it could be a symbol, a word, or a sound. It helps illuminate main ideas, themes, or deeper meanings. Motifs also are used to connect scenes.
To put this easily:
Motif - Heart
Theme - Feelings + Love.
Will’s speech and painting are clear examples of when they used this motif. But what if I told you this element has appeared since season 3?
Scenes with the heart motif:
Joyce suggests to Hopper to have a heart-to-heart with Mike and El.
El tells Mike: “you talked about your feelings, your heart.”
Joyce gives El Hopper’s letters (heart-to-heart)
Will tells Mike: “Without heart, we’d fall apart.”
Will tells Mike: “You’re the heart.”
1. Joyce suggests to Hopper to have a heart-to-heart with Mike and El.
In this scene, Joyce describes it like this:
“You sit them down, and you talk to them like you’re their friend. I find if you talk to them like you’re on their level, then they really start to listen.”
Hopper tried to have this heart-to-heart. And he followed Joyce's advice, but ultimately, he lost his temper.
See how he sat them down and put himself on their level.
That’s what heart-to-hearts are. A conversation in which two parties listen to each other and open up about their feelings. See how many conversations like that Will and Mike have during s4.
Mike and El have one conversation that turns into a fight, ending with El standing up and Mike looking up at her. And the other conversation was interrupted when Mike was about to open up.
The most important scene is Mike’s monologue. Because when he finally said I love you. 1) They weren’t at the same level. 2) Mike wasn’t sure if she was hearing him.
So, that wasn’t a heart-to-heart.
2. El tells Mike: “you talked about your feelings, your heart.”
The second time the heart motif was mentioned was in the last scene with Mike and El’s last conversation.
She was referring to the cabin scene when he blurted out that he loved her and couldn’t lose her again. El came out of the bathroom and asked what was happening, but Mike didn’t want to tell her. But he tried to declare his love in the supermarket.
Mike couldn’t finish because Dustin interrupted him, but he intended to tell her he loved her. But then, at the end of the season, he didn’t want to say those words to her anymore. That’s why he pretended he didn’t remember nor said it back.
I would think that the only reason he didn’t say it back was that he was afraid of losing her. You know she was moving away, BUT why didn’t he kiss her back? And that would make sense if he didn’t have another potential love interest: Will.
side note: The soundtrack that plays during this scene is “The First I love You.” It also played during Robin’s coming out scene.
In the next scene of this one, the heart motif is back again.
3. Joyce gives El Hopper’s letters (heart-to-heart)
El: What is that?
Joyce: The speech that Hopper wrote for you and Mike.
El: Speech?
Joyce: Yeah, you know, the heart-to-heart.
In Hopper’s letter, the central theme is feelings. This is how it starts:
“I know you care about each other very much. [...] so we can build an environment where we all feel comfortable, trusted, and open to share our feelings.”
This line also relates to Mike saying, “I care for you so much.” And also Will said: “Sometimes I think it’s just scary to open up like that. To say how you really feel, especially to people you care about the most. Because what if they don’t like the truth?”
These three lines are connected because everything seemed to lead to Mike opening up about his feelings in a heart-to-heart. Will’s arc was the same, but in the end, Will wasn’t completely honest about them. Yes, he talked about them but disguised as El. And Mike didn’t close his arc either because like I mentioned in the first point he didn’t have a heart-to-heart with El.
Then we have a sequence that illustrates Mike’s thoughts and feelings about Will.
At first sight, it seems like he’s thinking about Will and El, and yes, he was hurt because El was moving away; he cares for her too, and of course, he would miss her. But these lines connect her central conflict with Will in s4.
“But lately, I guess I’ve been feeling distant from you. Like you’re pulling away from me or something.”
Mike, in s4, told Will: “I felt like I lost you or something.” At that moment, he felt like he was losing Will again.
Also, Will told him: “If she was mean to you or it seems like she was pushing you away, it’s because she’s scared of losing you like you’re scared of losing her.”
That was referring to their relationship. Also, if you doubt it was about them, the following line is about playing board games every night. The rain fight has many layers, but it started when Mike was being mean when playing d&d.
And the following sequence focuses on Mike and his feelings; it’s when the subject is about change. There’s no way that this wasn’t about Will. Mike is looking at his house, then we have a shot of Will crying, and finally, Mike arrives at his home and hugs his mom as he did back in s1 when he thought he had lost Will.
I’m gonna explain more about this line: “I don’t want things to change.” If you take this only at face value, you will think that it’s only referring to the fact that they don’t want to get separated. But it’s more than that. Because the main theme of season 3 was “change”. And this was the main conflict between Mike and Will. Like this line says, both of them didn’t want things to change, but Mike was acting like he didn’t want things to stay the same because they have grown up.
That’s why he said to Will.
“We’re not kids anymore. I mean what did you think really? That we were never gonna get girlfriends? We were just gonna sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?”
Mike said it like he didn’t want that, but then at the end of season 3 he looked worried when Will gave away his d&d, and the next season he joined the Hellfire Club. So his actions speak louder than his words. He still wants to play games and especially with Will. He doesn’t want things to change.
“play games for the rest of our lives” has romantic connotations, and this has a double meaning. And this was confirmed when Will brought back this line during the van scene. “We can play Nintendo and d&d for the rest of our lives.” And Will is in love with Mike, that’s a fact, so yes it’s not far-fetched to think that line is an allegory for their wishes of spending their lives together
So back to my point, that letter talks about feelings and is used to illustrate Mike’s feelings for Will.
First, I know this letter is also used to illustrate how other characters felt, but when the focus was on Mike, it was about Will, not El. The question is, why doesn’t he use it to reflect his feelings for his girlfriend, who is moving away? And also, it seemed that his feelings had changed, or something had changed. Because he was trying to say he loved her in the supermarket, but in the end, he didn’t want to say the words.
These scenes are connected with the heart motif. Mike couldn’t talk about his heart, his feelings for El when she told him she loved him. The heart-to-heart letter is used to explain how he feels about Will.
My point is he couldn’t say I love you because of his feelings for Will.
And with the plot of s4, they practically confirmed this. I’ll explain it more in the next part.
50 notes
·
View notes
Text
im having what may be the worst week in my whole 20 years on this earth, so here's a few byler thoughts i commented on someone's post and thought deserved their own post!!! if i got some things wrong, sorry im extremely mentally drained and my wifi literally stopped working halfway through this <3 feel free to correct me or join me in my delusion in the comments/tags/asks/dms though!!!! i need a distraction desperately so don't hesitate to interact!!!!
without further ado, here it is:
why the "i told you, joyce has this telemarketer job. mike won't stop whining about it" line is definitely about will, as evidenced by literally what the show tells us.
it's not exactly clear when watching season 3 what el's status is with the us govt following its finale. she's searched for throughout seasons 1, 2 and 3, but it's clear she was discovered following her role in fighting the spider monster and stopping the soviets. it's assumed some sort of deal is made following the battle of starcourt, allowing el to live as a normal teenager after the byers family relocates to california — dr. owens is said to help them settle in lenora, in a house they most likely wouldn't be able to afford without help.
i've seen points made for both will and el being primary reasons for the byers family leaving. will, obviously traumatised by the upside down and thus the whole town of hawkins, most likely wouldn't stand to stay there much longer without his mental health deteriorating. el is very much the same — the lab, upside down, the mall where she lost her dad are still fresh in her mind.
however, we also later find out about an apparent divide between the government and hawkins national lab, namely dr. owens and brenner. we learn that el is indeed still a fugitive, and she is still actively being searched for by authorities. that's the real reason for the move.
we've finally arrived at our point — letters, calls, and how mike kept in touch with both el and will.
in seasons 1-4 we are shown numerous times that phones are not to be trusted, and that phone lines are not safe. we know the people who were initially wiretapping hopper's and joyce's phones are the same people who then helped them escape, but after season 3 (timeline wise) and season 4 (when we are shown), this changes. dr. owens and brenner are no longer working with the government, instead operating in secret, meaning the means of communication they used to once take advantage of is no longer viable for el.
although this is only speculation on my part, i would venture to say it's pretty obvious.
government taps phones, it's a thing they do —» can no longer trust government —» knowing they tap phones, you shouldn't use them anymore.
this, however, isn't speculation: el is never mentioned in association with calls, only letters. season 4 opens with a letter from el to mike being read out, when she and mike fight she pulls out a stack of letters to prove he can't write that he loves her, and finally, will's line at the rinkomania:
"you've called maybe a couple of times. it's been a year, mike. meanwhile el has like, a book of letters from you."
will thinks mike is no longer interested in whatever he has to say because mike only called a handful of times within the timespan of a year (actually closer to 8 months, but...). he also pairs that sentiment with the fact that mike does keep in touch with el, exchanging letters regularly.
letters, because of the phone lines not being secure, are an El Thing™. we can gather from this line that calls are a Will Thing™, or at least they used to be before joyce got that telemarketing job (the timeline of which is unclear, honestly, given how the last letter el sends to mike in march mentions the job as though it was a new development, which does nothing to explain why mike failed to stay in touch with will since october. but that's another can of worms we don't have time to unpack now. my bet is on internalised homophobia btw).
thus, the line about mike whining about joyce's job? he regrets not being able to talk to will.
bonus: why doesn't mike want to write will letters, too?
i'd bet on a mix of the fanfiction staple aka "i couldn't write because i would constantly pour too much heart onto paper and/or sign the letter as love, mike" and (arguably more plausible) mike finding will's voice comforting.
i mean, come on, their whole thing is being afraid of losing each other. season 1 and 2 are literally about mike losing will and trying to get him back, first physically then mentally. season 3 is mike losing will metaphorically, growing apart because of his actions. in season 4 they acknowledge this — will saying he'd prefer to rip off the bandaid if he were to lose mike, and mike recognising that he lost will because he worried too much about el.
i feel like after all of this, ESPECIALLY seasons 1 and 2, it would be comforting to mike to actually hear will and know that he's safe and sound. if your best friend disappears for days and his voice is the only thing giving you hope about him being alive, i think it's understandable to prefer being able to hear him when he's gone from sight.
i keep imagining season 1 mike calling out to will on the walkie talkie, and can't help but think letters simply wouldn't cut it for them.
#byler#miwi#wiseheart#st#stranger things#st4#stranger things 4#byler analysis#will byers#mike wheeler#don't let this flop begging#byler tumblr#byler endgame#mike wheeler i know what you are
21 notes
·
View notes
Note
Do you think Mike still not understand his feelings for Will? How do you think byler will happen?
Sorry this got long because you opened the floodgates.
I think he's starting to understand some things. I think now he's been detached from El, while still knowing El is safe and cared for, he's been able to sort through his feelings for her and figure out that just because he's been worried for her, that it doesn't mean that he's in love with her like that, you know?
I think part of that is reflected in his speech in the van - he's not just worried about being helpless next to El, he's realising that she's capable and safe and she doesn't need him. And I think it's a relief - I think he's glad that he doesn't feel like he has to protect her like that anymore.
At age 12, he decided to take her under his wing. To care for her and protect her. That's an immense responsibility he's taken on his shoulders, especially as El is special and she attracts danger. I think the speech in the van reflects how he's realising she doesn't need his protection anymore, that he's done his job - much like how Hopper had to learn to let her go after season 2. I think he's realising that this means that he can have part of his freedom, and with it, his childhood, back.
I think that makes him feel guilty because he shouldn't want to be free of his girlfriend. And he does also genuinely wish he could do more to help her. But I also think that since she left hawkins, for the first time in a very long time, Mike got to focus on what he wants. He can focus on his interests again like DnD, and hang out with his friends more. I think in a way he's been happier since she's been gone, while at the same time being miserable because Will is gone too.
So it's been really confusing. I think letters were easier because he could feel like he was being a good boyfriend and still helping El, still fulfilling his duty, without it taking too much of a toll on him. Meanwhile, he couldn't call Will because that's too painful, or because he feels too awkward about it after the summer. Or maybe because he decided over the summer that he had to choose one person, that he couldn't handle both, so he chose El because she needed him most.
but then being back in Cali... it's interesting that Mike only approaches Will once El is gone. It's like, now that they're broken up, he's able to choose Will again, without this strange guilt he's feeling.
So I think he might be aware of his feelings for Will to a degree - i think him knowing would make sense in the story. But I don't know where they're taking the next season. I definitely think that neither is going to be confused about their own feelings once the other's person's feelings are going to be revealed.
I think Will's going to have to confess or have his feelings exposed (through Vecna or something else), because the story approaches their relationship from his point of view, and the surprise is supposed to be that Mike has already loved him back this entire time, whether he's consciously aware of it or not.
#ask#byler#mike wheeler#i started saying 'i don't think he knows' and then i finished my conclusion and had to alter my hypothesis
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
No but like writing ‘from’ instead of love is huge especially when the other person is signing ‘Love X’!
I can compare it to putting x’s at the end of texts - idk about anyone else but I have a certain number of xs I put depending on who you are and if you put more I’ll match it. If I put less I’ll feel like subconsciously I’m saying you don’t matter enough to put the same effort in.
And when I’m writing cards or letters, if they start first with love I’ll always put love back UNLESS I knew the other person liked me romantically and I didn’t like them back but wanted to let them know without having to say it (!). So Mike basically being forced to say I love you or I don’t love you must have been so stressful if he wasn’t ready to say either. Plus the fact she got the hint and was really upset about it, and in that fight it’s so clear they’re not on the same page.
Also going back to season 3, they didn’t officially get back together on screen if I remember right, so we can’t really assume either way, but if they were still broken up/on a break right up until they left for California, then maybe they really weren’t on the same page. Both of them parted ways thinking opposite things about their relationship status. Mike never responded to her I love you (which she said in response to his ‘I love her’ from months earlier, so I’m guessing that’s the first time she said that to him and it makes me wonder what the nature of their relationship/friendship was during that time period lol), and she just walked away. Next thing is them all hugging by the car and eventually leaving. Mike was probably so conflicted since that last day they were all together, and didn’t know how to tell her that he actually didn’t want to get back together. That maybe he might even like someone else.
And El, who loves romance movies and keeps a Mike shrine, thinks that they are still together and they write all the time so it must be love by now. Surely. Also she’s never seen romantic love growing up (we can assume), which usually entirely shapes our whole relationship patterns as adults. So if her romantic education is movies, of course she’s going to have the wrong idea of what real, healthy, mutual love is. And that’s not her fault. Her only experience with love until she left the lab was Papa’s fatherly love for her (which was negative) and Henry’s obsession (also negative).
I mean. I don’t study psychology, but it’s there if you look for long enough.
(EDIT - also at some point after El/Will leaving, Mike probably decided it was easier to stay as her boyfriend, because everything was so messed up and Will wasn’t reaching out, etc etc)
EDIT PART 2 - thinking about the way parental love (for us, and the love/relationship that exists between the parents too) in our childhood influencing romantic love/relationship in adulthood, if El didn’t experience true parental love from any of her parental figures pre-lab escape, then it makes sense that she is desperately searching for what she never had. She tries to find it in Mike. She finally gets it from Hopper and Joyce. That lines up with all those parallels in the show between Mike, and El’s parental figures. Boom 👀
ALSOOOO taking the above psychology analysis of parents love influencing us, we also need to remember that Mike arguably feels neglected (I won’t go in to too much detail about that because it’s been talked about before). His parents don’t seem to show much genuine interest in his feelings or wellbeing unless he is in serious danger, or extremely upset (and it’s consistently his mom who shows up in these moments). So, he has this attachment with his mom yet she never seems to be there unless he needs help. Like a real life super hero. Is El the replacement here? I mean…….. like I said I don’t have a psychology degree or anything but I think I’m on to something here haha 😂 both have mother/father issues omg. This is a codependent relationship in the absolute worst way. Because it’s platonic. It could be healing, but instead it’s destructive and hurts both of them because they’re forcing each other (and themselves) to be something they’re not. Aaaaaaaaah
#my thoughts#byler#sorry it’s not exclusively byler but it supports the byler narrative lol#Mike wheeler
19 notes
·
View notes
Note
Haven’t watched it yet but I need to know everything. What’s bad. What’s good. Is there actually any character development. Etc
here u go (spoilers under cut)
the good:
-camera work is pretty interesting and amazing - really dynamic scenes
-the party is incredible. matured but still dorks, super funny interactions, growing apart and yet together
-eddie munson is hands down one of the best characters of all time
-so is argyle who served as amazing comedic relief
-lots of amazing steve scenes. they are really feeding us with his screen time and we are learning lots about him which is really nice (i.e he was canonically co captain of the hawkins swim team and a lifeguard for 3 years)
-sadie sink needs an emmy for this. for real. she like completely shot up to the very top of my faves list
-b*lly is dead 🧚♀️🌈💖 and dear billy (specifically the letter) was handled very well imo. it was very realistic and just what i wanted
-joyce and murray comedic duo of the ages
-stobin scenes that are amazingly off the charts
-steve’s love life aspect is being handled really nicely except for the stancy thing (see below)
-robin is finally becoming a fleshed out character and we are learning SOOOO MUCH about her it’s really awesome and i cry
-steve bites the fucking bat he bites the bat it’s soooooo. the scene where he’s getting attacked is un fucking real i was crying from happiness (im a freak i’m twisted i’m sick)
-hopper’s backstory is really nicely done he goes on lots of monologues
-his gulag bff is so … one of my fave side characters for sure. genuinely liking all of the new characters
-the twists? are insane. you WILL NOT be ready for them no matter how many spoilers or theories you’ve seen
-suzie is fucking awesome
-demogorgon is back
-we get lots of callahan and powell which rocks my socks they’re super funny
-lots of other things - i’ll try to add more as i think of them
the bad:
-quite honestly the worst part is how much stancy is being pushed. it’s extremely annoying and makes my feel ill. even robin is pushing it which is so fucking bizarre? i got the impression from s3 that robin would be nearly as touchy about steve and nancy as steve is so it’s very odd when she’s like. “ohhh you know steve and i are just friends. one of the best things about this stuff is reigniting old flames.” overall the stancy shit is super weird but i have a theory behind it that’s probably wrong. either way i i’ll don’t see if amounting to anything
-some of the cgi is like ??? but it’s ok it’s brief and not what i’m watching for
-el’s plot line is rly bizarre i think but it was also convoluted so i might just be fatigued from watching all that content in a short time
-i’ll think of more but the stancy thing is really uncomfortable owjdkek
in terms of character development - i think pretty much all of the characters from seasons prior have shifted into rather mature versions of themselves save for jonathan but it’s okay because he’s allowed to go thru it <3 like not to say they’re not funny or anything but everyone is quite wise. they didn’t even go huh the murders are weird :/ they were IMMEDIATELY like hey maybe this has to do with the mind flayer let’s investigate. erica has the best character development it’s very sweet to watch her grow up and if you didn’t like her character in s3 i feel certain you will now
i hope that was a good write up!!
25 notes
·
View notes
Note
okay but there’s something so interesting about mike suggesting he can’t write letters to will because letters are romantic. this mindset, of course, is proven wrong because of max writing letters to lucas AND her other friends. but even if they were inherently romantic, it’s fascinating because mike still can’t express his love towards el in the letters he sends to her. something something, mike playing the part of being a boyfriend but not putting in the effort… something something, mike trying to say that he loves el by doing something romantic but never actually showing the love he has for el (his letters kind of parallel the monologue in that way — show don’t tell, you know?)
Yeah, and I think the whole letters thing in general is a metaphor for "show, don't tell". Letters tell things. They're words on paper. Telling the audience straight up what a character's motives are all the time doesn't let the audience draw their own conclusions and stories shouldn't be presented as straightforward when their motives need to be hidden, like in the case of Byler. A writer should only tell what needs to be told while keeping the rest to action. Lucas doesn't want a letter, he wants Max to talk to him - showing through character, not written word. The letter Joyce receives tells little, only that Hopper is alive and with little clues to lead her to him - she and Murray have to figure the rest out on their own, once again avoiding telling all to the characters. Mike's letters always end in "from", telling us blatantly the conflict of his relationship, but not the full story - instead choosing to show us why he can't tell El he loves her throughout the season, and letting us draw our own conclusions from there. That's why the monologue is more telling rather than showing, and those words hold no weight, especially given their contradictions to prior events. Showing gives the emotion - like Max's flashbacks in her Dear Billy escape of all her happiest memories, or Joyce and Murray putting the pieces together in desperation to find Hopper, or even in how Mike acts around Will - caring for him in a way that no other friendship dynamic on the show has. The "from, Mike" letters are all a part of selling the bit with overuse of telling rather than showing, and you're supposed to look beneath the surface of those written words for the truth.
16 notes
·
View notes
Text
I think one of the reasons I never got super attached to Mike and El is because we never really see them being friends. I just made a post about loving Lumax because they’re so clearly friends underneath and it made me think about it. We actually have hardly even seen them interact when they aren’t making some battle-plan (I acknowledge that this is in part because she has powers and is often preoccupied with using them to save everybody and therefore being a big part of these plans).
Season 1 - I remember being bummed when they went romantic because Mike taught her about friendship then asked to be something other than friends with her. Throughout this season, he brings her food and has her help about Will. They have some interactions of him teaching her like what his dad’s lazy-boy is and her saying she doesn’t judge him for getting bullied but most of it is about her helping them find Will and avoiding the lab, etc., aka more plot-centric stuff. Throughout this season, the show (specifically Mike’s friends) feels the need to tell us he likes her/that there’s something between him. (not that we wouldn’t have figured it out, the way they do it is just so direct and it was a choice by the writers). So their only non-plot interactions are teaching her about things and, as Dustin or Lucas puts it, he ‘just likes her because she’s the first girl to not think he’s gross’. She also is a hero by nature; she saves them because she wants to not just because she can. (That is really nice and lovable and not to be disregarded but this post is focusing how they interact/would without the plot)
Season 2 - We just don’t see them together until they reunite, which is more emotional, then about Hopper, then the plot again, but not so much one on one interaction. (And the dance is just they dance and then kiss the end)
Season 3 - They’re dating now. But they don’t hang out. They just make out. Mike sings in a goofy way for a second then El endearingly shuts him up and they keep kissing. Then they fight, breakup, focus on the plot, there are a few moments like “I need you to trust me” but that isn’t so much the banter-y conversation I’m going for (again, it’s nice it just isn’t the topic of this post). Then they have that m&m scene which is like...two lines where he extends an olive branch by offering her an m&m. Then it’s back to plot
Then the “I love you too scene”: Mike reassures her that her powers will come back, he says they should visit then berates himself for sounding “like a 7 year old”. She says she ‘likes presents too’ (these are very simple things to relate on, guys. Especially for people who have been dating for months). Then she addresses his ily and we later see them hugging but overall that’s that for season 3.
Season 4 - They write letters. That’s nice, but I can’t really categorize that as conversation here since we don’t see any of his (but it is implied he corrects her spelling? not saying that’s a bad thing she does appreciate him teaching her things and always had it was just an interesting thing to include). Also, the letters seem pretty factual: school is good, Will is painting, is my spelling better? (makes sense in indirect conversations like letters, just a comment). When he visits is the most we have seen them just...hang out and talk, I think. He brings her flowers and kind of rambles about the colours, they talk about “burritos for breakfast?” “trust me”, they go to the roller rink, then the focus of the scene shifts to her lying to him and the tension of Will knowing she’s lying. We don’t see many other conversations here and it’s mostly just them following along with each other.
I think the best example of what I’m looking for between them in the whole show is probably the pineapple pizza scene. We’re gonna disregard the ily buildup moment and just skip to the banter. It is sweet and jokey, I love the “you’re giggling because I look really cool” thing, then Argyle joins and they joke about their disagreement on pizza and *lovingly force feed him*. This is definitely what I’ve been going for that we have not had much of up to this point.
(I will note, though, that I find it interesting that the scene that shows their compatibility most and arguably for the first time for real is used to drive Will’s storyline of being in love with Mike and it pushes him to the following scene between him and Jonathan)
Most of what we’ve seen of Mike and El has been them telling us, the audience, that they love each other rather than showing us. I’m not saying they don’t have a good relationship or aren’t friends, they clearly are, just that we don’t get to see enough of it for me to fall in love with them as a couple. Part of why I want them to be friends so badly is because so much of their screen time is dedicated to telling us they’re in love. If it wasn’t, maybe we could have more screen time of them just loving each other and enjoying one another’s company.
#platonic mileven#anti mileven#i am pro the individual characters as well as the characters having a relationship to one another please do not come at me like i'm not#and if you hate my take keep scrolling my word isn't gospel and you dont have to listen to me any more than if i told you who my favourite#character was and you had a different one#pls i got comments again and i did not like it#YOU CAN SHIP THEM AND NOT GIVE A SHIT WHAT I HAVE TO SAY#YOU CAN SHIP THEM AND CARE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY#YOU CAN SHIP THEM AND ALSO HOPE THEY GET MORE SCREEN TIME HANGING OUT#BUT PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO CONVINCE ME TO WATCH THE SHOW DIFFERENTLY THAT ISN'T WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE TO YOU#anyways i dont like confrontation and ik ppl scroll through anti tags of their ships so ig im saying pls dont fight me if you see this#and if you're going to at least read the whole post and these tags first#stranger things
12 notes
·
View notes
Text
Thoughts Throughout My First Watch Through of Stranger Things Season Four:
WARNING: Spoilers and non-sense ahead. As I typed without thought. No think, just awe.
*All these statements were written directly after watching said episode. These are basically live reactions*
Chapter One:
In general, I'm terrified. So, right off the bat. I think Eddie is 010. He has a watch blocking his tattoo. He seemed to almost know what was going to happen to Chrissy and 010 seemed to know things in advance. And you're probably thinking I'm crazy because 010 is dead, but what if he faked his death? If 009 was able to survive, maybe he could too? Anyways. Even if it's left field. Eddie Munson Stan club.
*I needed a two hour break between episodes as I was alone at a cottage in the middle of no where. Absolutely terrified. I know they said this season was going to be scary. But jeez*
Chapter Two:
this episode brought to light how desensitized El is to inflicting pain. Now that the pain she inflicted is not a power, but her own free will, it shows that perhaps there is still a monster in her. Vecna probably shows your biggest fear/regret ... That would explain Freds vision. I'm wondering is Victor Creel is Vecna. It could also be 010 because he is getting vengeance on Eleven. I really don't have much to say about this episode at this present moment.
Chapter Three:
"peters projects"...Is Peter 010 or an experiment? The dinner table scenes are arguably the best scenes for comedic timing in stranger things, prove me wrong. My theory on 010 being Eddie still stands. He seemed unphased by Steve bringing up a friend with powers... But mind you, he could be numb to everything because of trauma. If Sam knows so much about elevens power (given though he is a scientist), then perhaps he has had an inside source?
*You can tell the writers really used the extra time during the hiatus wisely*
Chapter Four:
Absolute chills. As someone who has lost everyone in the last year, I can't help but feel a comfort in this episode. The special effects and practical effects in this episode were above and beyond. It really portrayed what nightmares feels like, fake elements but mostly real. This episode makes me feel bad for moments I felt as though Max's character was slightly lack luster (please please don't hate me because I already hate myself). She is nothing less than amazing. And her bond with Lucas is so pure, they geniuenly want the best for eachother... I wish we would've found out what was in the letter to him- but I'm glad he didn't because that would've been bad. Hopper being reunited with Jif was just so pure, I can't wait to see him reunite with Joyce (at least I hope that happens). Can you imagine him just not letting her say anything and just swooping her in for a kiss? My heart would not be able to handle that. On the note of Russia, I don't think Murray had the coffee... He may have been smart and he is conscience enough to figure out a plan.
Chapter Five:
I don't know how I feel about Brenner being back, and by that I mean, I don't know whether or not I can trust him. I'm so excited to see his character back, but it feels like this is Stockholm syndrome. I felt so bad for hopper this episode, I just felt for him. When he brought back up Sarah, I just cried. As per Eddie, I think the jocks meeting up with him was for the best... So they could maybe put two and two together to see Eddie didn't cause Chrissy's death. I'm really interested to see how the house will play into defeating Vecna (well this is under the impression he will be defeated). Suzie, please come and save the day.
Chapter 6:
I am starting to believe Joyce and Murray could single handedly take over the world. They both balance the chaos in eachother and I just love their dynamic. Speaking of dynamic, Suzie's house just seems like the most chaotic place in the world and part of me wishes that I lived there- I'm sure Argyle thinks the same. I loved his commentary of Eden's name relating it to her religious culture- he was really trying to score the brownie points. I'm also really worried that vecna took Eddie underwater... Last we saw him he was swimming..
Chapter Seven:
I absolutely love a good interrogation scene. And then the insanely smart use of light brights. I hope to save Nancy sings to her. Chefs kiss. Then the Russians. My god. The writers really had me on my toes. It had such high stakes with such high rewards. 1000 to 1. Wow. Just wow. The Reunion between Joyce and Hop- heart melting. To see Hop have his guard up to dropping it because he loves this women so much that he is just taking one minute to embrace her. Oh and then finally El leading to Vecna? I figured Vecna had something to do with the Creel's and I figured a new character this season would be an experiment. This was expected yet not? I should've saw it coming when the kruels little son didn't have the black eyes. I'm wondering if perhaps Terry was artificially inseminated with 001 ... Specimen... And perhaps that's how Brenner knows Eleven is their only hope. That is if Brenner is to be trusted, which that I'm not certain on. To think this isn't the finale.
My theories for the finale episodes of season 4 will be out once I compose myself.
#stranger things#stranger things spoilers#spoilers#stranger things 4#netflix#eleven#joyce byers#hopper#hawkins#vecna
11 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
jodifiction
Jodi Fiction
rwnjun
tamquam alter idem
karenfordonte
Caring For Donte
jodifiction
Jodi Fiction
iwanttobedifferent-iwanttobeme
Hydrophviruse