So I have a question. One that links back to the scene in Season 4 during the conversation between Nancy and Steve in the Upside down during the last episode and why I'm not really a fan of how the aftermath of it is handled in some fics I've read, but this is solely based off my own opinion.

For the sake of fanon over canon (canon doesn't exist. I dont know her) Let's say theres a scenario where all of the party are together, Eddie and Max are recovering and they're all at Steve's or something like that. But if we're gonna go down more of a canon route in S5 with Nancy, Jonathan and Steve, I honestly dont think either of them will end up together. (Mainly because I have a bad feeling at least two of these three arent gonna make it out alive) but back to fanon, let's say Jonathan and Nancy have broken up but they're still learning how to be around eachother as friends just like Steve and Nancy are doing. Again, I feel like this would've been a way better way to go for their character development if Stancy were spending their time together just learning how to be around eachother again. It would've made for a much better dynamic in season 5 between the three.

Anyhow, I'm getting sidetracked. Goes without saying that Steve is easily my favourite stranger things character. However I've always had some mixed feelings when it came to Nancy, noticing on more than one occasion that while she is genuinely a good person and a complete badass who knows how to get shit done, she seems to have some problems feeling empathy for others, especially if the situation doesnt apply to her, though you could argue that Mike has the same issue when it comes to El and Will, in which he tries to understand but when he knows he cant he instead becomes frustrated and more often than not takes it out on them. Nancy definitely has this issue with Steve in season 2. During the first part of season 2 and to an extent season 1, Steve tries to offer her a distraction to her problems with guilt rather than a solution. And to an extent I believe that was how Nancy came to view Steve during season 2. A distraction instead of a solution, eventually realising this distraction was no longer helping her and taking out her frustrations on the distraction before finding a solution by going with Jonathan to find Murray for answers and realising that Jonathan was the one she wanted.

However during season 3 they seem to have a hard time understanding eachother and on top of that the two barely interact with Steve at all. Yet in season 4 Steve and Nancy are left to reconnect while Jonathan is in California, not to mention the underlying subplot that her and Jonathan are realising that much like her and Steve, they each have very different ambitions.

Nancy is very career driven and wants to make a difference in the world. Jonathan just wants to take care of his family and stay close to them following everything that has happened and is unsure if what he really wants is to spend his life following Nancy rather than being by her side. Steve on the other hand has developed a somewhat paternal bond with the party following what is implied to have been a very fundamentally lonely life. It's for this reason that it makes sense he would he happy with a simple quiet life, travelling the world with a family of his own. I'm not sure if the Duffers did this on purpose to mislead us or whether they've just forgotten what each of these characters have been through in each season but when you put all that in perspective, none of these ambitions align in the slightest. If anyone thought that the whole winnebago talk would actually become a reality in season 5, maybe in an epilogue or something like that, then people seem to not realise that Nancy wanted anything but to end up like her parents and displays little interest in anything other than protecting those she has and focusing on her career. A simple life would not be satisfying for her.

Long story short, trying to put Stancy back together romantically would not work for either characters arc, at least in my opinion. If they were able to form a strong platonic friendship by the end of season 5 then that would be the most satisfying outcome to me.

On a slightly different note I started this with a question. I see it alot in fics where people tease Steve for expressing what he wants out of life, i.e, the whole six little nuggets conversation. Honestly I found that while scene really sweet and the characters in fics rarely bring this up as a way to be mean. But I've seen in some that Nancy actually brings up what Steve told her in the upside down as a way to tease him in front of their friends. Again, it's hardly ever written with any malicious intent other than to embarrass him but even so I really dont see that being something she would ever tell anyone, even their closest friends. While I stated previously that Nancy struggles with empathy, I fully believe that she sees that moment herself as Steve being truly genuine and heartfelt with her. Point being that as much as the idea may not appeal to her, she can see would not use something like that as an excuse to bring up in conversation as a way to tease him or embarrass him by stating out loud for everyone to hear that he once dreamed they would start a family. I dont believe that Steve would repeat it to anybody else either, even Robin. That is something personal to the two of them whether Steve really knows what he wants or not and it's clear that there are alot of unspoken things regarding the past between them that I can see bringing up some tension in season 5.

Though I can't deny that I've had some angsty ideas following these thoughts. Imagine another scene like the bullshit scene in s2, only its after she finds out that Jonathan lied to her about college and maybe she gets drunk again, possibly for the first time since season 2 and when Steve tries to comfort her (maybe he found her first or she seeks him out, idk) but she reflects back on how it felt reconnecting with him in 4 and the conversation they had and drunkenly makes a move on him and is left even more confused when he rejects her and throws back in his face everything he said to her. Maybe Robin or Eddie or Jonathan overhear and jump in to seperate them before it turns into a fight. Steve feels guilty while Nancy is just even more confused about her feelings for Steve and Jonathan. Maybe it ends with them finally talking things through, Steve confesses he has feelings for someone else (I wonder who) and with a clearer head they realise it makes more sense for them to just learn to get to know eachother as friends again.

Anyhow sorry for the ramble, that's all for now :)

Baggage || Ficlet

hello @hammity-hammer helped me w trying to beat writers block by giving me an idea to write and even tho i didn’t stick w the original plan i’m very happy w how this turned out.

1.1k || G || TW: n/a || pre-steddie, platonic stancy

Steve wasn’t really sure when he realized he was in love with Eddie, but it happened somewhere between the boathouse and dragging his limp body out of the Upside Down. Steve hadn’t always known he liked boys, but ever since Robin had come out to him, he was starting to realize more and more that boys were sometimes just as attractive as girls were to him. If not more so.

He still refused to tell the metalhead how he felt, despite Robin’s best attempts to convince him that Eddie obviously felt the same way. Steve just couldn’t be sure, and he refused to let himself be broken again.

Instead, Steve carried it close to his chest, away from Eddie. He even kept his distance from the metalhead–well, he tried to, he found that Eddie often invaded his personal space, which he was more than okay with, but it made it difficult to push down the overwhelming feelings inside of him. Eddie would lean heavily into his space, then bounce away like nothing had happened, leaving Steve reeling as he watched the other man move on to other conversations.

Steve knew he wasn’t the best at hiding his emotions, which made it difficult to keep what he was feeling from Eddie, but Robin assured him that Eddie had no clue. How she knew, Steve didn’t want to know, but he was glad for it. It meant that days like today, where the weather was getting warm enough to lounge outside all day, and everyone was hanging out, Steve could sit and watch Eddie interact with everyone without anyone noticing.

Besides Robin, of course.

“Whatcha doin’?” A voice asked, right next to his ear. Steve flinched hard, turning to face Nancy, who was standing next to his chair with a sunhat on, holding two cans of coke in her hands. She offered him one, to which he accepted hesitantly.

“Sunbathing,” Steve responded, gesturing to his mostly exposed body. Nancy hummed, sitting in the pool chair next to him.

“Is that all?” She asked pointedly, lowering her sunglasses to look him in the eye, before tilting her head towards where Eddie and Jonathan were talking. Steve froze, staring at her wide eyed. He was glad for the sunglasses that he was wearing as well, but they did nothing to hide the flush that spread across his body.

“I don’t know what you’re implying,” Steve said, probably unconvincingly, leaning back into the pool chair in an act of nonchalance that he was struggling to maintain.

“I think you have a type,” Nancy teased, leaning back into her own pool chair. She obviously knew that Steve didn’t want any attention drawn to the conversation, to which he was glad. Honestly, Steve should have known that he wouldn’t be able to keep this from her, she was too observant for her own good.

“That’s what you’re here to tell me?” He asked, scoffing. “Tell me something I don’t know, Nance.”

“You don’t want to tell him because you’re scared he’s gonna hurt you. Like I did.” Nancy said, without hesitation, causing Steve to nearly choke on his saliva.

“What?” He asked, startled.

“I’m sorry, Steve,” Nancy said, not quite closing her eyes, wanting to keep an eye on the kids playing in the pool.

Steve swallowed thickly, letting his gaze wander back to where Eddie was standing and joking with Argyle and Jonathan. He was laughing at something that Argyle had said, which caused something akin to jealousy twist in his gut as he watched.

“I know that we didn’t really talk about it,” Nancy continued, unheeded by Steve’s lack of response, “but I am so sorry for the things I said.”

“Nance,” Steve started to interrupt, only to be silenced by Nancy talking over him again.

“Let me apologize, Steve. You need to hear it. I want to say it.” Steve blinked rapidly, but nodded. He wasn’t sure this was the place to have this conversation, but if Nancy insisted. “I was still mourning Barb. And it was like you were able to pretend it didn’t happen, or like you had moved on completely, and I was just stuck. I know now that it was your way of coping, but back then it was like you didn’t care about what happened.”

“I’m sorry,” Steve started, but Nancy put a hand up to silence him again.

“No, you were doing what you had to do to cope, I can’t fault you for that. I’m sorry that I called our relationship bullshit. That I called you bullshit.” Nancy paused, tilting her head to look at him. The sunhat was flopped over her sunglasses, which hid her eyes for the most part, but Steve could see the hint of tears appearing. “You didn’t deserve that. You’re one of the most genuine and kind people I know, and you didn’t deserve what I did to you. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, Nance,” Steve breathed, feeling his heart beating out of his chest. “I forgave you a long time ago.”

“But you’re still hurting from what I called our relationship. You deserve to let yourself be happy, and move on. Tell him.”

Steve let himself sit on those words, making eye contact with Robin who was stuck in a conversation with Murray of all people–Steve wasn’t sure who invited him, but he seemed to just appear at their get togethers more than he didn’t–she gestured slightly with her head, looking between him and Nancy with a question. Steve smiled and shook his head slightly, before turning his attention back to Nancy.

“You’re right,” Steve said quietly, still unsure that this conversation should be happening here, but continued nonetheless, “you basically tore my heart out and then less than a week later were walking around with Jonathan. I know you didn’t intend for it to be the way it was, which is why I never really was upset with you, but I was still…yeah. In a bad spot.” Nancy grimaced slightly, but still reached out and grabbed his hand to add a little comfort. “I’m better now,” Steve assured, squeezing her hand.

“I’m still sorry,” Nancy said quietly. “You deserved–do deserve better.”

“Thank you,” he whispered, his gaze finding its way back to Eddie, surprised to find the man looking back at him with something that looked close to jealousy.

“You should tell him,” Nancy said, squeezing his hand again before pulling back. Steve smiled at her softly before standing. This conversation didn’t magically completely heal the hurt part of him, but it soothed an ache that he had grown accustomed to carrying.

And he would always carry it, in some way.

But maybe he didn’t have to carry it alone.

Steve walked towards Eddie.

|Byler and Jancy is Endgame and here is why|

To be clear is just a theory that i had after rewatching St(1-4), so i can be totally wrong, but hear me out.

Let's begin with the Hellfire gang playing D&D in the beginning of season 4. At the end of the game, Eddie says that unfortunately an 11 is not strong enough, it can't beat Vecna, so then Erica rolls the dice and gets a 20, which is a success meaning that El can't win Vecna (she can tho win 001, which she did in a way).

I find it interesting that before the success(20) it was a failure(11)

So where does It leads to Byler and Jancy being Endgame?

Well, In the Hawkins Lab we get to see what really happened, El managed to win 001 with the power of ¿Love? Kinda. We see El's memories which shows her mother saying that she loves El, so instead to using a memory that brings the feelings of anger or sadness, Eleven used one that brought her the theme of love. She was loved by her mother.

Since, i've noticied that the theme love is important in this season, like:

Mike not being able to say he loves El

We have Will loving Mike (finally)

Lumax making peace with each other

Jonathan and Nancy being distant

Steve and Nancy getting closer

Hopper and Joyce meeting again

All the plots in a way leads to this love thing

Also, words always have meanings in stranger things ( bullshit, crazy, crazy together, love...)

I think Stancy is a parallel to M*leven strongly in this season, and Jancy would parallel to Byler, we've got a scene actually of them exactly like a Jancy one

Then, remember Eddie saying that Nancy must love Steve coz she jumped in the water to save him?( She didn't hesitated) It interconnects with all the Mike getting in the front line, worrying about El and literally getting defensive of El sometimes.

Mike does love El, but is just like Nancy loves Steve

Not in a romantic way.

It's also interesting here that both Nancy and Mike never said they loved Steve/El, and that's why there is this rapprochement of Nancy and Steve, it's not because they gonna be together at the end, but because Steve still loves Nancy. Same for Eleven, she loves Mike and there is a need for a closure for the characters to move on.

So it' s a dinamic of Steve loving Nancy romantically, Nancy loving him platonically and Nancy being reciprocal.

It's the SAME thing that's is happening to Mike, El and Will

It's like El = Steve, Mike= Nancy and Will= Jonathan

That's why I think Jancy and Byler is endgame, they are setting this interactions to close the arc that was m*leven and Stancy so they can move on with the finale couples to season 5.

They have to solve this first so they can be finally happy. Same goes to the couples Lumax and Jopper ( that I also think is endgame) they are reuniting, they are solved.

That explains why Mike can't say he loves El, even if he lies it won't save El if she gets vecna'd, but it would save Will 👀

The thing is 11 is a miss. It just won't be.

The Duffers brother said themselves that everything that is going on is planned, so Will liking Mike this season, Mike not being able to say he loves El being brought up this season, Nancy being apart and Stancy acting like a mirror to M*leven this season is not a coincidence.

Coz it's 99% of sure that Will is gonna get Vecna'd, just music is not gonna save him, it's about the feelings too. Vecna targets people with traumas and Max was able to run away not just bcz of the music but because of the good memories of the ones she loves

Both romantically and platonically

Noah also said that Byler is being built up since season 1 and that now it's on it's peak just adds to why Byler is endgame and it's gonna make to S5

I also think Will is way more important than people give him credit for, when he gets the Hawkins shit gonna get crazy( I think he have powers, pls Duffer brothers 🙏)

Well, wrapping it up, I think at the end El will finally learn what love is (even more if she reunites with Hopper) learn what kind of love Mike have towards her and honestly, this season is so self growth to her that I think she's gonna be alright, she needs some alone time, be her own persona.

I think she's gonna love herself more too :) wishing her all happiness, to all characters honestly loves them all.

I just think that if someone dies it will be Eddie :/

That's it, sorry any English mistakes it's not my first language and I should be sleeping 😩 Byler see what u do to me. Aaa.

Leave your theories, what u think, I love reading it.

Also, Jonathan is gonna reunite with Nancy soon too in Hawkins( we hope) , so we'll see, even more bcs Nancy is under Vecna's curse 👀

Very interesting, good night Byler lovers

harringrove fandom

I feel like, in my honest opinion, harringrove hads the best fandom(not st fandom as a whole) the harringrove fandom is like a family for the most part, and in my experience I havnt really seen much toxicity in the harringrove fandom, it’s very welcoming.

We have so many talented artists, talented fanfic writers, etc. the fandom is extremely funny when it comes to harringrove memes, and quotes and stuff, and overall I just feel like, being a part of the harringrove community is amazing. Yes some of the harringrove fandom is toxic, I’m not saying it’s perfect, ik it’s not, but overall it’s a safe place to be in, and the people are fun to be around.

when I go in here, it’s amazing how the harringrove community is still going strong, till this day continuing. I didn’t expect that. I thought it was gonna die off because of s4, but I’m honestly glad it’s still alive. I just love scrolling thorough memes, quotes, incorrect texts, photos, art, and just everything in harringrove. It makes my day better honestly when I see lots of it tbh.

In my personal opinion, harringrove deserves as much love as steddie gets, as much as stancy, stommy, stonathan, and I find the ship getting more and more hate, till this day actually. Which I can see why people don’t ship harringrove and I respect that, but the hate is not needed. I get that people don’t ship it, and they don’t need to, nobody is forcing you to ship it, but do you have to hate on the ship?

honestly I love the ship for its dynamic and tension, it’s like rivals, to friends, to lovers? If that makes sense. I don’t see them dating straight away if it did become canon, I feel like they should be friends, for a while and then become lovers yk? Like not rushing things, and collecting their feelings.

Honestly the ship in general is my favorite, it has my favorite dynamics, and it just as a whole is my favorite by far. I usually don’t ship ships this much, but for harringrove it’s just so different, it’s like I’m obsessed with the ship? But not like crazy. I just love it a lot, and it deserves so much more love and attention honestly.

don’t get me wrong, steddie is cute, I can see why people ship it, but in my opinion, they would just be platonic friends, like Steve and Robin. I don’t personally ship them, I seem them more as friends then lovers, like really chaotic friends. Having a really good friendship. But I 100% respect those who ship steddie, but for me it’s harringrove all the way( no I don’t ship harringroverson/mungrove)

I genuinely love this fandom so much, the harringrove fandom is just so, amazingly talented and funny, it’s amazing to be around those people, it’s nice to know others actually enjoy or love this ship as much as I do.

I just wish more people would respect the shop honestly, or at least respect the characters as a whole. The ship isn’t the worst ship. It’s not the most toxic. It’s valid to ship them, it’s 100% valid.

just kinda sucks when you really love to ship them, but get lots of hate because of shipping them.

But seeing people make a whole community for the ship, actually wanting to make fanfics, drawings/art, memes etc just makes me so happy honestly, the harringrove community deserves better

THANK YOU. Robin and Nancy’s incompatibility aside, Robin and Steve’s soulmatism is one of the unshakable dynamics in the show and Robin Buckley would just never. I read fanfics for most ships, and the story you linked is the first r//nance story I’ve seen that doesn’t have a Steve with zero issues just giggling while his best friend in the universe gets with the person who canonically hurt him the most/he’s still in love with. R//nance usually goes hand in hand with having to ignore how significant Nancy and Steve are to each other, which reminds me of the…

The Vickie erasure. The fanon of bi Nancy while fandom totally ignores Vickie is not surprising considering there’s so much automatic hatred of canon. Robin calls Vickie the girl of her dreams! I also hoped for more Vickie in season 4, but Vickie as the embodiment of Robin’s peace at home is perfect. Rosie! That Vickie is too much of a side-character to ship with Robin is ridiculous when I’ve accidentally seen so many fics including Gareth. For real, who the fuck is Gareth.

Nancy still needing to learn how to process her emotions is why I think any Stancy endgame would be a denouement situation. The execution of the matchmaker trope was unnecessary. Three whole characters weighing in on that relationship? One of which was a stranger? Why.

maybe it’s just because i love stobin so much, but it is literally one of the best and strongest dynamics in the show, and i just can’t fathom needing characters to be in a romantic relationship so badly, that people just cast aside how important robin and steve are to each other.

and yeah, i avoid all r//nance fics, like even if they’re just a background ship. because i know that that background ship will be a throwaway line, and still manage to destroy stobin. like, you can’t just have causal r//nance in the background because by it’s very nature, it would tear the characters apart.

in canon, steve still has feelings for nancy. now you can decide if that’s just because he’s clinging to this ideal of life that he isn’t ready to let go of, or because he actually is in love with her, but to disregard their relationship entirely is dumb. like, in their first s4 scene together, nancy spots steve’s car and just instantly calms. like, whether they’re romantic or platonic, steve and nancy are really important to each other.

i honestly just cannot see nancy being queer at all, but i know that’s just my personal opinion. but the fact that people will totally erase vickie, and then get annoyed at the duffers for having minimal gay characters, or for not making r//nance canon. like, there is a bi women right there! stop ignoring her! and yeah, i think the excuse that vickie is just a side character is such bullshit, because she is spoken about a lot, we see her in multiple scenes. she’s more important than gareth, but somehow he pops up everywhere? and a lot of people who hate vickie will then ship buckingham (which i have nothing against!) but it’s like, how are you gonna pretend chrissy has more personality then vickie?

yeah, i hate matchmaking, but the duffers seem incapable of writing a romance without using it. honestly, the reason why i hated murray so much is because of that. like, some random middle aged man got two teens drunk and told them to fuck in his house, and i’m supposed to think that’s the height of romance?! ew. and yeah, i can see robin talking to steve about nancy, because they obviously talk about their loves lives to each other. and dustin is incapable of not inserting himself into steve’s life, but eddie? what does he know about the situation? it’s just so weird.

also, i actually find stancy interesting, at least, i’ve always enjoyed watching their scenes more than nancy and jonathan, but i just don’t think that nancy will be able to get enough development in time for her to end the show in a healthy relationship. though, i do kinda want stancy to be endgame just because i know how much steve antis will hate it. and i think that’s funny.

but honestly, when it comes to endgames i just don’t care. what ships the duffers decide to end on mean nothing to me. i will read whatever fanfics i want when the show ends, and who’s gonna stop me. “oh it’s not canon.” don’t care, didn’t ask.

I can say that it’s comforting how many casual fans who don’t even like ships are so against Stancy that they’re showing support for Jancy. From what I’ve seen on the social media accounts I’ve dated to venture, even Ronance is more popular than Stancy. The scenes they were trying to portray as romantic were so bad and cringy that even Nancy had more chemistry with Robin. She had more chemistry with her gun. And then her reunion with Jonathan was so eye opening on what actual love looks like.

I feel this in my bones, Anon. As someone who has been in the fandom a decent while (and I'm assuming you have been too based on this ask) there used to be, at most, neutral feelings towards Nancy, Jonathan, and Jancy in larger fandom. No one was really talking about them or focused on them but occasional comments of "they're boring" and "why are they even still on the show" were made. There of course were also a lot of negative comments and feelings towards the characters, especially after season 2, about "what they did to Steve" and all of that nonsense.

I have noticed the same social media trends as well (though I too rarely take a peek) and find it incredibly... validating? We could have easily had the larger fanbase eat the St*ncy shit up and love the idea of them getting back together but they’re rejecting it which is awesome. It’s like we don’t have to fight our battles on our own anymore, you know?

I spend most my non-tumblr fandom time on reddit to take the pulse on the fandom in general and I have noticed a few things from there (especially immediately post ST4 vol 1 and vol 2):

St*ncy is not well received and many comments supporting them get downvoted

The reintroduction of the love triangle is a very common complaint regarding ALL characters involved. On the flip side, I cannot recall seeing anyone praise this narrative decision.

Steve, though still THE fan favorite, has received more critical comments/posts than ever in the past. Comments that even I, as a Steve fan, find valid. Though there are definitely still fans that blindly worship him, I’ve also noticed many fans, who consider Steve to be their favorite character, posting that...:

They’re disappointed in his ST4 character arc or lack there of

They’re tired of the whole “Steve needs a girlfriend” plot that they thought was addressed in ST3 with his acceptance and platonic love for Robin (honestly a very fair point!)

Not as common, but I’ve seen multiple posts commenting how Steve and Dustin’s banter is not landing like it used to (and other fans agree to this).

They’re upset Steve went from a layered character who was fallible but growing and changing to now (and I quote) “a perfect angel” who can do no wrong with plot armor to boot.

A GENERAL CONCERN FOR NANCY AS A CHARACTER!! This has been my favorite observation. In response to the reintroduction to the love triangle (and especially in response to Steve sharing that he’s always envisioned Nancy in his dream and Jonathan being dishonest from Nancy (and being and “unambitious burnout with no goals”.... to which I disagree immensely)) people are hoping that Nancy gets to move on beyond these boys and pursue her dreams and continue to be ambitious. Though I think she can accomplish all of this with Jonathan once they finally talk, it is so refreshing to see fans love and appreciate Ms. Wheeler. Are there the occasional comments about how Steve doesn’t deserve Nancy? Sure. But people attack those comments now. In general, her character is getting a lot of love. FINALLY.

A love for Jancy. This is rarer. Most comments support single Nancy, but when a post centers around them or when they are brought up it is met with many upvotes. Mine included. 

I’ve even noticed on Tumblr (and I think I’ve reblogged posts) that basically state “I didn’t even know I cared about Jancy until all the St*ncy shit happened this season” which, again, is totally validating. 

It just feels like everyone took them for granted and is now realizing how wonderful these characters are together and how wonderful Nancy is as her own character. People are also like “I wish we got to see more from Jonathan!” which is great but has been a comment made ever since ST2.    

Has any one else noticed similar sentiments in the larger, general fandom or with casual viewers??

Honestly, as a former mileven, I can tell that your arguments aren't really convincing. It sounds like you are trying to convince yourself of some things ngl. If you want to talk about Jancy and Mileven than maybe you should also consider that mileven and Stancy have so many stuffs in common: the only couples who needed an ily , Steve told Nancy that he loved her and bam they broke up. Not to mention that both of them are more like a physical relationship than anything else. They bothe had no communication to the point that you wonder why Mike dated El and why Steve loves Nancy. In the bts we got Mike already look sad and mad and his haircut could symbolize something like Mike in front of a mirror cutting his hair with scissors because of all the traumas he is having and still has. No ily will be able to solve Mike's issues. He still has them and El isn't there to help him. In fact, she always minimizes his problems. That's why Mike never talks about him to El meanwhile he confesses almost everything to him. Will makes him feel comfortable.

I'm not trying to change your point of view, if u think that byler has more chances to become an endgame then fine? you have ur opinion and i have mine, you don't have to try to convince me that my theories or parallels are wrong just because you believe in something else, also your comparison to byler is really nice bc yea mike does feel better talking about himself to will, actually he doesn't even talk about himself to el, probably he's scared that she won't treat his problems like a real one's bc of her own trauma and basically he already feels weak and useless around her, but still mike treats will as a brother and i see it in platonic way sorry 🤷🏾‍♀️

Random thoughts that prove mike wheeler is probably gay and that el doesn’t need him + love triangle imagery

I’m gonna admit it, i am very much a mike wheeler defender but i will slander him this once, he’s being shitty like any teenager would that would be going through trauma. But the thing about mike is that he’s a character and when characters hit low points usually they have internal conflict which leads to further character development.

Mikes internal conflict is his internalized homophobia, that’s what changed his character in s3. He realized something in s2 and in s3 he used el to seem like he’s not gay. He pushed everyone away stated by will in the rain fight. He was so focused on being something he was not because he internally feared his feelings for will. We see him realize these feelings at the end of s3 and to why he was so conflicted during the kiss scene. This relationship between el and mike is called a “beard” a beard is when a queer person uses someone of the opposite sex to appeal straight. That is EXACTLY what m*leven is. El loves mike(probably) but mike does not love eleven. We see this with nancy in s1-2, she can’t say i love you to steve because she simply doesn’t love him. It’s as simple as that. Stancy and milkvan are paralleled to eachother, and many platonic relationships or failed relationships are paralleled with m*lkvan.

I don’t like mileven as i think it’s unhealthy, it makes me sad to see them like that. And seeing how much better they do without each other is better. Milkvan being endgame would make mike the shittiest character written(sorry not sorry) and elevens whole thing with max, and learning about herself and to be independent was a useless arc. And I don’t like the whole idealization mike has for el, el seems to dislike it when she’s compared to a superhero. I don’t know how mike, gaslighting, shifting blame onto el while she’s sobbing is healthy. Even mike said “it’s a fight that you can’t come back from”

In the pizza place, I’m sure mike and el were going to have a mutual breakup before getting interrupted by argyle. After that during the scene where mike is trying to save el, he feels pressured to say i love you to el. I don’t know why someone would struggle to say that especially when they’re in a life or death situation, clearly el doesn’t believe his bs, the vines got tighter around her neck showing weakness, there’s also lighting in the background. It’s when she looks at max, that’s when she gets the power to fight. Not mikes cringe ass speech.

Overall the scene was just sad, I didn’t see anything romantic in that scene, I honestly saw more Byler potential within a “m*leven” scene. It was just sad. Also when mike said i love you, will was in the back. This may mean something. Maybe that will was in the back of his head when he said that. A lot of his speech had will in the back, usually in heart to hearts or confessions, it’s only the two, only their faces. Focused on them and only them. Which this could be love triangle imagery, which is seen a lot in s4 with will, el and mike. Like when el and mike reunited, will is in the middle of them. Also both will snd mike and the same body language with el, which shows that mike and el are platonic:)

Rahh I’m done ranting, bye <3

Imma rant but Mlvn is not romantic it is the most platonic thing in this entire universe. Their whole dynamic screams "wlw and mlm solidarity" like stobin. They are literally stobin. And coincidentally mlvns like to ship romantic stobin too!! erasure much?? like girl they are so Platonic with a capital P. The times they are happier and more comfortable with each other is when they're friends. Mlvns saying " b- but- but i-in the pizza scene before Argyle came they held hands and said they missed each other!! 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺" yeah, no. If I had been trapped in a lab for a whole ass week with the guy who abused me both physically and mentally during my whole childhood. I'd also be glad to be with my friends and family and obviously I'd tell them I missed them. Like she also expresses she missed Will does that make them romantic?? I better hope not. Also they NEVER kissed she was just smiling at him and being nice. Can't a girl not be friends with a guy anymore??? like promote healthy platonic relationships. Plus there is plenty of evidence on how eleven's arc is going to focus in HER alone not in her AND mike. While will's arc is clearly gonna be focused in his romance with mike and would make zero narrative sense to do these arcs just for the romantic one to end with mike rejecting will and fucking el. bc apparently many mlvns want el pregnant or at least mlvn sex scene, which is honestly gross bc they're 20 yos and the only sex scene has been jancy and stancy. Speaking of which many want Nancy married. lol. Are we even watching the same ST???? I don't think so... Furthermore ST ending with mlvn would mean will dying which the duffers know would anger a lot of fans. In addition to this, Millie stated, in an interview to which I can't find the link but it's true, that she wanted El to be killed off in the final season along with other characters. Afterwards due to fans pressuring her and sending hate she said and i quote " might also say as a joke i want her married and working at target but maybe that's not a joke?" this also created hate bc that is such a lame ending for a great character like her. Like I would rather see her dead than turned into the typical pawn of white cishet entertainment. Honestly. That would suck ass. Not only bc that would mean mlvn ending but bc that message is clearly "women no matter how extraordinary or powerful may they be need to get married to a wealthy man and once they do, they should just worry abt him and being a good wife to him no matter how unhappy your marriage maybe. Also if you want get a lame job at target or some shit." This would also go against the point of ST and love. We were presented in the first season with the Wheelers unhappy and unfaithful marriage which made Nancy angry and Mike unhappy. In general throwing to waste a whole family. This couple has constantly been criticized by all, cast and crew included. So why, may i ask, WHY would they do the same with their FL and heroine??? that would just throw her whole character and development arc to the garbage can. It will be absolut bullshit. and i will get mad. for misogynic behaviour and queerbaiting. bc you cant tell that what they've been doing since the infamous milkdud kiss in front of the open closet. They've been setting up romantic scenes just for rejection?? hell nah. ain't no way!!

Anyways thanx for coming to my TED Talk!! <3

Rating whatever ST ships I can think of bc it's night (post lemon) and I'm bored

Lumax- 10/10 so poetic and beautiful the show doesn't do them justice which is SAYING A LOT romo lumax and platonic lumax have my heart

Elmax- the first ST ship I started shipping before joining fandom! 10/10 incredible beautiful drop dead gorgeous romo and platonic elmax are perfect

Hopclair- 10/10 I may currently be running on a hopclair ANGST high, but as I've said and will not hesitate to repeat, these two NEED to team up and NEED more screentime together! Romo, platonic, and queerplatonic hopclair love in my brain

Henclair- recently found appreciation for them upon season two rewatch and reflecting join season two, cute enough for a maybe 6/10 as romo 15/10 platonic

Henderhop- I just can't picture it 0/10

Morallysus- idrk seems kinda morally sus to me :/ -10/10

Elmike 8/10 platonic and I will not elaborate

Byler- objectively 10/10 but they are not who I'm thinking about when I'm actually watching- that's when my elmax and platonic stobin brain turns on romo and platonic byler on their respective places in the timeline are literary impeccability

Byclair- adorable and I could totally see it, 7.5/10

Wheelclair- surprisingly cute but not my first instinct I do truly Get the cuteness but 6/10

Elumax- be it romo lumax romo elmax with pl hopclair, romo hopclair, or qp hopclair, still adorable to me and I actually understand them more than you do don't go near my children sorry guys blorbo is just for me actually 100/10

Stobin- 10/10 platonic and queerplatonic aromantic and lesbian solidarity!! But also their arc and how they support eachother!! Beautiful precious my precious you can't have it wow am i gatekeeping?

Rockie- unopinionated so 6/10 besties endgame material romo

Ronance- I can never stop thinking about Nancy comparing Barb and Robin to eachother but y'all's headcanons are cute 5/10

Stancy- you know me. I love Steve. I love Nancy. Which is exactly why I can't in good conscious dare ship them together! Nancy's whole thing of relating him to Barb's death (valid) is word on its own if you don't throw in the fact that Steve super cool dream directly contradicts everything Nancy wants in life! Neither of them should have to compromise their LIFE around accommodating the other! You can say what you want about "they still like eachother romantically" which isn't even really true imo but had it ever occurred to you that sometimes people can feel romantically and and decide that a friendship would do them more good? Which isn't to say they are super close friends either because honestly their friendship has gotten the least amount of attention by the writers. -20/10 romo and 7/10 potential friendship that we will never get to see on screen.

Jancy- I honestly could not care less whether they are endgame their unbreakable bond etc etc doesn't care whether they're friends or dating 6/10

Jargyle- 10/10 how does it feel to be the most perfect ship in the world? Pl, QP, romo, alterous, whatever it is these two mean the world to me

Stonathan- question why? I'm sure it's cute I just don't understand the origin of the hype. What's it ABOUT for y'all?

Stoncy- see above, both 5/10

Steddie- I actually like it as a ship kind of if it weren't for the fact I can't see Steve not being aromantic. Also while we're here thank you if you've stopped cross tagging because I'd I look up Erica Sinclair In not looking for Eddie x Reader fics 6.5/10 romo

Boyce- wait actually this might have been my first ST ship not elmax.. anyways they're adorable and I totally hated the way they did the love triangle thing. Hopper being annoying distracted me from Bob being the coolest guy in the world.

Jopper- I guess I'm cool with them now but I was so anti jopper in S2 not because I'm invested in the love triangle I fucking hate love triangles but because Hopper was insufferable in seasons two and three and Joyce had like no boundaries in season three that got weird because ofc the writers decided to build up their canon in the most annoying way possible. Maybe they could have been an 8/10 if ST writers had fucking tried at all before season four but now they're closer to a 4.5/10 for me tbh but go back to season one where their friendship was pretty cool and they've known eachother forever and all that- super fucking sweet 8/10 points taken off because I just generally find Hopper annoying (as a person not as a character I get how he's important to the story and blah blah)

Boycer- since the suffers never ruined it I mean wrote it and I can imagine them however I want- polyamorous Joyce with her two boyfriends is a 10/10

Edissy- I genuinely thought this was a joke 2/10 romo 7/10pl

Joyren- not to be a Karen hater but I kinda hate Karen 1/10

Kargyle- I love Kali with all my heart. I absolutely adore Argyle. But I don't get this ship. Like why. 5/10 romo 8/10 pl

Kalancy- yes let women kill people! I mean I'm the scenario I imagine they are def at Kali's home not Nancy's and it's def not a healthy mindset but let's not think about that.. honestly I don't think about them at all but I guess it could be cool. 8/10 romo 9/10 pl 9/10 qp

Top ten ST ships?

Humm that’s a lot umm

definitely lumax is top, love it to death.

Byler, close second, would be first but mike has some shit to work out. Love him tho. But man’s got some rocks in his brain.

Jopper, I have been waiting for this to be canon for so long.

Elmax, honestly don’t care if it’s romantic or platonic I just need more, give me more of them.

Ronance, just love their relationship.

Dustin and Suzie, look we might not get much of it but the singing and grade changing scenes were cute, come on the ship has a singing duet scene it’s cute.

Bob and Joyce, I love jopper but I still think about how amazing bob was to Will and Jonathan and that Noah said if Will wanted to come out he would have to bob. I loved bob:c

Steddie, don’t ya big boy

Rockie, I like it just wish we saw Vickie more like I kinda forgot about her when I first watched volume two. But she definitely is going to be a part and I want to see them being chaotic girlfriends in the apocalypse.

Can’t really think of anymore that I like, edissy/hellcheer could have been cute, byclair is cute, elumax is cute, and stancy v jancy I just don’t really care for either and they both have their own stuff to work out so. thank you so much for the ask I did struggle a lot , honestly I like any ship as long as it’s not gross or invalidating a character’s sexuality then I don’t really care.

These aren’t really in order cause I kinda gave up because I love them all and just want the characters to be happy for once.

I understand the Robin and Vickie shippers it's cute and all but the those looks roncance gave each other are also just ✨✨✨ and well Vickie wasn't mentioned only in the first episode so I forgot about her and Ronance has my heart. And if you want a female friendship for Robin (even tho yes she has a canon crush on her) she can have one with Vickie, they both like music...or well are in band and can ramble about girls they like, so Robin finally has a person who understands the wlw thing and not with Steve being a "Man" loving women (even tho I love their platonic Soulmateness) and with Nancy being also a not yet canonly straight but never Really proofed to be bisexual (besides those ronance moments but if it's friendship) then she has a female friend but not a canonly wlw friend, so she would have a female friend but not one that understands her wlw side... So you can correct me if anyone I even read this and I said something wrong because I don't want to offend anyone and I'm also just biased because I've been having the brainrot of my life (ronance) so ye... I'd want her to end up with Nancy 😊 because Nancy also deserves to get out of that love triangle.. Like wtf why the duffer Brothers trying to get stancy back together, I'd either want Jancy, her being single or Ronance. I love them irl like 100% adorable and just love (natalia and Charlie) but I don't really like jancy (I mean I can life with it, like I could life with Rockie) and the option should not be Steve or Jonathan, it should be Single or Robin lol 😂

Sorry it's so long.. I just read the comment with Robin having a female friend and just thought about the fact that you can also say that about Vickie (and yes, i know she has a crush on her and not Nancy, at least canonly 😪) I mean we know nothing about her personality but her only personality is rambling.. At least what I remember and her saying the same thing as Robin, which yes cute, but also because of that I think they'd be better as friends, but I hope she gets more screentime in season 5 and an actual personality that is not like Robin's and also Nancy is a main character and all the other main characters are dating main characters, so I hope Vickie is kinda important and gets to be a main character, because I don't want Robin to just date a side/background character (idk if the main character thing is wrong because Idk what the relevance level of a side character is so I thought Robin and Steve and Eddie would also be main character but idk)

Damn I wrote a lot.. I would probably just delete it but I wrote so much that I don't think I could write it like this again so I'm gonna unfortunately send it and hope anyone will read it and get where I'm coming from 😁✨

If you got this far, I love you and you can ship whoever you want! Unless it's Robin with a man and Will with a girl, then I hate you, anyway. Have a great day/night/anything and stay safe! Your opinions is valid but some may not agree, which is fine until it isn't and I hope I wasn't disrespectful (besides the stancy thing lol) with anything I said. Because you shouldn't be disrespectful about people's opinion unless they are harmful and erasure of some kind (like Robin being a lesbian and shipping her with a man)... Honestly idk why I said it because I don't think people like that would watch this video.. But I'm too lazy to delete it so it's still gonna stand there... Anyway.. Biiii ✨✌️

Some may not make sense but I commented this under a YouTube video and I saw a comment that said "I like platonic ronance and Robin needs a female friend" (or smth like that)

Thought Bubble

Going even further with the Stancy/Jancy and Mileven/Byler love triangle comparisons…we see both triangles in (roughly) the same shape at the end of S4. Steve has made somewhat of a love confession to Nancy (telling her that he pictures her in his future and hinting that he wants to try again with her, that he was stupid before). Mike also provides a love confession—though more outright than Steve’s. We don’t see El’s or Nancy’s direct responses to those love confessions. However, the end of the season does provide us with more Jancy/Byler moments (Jancy’s reunion hug and hammering the window, Byler on the couch). This culminates in both pairs standing together on the hill. Both Byler and Jancy need to communicate effectively next season. Jon still needs to open up to Nancy about college. Will lying about the painting needs to be resolved. God knows what’s going on in the Wheelers’ heads. Coincidence? I think not.

Adding onto that: About the whole “Eddie was always supposed to die” thing…I originally said (although it pained me to do so since I love Steve) that Steve dying instead of Eddie would have had more of an emotional impact with the audience and would have proved that the Duffers had the guts to kill off main characters. But now that I’m thinking about it, although Steve has had some of the most visible, drastic, and positive character development arcs, his arc is far from over—and I don’t think the Duffers would want to kill a main character without their arc being complete. Yes, him dying would have furthered Dustin’s arc just as Eddie dying did. However, Dustin’s arc wasn’t the only one Steve had an influence on. He also has an influence on Nancy’s arc (I think this will have a big role in S5), which ends up paralleling the Mike/Will/El love triangle and their arcs as well. Steve dying might have foreshadowed Mike, Will, or El dying (most likely El), and I don’t think that’s the message the writers wanted to send (since I personally don’t think they will kill of any of those three). And Steve dying wouldn’t have pushed Nancy to examine her romantic actions when it comes to Jonathon and Steve. Many thought that Steve’s “love confession” to Nancy was pulled out of nowhere, but I actually think it was yet another paralleling tactic, as I explained in the past bubble thought. They’re milking both love triangles as long as they can, and I don’t blame them for doing so—after all, they do have an audience to entertain. But Steve’s own arc as well as the arcs of the people he touches is not over yet. I really hope his arc next season will include letting Nancy go for good, going after a future he really wants, and realizing that he doesn’t need a significant other to be complete (I hope this is El’s arc too). It honestly got a bit dicey with the direct character parallels, but I think I’ve sussed it out. In the end, I think El and Steve directly parallel each other—they are/were both in relationships with Wheelers who couldn’t tell them they loved them (no hate to the Wheelers from me) even though El and Steve themselves have so much love to give. Although El was not the one giving the speech to Mike, she was trying to hang onto their relationship in the beginning of S4. Both Nancy and Mike were retreating back to the “safety” of relationships that weren’t the best for them (Nancy lowkey drifting back to Steve, Mike trying to keep up the appearance of the perfect straight boyfriend). These are relationships that might be more “socially acceptable.” This is the Wheelers’ typical response to feelings of instability and insecurity—they try to hang onto familiar, safe things. You see that in Mike, trying to hang onto his relationship with El because of his fear of losing her in his life (platonically) and his fear of instability. You see that in Nancy, who, when she was insecure about the state of her and Jon’s relationship, fell back on Steve for that old sense of safety. You even see that in Karen—she knows her relationship with Ted has always been rocky, so she almost cheats on him with Billy.

Stranger Things Season 4 Vol. 1

Okay okay.

I've reblogged SO MUCH, but now it's my turn.

This season is my new favorite season BY FAR. It's just SO well done and there are SO many things to love about it and I CAN'T WAIT for Volume II!!

I have so many thoughts and so many random babbles and it will not be in any sort of consecutive order but y'all are just gonna have to deal because I binged it all at once and I just feel the need to babble nonsensically for a second. (Side note: who gave this season the right to be THIS scary?? I swear to God...)

Also in case it isn't already obvious...

MAJOR SPOILER WARNING IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE NEW SEASON YET!

Anyways here we go.

I did not think it was possible for me to love Steve Harrington any more than I already did, and yet, here we are, my heart literally about to burst for this man (I seriously cannot believe there was ever a time when I hated him what was wrong with me??). Aside from Steve just genuinely being an amazing, kind, caring, bada*s human being that I would die for in an instant, his relationships with all of his friends just SENDS me, okay?? Steve and Robin? "Best Platonic duo with a capital P." YES!! OMG YES!! They just have each other's backs so much and help each other so much and are there for each other so much and I love EVERYTHING about their relationship and I just CAN'T. The looks during Tammy Thompson's singing, all of the pointed looks about their respective crushes, all of the pointed looks at each other in GENERAL because they just KNOW each other...I just CAN'T! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! Also, like, the comparison between Nancy and Robin vs Steve and Robin is so beautiful because obviously Nancy and Robin got to know each other and quickly did become friends (absolutely LOVE the power duo these two queens are becoming, btw), but just, at first seeing just how absolutely wonderfully supportive Steve is of Robin and her ENTIRE personality in comparison to Nancy being annoyed with her at first just SENT me and I was just dying. ALSO ALSO, the fact that Steve had so many opportunities to explain that Robin was a lesbian just to make his own explanations easier and yet WOULD NOT OUT HER literally makes him the best friend ever and I just love this man so much. His relationship with Dustin?? Still SO on point and SO beautiful and I love them both so much. I just love how their relationship has developed over the seasons and they are still one of my favorite duos on the whole show. I mean, Eddie literally being jealous of Steve because Dustin admires him so much? And Steve's little smile at hearing him say that?? SEND HELP I'M HYPERVENTILATING! (Also side note, Steve and Robin and Dustin will forever be my power trio and I will never be over it thank you very much.)

Keeping that in mind, I absolutely cannot get over the fact that, like, Steve and Robin and Dustin are such good friends that they, like, NEVER fight. Like, obviously they tease each other and stuff, but when they go too far (the teeth punching thing) they quickly talk it out and apologize and make up and I just...I LOVE THEM. There is SO much in-fighting in so many other groupings in this show and it's always so refreshing to see such true and beautiful loyalty coming from that trio and I love it and adore it with everything I have. Also also, Steve continuing to be the literal best babysitter and continuing to complain about it and yet absolutely reveling in it at the same time is the cutest freaking thing ever and I just love him. "Always the babysitter" YES STEVE! IT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT BABY AND YOU KNOW YOU LOVE IT!! <3 <3 <3 Keeping on the Steve Harrington love...Stancy?? Is that you I see?? 'Cause I'm honestly here for it. I was happy for Nancy and Jonathan because it made sense in the situation, but I was ALWAYS a Stancy shipper, and I kind of always wanted them to get back together. I just don't feel like Jonathan and Nancy are right for each other in the way that Steve and Nancy are--Jonathan and Nancy were really just brought together by shared trauma and that just doesn't work for me. So yes, I am ALL here for it. That said, I have also seen several theories where people have shared that they think Steve might ultimately reject Nancy and see that he really needs to move on from the pining he's been doing all this time and that that would complete his character development and honestly, I'd be here for that too. I just want my mans to be happy, okay? Whatever it takes, I support him. <3 That said, I am VERY concerned for all the pain my boy went through in the Upside Down, and when he said the thing about stuff in his lungs?? Not good. I am concerned. People on this hell site are saying they think Steve's gonna die, and all I'm saying is, NO HE WILL NOT! NO NO NO NO NO! IF I BELIEVE IT WON'T HAPPEN, IT WON'T HAPPEN GODDAM*IT! I WANT MY MANS TO HAVE A HAPPY ENDING WITH HIS LOVELY LITTLE FOUND FAMILY AND ALL OF HIS CHILDREN AND FIND A GIRL AND JUST LIVE HIS LIFE GOSH DARNAT!! YOU BETTER NOT KILL HIM!! (Also side note, Nancy and Robin immediately running to his aid when he almost fell over in the Upside Down and each of them helping in their own special way I just....help my heart burst again.)

Okay okay. I'll try to organize this to some degree, so keeping on the topic of characters, this show's ability to change my opinions of people is absolutely INSANE and I am still living for it (seriously--how could I have EVER hated Steve?). Like, absolutely hated Karen and Billy for the longest time, but loved and respected them both by the end of Season 3 (which, side note to that--absolutely loving the fact that all the parents came together knowing full well that their kids weren't murderers, but also, they picked a really awkward time to actually be worried about said kids' whereabouts lol). That said, I have SO many mixed feelings about Sam Owens and Martin Brenner that I don't even know what do with myself. I kind of love them both, I think?? But, like, I hate their methods?? But, like, their methods worked?? Also, like, Dr. Brenner is clearly still a shady dude, but, like, he also clearly cared about the kids and I don't know what to do with that information?? Also, like, Sam Owens clearly cares about Eleven, but he still manipulated her and put her into a situation that tortured her and I just...UGH! So many mixed feelings about those two men and I want to like them but I want to hate them but I don't really want to do either and just...UGH. 001/Peter/Henry/Vecna/?? Same idea. I REALLY didn't trust him from the second we met him, but also, he was REALLY nice to El, but also, it felt very manipulative, but also, he's evil, but also, he saved her life, but also...I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE I JUST DON'T TRUST ANYBODY EXCEPT OUR CONFIRMED GOOD GUYS (AKA PARTY MEMBERS) OKAY?! (Also I know some of y'all were saying that you felt like the ending was too predictable but, like, I don't think it was supposed to be as big of a twist as a lot of people are acting like it was. Plus, just because you figured it out right before they told you doesn't mean it wasn't a twist lol. It just means they effectively managed to put all of the pieces in place for you. That said, I sincerely doubt ANY of you figured out that Peter was also Henry, 'cause that would be pure psychic ability in my opinion lol.) With THAT said, absolutely loved the attempt at showing Eleven (I still can't decide if I should call her El or Eleven or Jane help what do I do?? XD) having a dark side that was then completely demolished by what actually happened. I loved all the themes of dark versus light and anger/sadness/fear versus goodness (very Star Wars and Harry Potter dark side versus light side vibes) that all still inevitably led to El being a genuinely amazing superhero who only wants to do good in this world. I just love that we keep seeing elements of her backstory that just continue to prove that she is wonderful and I am HERE FOR IT. <3

Okay, all of that out of the way, new characters! Argyle was an absolute beauty from minute one and I am so glad that Jonathan finally found a friend to confide in and help him let loose. He needed that so badly and Argyle is literally the best. <3 Eddie gave me bad vibes at first and then immediately became an absolute dope and sweetheart and I loved him for that. I am so glad he isn't dead. So did Enzo, and then he quickly became a beloved character and I was so worried he was gonna die and I'm glad he didn't. As an opposite, Yuri gave me very fun and silly vibes and I loved him and then he betrayed us, so f him. Also, Jason gave me very sweet and good vibes and now I just want him to go the f away. Like, I know he's grieving. I know he's traumatized. I get it. But, like, chill the f out dude. Go away. No one likes you. That said, as someone who has had a lot of bad experiences with sports and sports teams, I was very impressed with how caring the basketball team actually was, and how much they actually supported each other. That's the upside to sports when it works out that way, and I feel like you don't actually get to see it that much. Also, I felt so bad for Chrissy and Fred. And Patrick. This whole season's plot line gave me very strong Supernatural vibes from the Bloody Mary episode (iykyk), and it just made me so sad for every single one of them. That said, my stepmom has a theory that the reason Patrick got taken is because his secret guilt was that he and Chrissy got together and Chrissy was pregnant with HIS baby, not Jason's--hence, guilt. I could totally see that, and I hope they confirm something like that.

All of that said, Lucas is such an amazing, underrated character and I love him for it. Watching him be on the fence about what side he was on hurt at first, and it was actually making me mad at him, but I absolutely ADORED the fact that the second his friends were in legitimate danger, there was no question who he was gonna believe, and he was all in with his friends (even though they abandoned him at the game, and as happy as I was to see Erica be in his place and see both sides respectively win--D&D and basketball--it hurt that they didn't get to see Lucas take the winning shot). ALSO! This man's support of Max I CANNOT. She broke up with him to pull away and be as distant as possible and the WHOLE TIME he was like "nah, this isn't right", but he STILL gave her the space she needed until he absolutely knew he could not anymore and then he finally knocked some sense into her and that's what eventually pulled her out (don't worry, I'll get there) and I just...not enough people stan Lucas. Stan Lucas. He is a wonderful human being and deserves all the love and attention. Thank you for your service, Lucas.

Also, very last thing: Suzie. I know we didn't get much of her, but GOD I love her. Absolutely loved that we got to see her chaotic family of little geniuses. Absolutely LOVED that she and Dustin are still together, and that she broke all of her moral codes to not only raise his grade, but to inevitably help save the world again under the guise that it was for him. I just love her and I think she and Dustin are perfect for each other and it's beautiful.

Also also (I know I said last thing, leave me alone), I do want to give a special shout-out to Erica, who is still sassy as all heck in all the best ways and covered for Lucas for so long and then hopped right into the fray like it was nothing when it was time to save the world again and I just love her okay?

Okay okay. Now more on character relationships. First, small thing: absolutely LOVING the Byers family dynamics. I ADORE protective brother Will Byers. The faces he makes when El is in trouble, and the way he literally sympathy-cried with her after the bullying and did everything he could to try to protect her and help her--I have a sibling thing and I CAN'T, okay? Also, Jonathan and Will just always calling themselves her brothers and Joyce always calling herself El's mom and saying she has three kids I just...we really didn't get a lot of that dynamic because it all split off so quickly and we just didn't get a lot of the Cali family in general because they couldn't do much and as much as I loved every piece we got, I would totally love to see more of it. <3 <3 Anyways, speaking of Joyce... Joyce and Murray and Hopper and Yuri and Enzo and EVERYTHING that came with that oh my GOD! Joyce and Murray are such a power duo I CANNOT! Their sass with each other and yet amazing planning skills are just SO good. They balance each other so well and it's such a fun, yet productive and forward thinking relationship and I LOVE it. Also, Murray, you black belt in karate--I love you sir. Hopper and Enzo? Similar vibe, but for different reasons. Like, honestly, seeing the way their relationship developed throughout with Enzo trying to help him and then Hopper helping Enzo and then the two of them helping each other and just having each other's backs was so good and I absolutely loved it. Also, loved how close they got so quickly. Another situation of trauma bringing people together, but this time in just the right way. Hopper opening up about his daughter was so depressing, but also made so much sense, and it segued nicely into Enzo talking about his own son and god I really hope those two stay friends because I loved it. (Also can we just talk about Jim Hopper continuing to be the biggest bada*s ever and just kicking a bunch of Russian a*ses and blowing up their shed and literally BREAKING HIS FEET and still running through miles of snow and successfully pilfering fire materials to take on the demogorgon and never backing down even when there was a thought he was gonna give up like I just--) Anyways... THAT JOYCE AND HOPPER REUNION WAS SO LONG OVERDUE OMG WHEN I TELL YOU I WAS CRYING I JUST-- I want more, but I don't even NEED more, because it was done SO well just in that few minutes! Like, the shock on their faces, then Joyce just shifting to relief and just diving into him and Hopper not really believing it right away and then finally assessing that Joyce IS IN FACT in front of him and is OKAY and they are TOGETHER AGAIN and then just the RELIEF and the SMILE and I just OMG I'M CRYING AGAIN HELP! I can't WAIT to see his reunion with El. (Oh, by the way, side note? Angela had it coming. F*ck her.)

Okay okay. I think that's a good majority of my characterization stuff. I do have one more big thing (I wonder what it could be...), but I'm saving that for the end.

Okay. Cinematography. Dude. Look. I KNOW the cinematography was good. The cinematography has ALWAYS been good. But, like, the TRANSITIONS man. I just CAN'T with this show. The transitions from the upside down to the real world and back, like, especially when they were all riding the bikes?? OMG! SO GOOD! And I KNOW a lot of people are talking about it, but I have to say it again--"Dear Billy"? That was a MASTERPIECE on SOOOOO many levels. Cinematically, musically, storywise (don't worry, I'll hit both of those things too). It was just SO good. I continue to praise this show on its visuals, and Season 4 just upped the ante even more and I love them for that.

Okay okay, speaking of "Dear Billy".... Music being the connection back to life? Memories of friendship and love being the key to your escape? OH MY GOD I CAN'T! As a future music teacher whose goal in life is literally to be able to help students connect with themselves and their emotions through music, that spoke to me on such a personal level. And as someone who values friendship as highly as I do, the support from her friends being part of what was able to bring her back and help her escape, even when she had pushed them away for so long just had my heart going BONKERS. That whole sequence was SO beautiful and SOOO well done. Everything with Max's character in that episode was so good, with the letters--specifically her letter to Billy--, the support from her friends, her talk with Lucas, everything. The visuals. The music. Her positive memories and which ones stuck out to her the most, her running to her friends as they desperately called for her and the way they all just CLUNG to her when she came back. AHHHHHH!! I'M SCREAMING!!! IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I CANNOT EVEN EXPRESS IN WORDS HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS!!! (Also as a side note to that, the sound editing and music in this season was also particularly good and I KNOW they did that on purpose with the themes they had created and I am HERE for it.)

Okay okay. Last small thing before I get into my other major thing. Absolutely LOVED the Easter eggs, references, and homages. My stepmom and I agreed that, with Season 3, some of the references felt very gimicky and fanservice-y, but with this season, it was never in your face, and they were often VERY subtle and tied in perfectly. There were so many homages to classic horror movies (The Nightmare on Elm Street, Alien, Silence of the Lambs), INCLUDING the LITERAL Freddie Krueger playing Victor Creel. How cool is that?? Also, the 80s nostalgia didn't feel as in your face. Rather, it was much more subtle and hinted at throughout, to the point where we were often looking things up to make sure we were catching the references correctly, and that was honestly such a fun thing to have and see.

Okay. Here it comes. The moment you've all been waiting for (well, some of you)...

If you watched that season and STILL don't think Will Byers is pining for his best friend, I'm sorry, but you're wrong.

Everyone has a right to their opinion, obviously. But yours is wrong. Sorry not sorry. XD XD

Kidding. Kidding.

But in all seriousness, WHEN DO WE GET THE CONFESSION?! WHEN DO WE GET IT?!

You cannot, CANNOT tell me that between:

"Crazy together." "It's not my fault you don't like girls." The ENTIRE kindergarten speech in Season 2. "He doesn't deserve that." THE SECRET PAINTING. "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?” (and, of course...) "*tender, emotional music playing*"

Will is not in love with Mike.

You can't. I'm sorry. The evidence is against you, and you are wrong.

Now, does Mike reciprocate? That is the big question, isn't it?

Some people say yes, because he's never told El he loves her. I disagree. I think Mike DOES love El, a lot, but his love language is different than hers. He has a LOT of ways of showing he cares--he just struggles to express his feelings out loud, and I think that's totally reasonable and totally okay. It's something he's been struggling with since day one, and it's something he'll HOPEFULLY learn to get better at by the end of the show. THAT SAID, does this mean a part of him could not also love Will? Not necessarily. I'm sure at some point in time, and maybe even potentially still, there IS a part of him that has loved Will on a deeper level, and I mostly say this because Finn and several other cast members have hinted at it in the press for Season 4. But here's the thing. I think Mike is very much stuck on the idea that Will is his best friend and nothing more, and that El is his girlfriend and always should be. I think, initially, I wanted to read the awkward hug as him maybe developing feelings, but after Mike explained it the way he did, about missing him and not knowing how to handle it, it made sense. Mike is really bad at dealing with and expressing his emotions, and unfortunately, Will gets the short end of that a lot, as does El, to be honest. In any case, I think his closed-minded thinking about the whole thing will get in the way. Does it leave the door open for him to learn and grow and maybe understand how he truly feels about both of them more in the future? Yes. Do I think it's officially gonna happen? No. What I DO think is gonna happen, and what I HOPE TO GOD happens, is Will finally confessing to Mike how he feels. There is a part of me that still firmly believes that Mike already knows that Will is gay (I'm just saying it at this point, I don't care if they've canonically confirmed it or not. He is. How can he not be?). How else would we get the "It's not my fault you don't like girls" line and the visceral reaction from Will that came with it? That's a MOMENT, because it's a moment where Mike revealed Will's biggest secret and used it against him. At least, that's my theory. That said, let's assume that, for some reason, Mike doesn't really know for sure. Either way, we are BOUND to get a coming out/confession scene from Will sometime in the near future. There is WAY too much set-up for them not to, and if they don't, I'm going to be VERY upset, and I'm not usually one to get upset about a lack of queer follow-through in a show, but this one would bother me. Why? Again: Too. Much. Set-Up. Like I said above, between several of the lines they've exchanged, the way the two of them interact, and just the general way that Will constantly stares at Mike and clearly puts him above anyone else, he is pining HARD, and he NEEDS to tell Mike, and I REALLY think he's working his way up to telling him. More importantly, I REALLY think the painting is a painting of Mike. It HAS to be. Why else would it be SO important for him to keep it on him? Why else is it so important that it stays a secret? Because the first person he wants to see it, is Mike, because it HAS to be a part of Will admitting his feelings.

Now, all of that said, I think it's VERY likely that Will is going to admit his feelings and get rejected, OR, that Will being who he is, is going to admit his feelings knowing full well that Mike is in love with someone else and be okay with that, but simply wanting to tell Mike the truth. And honestly, I'm okay with that. I know a lot of people aren't, but as much as I love Byler, I do love the Mileven relationship too, and I think, ultimately, Will is going to be happy having told Mike the truth, whether they end up together or not. And honestly, as long as I get my gay confession--because he is at the VERY least gay (I suppose he could be bisexual or pansexual or something, but he's NOT straight, I can tell you that much) and I will not back down from that argument, no matter how hard anyone tries--I'll be happy.

That said, please note you will be seeing ALL of the Byler content coming up now, because if I thought Season TWO confirmed Will's feelings, I had another thing coming. XD

Alright alright. I think I'm officially done, and I think that was the gist of everything I had to say. I know I missed a LOT, because there is a LOT to unpack with that season, but seriously, this was BY FAR my favorite. The character relationships were SOOO beautifully done and SOOO well developed, and my heart was constantly being torn apart and burst and torn apart and burst over and over again in all the best ways and I LOVED it!! Do I love that it ended on a cliffhanger? No. Was I expecting it to end on much worse? Yes. So I'll totally take what we got. That said, you better believe I am counting down the days until Volume II comes out, and until then, I'll be re-watching as much as I can, because this season was seriously INCREDIBLE, and my emotions are THROUGH the roof, both good and bad.

Thank you, Duffer Brothers. I'm excited to see what comes next.

P.S. One more shout-out for Steve Harrington, just because I'm hoping if I send enough love his way, they won't decide to kill him off.

P.P.S. Was the Watergate just a reason for Joe Keery to be shirtless? Possibly. Am I mad about it? Not in the slightest. <3 <3

I'm doing okay could be better but you know how life can be sometimes :/

But yeah I loved season 1 so much, I loved this little found family who was just dealing with normal life. Season 2 already went into a direction I didn't like, idk about the plot in s3 tho. I just saw jiara scenes because they are all over twitter and yeah I just don't want that. I want platonic relationships and if they need to have romantic relationships just add characters from the outside. I didn't mind Sarah and John B dating because Sarah wasn't in that group for years.

I'm currently still in my Stranger Things phase and when s4 came out they also did me dirty with Stancy. Even though it's still better than obx the show after s2 also started to focus more on the shipping aspects than platonic relationships. I could send you an essay on how much character relationships suffered because of shipping and too much plot for too little time, but I won't lmao. I can get very annoying about those aspects.

Idk if I should give it a try I'll wait for more spoilers and determine if it's worth it. What is it with shows which started off strong with believable plot and tight characterisation but then decided just throw in whatever action shit we need to be bigger on that. Also give me back 20+ episodes per seasons, I need more filler episodes which gives the characters time to develop. 😭

- obx anon

i unfortunately do know how life can be, i hope it’s not being too tough on you and whatever is causing you issues clears up quickly and easily lovely!

i loved sarah and john b. but then they had to pull the topper and marriage crap in season 2 and now it’s so much. i am hoping season 3 is a bit better for them.

i agree that there is too much plot for the amount of episodes given in a season, specifically in shows such as obx. stranger things some how makes it work, but i honestly think it shows better show writing on their part. and, i have hope that the duffer brothers won’t backpedal on steve nor nancy’s character development by putting them together again. i have a feeling their sudden interest in each other pointed to two things (the upside down being stuck in 1983 and nancy getting restless in her life) and was essentially used as a plot device. but i would love to hear your takes on character development and such! it’s definitely an issue with shorter seasons.

i am gonna watch it, but i am gonna take it at the pace i can. i was not a big fan of season 2, so idk how i will feel about season 3, but my lovely sources have reassured me about it. i also think we need to get back to longer seasons with 20+ or at least around 15 episodes. the go go go is a lot in shows these days. so much happens but at the same time, nothing happens.

Why do you think the writers pushed Stancy this much if they are not intending to make them a couple again? It seems a pointless writing choice, could be bad writing but I really do not get why they chose this road. It was very reductive for each character involved. It was bad for Nancy because she almost did emotionally cheat again... now are we just recycling the drama? The writers could have made Steve and Nancy as just friends but they did not have to introduce Steve's crush on Nancy again, it was reductive for Steve's character and they de-arced him. It was annoying especially with the matchmaker trope. They literally made 3 characters push for Stancy's relationship, Dustin, Robin and Eddie. What did that matchmaking discussions even achieve? These characters have nothing going on for their dynamic most of the time expect for pushing Stancy. We know that it is not going to happen anyway, so we are just gonna watch Steve moving on from Nancy for the third time already so the whole thing is just reductive and unnecessary at best, and that screen time could have been given to other things.

okay. let’s assume the writers aren’t pushing endgame stancy. why would they revive a long abandoned romance plot?

just to say, “don’t worry guys, we’re definitely not doing stancy.”? (just really stupid)

to have nancy and steve gain closure from their relationship? (if so, they could’ve just given them a platonic relationship)

to reiterate nancy choosing jonathan (if so, they could’ve just written nancy as having feelings towards steve, there would be no reason to make them reciprocal)(but also just useless anyway, there was no need to reiterate it)

so when they kill off steve it’s more emotional? (this is the stupidest reason to me, it already would’ve been sad enough with dustin and robin, we don’t need nancy to be sad steve won’t get a future)

because nancy will end the show single, dumping jonathan and ending any possibility with steve? (no need for steve to be involved, nancy could’ve just dumped jonathan)

to fulfil steve’s character arc in realising he doesn’t need romance to be happy (pretty much already resolved in s3, no need to include nancy, and no need to have nancy feel things for steve)

so they could drag out the barb trauma again? (could’ve still worked with platonic stancy, no need to make it romantic)

i cannot think of a single reason to have spent the entire season focusing on stancy if they aren’t going to get back together. and honestly, if the show ends on jancy after spending s4 with nancy and steve making eyes at each other; i have to assume they’re just bad writers.

especially considering how much was sacrificed purely to show nancy and steve were still attracted to each other (other character dynamics, a well written character arc for eddie, a more solid ending for lucas and the jocks, and wtf happened to the mob?? or like you said, the three matchmakers, those convos could’ve been actual bonding scenes) …it just doesn’t make sense if they aren’t trying to end the show on stancy.

the thing with steve is, i could understand writing him as having feelings for nancy again. he’s in a tense situation, and thinks he may be about to die, and three people have told him to go for it (steve is a character that is easily led by others opinions). steve is desperate for love and attention, though none of his romantic relationships have worked since nancy. it does make sense that if he blames himself for the ending of the relationship, that he may think that now he’s changed, there’s a chance they could work out. however, and this is gonna sound harsh, i just don’t think the duffers are good enough at writing steve to have thought of this. steve exists within stranger things as a comedic relief character. who’s most poignant moments are almost always not on purpose (steve and dustin, steve and robin) or entirely forgotten by the next episode. the second issue is that if this plot line is solely steve backsliding into nancy, then why was nancy flirting back? if the writers are so invested in jancy, why have nancy emotionally connect to steve?

i honestly can’t figure it out. knowing the writers, it may just end up going nowhere, steve is a character that isn’t really consistently written (he was tortured by russians in s3 and yet seemingly everyone’s forgotten that), so it may be that we start s5 and everyone’s already forgotten about the confession. or maybe the duffers will pull it out of the bag and have an incredible character arc for all of them that none of us could’ve seen coming. but i’m not holding out hope.

so… yeah. this is probably an unsatisfying answer, but i honestly cannot think of a single logical reason to drag nancy and steve back into a relationship, if it isn’t going to go anywhere.

and if it was purely so we have to watch steve get emotionally crushed once again, i may actually go insane.