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Shoutout to Alan for being so vulnerable, appreciate that man.

Another character I absolutely loved in this series was Mr. Clarke. He never questioned the group (even if their questions maybe made no sense or were super far fetched), and always made it very clear that he was invested in their curiosity and learning.

Such a great show and so well written. Thanks for the episode guys!

Your friendship is the ideal. Thank you for showing that tears are acceptable for men. You guys are wonderful example.

Fun Fact: Steve was initially conceived as a typical brutish jock who forces himself on Nancy, but that changed after they cast Joe Keery, which worked a lot better. Steve and Dustin's Bromance is so wholesome, especially when they apologise to each other. Please do a Steve video, about his transformation into a doting babysitter.

Fun Fact: Eddie's "I love you, man" was improvised. So the actor for Dustin yes and'd it.

Also, I’ll be honest, I bawled when Bob died because I love Sean Astin and he was an amazing character. I miss him.

Welp, guess I’m crying today

Something small I like about how the Steve v Billy fight shows the contrast between healthy and toxic masculinity is that, if I remember correctly, after Billy has already pushed past Steve and gotten in the house, Steve hits him once, and then gives him the chance to leave. Steve doesn't immediately start trying to pummel Billy. He uses his physical strength to set the precedent that he will fight Billy to protect the kids, but he gives him the chance to leave first.

I will say the possible reason why Mike was so eloquent with his words to El may be attributed to his time as a DM. A good DM is a good storyteller, so he may have formatted his feelings in a way that tells a story.

One of my favourite things about the final season is the empathy and mercy Will shows to Henry - not Vecna, Henry. Despite all the awful things this manipulative abuser has done to him, at the final hour and when Henry is at his most vulnerable, instead of immediately going for the throat, Will's first instinct is to outstretch a hand, empathise with this fellow victim of abuse and ask him to join them against the Mindflayer. Now, I love that they chose for Henry to double-down on his decision to work with the Mindflayer, and didn't go for a cheaper "and now they're all friends!", but I think it shows a lot of Will's character as a survivor.

I would love to see an episode on compassion and empathy between all the characters.

Thanks for pointing out that being strong doesn't just mean physically, but mentally as well. Mike is very supportive of El, and Bob, while not being traditionally masculine, still helps the group with his knowledge of technology, and loves Will and Jonathan like they were his own boys. I was happy that he was the genuine article, a sweet, loving boyfriend for Joyce.

There's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in season 5 episode 7 in the scene where Mike (with El, Hop, etc.) enters the Upside Down for the first time to look for Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan. When they reunite, Dustin literally runs into Mike's arms, and they have a huge, tender hug. It stands out to me every time I watch the episode (which is a lot) because of how unapologetically unafraid they are to show how much they love each other despite being two straight guys in the 80's. And I think Finn, Gaten, Caleb, and Noah have been so great at modeling that same type of positive masculinity over the years!

I definitely think will's moment of stepping into his power is the highlight of the season 5. It felt quite like a great moment of payoff of will's powerlessness and finally gaining power through self acceptance.

To see so many young people just 100% supporting each other is so gratifying. The friendships I have at 48 years old are born from that kind of love and respect. We look at each other, recognize each other's faults, and hold each other up anyway. Love is love. When you love each other, great things can be achieved.

A psychology of a hero for eleven or a villain therapy for Henry/Vecna would be great!!

I open YouTube. I saw Steve Harrington. I clicked.

Billy is basically Steve if he never redeemed himself in the first season. He acts macho to mask his inner trauma and past, but it only serves to alienate himself from the others. He arguably gets his redemption when he saves Max.

Steve is my favorite character, but man do I love Lucas. Anyone who got a Lucas in their life is incredibly lucky and I hope they know it.

Second comment! (sorry)

I have to get something off my chest about Steve in Season 1 that many people often overlook.
Namely, the events of Season 1 from Steve's perspective.

There's Jonathan, a classmate he barely knows, whose brother disappears.
Later, Jonathan shows up at Steve's house in the middle of the night and takes photos of Steve, his friends, and Nancy. We know why Jonathan is there, but Steve doesn't. The police have at most asked his parents if they've seen Will and probably kept this matter from their teenage son.

Barbara eventually disappears, which Steve takes seriously after some initial uncertainty. Then the photos come out.
I understand 100% why Steve did what he did with the camera. He has ALWAYS been a protector, and Steve probably pulled himself together at that moment and decided not to do anything more, precisely because he knows that Jonathan's brother has disappeared.

Later, Steve distances himself from Nancy/gives her space because of Barbara, only to tell her later that he is there for her.
The next thing that happens is that Steve worries about Nancy, stops by her place, and sees Jonathan in her room, both arm in arm.

What are you supposed to think? Especially after everything Steve knows about Jonathan and Nancy's mental state.
The graffiti incident and the fight with Jonathan were an emotional knee-jerk reaction that Steve quickly realizes.


And Steve reacts quite quickly after realizing this. He cuts his two toxic friends out of his life, cleans up the mess, and drives to Jonathan's house to apologize to him.

In season 1, I see Steve as a teenager who makes understandable human mistakes out of emotion and pain, becomes aware of them, acts accordingly, and becomes a better person as a result.