To people in the fandom who are still mentally and emotionally struggling or trying to make coherence out of non-coherence:
Byler is canon. Not in the sense that there was a kiss or direct verbal confirmation (not even from Will’s side if we’re being technical), but in the sense that the creators—through the language of media—let you, the perceptive viewer, know that Mike’s and Will’s feelings, though complicated, are mutual. They told you to pay attention and you did.
Do not listen to what the Duffers are saying out loud because they are speaking in coded language anyway. Pay attention to what is right before your eyes and ears (in the framing, music, and yes, even words if you understand both the language of film and the language of the show, itself).
The Duffers are a lot of things (🙃), and they aren’t handling it in the best way because of competing and conflicting motivations and interests, but they are professional filmmakers and had a very large budget and talented crew. And that talented crew of professionals and actors gave us what they could (and it’s a lot), so those of us who have eyes to see and ears to hear would know what doesn’t need to be said.
And I know we wanted it “out loud”, but we may never get that, or we may only get it in some distant minor revelation in a document or interview when guards are down and competing interests aren’t as salient.
Don’t spend energy arguing with people who won’t get it. All things aren’t meant for all people. People are free to interact with art in the way they want and at the level they are capable. I personally like to debate sometimes, but if it’s draining you more than feeding you or changing you in ways that aren’t beneficial, you should let it go.
I’m going to start focusing more on the edits, music, literature, ARG discourse, and art in general that has come from such a beautiful and complicated ship. I honestly think out of all the relationships in the show, we actually came out on top in the end. Our edits and stories are easier to make and have so much heart because it’s all there. In the canon work. Right in front of our eyes. And as we know…
