#basementgate

[bylerphobic]

if byler actually have their first kiss in mike’s basement then does that mean crazy together was foreshadowing their first kiss?? … this is information i am simply incapable of being normal about

[boyfriendsmalec]

Evidence For Basementgate

Or, the theory that Will and Mike's confession/first kiss will take place in Mike's basement

So for my first and newest piece of evidence for Basementgate it's important to know that Netflix teamed up with Global, a UK radio company, to create the WSQK: The Squawk. It released soon before Season 5 premiered and is a real radio station that you can listen to. (x)

Now it's not just 80s songs, but there's also commercials with references to the varying Stranger Things seasons. But there's one commercial in particular one I found on Twitter that hints toward something Byler related.

Here's what is said during the commercial break:

"A little bit of that static on the line, must be that weird weather coming in. But it's coming in fast so hey if your reception drops, the basement, that's the best place you're going to hunker down. Get that good signal down there okay? So while you make a move downstairs keep aloft to WSQK." And then they start playing "Boys Don't Cry."

So the radio station suggests the best place to get reception is to go to the basement??? That's really odd considering basements are notably awful for receiving radio signals since they're underground.

And then this is followed up by saying "get that good signal down there, okay?" I made a whole other post about the importance of signals in this season, and the double meaning of the word signal. In this fake commercial I believe it's them subtly hinting at a romantic signal happening in the basement.

"So while you make a move downstairs..." For those that aren't native English speakers, allow me to explain this expression. "To make a move" on someone means to show you're interested in someone (in a romantic or a sexual way). This could be through a verbal action (confessing to someone, asking someone out) or through a physical action (like a kiss). So someone will be "making a move" on another person in a basement, okay...

Also I found another analysis talking about the WSQK commercial on Twitter which talks about the static symbolizing mixed messages (Will trying to interpret signals from Mike) and fast weather (snowball becoming an avalanche).

And then the commercial is followed by "Boys Don't Cry" which was a poster on Will's wall in S4.

Now here I'll add other evidence toward basementgate:

When Noah was asked at the Stranger Things premiere about his favorite filming location in Stranger Things he answered: "Mike's basement." Given that there's so many film locations he could've chosen, it's quite interesting of all places he chose that spot in particular. (Millie, in comparison, chose El's bedroom)

Shawn Levy said after filming Episode 7 he sat in the Wheeler basement for a while just processing everything (meaning they likely had just finished filming in the basement)

There's lots of emphasis placed on Mike's basement throughout the seasons. It's where they have their DnD sessions (Mike and Will's love language is DnD), Mike during the rain fight says: "What did you think really? That we'd never get girlfriends? That we'd sit in my basement all day and play games the rest of our lives?" And of course, Will now lives in Mike's basement too

The symbolism of basements: they can represent the subconscious mind and hidden emotions (and hidden desires)

Mike's basement also is a place Will and Mike seek refuge in time and time again. For DnD, for their group meetings, it's where they have their "crazy together" scene, it's a place where Mike plasters the walls with Will's artwork, it's a place where they can freely be themselves

[artbean]

spinning on that dizzy edge

[eeriesilkworm]

Loverslakegate truthers, I implore you to consider this alternative…

(I provide reasons why I still believe Lover’s Lake may have significance below…)

Shock Jock may be the episode where we get a perspective shift that focuses on Mike's character arc, including his repression, trauma, and mental health. ("Eyes on me! Eyes on me!")

There are many theories which suggest Mike is going to be targeted by Vecna, with the most textually obvious being that Nancy prophesied something happening to the Wheelers, yet thus far we've only seen Ted, Karen, and Holly be targeted.

(Also the fact they reshot the scene in which Max was cursed, when they didn't need to. Famously, Mike was sat next to her when this happened).

Also x 2 note that Nancy prophesied the dead soldiers and Downtown Hawkins on fire which we just saw happen in Sorcerer! According to Nancy's prophecy, what we can expect to see next is a giant creature with a gaping mouth (Tree flayer, I think?) and Mike's "death."

Naturally, if Mike is attacked by Vecna it will be psychically, through distorted memories and hallucinations intended to torment and mock him. That's Vecna's signature.

Then we have the evidence which suggests Will is going to be involved in a water stunt of some kind. (x).

To be honest, we have no real evidence to believe it must take place at Lover's Lake.

If Vecna's going to target Mike, mock his trauma, and make him feel guilt, shame, or disgust… he might make him relive his memory of discovering Will's body at Sattler's Quarry.

Mike's witnessed many horrible things, but this is the first textual example of Mike's trauma we have in the series.

Better yet, he might offer him a distorted version of this memory, forcing Mike to witness a vision of current-day Will drowning in the quarry.

It would make sense for Vecna to put Mike in a situation where he cannot save Will, especially considering Will just saved his life. It would make Mike feel impotent and guilty, and it's a great way to subtly suggest that Mike reciprocates Will's feelings without being too on-the-nose, considering they likely want to build Byler up until episode 7 or 8.

The alternative alternative theory is that Vecna mocks Mike's own near death attempt at jumping into the quarry — much like how he mocked Max's suicidal ideation.

Mike might find himself drowning in his hallucination, foreshadowed by #pipegate as Mike will be metaphorically drowning in his emotions.

I talk a little bit about why I think it might be appropriate for Mike or Will to experience some kind of near-death drowning sequence here and here. I think this still holds up even if it only happens in a vision and isn't "real."

And if Will isn't the one drowning, the reason he might be there is because he's able to tap into the hivemind, and may even be able to rescue Mike from inside his own mind (similar to piggybacking?).

After all, it's been hinted by the Duffers that we have not yet seen all that Will is capable of. ("You'll see how far he can take it as you continue to watch.")

Then again, I think it would be a bit much to sick a demogorgon onto Mike and have Will save him, only to then drown him and have Will save him again in the next episode. So, I think the former theory that Will has a "false" drowning and Mike attempts to rescue him is more likely.

Also, imagine the possibilty of a Frowise parallel. I would die. Mike and Will are so Samwise and Frodo-coded it's insane. But that's a caveat.

Allow me to present some additional evidence of #basementgate that may tie into Mike's potential Vecna sequence.

Noah has two BTS videos in which he reminisces on the D&D figurine and Will the Wise hat — both of which are directly related to scenes in the Wheeler's basement. He also filmed these videos in the Wheeler house in his Volume 2 clothing. (x, x)

Also, this video in which he's at the Wheeler's in a Scuba Max jacket. (x). Scuba Max is a company which sells diving gear and water safety equipment.

It's possible Mike and Will return to the Wheeler's at some point after this sequence to change their clothes or grab supplies. There's been some very suspicious hints on the WSQK radio that Mike and Will are going to get "good signal" in the basement... (x).

Oh, and I still think it's possible Lover's Lake plays a role in s5, especially since Lover's Lake contains a gate (#Watergate), and sits outside the boundaries of the wall in the Upside Down. (x). If they want to see what is past the wall, they might need to go through watergate!

(Thanks to @stkaai for providing this image!)

Many possibilities here, folks. I'm sure I've only got it half correct if that, but that's a part of the fun of speculative theories.

Also fun to imagine how #mixtapegate might play a role in this, if the "For Will" mixtape is in fact made by Mike. It might even be kept in the basement...

[whimsywheeelah]

basementgate come home to me

[mikewillbegay]

Idk if someone already said this but I saw this on TikTok and it’s actually crazy. Basementgate is real

[nightnut]

Hot take: milkvan kiss in 3x01 is a corrupted byler kiss p. 1

(Part 2 is here)

And before you say that I’m out of my gd mind, check this 👇

1. The unicorn

So I’ve been examining El’s things looking for cg details, and one of the first thing I see is a horse? Even a unicorn, which is horsegate, right? (Next to it there’s El’s dictionary, which is fair, and also some cassettes that mb should be studied more.)

But what can it symbolise you might wanna ask! And I want to thank you for this question because this unicorn is literally the first and big detail that we see right away, having such a meaning:

(Which emphasises that in the 80s it would definitely make sense to have it in the shot as a symbol.) Okay, cool 🥲 Let’s move on.

2. Mike’s photo from Halloween

having no connection to El whatsoever, but guess to whom Halloween might have a connection (something something crazy together). Why would El have exactly this photo on her table? Is it the only photo Mike has which he could give her? But guess who would have it logically if they dated ever since? Hmm.

3. The silver cat! Not sure if it feeds but it’s definitely there. The silver cat that feeds when blue meets yellow in the west. If it is originally a byler scene, would it mean the blue met yellow, and having a silver cat then would make sense? And guess what else is there: 1) another horse? 2) a heart with a rainbow 3) DRAWINGS

(Also a small details is that two last names on the shot are Russian, and even Michael Park could be Russian. Not sure if it’s important, but take it anyway as a 3s Russian-plot detail)

4. Now the most intriguing part

Firstly I noticed a mask that El probably took from Kali, which is an interesting detail itself, however what is even more interesting is semi-transparent editing of THE DRAWING OF PALADIN. We never focus on that, it’s never actually in the shot, but it is. It is hanging on the wall but it was shot playing with our attention. (Check the left side of the shots.)

Now tell me pls. Why THE FUCK would Mike gift her a drawing of Paladin? Or do you want to tell me that El is a person who actually draws? And she drew Paladin and left it on her wall? That she knows who that is?

Guys, honestly, unfortunately, I don’t know shit about D&D world, and only the sword gave it to me in this shot. But do you actually want to tell me that there’s another explanation why this drawing even exists in that room?!

4. The picture from Mike’s basement.

Could be a nice detail for milkvans, like, oh, look, he gave it to her!

But… do you really think Mike’s parents would give away a giant picture to… where exactly? To the girl about whom they don’t even know? That Mike would take it out of his basement? The most weird gift for 14 year olds. If Mike really wanted to do something nice to or for El, he could do anything but this, to be honest. It just doesn’t make sense. And I’ll tell you in the end of the post what does…

5. THE CLOTHES COLOURS 💛💙

Mind you, it is the same season where Mike and Will are associated with blue and yellow strongly! And watching this scene today, I got puzzled again, like, why El is even in that blue t-shirt?

And pay attention to the green wall of the room:)

When I rewatched this scene now a couple of times, trying to see every detail and REALISED THAT PALADIN WAS FUCKING THERE I had such a revelation OMG.

It’s not El. Never was!!!

And the blue t-shirt is Will’s t-shirt!!

Now, drawings on the table are of course Will’s drawings. The silver cat, the yellow and blue t-shirts, the fucking GREEN wall — all of it symbolising byler! And that damn picture hanging, again, initially in the basement… All the drawings on the wall — what does it remind you of??? Maybe Will’s drawings in the basement?

Doesn’t it give Will and Mike kissing there, Mike having Will’s drawing of him as Paladin, and the heart with a rainbow, like the one being there since season 1, is still there and never was taken out like the big picture never did?

I mean, technically, it’s another heart pic, but the concept is the same, and why wouldn’t it be corrupted this way too?

now if you have a question how it is possible: my nowadays theory is that ST got corrupted between s2 and s3 (same place where Tales will take part), changed the vibe in s3 and ever since have been getting flayed more and more; s2 ends with the Snowball leading to Hawkins being turned upside down, and the only thing that it was associated before was that the UD is still there, which was not the news. However, for some reason they showed us that turning. For showing evil they didn’t need to turn anything in the end of s1. And, as a hint, in 3x01 we even have Will’s clothing matching s5 dial’s arrow.

So, I believe, all these details from 3x01 tell that it was a basement byler kiss in the basement. Looks like it indeed was a double date with lumax in the cinema. And probably even Snowball happened the other way.

That would also explain side-lining Will in season 3 because he was lwk performed by El that season…

So am I right about all this? Fuck knows. But how can it have all this and mean nothing??? You don’t know? Me neither. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to go out and scream my head off. Have a good byler, y’all! We deserve it like no one else

[ Part 2 about music and butterflies;

bonus post about the drawing of Paladin ]

[azureroses1]

Now that we have the BraveByers universe may I propose that all the gates the Byler community has come up with are alternate universes of how Byler canonically got together .

All the different Mike and Will’s being flabbergasted that our Mike and Will aren’t together and form an alliance to get them together.

Into the bylerverse has a nice ring to it

Edit - if anyone wants to create fanart/write fics of this concept I’d find that really cool