I COULD WRITE A FUCKING ESSAY ABOUT DUSTIN HENDERSON.
OKAY I'M STARTING WITH A BIT IN THE STEVE AND DUSTIN RESOLUTION.
YOU CAN TELL YOU CAN TELL IT SO BAD THAT DUSTIN IS TERRIFIED OF LOSING STEVE. IF WHAT HE SAID ISNT ENOUGH THEN JUST THINK ABOUT IT. HIS EYES. HIS SHEER TERROR. HE REPEATED HIMSELF OVER AND OVER.
He repeated himself. begging steve not to die. Begging over and over, likely not realizing that he is repeating himself because as soon as he breaks down he's back in the upside down 18 months ago with a dying Eddie in his arms begging him not to go. he holds on tight because he felt like he didnt hold on tight enough to eddie and it hurts him and he just can't lose Steve. he can't. And the realization from Steve about why Dustin had been acting like that, the realization of how much pain Dustin was in and the realization of how he has to be there for Dustin, it dawns on him so instantly and he immediately locks into the role, holding Dustin and reassuring him.
THAT. was beautiful. THAT SCENE. dustin's entire emotional arc, this whole time has been amazing. Dustin's character is literally the best. He isnt just a comic relief, he is there to show people that kids can struggle. that people get unhealthy coping mechanisms, shows people how to NOT treat those suffering from loss. shows that even the people who originally were "meant to be funny" or always perky or always doing amazing have the ability to HURT.
And gaten, dont even get me STARTED on gaten. he is genuinely such an amazing actor, you can see and feel all if his thoughts and emotions and gaten delivers everything EXCELLENTLY. even early in his depressed stage here, whenever he is still reflecting Eddie, gaten does SUCH a good job to show that husk of Dustin and that metaphorical costume of Eddie that Dustin is wearing. Gaten masters EVERYTHING. the good moments, the bad moments, and the heart-wrenchingly sad ones. he MAKES the audience feel what he and his character are. it's excellent.
And that, THAT is why Dustin is my favourite character, and why gaten is my favourite actor.