And I'm just gonna say it. The good guys are assholes. It is BONKERS to me how much these writers have convinced themselves that having been a nerd or bullied once in your life justifies being a bully yourself. It's ironic because much of stranger fandom likes to accuse anyone who defends Billy as believing that, when the show itself rubber stamps the constant belittling and yes bullying, of a character they claim to love. With S5 the Duffers have said with their whole chest that Steve's place in the group is as something other than the real heros. He's a punching bag for them and free labor. He's given no respect or consideration, and despite him making all the same sacrifices and showing all the same dedication as every other member of the group, he is the only one still having to prove he's something other than just a dumb rich jock.
It's a show, but it honestly leaves me feeling so gross. Ew. What in the entitled victim complex gone wrong is all that. Especially since they are continuing to reinforce the idea that Steve and Robin are 'sames', while layering their 'I'm clever too' moments in these quirky bits that are heavily coded as neurodivergent behavior. Quite on accident I am sure, the Duffers have allowed Maya and Joe to drive their characters to this place where they are poster children for adhd and autism - and I can't express enough how much that scratches my brain just right - but I also know that all of this is nothing more than jokes to the writters and that's the problem.
Steve and Robin aren't as smart as the others and they arrive at conclusions in dumb silly ways. Hillarious.
Anyway Steve's friends suck. I will forever be rescuing this man through Billy’s love and the power of realizing your own value and telling the naysayers to get bent.