Dustin and Steve and S5 deaths,
okay so I know this is a stretch and not at all related especially with the disconnect of the three franchises I’m about to mention. I grew up on the original Suicidesquad2016 movie and Zombieland 2009, both center around groups brought together by apocalyptic circumstances, undercurrents of trauma, some resentment, and misunderstanding fueling comedic and relatable conflict. Now, I love the vibes of stranger things in relation to these movies bc the attachment of characters to eachother in the main party atleast - is already established, like in Zombieland there are the sisters. Now I wanna talk about everyone’s focus around the “you die, I die” message sent between Steve and Dustin throughout the show’s seasons. Now, in Suicidesquad2016 (something I’m sure the duffer brothers detest and laugh at in equal measure) there’s a significant moment in which Harley (most reckless and self destructive atp) has to admit along w everyone else that agent Flagg is infact important. Deadshot throws the line “he dies, we die” - it moves everyone to work together for the first time as Flagg is not only their mission but also a kind of unifying commiseration piece. They all agree he’s awful to deal with and a chore. It later unspoken shifts from a “ur our problem” to a “one for all, all for one” type deal. Now I’m sure a million other lines along “you die, I die” have flown in other media, but I can’t help but draw the connection. A narrative that follows a tight knit group, where some are very attatched to eachother and others have an undercurrent of unsaid emotions running high in apocalyptic circumstances ? Saying phrases about mutually insured destruction in the sense they’ll not make it without eachother??? The chances of making it, only working if they’re perfectly in sync and abandon their own issues for the sake of a greater goal? The only reason the suicide squad made it in the first movie was because they understood there was an ending where NONE of them made it - no middle ground. And in stranger things, steve has held it together so long because he understands there’s an ending where NONE of them made it, not him, robin, or the kids. Same with the party, it’s an understanding that trumps the conflict. To echo Lucus, I don’t believe in coincidences, and considering the “shock jock” ep coming soon, and Steves arc coming to close, and Dustin’s needing another catalyst, I can’t help but worry about the amount of mutual suicidal sacrifices about to be made.
