The Erasure of Jonathan Byers.
Jonathan and Nancy’s breakup was the final nail in the coffin for Matt and Ross Duffer completely dismantling Jonathan Byers as a character (and Nancy Wheeler too, but I’ll write about that in another post) in order to serve a last-minute, nonsensical narrative they thought was good.
Jonathan starts the series as a hyper-responsible teenager, essentially co-parenting with his mother and acting as the “man of the house”, not just because he’s the oldest son, but because he actually has responsibilities in keeping the household afloat, working extra shifts at just 16 years old and taking care of his 12-year-old brother due to their economic situation.
As seasons 1 and 2 unfold, we see that he’s interested in art, specifically photography; that his only friend is his 12-year-old brother who had gone missing; that he’s dealing with the trauma of an abusive father; and with a society where sexism and patriarchy affect him too, alongside a mother who is overprotective only toward his younger brother.
Nancy Wheeler is, until season 4, his only other friend, and his girlfriend. With her, Jonathan finally softens. He laughs more. He allows himself to exist beyond survival mode. Their relationship is fundamentally one of equals, despite the very real differences between them in class and gender. They respect each other, admire each other, and genuinely love each other.
In season 4, their conflict isn’t a lack of love, it’s Emerson College. Jonathan doesn't apply and chooses not to tell Nancy because he’s willing to give it up so she won’t sacrifice her future for him. That’s not immaturity. That’s tragic self-denial rooted in years of scarcity and responsibility.
Argyle, Jonathan’s first real friend outside of Nancy and Will in S4 is completely erased. Jonathan no longer touches a camera. His mental health is never addressed. Joyce continues to overlook him. His one space of emotional expansion is gone. His growth is reversed.
Jonathan’s defining trait has always been self-sacrifice, shaped by poverty, abuse, and the necessity of growing up too fast. His growth was never supposed to be abandoning responsibility, but learning that he, too, deserves care, love, and a future. Jonathan doesn’t outgrow sacrifice; the writers simply stop caring about what it meant.
And on top of all of that, the Duffers decide that the “realistic” conclusion is to have him break up with Nancy Wheeler, effectively negating his entire arc and sending him back to square one.
Actually, not even square one.
Because now, he doesn’t even have his camera.
