Hug time! Pass this around and hug whoever you think is an amazing mutual 🌻❤️
awwww bea thank you so muchhhhh 💞💞💞 right back at you 🫶🫶🫶🥰🥰🥰
@sadiesinkobsessedsstuff @scoopstroopog @shadowyyyidk @wickeddreamer @iwanderbecauseimlost @numenoria @stormy-days-27 @leofromsomewhere @epitome-of-stupidity @thewisestsorcerer @sarkylittlemonster @te-de-frutillas @faguettism + all my other amazing mutuals!! sending you all big big hugs 🫶🫶💞🥰
@cheshire-smiley-fries @fliickergates @autistic-michael-queerler @aroacejanehopper @lightbulb1980 @messypaintersstuff @faguettism + all my other moots I love you all sm!! Sending big warm hugs your way 🫶💗✨️
I love you guys so much oh my gods 😭 biggest of the hugs to all of you!!
Right back at you @thewisestsorcerer :)) and also @heavenlee-makes-stuff @eclipsed-duck @skeletors-ass @randylastname @dungeonsanddragons1138 @theheavenleecollective @justlikeheavenbyler @thegayestaddams @frethepotatohunter @lightbulb1980 @messypaintersstuff + my amazing moots!! You guys are amazing ^^ <3333
OH MY GODDDFFFDFDFD MOOT TAGGED ME IN THIS THANK YOUUU!!!!💝 hugging you back @thegayestaddams luv youuuu🍀💝
@lovelyfinn @clairamustdie @buckleybeat @bylerlover99 @nemoutisbyler @serraturt-deactivated20260222 @columbinairlgirl @muselolyayxx @stxrfiish @annoyinggirl67 @refrigeratedcarmy @flickerblues @lemonwater37 @lucassinclair1fan @blueandyellowmeet @immenselyominouslocket @theupsidedownsprincess @hawkinshousewife + UHHH UHHH UH UHHHHH IDK HOW MANY MORE I WANNA PUT + ALL MY LOVELY SWEET MOOTS I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH BIG HUGS<33💝🍀🍰
one million hugh for this mutuals : @marsnerd @mikeandwillsweddingofficiant @karadoyoucopy @meet-me-at-midnights @moonywheeler @fuckthedufferbrothers @byersstars @girlkisser-md @ziggyzoomer @foreveradio + any of my another mutuals, love you all for ever and ever <3
npt: @space-girliee @istillwishforyouateleveneleven @ineffablelyqueerwolfstarshipper @urm0onagedaydream @em0tionallymotionsick @eli-evermore @epsilonstars @rain-on-the-moon @thatmusicaltheaternerd @lostinthefandomswitchs @ivymooon @foundheaven013 @velvetnemesis @b4rtyl1ci0us @nataliescatorcciolvr @natsguitar @moonybowie0209 @reggie-little-mermaid @sageinthe-stars and open sorry if you were alr tagged im eepy
tags: @fuckthedufferbrothers @coffeeistired @pansyisdead @thatoneartistthatforgetsalot @istillwishforyouateleveneleven @wolfstarwitch70 @reggie-little-mermaid @goosersellpapes and open, sorry if you were already tagged ^^
75. Percabeth -64
Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase, the Percy Jackson universe
76. Hucklerobby
Dennis 'Huckleberry' Whitaker & Michael 'Robby' Robinavitch, The Pitt
77. Bunnydoll
Jax & Ragatha, The Amazing Digital Circus
78. Wangxian -25
Lan Wangji & Wei Wuxian, Mo Dao Zu Shi
79. Shadowpeach -19
Sun Wukong & the Six-Eared Macaque, Lego Monkie Kid
80. Eternalberry
Hollyberry Cookie & Eternal Sugar Cookie, the Cookie Run franchise
81. Odypen
Odysseus & Penelope, EPIC: The Musical
82. Mizisua
Mizi & Sua, Alien Stage
83. Sterek
Stiles Stilinski & Derek Hale, Teen Wolf
84. Shadowvanilla
Pure Vanilla & Shadow Milk, the Cookie Run franchise
85. Moshang
Mobei-Jun & Shang Qinghua, The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System
86. Spideypool
Spider-Man & Deadpool, the Marvel universe
87. Davekat 0
Dave Strider & Karkat Vantas, Homestuck
88. Heavymedic
Heavy Weapons Guy & Medic, Team Fortress 2
89. Lumax
Lucas Sinclair & Max Mayfield, Stranger Things
90. Sonamy
Sonic the Hedgehog & Amy Rose, Sonic the Hedgehog
91. Rookanis
Rook & Lucanis Dellamorte, Dragon Age: The Veilguard
92. Zoeystery
Zoey & Mystery, KPop Demon Hunters
93. Poolverine -90
Wade Wilson & Logan Howlett, the Marvel universe
94. Everlark -12
Katniss Everdeen & Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games
95. Clois
Clark Kent & Lois Lane, Superman
96. Johnlock
John Watson & Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock
97. Agathario -21
Agatha Harkness & Rio Vidal, the Marvel universe
98. Stolitz -64
Stolas & Blitzo, Helluva Boss
99. Devil's Minion
Armand & Daniel Molloy, Interview with the Vampire & The Vampire Chronicles
100. Skystar
Skyfire & Starscream, Transformers
The number in italics indicates how many spots a ship moved up or down from 2024. Bolded ships weren’t on the list last year.
*And, it turnes out we love pure vanilla x shadow milk so much, our data actually pulled it twice. Woops! We hope you enjoy nonetheless, and thank you for understanding❣️
How did your ships fare this week? Did your faves make the cut? Any surprises? Tag your posts and commentary with #ships week 2026 to keep this party going. Thanks for joining us. Now, go forth and keep doin what you're doin tumblr <3
Currently Reading: How Romantic and Victorians Organized Information - Commonplace Books, Scrapbooks, and Album, by Jillian M. Hess
Last Song: Overdose, originally by Natori, but Rainych's cover
Last Film: Pretty in Pink (1986)
Last Series: Stranger Things
Last Video Games: (Currently playing) Bravely default
Tea or Coffee: Tea
Working On: Stranger things fics, a new blog.
@strangercoco @clericallyinsane @hafuckthis @l1853l @mikeandwillsweddingofficiant @shimishami @judectionary
Thanks for the tag. I’m happy to get to know you <3 Please let me know when the fic is done it sounds so fun! And yes rewrite starts would fit so well😭 I’ll check the book it sounds interesting.
Currently reading: lots of fics. I’m planning to start “Creatures of a day : and other tales of psychotherapy” soon.
Last song:Tainted love (soft call)
Last film: Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Last series: Glee
Last video game: Detroit : become human
Tea or coffee: Coffee
Working on: I was working on some fics but I stopped I guess
@voidcrumbs @heartmilheart @sleepy-husk @clericscauldron @bylerendgamer123 @emmasdillema @sufferingfrommoodpoisoning @georgeodowd @orangepinktheory @iheartqueers @iloverobinbyckley @videoclvb @the-bogginses-are-gay @xoceanstarx011 @ramona-flowerz @mikereads Please join if you like to ++
Favorite character: mmm this is so hard, I fear I have to do a list: Katherine Plumber and Crutchie Morris (Newsies), Grace Chasity (Nerdy Prudes Must Die), G(a)linda (Wicked), Will Byers and Dustin Henderson (Stranger Things)
Flower: sunflower!
Color: Pink
Favorite song: changes daily lol, but Missing Out by Maya Hawke has been scratching an itch in my brain lately
Favorite show: this is gonna shock all of my friends - Stranger Things 😱
My question: what piece of media were you obsessed with as a child?
flower: never really thought abt this so I'll go with the first that comes to my mind - Myosotis scorpioides
color: galaxy blue
song: anachronism by crywolf or tenebrescence (also by crywolf) i can't choose between them
show: right now I'm really excited for s3 of interview with the vampire but i wouldn't call it my favourite, i kinda drift between tv shows and don't have one fav
media i was obsessed w as a child: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, it's a book series by Michelle Paver
hobby i've been putting off learning: playing piano
movie i unironically love: i love you to death (it's a 1990 comedy it's... something not my fav movie AT ALL but it has river phoenix and that's enough for me)
book that shaped my taste in books: on earth we're briefly gorgeous by ocean vuong
how do i cheer myself up when i'm low: music & my cat!
my question is: name a fictional character that you identify with the most!
i'll only tag 3 ppl and feel free to ignore if you don't want to participate! :) @sunspillazure @aloyxwrites @bylerspite
Song: "It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Deathwish" by MCR, "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac and "Head in the Wall" + "Family Tree (Intro)" by Ethel Cain
Animal: Dogs, specifically King Charles Cavaliers since that's what my dog Harley is!
Fictional character: Matt Murdock + Will Byers
Show: Daredevil and Stranger Things
Media I was obsessed with as a child: Harry Potter, unfortunately (obligatory fuck JK Rowling)
Hobby I want to try: Making edits! I already engage with fandom in so many other ways, so I might as well pick up another skill to contribute!
Movie I unironically love: Captain America: The First Avenger (I genuinely believe it's the best MCU movie)
Book that shaped me and my taste in books: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It resonated with me DEEPLY as an introverted, mentally ill young person, and it really shaped my love of literary fiction as a genre.
How I cheer myself up when feeling low: Watching comfort videos on YouTube! I have playlists of favourite press junkets / interviews with celebs I love (so many Stranger Things cast pressers), my favourite Dan and Phil videos, etc.
Fictional character I identify with: WILL BYERS. I am him. He is me. We are literally the same person.
Quality I like the most about myself: My passion! I don't do anything by halves. When I love something, I LOVE it, and I won't be shy about it!
My question: Tell me the story of an object in your room that has special meaning to you! <3
Colour: chartreuse (which is not an intestinal ceasefire….)
Song: ahhhhh, how do I pick just one?? Probably Shine (Acoustic) or Muscle Museum by MUSE but really this list is 800 miles long
Animal: giraffe
Fictional character: Stede Bonnet, Steve Harrington, Eve Polastri, Jeeves (Stephen Fry edition + Wodehouse original)
Show: Our Flag Means Death, Hannibal, Killing Eve, ST (minus S5 vols 2 & 3), Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy
Media I was obsessed with as a child: Edward Scissorhands (I wore out multiple VHS tapes bc I watched it every day)
Hobby I want to try: glass-blowing
Movie I unironically love: Labyrinth!!! also Captain America: Winter Soldier. I saw it in theatres five times. The car chase scene is still one of my favourites of all time.
Book that shaped me and my taste in books: P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves stories, most of Stephen King's works from the 80s and 90s, Jane Eyre, Interview with a Vampire, The Darkangel Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce, Les Miserables (the unabridged edition you heathens!), etc etc
How I cheer myself up when feeling low: going for a walk, reading Wodehouse, watching OffGun Fun Night (yes shut up something about them always brings me joy)
Fictional character I identify with: Will Graham from Hannibal. The first time I watched the show I said aloud about five minutes in, 'I didn't realise this show was about me'. I also live alone in the middle of nowhere surrounded by dogs cats.
Quality I like the most about myself: I get very excited about things and I feel very deeply. I don't understand people who want to just be numb all the time.
An object in my room that has special meaning: my Philip Treacy trilby from London. When I was growing up, I didn't know I was non-binary, I just knew I was absolutely obsessed with anyone who broke free of the gender binary. Because it was the 90s, there weren't exactly a lot of people in the public eye doing that, but Boy George became my idol and my obsession. I wanted to be him. So much so that I went to London when I was 15 and found the designer who made his hats and begged them to sell me a floor model (everything was bespoke for uber rich clientele). I guess I was cute enough that they gave in, because I took a giant blue box with a unicorn on it back on the plane with me. And it still sits proudly on a shelf in my closet all these years later. I guess one of these days I should find an occasion to wear it out again.
My question: if you could swap to a parallel universe, what one difference between it and this one would convince you to do it, and what would be a dealbreaker?
tagging in case you'd like to partipate: @paperbackwriter-kat @90shorrorpaperback @wickeddreamerr
Thanks for tagging me! It was so fun and inspiring to get to know you.🫶🏻 I like the songs , I wanna check out the shows soon , thank you. I always have the hardest time with answering these questions but I’ll try lol.
Flower: Probably Bougainvillea
Colour: Grey/Light or dark blue
Song: Please don’t hate me , I can’t choose😭😭 My genre taste is way too broad
Animal:Dogs (I have a connection with them)
Fictional character: Will Byers then Robin Buckley ,Legolas,Luna Lovegood,Merlin,Yelena Belova
Show: Ugh. Umm glee,the office,merlin,Loki (I just know I forgot some major ones)
Media I was obsessed with as a child:Everything with Disney. (Not exaggerating) The Muppet show , Harry Potter (;() Mortal instruments, teen wolf , Marvel , lotr.
Hobby I want to try: Sewing
Book that shaped me and my taste in books: Stefan Zweig Amok
How I cheer myself up when feeling low: I don’t , I just isolate myself sleep or watch stuff and cry if I need to.
Fictional character I identify with: Will Byers
Quality I like the most about myself: My self awarness , emotional intelligence
An object in my room that has special meaning:My old memory box
if you could swap to a parallel universe, what one difference between it and this one would convince you to do it, and what would be a dealbreaker: If being sensitive , soft hearted puts you ahead I would want it and if there were no nature (green , animals , water etc) that would be a dealbreaker.
What is one meaningful thing you want to achieve in your lifetime?
Song: Lovesick by Laufey (that's my favourite today, it changes everyday though)
Animal: I don't have a favourite animal tbh, but I'd say birds
Fictional characters: Will Byers, Jane Hopper, Jason Grace, Nico Di Angelo, Luna Lovegood
Show: BBC Sherlock, The Big Bang theory, Anne with an E
Media I was obsessed with as a child: Slugterra, Soy Luna, Ninjago, TLC overacted reality shows, and the telenovelas my aunt used to watch
Hobby I want to try: acting
Book that shaped me and my taste in books: The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde and Amor se escribe al revés by Elvia Silvera
How I cheer myself up when feeling low: I don't, I just pretend everything is fine or isolate myself until it passes
Fictional character I identify with: Neil Perry, with hopes for a happy ending
Quality I like the most about myself: My determination and my good memory
An object in my room that has special meaning: my ferries wheel shaped music box
if you could swap to a parallel universe, what one difference between it and this one would convince you to do it, and what would be a dealbreaker: Honestly, I can't think of a good answer to that question. I'm sorry 😭😭
What is one meaningful thing you want to achieve in your lifetime?: Well, I'd like to be remembered for something good, and I really want to find love
ty for tag <33 np tag: @acaciaeyes @lizzylucky @sanfezu @jelliefishhhh @just-228-me @flowers-floating-in-space and anyone else who wants to since i forgot like half of yalls usernames im so sorry </333
here is a masterpost on everything that doesnt make sense because byler isnt canon, plot holes that exist because byler isnt canon, all the ways mikes character was ruined by making him straight, AND how it was homophobic. i include explanations and categorize things by color coding! this includes scenes in the show, interviews, and posts from the stranger things team. (note: im not going to include things noah said-explained in tags)
warning, it’s very long because im including EVERYTHING. I found and listed 114 examples here. enjoy—or don’t.
1. mike and el’s fight in season 4. specifically, “it was like a fight you can’t come back from.” and then their argument is never resolved. they have barely any scenes or chemistry in season 5, and they remain a couple. plot hole because: where is the explanation as to how they got back on good terms? keeping them together is a direct contradiction of the narrative that’s been set up.
2. mike being unable to say “i love you” to el. even when he says goodbye to el in the void before she disappears in the season 5 finale, she is the only one to say “i love you.” mike does not say it back. ruined mikes character because: it makes him out to be an asshole. plot hole because: they never explain why he goes from being able to say “i love you” in season 3 to being unable to in season 4 and 5.
3. mike not reacting to el’s kiss in season 3 at the end of the season finale. plot hole because: he was interested in el earlier this season. what changed? no explanation given. only makes sense if he is no longer romantically interested in her and/or he is gay. neither is true according to the series finale.
4. robin and will’s “signals” scene. plot hole because: why would will ask for signals if he didn’t have anyone in mind? why would he ask clarification with “how obvious?”
5. mike and will flirting in the field in season 5. doesn’t make sense because: why would will flirt back with mike knowing el and mike are together? why would he do so if he “knew” mike is straight?
6. mike being in will’s reel in sorcerer. doesn’t make sense because: robin said her reel only had her in it. robin said she didn’t need tammy to realize and accept herself. why would will need mike, then, if that isn’t how robin did it AND they’re setting up will to parallel robin?
7. will saying “i know he’s not like me” and “he’s just my tammy” and “i HAD a crush on someone” in his coming out scene. doesn’t make sense because: why would will flirt with mike knowing that? how is it possible for will to get over his years long crush in the span of a day? homophobic because: you’re downplaying a GAY character’s love for someone as a crush and being something that could be easily tossed aside. this is not done with any other character.
8. will being the only person in the cast without a love interest. plot hole because: if robin and will are meant to parallel each other, why doesn’t he get a love interest? we get a glimpse of him talking to someone at a bar—that’s not a confirmed partner. that’s not even crumbs. narratively him getting a partner was necessary. homophobic because: you are singling out a gay character.
9. mike not being able to hug will at the airport. plot hole because: we never get an explanation for this. they weren’t in an actual argument, and they ended season 3 on good terms. if mike isn’t gay and didn’t suspect anything, this has zero purpose in the story. ruins mikes character because: he has no reason to dislike or distance himself from will because he is confirmed to not have known about the crush, and he is not gay canonically. he was just being an asshole.
10. mike not reaching out to will when he moved to lenora. plot hole because: again, if mike and will’s ended on good terms and he doesn’t canonically have feelings for mike, then WHY didn’t he call? there was zero narrative or emotional payoff for this, either. it serves no point. ruins mikes character because: it goes against mikes own words. he said they would stay best friends, and then didn’t. and he admits regretting this and missing will. so again, if there was no motive or reason for this underneath that, he’s an asshole.
11. paralleling stancy to mileven through the “you can’t say you love me” plotline. plot hole because: why parallel your characters and relationships only for that parallel to not have any payoff?
12. paralleling rovickie and vickie’s boyfriend to byler and mileven in season 4 through cinematography. plot hole because: again, why parallel to have no payoff? this serves no purpose now.
13. the rain fight between mike and will in season 3. ruins mikes character because: if mike wasn’t projecting, then he was just being homophobic and an asshole. plot hole because: making a callback to that fight in wills coming out scene without an apology from mike is just bringing up wills trauma needlessly and without resolution. homophobic because: that comment is so fucking homophobic i don’t even NEED to explain why. it’s obvious.
14. mike apologizing to will after the rain fight, but not el after their breakup. ruins mikes character because: mike is shown to simply not care about his girlfriend. plot hole because: it is never explained to us why mike cares more about will than his own girlfriend.
15. using the painting to help fix mileven. ruins mikes character because: mike can’t say i love you unless the world is ending and needs his best friends support for it. homophobic because: using a gay characters pain to keep a straight couple canon is fucked up
16. not addressing the painting after season 4. plot hole because: mike had all the pieces to understand the painting came from will. el told him in the letter he was painting for someone he likes. mike now knows will loves him. will used similar language in both the painting and coming out scene. the lack of confrontation doesn’t work narratively and comes off as forgetfulness and an unfinished plot.
17. mike refusing to play dnd in season 3 but playing it again after will moves away. plot hole because: if mike didn’t want to play because “they’re growing up,” then that doesn’t make sense. if he changed his mind, it should have been explained. but mikes back and forth feelings on dnd are never discussed. ruins mikes character because: he’s a hypocrite and bullied will for no reason.
18. mike flirting with will in season 4, specifically “i didn’t say it. you didn’t have to.” doesn’t make sense because: why play it with that tone if it meant literally nothing????
19. the writers referencing korrasami and catradora. doesn’t make sense because: it’s two gay ships that get together in the end. that didn’t happen to any couple at all. and nothing ever came close to either of these ships in this show. homophobic because: you’re promoting your straight, queerbaiting show with genuine queer representation in other media.
20. jancy paralleling byler in season 2, specifically with mike and jonathan helping will and nancy get back safe on halloween. plot hole: again, why parallel if it’s for nothing?
21. “the painting will payoff” in interviews. doesn’t make sense because: that was literally a lie. homophobic because: you lied KNOWING it would give queer fans hope.
22. “byler fans are the loudest” said by the duffers in an interview. homophobic because: why are you mocking a giant part of your fanbase?
23. “will and mikes story isn’t over yet” said in an article in reference to the finale. homophobic because: that was a lie and it was to bait hopeful fans. doesn’t make sense because: it’s factually not true. their 20 second conversation was a throwaway and did not give us any new info about their relationship.
24. mike promising will they would be a team at the end of season 4. doesn’t make sense because: they were not paired up in season 5. they were not a team. ruins mikes character because: he’s an inconsistent friend.
25. creelby and byler parallels. doesn’t make sense because: they said the first shadow content would make its way into season 5 and it barely did.
26. shawn posting only the posters of will and mike on his story. homophobic because: you’re baiting people.
27. hans and leia parallels to byler/mileven. doesn’t make sense because: it was all for nothing
28. paralleling the rink o mania byler fight with high school musical (a canon romantic pairing). doesn’t make sense because: if it wasn’t romantic then literally why?
29. paralleling the byler rain fight to a canon gay couple from another show. homophobic because: it’s literally baiting and uses an actual queer show to hurt queer viewers
30. any and all byler posts on stranger things accounts. homophobic because: obvious baiting and playing into hopes of queer people getting decent representation
31. paralleling “crazy together” to “only love makes you that crazy”. homophobic because: you want us to think they’re romantic in some capacity and then you lied. it’s misleading.
32. forgetting wills birthday. homophobic because: even if it WAS an accident, it’s so fucked up it happened to the one character who’s been traumatized the most, doesn’t get a satisfying ending, and is gay. ruins mikes character because: not only did he forget wills birthday, he complained at him all day. thats supposed to be his best friend. plot hole because: you make your plot about wormholes, have a clock and time theme in season 4, make henry’s birthday the same as wills, make will be chosen for a reason by vecna, and then you never explain any of it with this.
33. “we asked finn and noah to carry a lot of emotional weight” homophobic because: most actors carried more emotional weight than finn did. he had ONE SCENE in the entire season where he showed emotion. meanwhile gaten, natalia, and maya had way more emotion and you CHOSE to single out finn and pair his name with noah’s because you knew what bylers would think. doesn’t make sense because: not true. finn did not.
34. “it’s a shitty knockoff” in reference to mikes california outfit, obviously talking about how he’s not being himself. plot hole: you set us up for that, and then never show us what he’s hiding and/or what makes him not himself.
35. “mike is the heart this season”. homophobic because: you purposefully used language that refers to the painting scene, which is about wills love for mike. doesn’t make sense because: it’s factually not true. lucas did more for the party than mike did.
36. paralleling wills self acceptance arc to robin’s. plot hole because: if you’re going to make wills entire coming out scene, entire self acceptance arc with the film reel, etc using the tammy storyline and robin’s advice—and go step by step in the same order of events that robin went through—then narratively you have to conclude that parallel. robin gets the girl. will does not get the boy. homophobic because: instead of giving will an original storyline, you’re just recycling another queer character’s experience
37. will repeating some of robins exact dialogue such as “it was always about me,” “tammy,” etc. homophobic because: again, recycling another queer character because you’re too lazy to be original. not all gay people are the same for fucks sake
38. “will learning that sometimes your crush doesn’t like you back was the important message we needed to tell” said by the duffers in an interview. homophobic because: first of all, why are straight people telling queer people what we need? you don’t know us. secondly, this is not an original concept. stories have been using this trope and narrative for ages. thirdly, telling other characters they need love to get past their struggles only for that pattern to not follow the gay kid is crazy work.
39. showing a clip of mike looking at will while he’s possessed in the trailer of season 5 as a parallel to season 2. doesn’t make sense because: this clip literally has nothing more to it in the show. it has zero purpose.
40. saying in one interview that the intent was for people to see mike understood will was talking about him in the coming out scene, only to then backtrack in a video interview, AND THEN throw that away with a vague conversation with mike and will in the finale. homophobic because: you were lying to keep queer people hopeful after the backlash so you wouldn’t lose finale viewers.
41. saying you were originally going to write wills coming out scene to be during the painting reveal/in the van. doesn’t make sense because: why did you change your mind? it would have worked better than the shit show we got. plot hole: so mike is oblivious to what the painting means. was he meant to not be oblivious then? that would’ve changed the course of byler.
42. the finale scene where will asks for them to stay friends and then mike says “no. best friends”. homophobic because: i shouldn’t even have to explain that. are you fucking serious? bait bait bait bro. fakeout scene. ruins mikes character because: it’s shitty to give will hope for no fucking reason
43. mike apologizing to will for not realizing will was struggling with being gay. doesn’t make sense because: literally if mike is not gay, what would him realizing this have changed? what would he be able to do? after “it’s not my fault you don’t like girls” it’s clear mike would’ve been useless. plot hole because: he could’ve apologized for literally anything else. laundry list of apologies he needs to make for will. choosing this instead was weird.
44. keeping mileven ambiguous until literally the last 45 minutes of the series finale. homophobic because: you knew what you were doing giving people hope and trying to keep views up. plot hole: it made mileven so weak. they had no chemistry. mike and els goodbye scene fell so flat because of that.
45. “see what happens, michael?” comment ted makes at mike for wills disappearance (implying it’s because he’s gay) in season 1. plot hole: why imply mike is gay if he’s not gay??
46. “you can tell me things” karen says to mike about wills disappearance—which is exactly what she says to nancy about steve (canon couple at the time). bonus points because el was in a literal closet during that scene. plot hole: why imply their friendship is different if it never was meant to be?
47. ted wheeler breaking mikes closet during the demo fight. doesn’t make sense: why that symbolism if for nothing?
48. mike having a one way sign into his closet. doesn’t make sense: again, why if not gay?
49. costume designer making robins season 4 outfit have triangle imagery to showcase her queerness and giving mikes custom shirt a triangle, too. doesn’t make sense: why is he gay IF HES NOT GAY?
50. finn saying “mike is just trying to stay on a normal path” in reference to season 4 mike. doesn’t make sense: mike literally says in season 4 that he doesn’t want to be popular. he says he’s been bullied his whole life. this is just not true.
51. the party’s bullies throwing homophobic insults about will at mike SPECIFICALLY. doesn’t make sense: why at mike and no one else? it only makes sense if it’s because those gay comments are also about him
52. mike is bullied by being called frog face, while everyone else is bullied for being a minority. doesn’t make sense: why is mike the only one without such an insult?
53. the cali plotline as a whole, which only existed to establish and build upon mike and wills relationship. plot hole: if mike and el were built up for a breakup, and an entire season was spent discussing how in love will is with mike, then why did it lead to nothing? the narrative flow abruptly ended.
54. “a brush of the knee, a bump of the elbow, a shared look” all being signs someone likes you, and season 5 gives us all of that with mike and will. homophobic because: BAIT. plot hole: why build this narrative only to abruptly end it?
55. “in the closet” playing when mike starts to regret fighting with will at rink o mania. doesn’t make sense because: it could’ve started playing when we saw el but they chose to make it on mike.
56. “we’re friends. WE’RE FRIENDS” plot hole because: no one implied you weren’t. that was all you making it have romantic connotations, mike. confirmed by the fact that mike was oblivious to wills feelings here. ruins mikes character because: he has learned nothing from “it’s not my fault you don’t like girls.” same shit different font.
57. “the first i love you” playing only during breakup scenes. but it plays with mileven…only for no breakup to happen. doesn’t make sense because: you can’t keep making parallels and patterns and breaking them.
58. mikes reaction to will gaining powers in sorcerer. doesn’t make sense: it was shot romantically and choosing to focus on mikes reaction more than wills mother was…a choice.
59. mike constantly correcting everyone on will being a sorcerer. plot hole: why is mike the only one being so pushy and adamant? how is this supposed to be read if it’s not romantic? the other characters reacting weirdly to his insistence speaks volumes.
60. small town boy being on mikes official playlist. homophobic because: bait.
61. mike liking butthole surfers and robin disliking it. homophobic because: bait.
62. will asking robin if she got with vickie after coming out. plot hole: sets us up narratively for will to end up with someone. doesn’t happen.
63. “jonathan helps will get something he wants” said in an interview. doesn’t make sense: didn’t happen. was a lie.
64. the blue and yellow lighting. plot hole: building a pattern and storytelling with cinematography for nothing.
65. the lighting choices in the field scene: soft romantic and hopeful. doesn’t make sense because: all this for what? im tired.
66. the van scene taking 12 hours and specific comments being made on how they tried to get the lighting just right. doesn’t make sense: why then? just why.
67. mike having imagery with women and frowning, and then having imagery of men and smiling. homophobic because: obvious queer coding for nothing.
68. mike being paralleled to brenner in season 4 with “what did you do?”. plot hole: why make him look so bad and incompatible with el only for them to never resolve the arguments and be a couple in the next season? ruins mikes character: bad bf for not comforting el after she was bullied at rink o mania.
69. mike doing a triple take in season 4. homophobic: gay for nothing bro. playing into romantic tropes to have no payoff.
70. will talking about being scared because “what if they don’t like the truth” only for mike to nod and agree in season 4–in reference to will being gay. plot hole: mike is scared to open up. and then he never opens up. to anyone. for season 4 AND 5.
71. mike not reacting to will being in danger. or his parents being in danger. or holly being in danger. or nancy. for all of season 5. ruins mikes character: if it’s not because he was bottling up his emotions and hiding something—which we now know wasn’t the case and he was just genuinely acting this way—then he’s an asshole. we know he can react and emote, he’s done it in seasons prior.
72. having will be in love with mike for 3 entire seasons at minimum. plot hole: narrative build up tells us it was a slow burn. but then the candle went out and nothing happened. it doesn’t follow narrative storytelling. homophobic: giving will the character and us the viewers hope for YEARS and knowing it wasn’t going to happen is cruel
73. having will be in love with mike. homophobic: for will to have an acceptance arc and a gay arc, he didn’t need a crush. he didn’t need a love interest. making it canon and then treating it this way is queerbait plain and simple.
74. mike telling el “i feel like my life started that day i found you in the woods”. homophobic because: will byers has to listen to his best friend say his life started the day he went missing. like what the fuck? ruins mikes character because: it contradicts what he said in season 2—he said the best thing he ever did was ask will to be friends. it also just makes him an asshole because he knows how will has been traumatized since that day.
75. this
homophobic because: self explanatory. bait.
76. this scene
homophobic because: someone in production literally told them to hold hands. the bathroom is named dick. come on. queerbait.
77. ALL of the dick jokes. robin saying “i like dick” then panning over to mike and will looking at each other. the bathroom being named dick. homophobic because: come ON. QUEERBAIT.
78. will being in almost every shot of mileven in season 4. doesn’t make sense: genuinely if not for the love triangle imagery, why was will haunting mileven constantly?
79. mike and el reuniting in season 4 after they find project nina. mike looking at el and then will smiling. and then the smile drops when he looks back at el. doesn’t make sense: if not romantic confusion, what purpose does this serve?
80. mike and el reuniting at project nina EXACTLY like will and el do with a hug and pressing foreheads. doesn’t make sense: why compare SIBLINGS to a ROMANTIC PAIRING?? weird weird weird if not meant to be read as platonic mileven.
81. robin looking at mike and will in the field being framed exactly like how steve looks at vickie and robin in season 4. doesn’t make sense: for the billionth time i am asking WHY the parallel if it was for nothing?
82. “i don’t believe in coincidences” -lucas in season 5. plot hole: you say that but then the whole season is FULL of coincidences—either plot holes, or mistakes, or things that straight up don’t work. homophobic: arguably bait.
83. mike being oblivious to the painting, will flirting in the field, and literally the past 5 seasons, but understanding that will was talking about him in the coming out scene. plot hole: you can’t paint mike as oblivious and then make him not understand concepts that are handed to him on a silver platter, but then write him to understand will is talking about him when ZERO indication is given in the dialogue. ruins mike character because: you pick and choose when he’s emotionally intelligent and when he’s not. you’re calling him dumb when he is NOT DUMB. homophobic because: willful ignorance of canon and purposeful twisting of mikes character to avoid addressing the romantic subtext.
84. “i miss clouds. i miss you” doesn’t make sense: this is not giving the “he’s just a crush” energy you claim.
85. mike finding a new party after will saying he’s loyal to their group. ruins mikes character: he had no reason to hate on will. he’s a hypocrite.
UPDATE/EDIT: i remembered more. he’s a screenshot of my reblog.
EDIT NUMBER 3: there’s more!
and guess what? even more
UPDATE/EDIT 4:
101. having mike linger on will’s dnd book and crying. doesn’t make sense: why is he crying over will????
102. wsqk hinting at byler via songs and talking segments. homophobic: queerbait
103. having the show pop up when byler was written in the netflix search bar, but not doing the same with mileven. homophobic: queerbait
104. mike telling hopper he was going to run away with el in the epilogue. plot hole: he said he wanted to leave with the whole party initially. also el didn’t gaf about his dnd storytimes. ruins mikes character because: it’s uncharacteristic of him to want to abandon everyone.
105. mike having the painting in his future room. plot hole: does he even know it was from will? no, he does not. he still thinks it’s from el and his final perspective of her is based on a lie
UPDATE 5:
106. the end of season 4 pairings in the field, putting byler with canon couples and having el stand on her own. doesn’t make sense: why do this if jancy is bones and mileven is still together?
107. 70/30 split of yellow and purple flowers from mike to el in the airport scene. “there was too much yellow” which is will’s color. doesn’t make sense: if it doesn’t have any greater meaning, why spend so much time explaining?
108. those flowers dying in the field at the end of season 4 and in the hospital during the season 5 rovickie scene. doesn’t make sense: why use the exact same flowers if there is no symbolism?
UPDATE 6: because of course there’s more. there always is.
109. the costume designer for season 4 stating that it was intentional for el to look like will, as if she was wearing his hand me down clothes. doesn’t make sense: what in the andrew-in-drag is this?
110. the show uses lots of queer songs, like purple rain and music by david bowie. homophobic: you can’t use a queer artist to promote your homophobic storyline.
111. the coming out scene focuses on mike’s reactions during the dialogue where will says he doesn’t like girls specifically. doesn’t make sense: why do that if it had nothing to do with mike making an epiphany?
112. will planning on telling just joyce that he’s gay, and intentionally having mike be the one to interrupt the scene. homophobic: bait
113. in the season 3 finale, mike hugs his mom after the byers move away to parallel his reaction to when will died. doesn’t make sense: this parallel means that mike was sad about will moving away, not necessarily el. but then his actions in season 4 don’t reflect that.
114. the interruption trope—which is used for other canon ships like jopper and lumax—playing out constantly when mike and will are talking throughout the show. homophobic: it’s bait and shitty to use romantic tropes if you’re not gonna actually have the ship become canon
CALLING ALL WRITERS, ARTISTS, ANIMATORS, VOICE ACTORS, AND MUSICIANS!!!!
If you were disappointed by how Stranger Things ended, if you felt betrayed, queerbaited, confused, and just appalled by that monstrous let-down of a finale, I'm right there with you.
We watched this show to escape from the horrors of the real world, not to relive them in the cruelest, most malicious way possible.
Seeing how they ruined their own characters, who made many of us feel seen and represented, made a mockery of queer people, of their fans, many of whom remained devoted since day one, and turned a show that used to give us comfort into one that gave the general audience---the very ones it claimed to not be for---more fodder to hate and attack us, it's perfectly acceptable, if not expected, to be upset right now.
But the good thing is, these characters no longer belong to the DB now. Now, they belong to us---the ones who truly understood them in the first place. Now we are the ones who get to tell their story, the real story, since after all they made it so open for interpretation that literally anything is possible.
If you're interested, here's my proposal:
a multi-episode, creatives-driven collaboration to reimagine Stranger Things as a whole and make it what it was originally meant to be: a nostalgic tribute to the 80's and a tale of love and acceptance dedicated to fans who never got to experience that in their own childhoods
A diverse cast of characters with actually ACCURATE representation
A team of 15-20 animators, writers, VAs, etc. who work together on a single project and a community of people who love what the show was supposed to represent but were unsatisfied by the execution (and who just want to put their frustration into something meaningful)
The reimagined series will be posted in parts to a YouTube channel dedicated to the show
A chance to fix the flaws and plot holes in ST lore and world-building and make the ending we actually wanted to see (possessiongate/ conformitygate was such a missed opportunity)
The idea is still a work in progress, but I believe if we work together this could actually be pretty big! If you can't participate, that's okay! Please spread the word and share this post to reach more people so we can actually MAKE. THIS. HAPPEN. Let's show the DB how to do it the RIGHT way.
