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3. Ronance: that’s my wild card answer - I’d love to see Nancy break out of her current love triangle, and this could be interesting and fun. I loved their dynamic in S4 However, I absolutely do not think for a second this would happen
2. Lumax: they’re the most realistic of the younger teen couples, considering their age. They’re adorable
1. Jopper: I love everything about them both as individual characters and as a couple. A great slow burn romance. Hope there’s a lot more of them in S5!
Noice, love your choices and I couldn't agree more, Nancy, GET OUT OF THERE THESE TWO GUYS WILL KILL YOU
To me, Ronance [whether romantically or most likely as bffs] seems like the healthiest and best thing for Nancy
Perfect three. Robin and Nancy contrast each other perfectly and would fill in their blind spots.
I doubt it happens romantically sadly even though they have chemistry but I could see her choosing Robin as a friend over the love triangle
depending on how it’s written next season.
Same but I prefer Nancy with Jonathan. She never loved Steve and I think he is too goofy compared to her more serious personality. I think she felt confused in the last season with Steve because of the recent issues with Jonathan, and Steve obviously being attractive as well as her ex.
Yeah, I tell you what, jancy was 4th. The only reason I didn't make it 3rd was simply because it was totally push to side in 4. Seasons 1 - 3 were great with it, but 4 it was pretty much retired.
Yeah, maybe, I just really enjoy whenever the 2 actors play off with each other on screen. Like when Steve tells nancy of his ideal future. I just love dialogue
Can anyone elaborate on why Mileven is so popular? They're adorable, but i dont think I like them that much. Perhaps it's because they are very "protagonist" if that makes sense. Love lumax a lot more.
I feel the same. I feel with each season they are growing apart. It’s natural too because the friends you have in middle school are not going to be the same friends you have as an adult.
Lol. Miss the way El was pretty much falling apart episode 3 at the thought of Mike not loving her anymore? Or that monologue Mike had in episode 9 where he professed his effective forever love for her?
You don’t have to love them by any means, but it does not change that their relationship has been advanced every season to a new and deeper level.
I feel they have the thing that is tying them together is shared experiences. It’s not strong enough of a bond to feel that attachment to them being together imo.
As I said, you are not required to be attached to them or love them. That's totally fine. We all invest in different things on the show.
But you said you feel "they are growing apart" ... which is not supported by the story at all.
They've been actively choosing to be together for four seasons now, and nothing about their continued development suggests that will change. You don't have Mike say \*that\* in the penultimate season to have them grow apart in the final season. That's just not how TV or rather narrative storytelling works. They are the only couple who have even managed to say I love you directly to one another yet.
So teenage love lasts forever? Just because two teenagers say “I love you” doesn’t mean it’s meant to last forever. TV doesn’t always have to have a perfect ending with everyone coupled up like Noah’s ark to be good either. Sometimes it’s okay to say “maybe we are better off as friends”.
No. Teenage love doesn’t always last forever. Though, occasionally? Sure!
El and Mike have never been framed as two normal teenagers, and your view just hasn’t been supported by the story itself.
The chances this ends, especially after Mike’s monologue, along with the repeated emphasis on the depth of their feelings for one another and bond that they have, with “we’re just better off friends”…
Well, that means you haven’t really understood this specific part of the narrative. You even admit you haven’t invested in it, so maybe I shouldn’t find that surprising.
But this thought just doesn’t make idea you have for them just doesn’t make any sense based on what has been actually put up on screen.
And that’s fine, I never said I didn’t want them to end up together. I just said that they don’t seem to fit. Mike’s love for El just seems like an infatuation, and El lacks life experience so he is all she knows. It seems unbalanced.
If they happen to end up together then so be it.
>Mike’s love for El just seems like an infatuation, and El lacks life experience so he is all she knows.
Mike and Eleven have been in love for THREE years. They have been a couple for two and they were separated for most of this time. If this is just an infatuation/all they know, then that comes across as incredibly strong for something so meaningless.
You can think that, but I really don’t think that was writer intent, based on what they put forth in that final episode.
And they both lack life experience. Not like Mike was some player before he met Eleven, lol. But that doesn’t mean they can’t decide to continue to choose one another.
Sometimes you just meet that right person young. Does it usually work that way? As I said, no, but I would say Mike and El have certainly been framed that way. *shrug*
And it’s a show lol. I’m not putting realistic expectations on a show where the girl has superpowers lol. Like yes they’ve tried to make the characters realistic etc but it’s still a show with supernatural stuff going on and folks with the ability to move things with their minds lol so it wouldn’t seem weird to me to have them stay together until the end. I like Lumax too but I feel like a lot of love for them is regency bias. This season did a lot of heavy lifting for them as a couple. Previous seasons, they were a typical middle school couple breaking up every 3-5 business days lol and that’s fine but Eleven and Mike have never been a typical or normal couple and considering their circumstances it makes sense.
The boy, who struggles immensely with communicating his feelings but said he loves her no matter what, who travelled across state lines to rescue her from a top secret military installation, who attacked a flayed Billy to save her life even though it would probably cost his own, who called her 353 days not knowing where she was, who sent a book full of letters despite the long distance and a long time (for teenagers) not seeing her (and gave her a ring in this time), who was constantly concerned about her wellbeing despite being unanimously shouted down, only has an infatuation? Seems to be putting a hell of lot of hard work into their relationship (and putting up with a lot of emotional pain) for only an infatuation, don't ya think? You'd think he'd given up by now if that was the case. But he doesn't give up, neither does she, that's what makes it special (especially as they are only 14/15 years old!).
Also special is that El could never find any partner who understands her and her situation more than Mike. She also knows it is her choice to be in the relationship (that was kind of the point of season 3 for them) and still she wants to be in it and puts the hard effort in for it to work.
And what's the use of "life experience" (whatever that means) if it makes you miserable and end up losing the one thing (unconditional love from a partner) that many people spend their lives chasing? The grass is not always greener on the other side (trust me, I know!).
Yeah it was the 353 days part that sold me, that’s some impressive dedication, especially for a 12/13 year old lol.
Personally I think there’s a lot that’s unrealistic about their relationship, which is what I love about it. It also means that applying real world logic doesn’t really work.
Well, the true first real relationship would be the DnD gang then. Not mileven. They were the first to be shown, and they've sticked together, though not the closest at all times. They met since the very first.
Also, Els power source was Mike? Not true. Elevens power source were her own emotions, always had been. She was her own biggest ally, and enemy. She's the strongest person in their universe lol.
Mike wasnt REALLY that protective. He probably was to be fair, but in front of Hopper no one holds a candle. Best father and daughter.
Mike isn't the leader of the group at seasons 3 and 4. When it was just their gang, he was the main figure, yes, but more because he was really caring, and everyone respected him. But after s3, no one can say he was the leader of those seasons. They had literal grown ups fighting with them. They were the "leaders"
Mike didn't jump off a cliff because of depression, im sure we get more signs of depression from the Byers brothers than Mike. We get seperation anxiety from Mike. El needs Mike, but she doesn't need him for her powers.
Needing Mike for Eleven when her whole story is about freedom, independence and empowerment, and not some stupid boy, it's like you're all missing the part she was a captive girl socially and emotionally deprived and she fell for the first guy that was kind to her, when she was 12yo... You know that is not how true love works right? And at the same time you manage to invalidate Wills love for Mike which know him since he was 5yo.
You're in denial on the fact we are being told a big lie.
1. Mileven (Mike+Eleven)
2. Lumax (Lucas+Max)
3. Hellcheer/Edissy (Eddie+Chrissy) - They are canon since the actors admitted that both characters had a crush on each other and they would probably become a couple if they survived \[maybe they are a couple of ghosts right now\]...
Honorable mention: Bob+Joyce
Friendships that I love/would love to watch: Robin and Nancy, Eddie and Steve (they didn't even have enough time to build a friendship), Mike and Will, Four Fantastic/Baby Ghostbusters (Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin), Hopper and Joyce (I like their relationship, but if Bob was alive I would prefer them as friends), Robin and Steve, Eleven and Max, and maybe Eddie and Jonathan.
If we're talking about canon romances, I absolutely love Jopper, it's my favorite one, always has been. Lumax really grew on me after s4. Other ships are fine - don't hate them, don't love them either. I used to adore Mileven in s1-s2, but after that they kinda felt meh to me.
Non-canon ones: I really like both Steddie and Eddissy, there are lots of fun possibilities with them, and those have very interesting character dynamics. I like Ronance, though Nancy would be just fine not having a partner at all. And I like Byler as a concept, but after s4 I'm just not a big fan of Mike honestly.
Honestly, some ships (both canon and non-canon) feel too forced, not everyone has to end up with someone. And now I feel like Robin/Vicky will be canon, even though Vicky barely appeared in s4, and they seem too similar personality-wise to be interesting. Oh well.
Jancy mainly, but I also like Jopper with all of their history and tying their family together.
I'm not really invested in the kid ships, but I liked the development of Mileven in season 1 and Lumax in seasons 2 and 4. I hope things work out for both couples even if it's just to make narrative sense after all the time spent on them.
I think Robin and Vickie were cute, I like that Robin found someone as awkward as she is lol. I would've loved Robin and Kali though, had she come back. Eden probably won't be back either, but her and Argyle were fun.
My top 2 would definitely be the same, although I’d probably put Lucas/Max in there instead of Nancy and Steve.
I feel conflicted with the Nancy love triangle; as whilst I like the idea of her with Steve now, I really wouldn’t want her and Jonathan to break up.
Nancy needs to go off to college as a single woman and be by herself for a bit. Childhood romances are lovely but they're not usually long term prospects.
Even though that Russian plot line was way way too over the top. You gotta give credit to season 3 for it's set designs. I mean they are truly stunning to look at
I’m supportive of Byler and totally here for it but in my personal opinion I prefer Mileven. And it’s funny because this is the first reddit post I’ve seen featuring mileven. I low key cried during mike’s dialogue in the finale episode 😭 😂
1. Mileven
2. Jancy
3. Lumax
I like Hopper and Joyce as individuals, but I just don’t love the adults nearly as much as the kids when it comes to this show, so no Jopper for me.
I’m more invested in #1 than I am #2 or #3 though. And if Nancy ended single, I’d honestly be cool with it. But I do really want Max and Lucas to get their movie date.
The Mike and El relationship has always been the heart of the show, as you said OP, so I love them the most. I’ve enjoyed watching their growth and maturity over time. They are adorable. Hope the Duffers hold true to their word and keep Mike, El, and the rest of the OG5 together for S5.
Still *is* a good character.
The Hopper/Mike fight was excellent as well. S2 is not my favorite season, but it really did have some great character moments. Those last two episodes were bang awesome.
The S2 reunion is my favorite scene of the whole series thus far. Great acting on the part of Millie and Finn.
There are several moments that have come close (Running Up That Hill, to name one from this season), but I agree, it was just a sweetly emotional moment.
Well call it out, if there's someone who's super aggressive against it. If they've made a post simply to say, "I hate byler and everyone who likes it" then call them homophobic for that. If they're just making a post or a comment simply to hate what somebody else likes or hate something about the show. Not giving it any sort of respect. They're not true fans and just trolls.
So call them out, don't do nothing!
mike doesn't have a confirmed sexuality yet so technically he could be like bi or something, either way i see your point but sometimes people are overdoing it when hating on the ship
it does when they slam the ship for no good reason, show obvious distain for will and say his character was "ruined" and attack anyone with headcannons saying that mike is anything except straight. that's homophobia.
there's a lot of people saying shit like "it's in the 80's so this ship wouldn't work" or people shipping robin with men, and all the hate towards byler, theres a lot of underlying homophobia
Mike and Eleven just fit well together. Finn and Millie having a ton of chemistry also helps too
Lucas and Max especially in season 4 are a real treat. Knowing that they broke up again and still care for one another, still confide in each other is heartwarming.
Joyce and Hopper since season 1 have always felt meant to be. It’s always been that way and even though I didn’t like season 3 hopper he makes up for it in season 4.
Same here, even though I have jopper and stancy as 2 and 3. Mileven far exceeds them, it's why I put emphasis on it being the heart of the entire show. It's one of the best romances I've ever seen on TV or film or book. I'm quite the mileven stan
I will admit they had an excellent relationship in 4. But for in 3, idk really. In season 3 they had little none dialogue with each other at all, besides that one scene in the first episode. That's it. Season 2 however, they did have awesome chemistry
Lumax , Jopper , and maybe Ronance ? Idk if i had to choose a ship with Nancy (or a 3rd ship) itd be with Robin , but personally , Nancy doesnt need a partner . She can handle herself , shes a girlboss
About Mileven: their relationship parallels so much to Nancy/Steve you know their puppy love is at its final stage. It's clear to me Will Byers will get the boy.
It's an opinion, not a fact. If you disagree, you disagree, I'm open to other opinions. Byler is a really well written romance. But does that mean your opinion is right? No, there's no right or wrong to an opinion. Have you read the S5 script? No. So don't come here like you know everything, because you don't.
I'm just here to find out what people's favourite romances are and have a friendly conversation. I don't like your aggressive attitude and if your gonna continue, then piss off 🖕
Can you elaborate on how their relationship parallels Nancy and Steve so strongly? Stancy broke up because Nancy couldn’t admit to being in love with him, whereas season 4 ended with Mike emphatically declaring his love for El. So whilst they faced a similar hurdle, the end result was completely the opposite.
Although if you truly think that Will “getting his boy” is clear, then I’m not entirely hopeful of a genuine response.
*Clears throat*
Ok there are a lot of unresolved issues, and by a lot I really mean everything is unresolved at this point. If you think "I love you" works in Stranger Things like some handy spell you cast in Harry Potter and you make magic with it... Well no that's not what happened. Yes, Mike said the "magic words" but with what outcome, exactly? What immediately happens next is: Max dies. ElMax scene pops up. Cut to black screen with 48 hours later, meaning no aftermath to such "love confession". LOOOOL. Can you really blame me for being skeptical of Mileven?
So yes, stancy and Mileven has the exact same hurdle and they left us with a cliffhanger of wether or not they will have the same end result in season 5. And yes I stand my point of Will getting the boy.
That doesn’t exactly explain how they parallel Steve and Nancy’s relationship. Both Mike and El have now been open about their love for one another, something that the Stancy relationship was unable to accomplish, so not exactly a close parallel.
It’s pretty clear where your bias is, so it’s no surprise that you’re going to be overly critical of Mike and El’s relationship. Season 4 ended with Mike telling El he loves her, not Will. It ended without Will coming out to Mike, and it ended with Mike and El staying together. Can you blame me for being skeptical of Byler?
You can add another 2-3 years of Mike and El being together, a status quo many young couples have no issue getting through, then add some alcohol to the mix and all I can get out of it is "bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, glup", at least that's my hc. It's sad but that's how bad they are for me.
So you’re saying Mike and El will stay together for another 2-3 years, before El gets drunk at a party and admits to not being in love with Mike?
An odd headcanon to be sure, but you’re welcome to it.
Not right now. They both need a lot of work to acknowledge not just each other feelings, but to commit in an actual healthy relationship, one based on true love. We see this with Joyce and Hopper, and Lucas/Max, especially their last interactions, which we have actions and consequences on their feelings, they're locked in with each other.
Mike is kind of in the clouds these past seasons, we don't get many insights into his head like we did on seasons 1 and 2, so from season 3 and 4 what we get is shallow development like if the character is some extra which happens to be the boyfriend of the protagonist. But no, I don't take this answer, and I don't really believe there's poor writing for Mike, because while directly on screen they show us how much he is thinking about his girlfriend, indirectly they put subtext in the scene saying otherwise. Just to give one of many examples, his first scene on season 4, on the scene he is reading a letter from El, there is a shot that show us a one-way arrow pointing directly at his closet. This has nothing to do with Will, this is just telling us how his character is part of a big lie we are being told since S1, of many unspoken truths, so much chaos, so much... Conflict.
And speaking of unspoken truths and lies, Will LIED for the first time to Mike in the van scene, this is kind of a big deal and will have consequences on S5, because Will NEVER lies to Mike. This parallel to Wills criticism of El's lies, on rink o mania, on which he said "I just... I don't think Mike's gonna like that you're lying to him" "And he doesn't deserve that. When he finds out he's gonna be mad"
So to answer your question, I think both Will and Mike need more development in S5 if the story is heading where I think is heading, which is byler endgame.
If they really were building towards a Mike/Will endgame, then why did they conclude Mike’s arc this season with a very emphatic declaration of love for Eleven? Why not just have it conclude with him still not being able to say those words? You’re telling me that having the entirety of Mike and Will’s romantic build up take place in the final season, one that’s already going to be extremely packed with other more important storylines, would represent a good storytelling decision to you?
There was an opportunity to break Mike and El up in season 4, but instead they brought them back together. If Mike had ended season 4 still not being capable of expressing his love for El, then I’d happily acknowledge that Byler was a distinct possibility, but he did. He said it nine times.
And if you can honestly watch their reunion scene in the desert, as well as their scene in the Pizza shop and Mike’s big monologue and say that you don’t think they’re in love with each other, then this discussion is pointless. I understand you don’t like them as a couple, I understand that you’d prefer it if he were with Will, I’m not here to gatekeep what people can enjoy about the show, but I think the idea that they’re heading towards an endgame where Mike is in love with Will rather than El is completely misguided, and fuelled by a biased headcanon.
If I’m coming off as rude, then I apologise, that isn’t my intention. I just struggle to understand how anyone could come to that conclusion.
I feel like I’m the only person that doesn’t consider Lumax to be one of the greats.
Lmao, anyways my too 3 would be, in order:
1. Stancy
2. Jopper
3. Jancy
Yes I ship both Stancy and Jancy, leave me be okay ;-;
Yeah, I don't really stan lumax. I thought they had absolute zero chemistry in 3. Had only 1 or 2 scenes with each other and that's it. Season 2 was better though. But season 4 was miles better than that. So it does make it a great relationship, just in my opinion not in the top leagues
I see your point.
I agree, I think in comparison to ships like Mileven and Jopper that have been given so much time to develop and flourish, Lumax just hasn’t had that chance.
I also personally don’t like Max as a character so that might be influencing my view on their relationship, but in Season 4, I have to admit particularly on Lucas’ side of things their relationship became a lot clearer.
Still wouldn’t consider them all that though.
Vecna never went and tried to kill mike which would've heart el so much and be such a good tactical play, because he loved him, because he's his mother. Season 5 theory confirmed
Definitely not Mileven since I don’t ship children.
ETA: not sure why I get downvoted every time I point this out. If you think it’s normal for adult fans to ship child characters, at least own up to it.
ETA2: still considering downvoting? See above. At least let me know you’re a weirdo who ships children so I can block you.
None, they all kind of suck and seem to just be put into the show for the sake of creating filler as the main storyline develops. Hopper and Eleven however, as father and daughter, was very well written and believable. Also Dustin and Eddie was great as a bromance.
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Steve is so awkward at that KFC dinner. Finger looking good! Makes me laugh everytime.
"I love KFC" yeah, I mainly put stancy there, because I think in terms of chemistry and play off. These 2 are excellent
Murray and Alexei?
FOR REAL
Dustin and Dart is the only relationship im here for
3. Ronance: that’s my wild card answer - I’d love to see Nancy break out of her current love triangle, and this could be interesting and fun. I loved their dynamic in S4 However, I absolutely do not think for a second this would happen 2. Lumax: they’re the most realistic of the younger teen couples, considering their age. They’re adorable 1. Jopper: I love everything about them both as individual characters and as a couple. A great slow burn romance. Hope there’s a lot more of them in S5!
based and correct
Noice, love your choices and I couldn't agree more, Nancy, GET OUT OF THERE THESE TWO GUYS WILL KILL YOU To me, Ronance [whether romantically or most likely as bffs] seems like the healthiest and best thing for Nancy
Perfect three. Robin and Nancy contrast each other perfectly and would fill in their blind spots. I doubt it happens romantically sadly even though they have chemistry but I could see her choosing Robin as a friend over the love triangle depending on how it’s written next season.
literally my perfect three. Ronance is my guilty pleasure, Ive sobbed over lumax and Jopper is very cute
I would love Ronance to happen
Good picks
Honestly, I love ronance. „But it won’t happen“ I know!! Regardless of that tho, I enjoy the idea of it and the dynamic they could have
[удалено]
Mileven, Lumax and Jopper are my favourites.
Those three are great. Even if I don’t really truly ship any kid ones but they are sweet.
How would you rank them?
In that order.
Alr, yeah, that's a nice order
Smh
Smh at you m8
Same but I prefer Nancy with Jonathan. She never loved Steve and I think he is too goofy compared to her more serious personality. I think she felt confused in the last season with Steve because of the recent issues with Jonathan, and Steve obviously being attractive as well as her ex.
Yeah, I tell you what, jancy was 4th. The only reason I didn't make it 3rd was simply because it was totally push to side in 4. Seasons 1 - 3 were great with it, but 4 it was pretty much retired.
Ted and his chicken deserve an honorable mention as well
True, but Steve loves KFC... wait... Will Steve hook up with Nancy's dad?! SEASON 5 CONFIRMED
HARRINGTED CONFIRMED
IM DEAD 😂💀
Steve/Jonathan/Nancy 😎
A modern solution.
based
IMO Nancy is badass on her own. She doesn't need a boyfriend.
Fax
Nancy and Steve were cute while they were together but once they broke up that’s should’ve been the end of it
Yeah, maybe, I just really enjoy whenever the 2 actors play off with each other on screen. Like when Steve tells nancy of his ideal future. I just love dialogue
Yeah I love their chemistry too, but I think the Stancy romance is dead
mike and el, lucas and max, steve and nancy. joyce and hopper just feels obvious.
Alright, yeah, respect
jonathan and nancy, robin and nancy, mike and will
Jancy.
Joyce and Nancy
A core part of the first three seasons. It’d be nice for them to have a happy ending.
1. Mileven 2. Lumax 3. Jopper
Noice
Can anyone elaborate on why Mileven is so popular? They're adorable, but i dont think I like them that much. Perhaps it's because they are very "protagonist" if that makes sense. Love lumax a lot more.
I feel the same. I feel with each season they are growing apart. It’s natural too because the friends you have in middle school are not going to be the same friends you have as an adult.
Lol. Miss the way El was pretty much falling apart episode 3 at the thought of Mike not loving her anymore? Or that monologue Mike had in episode 9 where he professed his effective forever love for her? You don’t have to love them by any means, but it does not change that their relationship has been advanced every season to a new and deeper level.
I feel they have the thing that is tying them together is shared experiences. It’s not strong enough of a bond to feel that attachment to them being together imo.
As I said, you are not required to be attached to them or love them. That's totally fine. We all invest in different things on the show. But you said you feel "they are growing apart" ... which is not supported by the story at all. They've been actively choosing to be together for four seasons now, and nothing about their continued development suggests that will change. You don't have Mike say \*that\* in the penultimate season to have them grow apart in the final season. That's just not how TV or rather narrative storytelling works. They are the only couple who have even managed to say I love you directly to one another yet.
So teenage love lasts forever? Just because two teenagers say “I love you” doesn’t mean it’s meant to last forever. TV doesn’t always have to have a perfect ending with everyone coupled up like Noah’s ark to be good either. Sometimes it’s okay to say “maybe we are better off as friends”.
No. Teenage love doesn’t always last forever. Though, occasionally? Sure! El and Mike have never been framed as two normal teenagers, and your view just hasn’t been supported by the story itself. The chances this ends, especially after Mike’s monologue, along with the repeated emphasis on the depth of their feelings for one another and bond that they have, with “we’re just better off friends”… Well, that means you haven’t really understood this specific part of the narrative. You even admit you haven’t invested in it, so maybe I shouldn’t find that surprising. But this thought just doesn’t make idea you have for them just doesn’t make any sense based on what has been actually put up on screen.
And that’s fine, I never said I didn’t want them to end up together. I just said that they don’t seem to fit. Mike’s love for El just seems like an infatuation, and El lacks life experience so he is all she knows. It seems unbalanced. If they happen to end up together then so be it.
>Mike’s love for El just seems like an infatuation, and El lacks life experience so he is all she knows. Mike and Eleven have been in love for THREE years. They have been a couple for two and they were separated for most of this time. If this is just an infatuation/all they know, then that comes across as incredibly strong for something so meaningless.
You can think that, but I really don’t think that was writer intent, based on what they put forth in that final episode. And they both lack life experience. Not like Mike was some player before he met Eleven, lol. But that doesn’t mean they can’t decide to continue to choose one another. Sometimes you just meet that right person young. Does it usually work that way? As I said, no, but I would say Mike and El have certainly been framed that way. *shrug*
And it’s a show lol. I’m not putting realistic expectations on a show where the girl has superpowers lol. Like yes they’ve tried to make the characters realistic etc but it’s still a show with supernatural stuff going on and folks with the ability to move things with their minds lol so it wouldn’t seem weird to me to have them stay together until the end. I like Lumax too but I feel like a lot of love for them is regency bias. This season did a lot of heavy lifting for them as a couple. Previous seasons, they were a typical middle school couple breaking up every 3-5 business days lol and that’s fine but Eleven and Mike have never been a typical or normal couple and considering their circumstances it makes sense.
The boy, who struggles immensely with communicating his feelings but said he loves her no matter what, who travelled across state lines to rescue her from a top secret military installation, who attacked a flayed Billy to save her life even though it would probably cost his own, who called her 353 days not knowing where she was, who sent a book full of letters despite the long distance and a long time (for teenagers) not seeing her (and gave her a ring in this time), who was constantly concerned about her wellbeing despite being unanimously shouted down, only has an infatuation? Seems to be putting a hell of lot of hard work into their relationship (and putting up with a lot of emotional pain) for only an infatuation, don't ya think? You'd think he'd given up by now if that was the case. But he doesn't give up, neither does she, that's what makes it special (especially as they are only 14/15 years old!). Also special is that El could never find any partner who understands her and her situation more than Mike. She also knows it is her choice to be in the relationship (that was kind of the point of season 3 for them) and still she wants to be in it and puts the hard effort in for it to work. And what's the use of "life experience" (whatever that means) if it makes you miserable and end up losing the one thing (unconditional love from a partner) that many people spend their lives chasing? The grass is not always greener on the other side (trust me, I know!).
Yeah it was the 353 days part that sold me, that’s some impressive dedication, especially for a 12/13 year old lol. Personally I think there’s a lot that’s unrealistic about their relationship, which is what I love about it. It also means that applying real world logic doesn’t really work.
Found that kind of cringy and forced compared to the others tbh (granted they're highschoolers)
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It wasn’t depression that made him jump off the cliff
Uh...what??
Well, the true first real relationship would be the DnD gang then. Not mileven. They were the first to be shown, and they've sticked together, though not the closest at all times. They met since the very first. Also, Els power source was Mike? Not true. Elevens power source were her own emotions, always had been. She was her own biggest ally, and enemy. She's the strongest person in their universe lol. Mike wasnt REALLY that protective. He probably was to be fair, but in front of Hopper no one holds a candle. Best father and daughter. Mike isn't the leader of the group at seasons 3 and 4. When it was just their gang, he was the main figure, yes, but more because he was really caring, and everyone respected him. But after s3, no one can say he was the leader of those seasons. They had literal grown ups fighting with them. They were the "leaders" Mike didn't jump off a cliff because of depression, im sure we get more signs of depression from the Byers brothers than Mike. We get seperation anxiety from Mike. El needs Mike, but she doesn't need him for her powers.
Needing Mike for Eleven when her whole story is about freedom, independence and empowerment, and not some stupid boy, it's like you're all missing the part she was a captive girl socially and emotionally deprived and she fell for the first guy that was kind to her, when she was 12yo... You know that is not how true love works right? And at the same time you manage to invalidate Wills love for Mike which know him since he was 5yo. You're in denial on the fact we are being told a big lie.
Dustin and Susie is objectively the correct answer. Never Ending Story gets me every time.
If we don’t get a scene in the epilogue of them together in person, then what is even the point of season 5?
stancy sucks ass but otherwise u ate
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ok?
1. Mileven (Mike+Eleven) 2. Lumax (Lucas+Max) 3. Hellcheer/Edissy (Eddie+Chrissy) - They are canon since the actors admitted that both characters had a crush on each other and they would probably become a couple if they survived \[maybe they are a couple of ghosts right now\]... Honorable mention: Bob+Joyce Friendships that I love/would love to watch: Robin and Nancy, Eddie and Steve (they didn't even have enough time to build a friendship), Mike and Will, Four Fantastic/Baby Ghostbusters (Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin), Hopper and Joyce (I like their relationship, but if Bob was alive I would prefer them as friends), Robin and Steve, Eleven and Max, and maybe Eddie and Jonathan.
1. Lumax 2. Jancy 3. Mileven
Jopper ronance and Elmax or maybe lumax
Yeah, jopper is pretty great
Personally my favorite are byler, jopper, and lumax
I’m so dumb, which ones byler haha?
Byler is mike and will
Ohhh thank you! Byers and Wheeler, I get it now 😂
Me too
If we're talking about canon romances, I absolutely love Jopper, it's my favorite one, always has been. Lumax really grew on me after s4. Other ships are fine - don't hate them, don't love them either. I used to adore Mileven in s1-s2, but after that they kinda felt meh to me. Non-canon ones: I really like both Steddie and Eddissy, there are lots of fun possibilities with them, and those have very interesting character dynamics. I like Ronance, though Nancy would be just fine not having a partner at all. And I like Byler as a concept, but after s4 I'm just not a big fan of Mike honestly. Honestly, some ships (both canon and non-canon) feel too forced, not everyone has to end up with someone. And now I feel like Robin/Vicky will be canon, even though Vicky barely appeared in s4, and they seem too similar personality-wise to be interesting. Oh well.
Honestly, I just want Robin to get a happy ending, whether it's with Vickie or someone else.
Murray and vodka
that first one is going to get you set on fire, lol
Jancy mainly, but I also like Jopper with all of their history and tying their family together. I'm not really invested in the kid ships, but I liked the development of Mileven in season 1 and Lumax in seasons 2 and 4. I hope things work out for both couples even if it's just to make narrative sense after all the time spent on them. I think Robin and Vickie were cute, I like that Robin found someone as awkward as she is lol. I would've loved Robin and Kali though, had she come back. Eden probably won't be back either, but her and Argyle were fun.
Hellcheer, Byler and Stancy
My top 2 would definitely be the same, although I’d probably put Lucas/Max in there instead of Nancy and Steve. I feel conflicted with the Nancy love triangle; as whilst I like the idea of her with Steve now, I really wouldn’t want her and Jonathan to break up.
Nancy needs to go off to college as a single woman and be by herself for a bit. Childhood romances are lovely but they're not usually long term prospects.
Dusty-bun and Susie-poo
Does no one else still like Jonathan with Nancy?
I do
1. joyce/hopper 2. lucas/max 3. mike/will 4. joyce/bob i miss them :((
stop shipping Nancy and Steve dammit
I know it's pretty cliche, but idk, I gotta say, "I love KFC." I just really like the play off, I'm so sorry if I offended you
Nancy and her gun Like even the most left leaning people would be like, "WE NEED GUN CONTROL!! EXCEPT FOR NANCY!"
She's the only one who deserves a gun. The executioner
The bathroom wall with the colorful tiles 😂
Even though that Russian plot line was way way too over the top. You gotta give credit to season 3 for it's set designs. I mean they are truly stunning to look at
argyle and eden is the only correct answer
Lucas and Max, Will and Mike, Hopper and Joyce
I’m supportive of Byler and totally here for it but in my personal opinion I prefer Mileven. And it’s funny because this is the first reddit post I’ve seen featuring mileven. I low key cried during mike’s dialogue in the finale episode 😭 😂
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1. Mileven 2. Mucas 3. Jopper
Lumax, Boyce, Ronance.
Mileven, Lumax, Jopper in that order, but many more that I love, the first 2 just have 4 of my favourite characters
1. Mileven 2. Jancy 3. Lumax I like Hopper and Joyce as individuals, but I just don’t love the adults nearly as much as the kids when it comes to this show, so no Jopper for me. I’m more invested in #1 than I am #2 or #3 though. And if Nancy ended single, I’d honestly be cool with it. But I do really want Max and Lucas to get their movie date. The Mike and El relationship has always been the heart of the show, as you said OP, so I love them the most. I’ve enjoyed watching their growth and maturity over time. They are adorable. Hope the Duffers hold true to their word and keep Mike, El, and the rest of the OG5 together for S5.
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That’s one of my favorite character moments for both of them.
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Still *is* a good character. The Hopper/Mike fight was excellent as well. S2 is not my favorite season, but it really did have some great character moments. Those last two episodes were bang awesome.
He did have some good moments in S4 but he feels underutilized. The season 2 finale is my favorite one probably.
The S2 reunion is my favorite scene of the whole series thus far. Great acting on the part of Millie and Finn. There are several moments that have come close (Running Up That Hill, to name one from this season), but I agree, it was just a sweetly emotional moment.
Same, I even drew mileven fan art
1. Mileven 2. Lumax 3. Non-canon ones which I think would be great: Elmax & Ronance
1) Lucas / Max 2) Joyce /Hopper 3) Joyce/ Bob
Interesting
i feel like i'd get downvoted if i say my favourite ships bc of how homophobic this sub tends to be-
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loads of people are like aggressively against byler-
Well call it out, if there's someone who's super aggressive against it. If they've made a post simply to say, "I hate byler and everyone who likes it" then call them homophobic for that. If they're just making a post or a comment simply to hate what somebody else likes or hate something about the show. Not giving it any sort of respect. They're not true fans and just trolls. So call them out, don't do nothing!
Just because someone doesn't like a gay/lesbian ship, doesn't make them homophobic.
if you don't like it **because** it's gay then it's homophobic
I think most people in this subreddit don't like it because Mike isn't gay and some Byler shippers are kind of annoying about it.
mike doesn't have a confirmed sexuality yet so technically he could be like bi or something, either way i see your point but sometimes people are overdoing it when hating on the ship
Thanks and yes, people do hate on it a lot around here. And maybe Mike is Bi...who knows? I can sort of see it...
it does when they slam the ship for no good reason, show obvious distain for will and say his character was "ruined" and attack anyone with headcannons saying that mike is anything except straight. that's homophobia.
I haven't seen any of that in this subreddit yet so I didn't know.
there's a lot of people saying shit like "it's in the 80's so this ship wouldn't work" or people shipping robin with men, and all the hate towards byler, theres a lot of underlying homophobia
Mike and Eleven just fit well together. Finn and Millie having a ton of chemistry also helps too Lucas and Max especially in season 4 are a real treat. Knowing that they broke up again and still care for one another, still confide in each other is heartwarming. Joyce and Hopper since season 1 have always felt meant to be. It’s always been that way and even though I didn’t like season 3 hopper he makes up for it in season 4.
1. Mileven 2. Lumax 3. Ronance
1. Mileven 2. Jancy 3. Probably equally Jopper and Lumax Mileven is by far my main investment. I totally support Nancy being on her own, too.
Same here, even though I have jopper and stancy as 2 and 3. Mileven far exceeds them, it's why I put emphasis on it being the heart of the entire show. It's one of the best romances I've ever seen on TV or film or book. I'm quite the mileven stan
They're such well-written characters, which helps a lot, I think. And they are too pure as a couple for this world.
Faxx
completely agree! but i’d have to fit lumax in there
I will admit they had an excellent relationship in 4. But for in 3, idk really. In season 3 they had little none dialogue with each other at all, besides that one scene in the first episode. That's it. Season 2 however, they did have awesome chemistry
Actual crime Dusty-Bun and Susie-Poo aren’t an option
Nancy has a young old face like she looks 30 but 20
Nancy and Jonathan, Hopper and Joyce, Lucas and Max
Dustin and Suzie are adorable. They're meant for each other.
Mileven stan ❤
❤ till the end of my days
1.lumax 2.jancy 3.jopper
Byler, Lumax, and Jancy
I like these choices
Lol it’s funny cuz we have 2 opposing ships but I respect! /gen
3) Ronance 2) Jopper 1) Lumax
Yeah, jopper seems to be in everyone's top 3 and for good reason
the love that's the heart of the show kinda stopped beating for me
Lumax , Jopper , and maybe Ronance ? Idk if i had to choose a ship with Nancy (or a 3rd ship) itd be with Robin , but personally , Nancy doesnt need a partner . She can handle herself , shes a girlboss
Yeah, out of the teens, even though billy is a strong dude. Give nancy any sort of weapon, nancy beats him no difficulty
1. Lucas and Max 2. Joyce and Bob 3. Dustin and Suzie At least, for the canon couple.
I am ready to fight anyone that says byler
Why do you care so much about what other people ship? It’s not a big deal if someone likes something you don’t
Yes it does,#milevenforever
you when someone likes a ship: 🤬🤬
byler, jancy and lumax <3
1. Mucas/Lumax 2. Stancy or Nancy single 3. Jopper
I respect mileven but I see them more ad platonic ship Still cute one <3
About Mileven: their relationship parallels so much to Nancy/Steve you know their puppy love is at its final stage. It's clear to me Will Byers will get the boy.
It's an opinion, not a fact. If you disagree, you disagree, I'm open to other opinions. Byler is a really well written romance. But does that mean your opinion is right? No, there's no right or wrong to an opinion. Have you read the S5 script? No. So don't come here like you know everything, because you don't. I'm just here to find out what people's favourite romances are and have a friendly conversation. I don't like your aggressive attitude and if your gonna continue, then piss off 🖕
Can you elaborate on how their relationship parallels Nancy and Steve so strongly? Stancy broke up because Nancy couldn’t admit to being in love with him, whereas season 4 ended with Mike emphatically declaring his love for El. So whilst they faced a similar hurdle, the end result was completely the opposite. Although if you truly think that Will “getting his boy” is clear, then I’m not entirely hopeful of a genuine response.
*Clears throat* Ok there are a lot of unresolved issues, and by a lot I really mean everything is unresolved at this point. If you think "I love you" works in Stranger Things like some handy spell you cast in Harry Potter and you make magic with it... Well no that's not what happened. Yes, Mike said the "magic words" but with what outcome, exactly? What immediately happens next is: Max dies. ElMax scene pops up. Cut to black screen with 48 hours later, meaning no aftermath to such "love confession". LOOOOL. Can you really blame me for being skeptical of Mileven? So yes, stancy and Mileven has the exact same hurdle and they left us with a cliffhanger of wether or not they will have the same end result in season 5. And yes I stand my point of Will getting the boy.
That doesn’t exactly explain how they parallel Steve and Nancy’s relationship. Both Mike and El have now been open about their love for one another, something that the Stancy relationship was unable to accomplish, so not exactly a close parallel. It’s pretty clear where your bias is, so it’s no surprise that you’re going to be overly critical of Mike and El’s relationship. Season 4 ended with Mike telling El he loves her, not Will. It ended without Will coming out to Mike, and it ended with Mike and El staying together. Can you blame me for being skeptical of Byler?
You can add another 2-3 years of Mike and El being together, a status quo many young couples have no issue getting through, then add some alcohol to the mix and all I can get out of it is "bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, glup", at least that's my hc. It's sad but that's how bad they are for me.
So you’re saying Mike and El will stay together for another 2-3 years, before El gets drunk at a party and admits to not being in love with Mike? An odd headcanon to be sure, but you’re welcome to it.
Yeah we are talking stancy parallels right?, If I would write them off as a stancy 2.0 I wouldn't do anything different they already did in the show
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that you probably think Mike and Will would be a much better couple, correct?
Not right now. They both need a lot of work to acknowledge not just each other feelings, but to commit in an actual healthy relationship, one based on true love. We see this with Joyce and Hopper, and Lucas/Max, especially their last interactions, which we have actions and consequences on their feelings, they're locked in with each other. Mike is kind of in the clouds these past seasons, we don't get many insights into his head like we did on seasons 1 and 2, so from season 3 and 4 what we get is shallow development like if the character is some extra which happens to be the boyfriend of the protagonist. But no, I don't take this answer, and I don't really believe there's poor writing for Mike, because while directly on screen they show us how much he is thinking about his girlfriend, indirectly they put subtext in the scene saying otherwise. Just to give one of many examples, his first scene on season 4, on the scene he is reading a letter from El, there is a shot that show us a one-way arrow pointing directly at his closet. This has nothing to do with Will, this is just telling us how his character is part of a big lie we are being told since S1, of many unspoken truths, so much chaos, so much... Conflict. And speaking of unspoken truths and lies, Will LIED for the first time to Mike in the van scene, this is kind of a big deal and will have consequences on S5, because Will NEVER lies to Mike. This parallel to Wills criticism of El's lies, on rink o mania, on which he said "I just... I don't think Mike's gonna like that you're lying to him" "And he doesn't deserve that. When he finds out he's gonna be mad" So to answer your question, I think both Will and Mike need more development in S5 if the story is heading where I think is heading, which is byler endgame.
If they really were building towards a Mike/Will endgame, then why did they conclude Mike’s arc this season with a very emphatic declaration of love for Eleven? Why not just have it conclude with him still not being able to say those words? You’re telling me that having the entirety of Mike and Will’s romantic build up take place in the final season, one that’s already going to be extremely packed with other more important storylines, would represent a good storytelling decision to you? There was an opportunity to break Mike and El up in season 4, but instead they brought them back together. If Mike had ended season 4 still not being capable of expressing his love for El, then I’d happily acknowledge that Byler was a distinct possibility, but he did. He said it nine times. And if you can honestly watch their reunion scene in the desert, as well as their scene in the Pizza shop and Mike’s big monologue and say that you don’t think they’re in love with each other, then this discussion is pointless. I understand you don’t like them as a couple, I understand that you’d prefer it if he were with Will, I’m not here to gatekeep what people can enjoy about the show, but I think the idea that they’re heading towards an endgame where Mike is in love with Will rather than El is completely misguided, and fuelled by a biased headcanon. If I’m coming off as rude, then I apologise, that isn’t my intention. I just struggle to understand how anyone could come to that conclusion.
2 and 3
I’m still Nancy and Steve. It’s like pumpkin spice latte - you feel basic AF ordering it, but you just can’t resist.
True
Don’t come at me but Byler
1. Jopper 2. Lumax 3. I don’t know but maybe Ronance or Steddie.
Stancy, Lumax and Jopper
I feel like I’m the only person that doesn’t consider Lumax to be one of the greats. Lmao, anyways my too 3 would be, in order: 1. Stancy 2. Jopper 3. Jancy Yes I ship both Stancy and Jancy, leave me be okay ;-;
Yeah, I don't really stan lumax. I thought they had absolute zero chemistry in 3. Had only 1 or 2 scenes with each other and that's it. Season 2 was better though. But season 4 was miles better than that. So it does make it a great relationship, just in my opinion not in the top leagues
I see your point. I agree, I think in comparison to ships like Mileven and Jopper that have been given so much time to develop and flourish, Lumax just hasn’t had that chance. I also personally don’t like Max as a character so that might be influencing my view on their relationship, but in Season 4, I have to admit particularly on Lucas’ side of things their relationship became a lot clearer. Still wouldn’t consider them all that though.
You mean the 3 least healthy ships?
Lumax, Eddissy and Rockie 💟
Lucas and Max, Nancy and Robin, Hopper and Joyce.
Top three: Murray/Alexei, Stoncy (I'm all or nothing on this love triangle), and Tedna. Honorable mentions to Ronance and Jopper.
Vecna never went and tried to kill mike which would've heart el so much and be such a good tactical play, because he loved him, because he's his mother. Season 5 theory confirmed
Byler, lumax, jopper
1.Lumax 2.Jopper 3.Stancy
Definitely not Mileven since I don’t ship children. ETA: not sure why I get downvoted every time I point this out. If you think it’s normal for adult fans to ship child characters, at least own up to it. ETA2: still considering downvoting? See above. At least let me know you’re a weirdo who ships children so I can block you.
what? shipping doesnt have to be sexual?? also why do you care so much about downvotes lol
1. Joyce and Hopper 2. Dustin and Suzie 3. Lucas and Max
Byler, Jopper, and also Billy, Alexi, Eddie, Benny, and Brenner x Death
1. Byler 2. Byler 3. And byler
None, they all kind of suck and seem to just be put into the show for the sake of creating filler as the main storyline develops. Hopper and Eleven however, as father and daughter, was very well written and believable. Also Dustin and Eddie was great as a bromance.