Love triangles have hooked viewers and divided fandoms since the dawn of television, and Netflix’s cult hit “Stranger Things” is no exception to this phenomena.
“Stranger Things” (Season five, Vol. one) came out Nov. 26 and features two central love triangles. Eleven and Mike have been together since season three and quickly became a fan favorite. However, fans have speculated that Mike might fall for his lifelong best friend, Will Byers. Another love triangle includes characters Jonathan, Steve and Nancy. The fifth season depicts competition over Nancy, and volume one sets up Nancy’s final choice between the two love interests.
Fans are divided on who the right choice is, and so are the upper school viewers. Many say Steve and Nancy are endgame; however, Jonathan fans are adamant that he is the right choice. Overall, based on a poll of 41 upper school students, “Stranger Things” fans were split: 47.5% believe Steve is the right choice, 30% of respondents stuck with Jonathan and defended him in their explanations, and 22.5% of voters think they should all find someone new.
Jonathan has been Nancy’s boyfriend for multiple seasons, and when it comes to Jonathan supporters, the upper school has no shortage.
“I think that Jonathan is perfect for Nancy and just because someone has been loving you since high school doesn’t mean that they are a good match,” ninth-grader Katherine Lin said.
Senior Taryn Karasti also supports Jonathan and Nancy. “Nancy and Jonathan work better because they click better and they understand each other better. Steve and Nancy just scream friends,” she said.
As for Steve, many students said that he has been there since day one and will be there until the end. Sophomore Eli Kardasis Sturtz has been rooting for Steve since the first season. “Jonathan is just kinda odd and creepy,” he said. Ninth-grader Grace Berger is also leaning towards Steve and Nancy and thinks Nancy deserves better than Jonathan. “Jonathan is a bum and Steve appreciates her and has really grown as a person throughout the series,” she said.
The topic of Mike and Will, called Byler by fans of the pairing, or Mike and Eleven, also known as Mileven, also came with strong opinions. Again, the results show a mix of opinions. 40% of respondents are holding on to the Mileven ship and another 40% are ready for everyone to find someone new, while 20% think Byler is endgame.
Kardasis Sturtz is against Byler, but all for El and Mike. “It will literally ruin the show if Mike ends up with his childhood best friend. It would just add a really weird dynamic … that would just not be good writing after four seasons of Mike saying how much he loves El,” he said. Senior Otto Rudolf is also a fan of Mileven from a plot standpoint. He argues it wouldn’t make sense any other way: “Mike and El have been together for the entire show and it’d be too hard to justify changing that and putting Mike and Will together in only four episodes.”
As for Will and Mike, anyone who voted for them would gladly explain why. Karasti is adamant that the show needs more romantic glam and is a big fan of Byler.
“There needs to be some more spice and drama and the Mike/Will couple would bring that to the table!” she said.
Many people are set on the idea that Will is too good for any of the current options. Holden doesn’t think Mike deserves Will. “Mike and El don’t seem right together, and Will is too good for any of the others,” she said.
“Stranger Things” fans are speculating about the ending and are ready for volume two to reveal the answers. Whether or not fans will get their dream ending will have to wait until Dec. 25, but it’s clear upper school fans are excitedly waiting for the ending of the show.
