How Obvious?

Before I get started, I was a Mileven shipper in the begining and though their story was super cute, I was then converted to a Byler Shipper after season 4 as it was just too damn obvious that this is where they were heading. I wasnt as into the Byler spaces as I have been this past month, simply because I was still cautious. After VL1, I really jumped on the Ship, and the hope and excitement I felt for previous ships came back. I was sure this was not going to end the same, and a beautiful story would be told. Compared to other fandoms and queer ships, I had more hope and confidence than ever,

What happened with Stranger Things and Byler feels completely different from other cases of queerbaiting. It is queerbait, but on an entirely different level. I have been watching this show since 2016; I was there for every season release. I have watched hours of videos analysing their creative choices such as colour and lighting, directing choices, music ect and honestly, thought it would be a beautiful way to end the show. I wanted El to find her own peace and independence seperate to Mike and truly LIVE for herself.

Queer representation is so important. Though poor Robin and Vicky's relationship wasn't even confirmed in the epilogue, we have no idea what happened to their relationship, which is very disappointing. Will does not even end up with anyone; every other character has a chance at reciprocated romance except Will. I am not counting the scene in the epilogue that Mike headcannoned for the group btw. That was not set in stone, much like El being possibly alive or not.

They set up Byler since the beginning; it is there in the show, we did not interpret it wrong or look for subtext that didn't exist. It was all there, all laid out by the show writers. They could have told us before Season 5, when Byler was becoming a more popular ship that it was not going to happen ( much like the creators of Wednesday did HERE) instead they drew out Will's love for Mike until the very end while making Mike and El's relationship ambiguous.

An article (LINK HERE) has come out post ST season 5, where the Duffer Brothers state that Byler was never going to happen and that they 'blocked out' the noise made by the Byler fan base to write the story they needed to happen. Mike and El were always endgame.

If they were not going to make Byler endgame and always had plans for Mileven to make it to the end, why did they make their relationship be built on a lie (Painting). At the end of Season 4, they were clearly not on great terms; they had many issues within their relationship, I mean in the Season 5 finale El was sacrificing her self and he still couldn't say I love you like really??? that would have been a beautful moment between them showing how he has grown as a character from the previous seasons where he couldnt say he loved El with out being promted by Will. I love El as a character and was very sad about her ending, though it was not as emotionally impactful as I think they wanted because Mike and El have not shown any emotional connections that season. I truly believe that El and Mike loved each other, even as a Byler shipper. I still believe that Mike did love her, though much like Nancy and Johnathon, it was just not meant to be, and that they would find peace and happiness in friendship.

They had 18 months to explain what happened between them and show us their relationship blossoming and healing from all the terrible shit Mike did. Instead, what did they do??? They made us believe that Will had a chance with Mike ( signals that Robin spoke about). All of Volume 1 was literally setting them up, so much so that the General Audience was starting to see (someone check of Lizzo, she must be devastated). Many fans had hope, and new fans were brought in on the prospect of a Queer ship becoming canon. The cast interveiws tip toed around the concept of Byler, and if Mike would like Will back, it was set up this way for a reason. I don't blame any of the cast as they are all required to follow their NDA's and not spoil anything. But why would this be a spoiler? If the Duffer brothers never intended for it to be shown this way. They could have easily shut it down then but no, they kept it going right up until the very end.

None of this would have happened if, after Season 4 they had confirmed that Wills love for Mike was not reciprocated and that Will would have a beautiful story of self-acceptance (I do like this and agree that if we did have Byler, Will would need to accept himself first). Instead, they gave us hope. They gave us the possibility that, finally, the cycle would stop.

They couldnt even give us a deep conversation between Mike and Will about his feelings. Mike does not know that he was the one that Mike has a 'crush on', that the painting was from him, not El. Noah has come out recently and stated that the scene on the tower in ep 8 where Mike states they are best friends, was not going to occur, that they were going to leave their story at the coming out scene, but he felt as though they needed more closure and requested it. At least we got something more, I guess....

I am very disappointed in the way the show ended, not just about the blatant queerbaiting. There are so many plot holes or issues that were not addressed in the story. I mean, even some Mileven shippers are upset about the ending and the lack of emotional connections between the 2 characters. Both sides were left with more questions than answers. I love El, and I like to also choose to believe, much like the characters, that she is alive and free somewhere safe. I care for Mike's character, and I think I feel the most upset and sad for him as he had so much potential to become such a beautiful character.

There are some parts of the last half of the season (and whole season really) that I loved, such as Max and Lucas's interaction, the beautiful scene between Dustin and Steve repairing their friendship. Nancy and Johnathon talk about how they love each other, but it's time for them to part. The story of Hopper and El, El and Kali, and that family love is important. Will and Robins' friendship and having someone who understands them for who they are. Sadly, the good parts are outweighed by the parts that are so disappointing.

I will move on from this as I have done so in the past. I feel for all the young queer fans who are experiencing this level of queerbating for the first time. It is hard, but the great thing about communities is the amazing creative work that comes out of them. There are so many beautiful fanfics and art, and creativity that have come from Byler. I will always enjoy a great fanfic and will continue to do so. These characters (all of them) will live in my heart forever, and through the amazing work of the fanbase.