BYLER

After my last post, I did some more thinking. After taking some time to rewatch some of the episodes, and think deeper after a joke a friend made, I think I can finally say that I think I know why byler was left unresolved and why Will needed to come out.

NOTE: I am NOT a duffer I do NOT know the ending I’m just saying my top thoughts and theories at this moment.

1) Byler being left unresolved

Anyone can see this was purely intentional. But why would they do this? Why would they purposely leave it open ended like this? Especially with all the holes left unresolved (Mike’s POV, the painting, etc). But the fact that they didn’t close up all the loose ends shows that this is not the end for Mike and Will.

a.) Compare this with other arcs

Let’s think of Jancy. As we know, the two of them broke up. And this was BEFORE the finale. The triangle between Steve, Nancy and Jonathan was very important and central during volume 1, but during volume 2 they wrapped up EVERY loose end with them and tied it in a nice little bow.

NO point of view was left open, we had Steve accepting and letting go of Nancy, we had Nancy closing it off with both of them, and Jonathan accepting this.

But byler on the other hand?

No direct confession, no direct rejection, no POV of the other party involved (Mike), no emotional aftermath. So many gaps left to be filled and explored.

b.) But why would they do this?

I mean after all they could’ve just gave Mike and Will a Jancy moment where they broke up (in byler’s case a rejection) but… they didn’t.

I think this is a very important choice and it goes to show that while the Nancy-Steve-Jonathan triangle wasn’t significant enough to be brought into the finale, Byler was important enough that they gave them an ambiguous ending MEANING they have to address this in the finale.

I just don’t see the point of pushing something this far or elongating a relationship situation like this into the finale if not for a good reason.

The finale is there for payoff, closure of very important arcs, firing Chekhov’s guns. Not introducing new things, resolving unimportant arcs, repeating info. So anything that they want to resolve before the finale, will be resolved before in order for it not to interfere with the emotional impact of the finale.

I’m telling you, if they could close up that love triangle with Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan without leaving any open wounds, they could’ve done that for Byler too, meaning they chose deliberately not to do so.

2.) Why Will coming out was actually important.

This could possibly be my biggest stretch but at the same time I feel like I’m actually going somewhere with this.

My friend had made a joke on how Mike only figured out being gay was an option when Will came out, and even though it was a joke I really thought about it. What if he really thought being gay was an option just then?

When I say “being gay is an option” I don’t mean it as if Mike didn’t know that gayness existed, or didn’t know he had the autonomy to be gay, but rather a realization that he could still be gay, and still be Mike.

a.) Coming out scene was actually for Mike

To many people, (including me at first), Will’s coming out scene seemed rather sudden, random and simply horrifying. I mean who the hell makes the shy gay boy in a small town in the 80s come out to a billion people some of them he doesn’t even know well like that. 😭

But, when you really think about it, it all makes sense.

Narratively, this scene was for MIKES benefit, not necessarily Will’s

Mike had to be able to see in real time people accepting Will for who he is even WHILE being different, how people embraced him, accepted him with love and kindness regardless of everything.

b.) Mike’s internalized homophobia

Mike is a leader, he’s the heart, which has been established many times throughout the show and he has natural leadership instincts and qualities. He also worries about the feelings of others and how is perceived.

Growing up in Hawkins, the environment he lived in with a family that didn’t seem to be as accepting of things like being different (especially taking into consideration that the Wheelers are basically the “picture perfect” family) Mike’s internalized homophobia becomes a defense mechanism. He’s scared of being judged, he’s scared of people being disgusted by him, especially after seeing how Will got treated growing up.

This fear he has explains different moments like: The distant airport hug, the “We’re friends, we’re friends” after Will asked “what about us”

I feel like Mike subconsciously sees Will as a threat to the version of himself that feels safe, normal, and socially acceptable. Not because he doesn’t love Will, but because loving Will would force him to confront parts of himself he’s terrified of.

C.) Will coming out creates a shift for Mike

This is important. Mike seeing Will be able to come out in front of a group of people from many different areas, many different places, many different people in the time that they live in, and be able to see how Will was treated with love and kindness, respect, and compassion, and NORMALCY can make a HUGE impact and impression on Mike and how he feels about his self and his own feelings.

Now he knows that if he were to tell the people around him such a thing they wouldn’t judge him or feel disgusted or treat him differently, which can be a big stepping stone that allows Mike to accept his self and his feelings for Will.

Mike is aware of how he feels for Will, I believe, he’s just been so used to repressing his feelings for so long and not fully examine and acknowledge them, but I think this could be a good starting point.

3.) So in conclusion…

If I’m reading this correctly, Byler has their biggest chance of happening in the epilogue, and Wills coming out scene was not unnecessary but rather a necessary moment for Mike.