sadie sink deserves an emmy

it would make the "sudden" nyu attendance make more sense bc last we see he wants to stay with his family not move to new york even if that's what he's been dreaming of since he was 6.

it wouldve been a good near end to his arc of the boy who sacrifices everything for everyone else to finally understand that he's allowed to want things too.

the fact that it's framed as nancy needing to find herself when she already knows what she wants and nothing about her really changes after the break up is why it doesn't work imo. she still wants to be a journalist and she goes to emerson which jonathan was never holding her back from. even though she drops out it's because of the trauma from the upside down not because of a relationship.

Giving Mike that painting was a selfless act of unconditional love, as well as a coded confession. By not allowing Will’s truth to come to light, the writers essentially convey that his taking space would harm others, so he needs to remain silent. Instead of being seen and recognized, Will’s desires are minimized for the sake of a greater good. In a story about his self-acceptance, agency, and right to take up space, Will ends up self-erasing because his truth is inconvenient when it affects a “bigger” romantic payoff.

Yes, the entire painting plot feels like a poor choice if they always intended to have it end in rejection. Will’s love is used to teach Mike how to be a better boyfriend, while Mike and Jane/El’s relationship is placed on life support by Will’s unrecognized feelings. This storyline clearly exploits Will’s pain and aestheticizes queer suffering. By not allowing recognition and truth to surface at all, the story actively undermines what it tries to convey about Will’s journey - he endures in silence and ultimately disappears instead of choosing himself and setting clear boundaries.

It seems obvious that all of this is done to avoid creating conflict between Mike and Jane/El. Season 5 has time for action, a ridiculous love triangle involving Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve, as well as random kids and Murray’s jokes. However, there’s no room for Mike and Jane/El to unpack how they “fixed” their problems. Mike would need to confront the fact that his relationship with Jane/El was “saved” by someone else’s hidden love, which would force both Jane/El and Mike to reassess their bond. But the Duffers appear to prioritize the tragic, star-crossed lovers moment set to “Purple Rain” before Jane/El’s sacrifice over that development. Their relationship remains hollow, but Mlvns seem satisfied and are even imagining Jane/El giving birth in Iceland in a few years, so I guess all is well.

Every scene they have together is undercut with Will being sad.

Awww Mike and El kissing at the airport! Mike can't hug Will.

Mike and El are roller skating! Will's sad all by himself.

Mike and El finally reunite! Will is literally watching in between them.

Mike and El cute moment at the pizza place! Will is staring at them sadly.

Mike confessing his love for El! He says something that hurts Will.

The takeaway from season 4 isn't Mike and El love each other it's Will is sad because Mike and El love each other.

And the fact that this isn't done for any other couple.

After season 2, Jancy's romantic moments are by themselves.

Even Joyce and Bob get to have romantic moments alone without Hopper.

They actively chose to build up Will's love for Mike instead of Mileven as a couple, which makes no sense if that was always going to be your endgame ship.