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Stranger Things, a series that deals with American social criticism of the 80's and whose protagonists are some outcasts, a group of kids who suffer bullying for being different and not adapting to the norm, a single mother and of low resources desperate to find her son, a boy who disappeared one night when he was returning home alone, and that should never have happened, but it did, because there was no one who could take care of him, a girl with powers, a secret government experiment that escaped. A show with touches of science fiction, horror, and psychological thriller.

A love letter to series and films of the 80s, made with little faith in the project, which by a stroke of luck ended up being a pop culture phenomenon.

Now everything that made Stranger Things what it was has vanished. A series born out of a love for the art and with the intention of telling a story has become an empty product that betrayed its roots to please a multi-billion dollar corporation and GA, who only care about consuming and not thinking.

The Duffer brothers betrayed the true fans who loved this series with all their hearts, who were there from the beginning of the show, who loved these characters they grew up with and simply turned their backs on them, but they also betrayed themselves by doing that.

Eleven, the female protagonist, who had her mother and a good life taken from her, lived like an experiment since she was a baby. She ended up committing suicide because, according to them, there was no other way to end her story; she had to die. The girl who suffered all her life died without having a happy ending with the people who loved her; she was never able to live the life she wanted.

Will Byers, the male protagonist, suffers at the hands of his alcoholic, abusive, and homophobic father. Growing up with homophobic slurs at school, being bullied by Vecna, and tortured throughout the series, he thought he would never fall in love, only to end up without anyone loving him romantically. His coming out was shameful, and he and his gay actor were ridiculed by conservatives and homophobes—a constant ritual of humiliation throughout the show. He ended up without receiving the love he desired because, according to them, he was too realistic.

Mike Wheeler, some might disagree, but in my opinion, he's the most tragic character in the series because he ended up becoming what he hated most. Eleven knew who she was, lived and died being herself. Will Byers accepted himself and lives as himself. But Mike, what about Mike? He ended up being what he hated most: a conformist. And there's nothing worse than living a life pretending to be someone you're not for fear of being yourself. It's like being dead while still alive.

They ruined Mike's character (and most, if not all, of the characters) in the most blatant way possible, erasing the character arc that the Duffer brothers had for him and turning him into absolutely nothing.

The Duffer brothers' claim that everything was planned from the beginning is a blatant lie. Their own show contradicts it, and all the evidence uncovered by fans proves it. They know they ruined Stranger Things; they're rolling in money, but their reputation is ruined. Now they're giving interviews that only make things worse, trying to fix the disaster of season five.

Now it's the fans who are truly suffering; they are victims of homophobia, racism and misogyny on social media. A show that was supposed to be about marginalized people and the idea that being different is good, has become the complete opposite.

And what bothers me most is the most blatant and vile queer harassment I've ever seen. They've given bylers hope for nine years, nine damn years for nothing, only to receive ridicule, humiliation, and massive harassment simply because they like a shipp gay.

People think we're annoying and delusional because, according to them, we make everything up, when that's not the case.

The dialogue, the costumes, the staging, the color palette, the lighting, the narrative… everything pointed to byler having happened, so I still can't find an answer: What happened? What made them change their minds? Was it really queerbaiting? Were we deceived all this time in the worst possible way? Why give bylers hope for years? Were they trying to make fun of us? Did Netflix prevent byler from becoming canon? Did the return of conservatism in the United States and many other countries prevent it? Was it the writers' strike that made them change their minds? Or did they just want money and more money to feed their greed?

We may never find an answer, but what we do know is that the entire cast and fans are disappointed.

I suppose this leaves us with a lesson, a reflection, perhaps a negative one for many, but I'd like to change that perspective.

We can learn from this, from demanding proper queer representation, from supporting genuine queer media and writers. I've been in this fandom for four years and I've seen incredible theories and fanarts. You are all amazing and have sensational imaginations, and the world needs to see it. Write and draw stories, create art, don't hide that talent, show everyone your brilliant minds and demonstrate what you are capable of.

Don't let this discourage you. Write fanfiction and create fan art; sometimes a disappointing ending can be the beginning of something beautiful.

This fandom didn't deserve the treatment it received. We deserved respect and much, much more.

Everything may seem very sad now, I too have been sad, I haven't been able to sleep well for days, I have felt very discouraged by how a good television program could end in such a generic way for fear of taking risks, of being innovative and giving in to conformity.

But I think this can be a new beginning for everyone. We're starting a new year, 2026! There's still so much future ahead. Although, sadly, Byler has become yet another example of queerbaiting, when it could have been something wonderfully revolutionary. It hurts, doesn't it? It hurts me a lot, as a queer person, it hurts terribly.

But I believe we can change things. The wound is fresh; it may not heal completely, it will leave a visible scar, but we can learn from it.

I'm sure that in the future there will be a very successful program with wonderful female, queer, and poc. Perhaps you, the one reading this, are the one who believes it.

The reason for this blog is to offer some reflection, because we're all feeling very desolate right now. At least, even if not many people read this, I hope it makes you feel better.

Despite the fact that many don't like Byler, it will go down in fandom history, in general, as one of the most important gay ships of the last decade.

Even if Netflix, the Duffer brothers, Shawn Levy, conservatives, and homophobes deny it.

Byler will always live on.

Has anyone else noticed this "coincidence"?

It is interesting, because they are particularly similar, rarely in the show have there been scenes with rain, I think that of the few scenes where rain has been used as a narrative resource, it has been in this one, when Mike and Will argue while the rain is in the background, making the moment look sad and melancholic because of how Mike and Will's lives have changed (they are starting to grow up, they are no longer children, they are teenagers. Nothing will be the same again). In addition to the colors palette, blue tones are the center of the scene, it serves to create a cold atmosphere and represent deep emotions or the physical/emotional distance of the characters on stage. It is a visual language to communicate emotions without words.

This new image of Vecna ​​is very similar, in fact, it seems to be part of the scene.

In the last scene of "Sorcerer", Vecna ​​​​​​​narrates sad and traumatic situations that Will experienced, we can also see those moments again, but the most relevant thing is that Vecna ​​​​was never present in those moments.

The most logical reason is that since Will and Vecna ​​are connected, Vecna ​​can access his memories, which makes sense. But Vecna can't use his memories against Will anymore because he has accepted his sexuality.

Although I also think there is something more to all this.

"See you, but do you see me?"

Max was the "last" cursed by Vecna, she practically died, until Eleven was able to revive her (not completely, she is still in a coma, it is basically being dead in life).

So, I think the next and last victim is Mike, Vecna ​​will go for him in vol2. After so much time (s1) we will be able to see Mike's perspective and he will give us many answers.

Although why Mike?

"The heart. Without the heart we all fall apart"

"It turns out, getting to Mike, now that was the key..."

"Hawkins will fall"

"Mike. Don't stop, okay? Remember that. You're the heart"

With these dialogues I think that several things make sense and it is a harbinger of what vol2 has in store for us.

It's still very curious that The Duffer Brothers said that Will is the heart of the story, but in the series it is explicitly said (by Will) that Mike is the heart.

Mike is the narrator of Stranger Things, it is his story and Will is its heart.

So I think that's why Vecna ​​attacked Mike.

If we go into a metaphorical sense, Vecna ​​​​who represents conformity and Mike who strives to be "normal", "heteronormative" and follows (fails to try) what society dictates, will anger him once and for all and Mike will have to make the biggest decision of his life: be a conformist or accept himself as he is.

Another theory of mine here where I explain this as well and what Mike's ultimate role is and that is to accept himself.

I also think Max and Holly will play a big role as they are connected to Mike.

I have an extensive theory that I talk about here (It gives more contextualization of what I talk about in this theory, but it almost comes to the same thing).

In short, Holly will open a dimensional door to escape from "Camazotz" with Max, but behind that door is the Wheeler house, they are back in Hawkins, but it is not real, but imaginary, it is a memory, but from whom? of Mike.

In D&D, when a dimensional door is created, it doesn't lead to a different plane, but to a different location within the same plane. This means they won't escape to the real world; they'll remain in Vecna's (or Mike) memory, just in a different location.

Vecna ​​and Mike are somehow connected.

The first person who sees Vecna ​​is Mike, it would make sense that it was Will because ep4 and especially that scene was about him, but they didn't do it, they intentionally decided to have Mike look at Vecna. Another omen.

Another thing I noticed is that they sound like a grandfather clock when Vecna ​​is arriving, another when Vecna ​​is already close and we can see him, after that it focuses on Mike (remember that the grandfather clock are something that Vecna's victims had in common) but it can't be heard very well because of the gunshots from the military and the music in the background, it would be great if someone else could comment that they noticed it too or am I just delusional.

This theory is very long, so I will make an index and list the different titles for better organization and greater understanding.

Index

Holly will create a dimensional door to escape from Camazotz

Max knows more than she lets on

Max and Holly will open a dimensional door to go to the Wheeler house

Mike Wheeler's Memories and how he controls the narrative

Max escaped from "Camazotz" but Holly didn't because of her conformity

Mike Wheeler and the end of his campaign

A Winkle in Time foreshadows the end of Stranger Things

Holly will create a dimensional door to escape from Camazotz

"She can cast spells of protection to ward against evil spirits, and ever cooler, she can cast a dimension door, which can teleport you to anywhere you visualize"

Mike creates a original character for Holly and describes its qualities to her. At first, it might sound trivial, but it foreshadows what will happen later.

As we see later when Holly is with Max, she tells him that she tried 3 options (but she doesn't say options, she uses the word door).

It's curious that he uses the word "door," it makes sense that she would say "options," but she doesn't, so this shows that it's intentional.

A few months ago, in one of the previews, this frame could be seen.

Many thought that Eleven was entering the mind of Mike or Will, but perhaps it's Holly and Max who are doing it. Holly is unaware of this, so she only follows Max's plan, which will be revealed in vol2.

In D&D, clerics (as Mike calls Holly) can cast dimensional gates.

2. Max knows more than she lets on

"Well, would a monster know that your brother tried to get a mohawk" "What color was this mohawk" "Hot orange"

In one of the songs that will be used for this season, titled "Here Come The Rain again" the album cover is a person with a mohawk… hot orange.

This is intentional again; it simply can't be a coincidence. The song itself isn't queer, but Annie Lennox was an LGBTQ+ activist with an androgynous style who also raised awareness about HIV/AIDS. Her image resonated strongly within the queer community in the 80s.

Furthermore, when could she have known this information? I believe she saw it in Vecna's memories.

"Only, something was different about this memory"

During his stay in "Camazotz," Max has traveled from memory to memory for months or even a whole year. We still don't know all the information he has obtained, but we can see a memory of Henry at his school and a young Joyce, which means that perhaps he has seen his past, but not everything.

As I mentioned before (in my theory about Mike Wheeler and A Wrickle in Time, which you can read here and which may give you more context and depth, because I think all of this is related), Mike reappears, and it's curious that he's next to Max when Vecna ​​cursed her, especially since the baseball sign isn't present in season 4 but is in season 5. Was this a deliberate or intentional change? But she herself says there's something different about that memory, and she wants to tell us, the audience, that there's the baseball poster (which signifies conformity in the show).

They're rubbing it in our faces, they want us to realize it!

But why Mike out of all the characters? It would make sense for it to be Will or even Eleven, in a flashback where Max is with them, but no. They could have done a scene where Max is cursed alone, but they chose to include Mike.

Perhaps it's because Vecna ​​has been watching Mike, and that's why Max knows about the orange mohawk or something else.

Will saw Vecna's memories to find out what happened to Holly and what she planned to do with the kids.

Max is trapped in Vecna's mind, a world built from Henry Creel's memories.

Memories are important, don't forget that.

Max knows more than her lets on. In his first encounter with Holly, she gives us information we didn't know about her and Mike, when could have given us information we already knew, but they chose not to.

3. Max and Holly will open a dimensional door to go to the Wheeler house

Without a doubt, I have discovered something very interesting and it is what motivated me to develop this theory.

So, let me explain. Max and Holly try to escape from "Camazotz" in ep6. Vecna ​​notices and chases them, but Holly creates a dimensional door. She imagines a safe place in her mind, thinking of her home. The door appears, Max and Holly run through before they can be caught, and then the door closes. They are safe, momentarily. Afterward, they realize they are back in Hawkins. They think it's the real world, but it isn't; it's just a memory, the Wheeler house.

It sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? But I have proof of it.

The first test involves the qualities of Holly "The Heroic," which Mike assigns to her: she can open dimensional doors to any place she visualizes (mentally).

The second proof is this.

We haven't seen this scene of Holly yet and behind her is part of the entrance to the Wheeler house (It can also be seen that the objects are identical).

At first I thought it was the house where Holly lived in "Camazotz", however I did a brief investigation and realized that it was the Wheeler House, and in good condition apparently, because remember that the Wheeler House was attacked by the Demogorgon, so her house would not be in good condition, and it would explain that they are in a memory.

Which leads us to the next question: Did they enter Holly's memory or someone else's? Let's also remember that we don't know what happened in those 18 months after s4; perhaps when Max and Holly enter through the dimensional door we'll have the answer.

Also in D&D, when a dimensional door is created, it doesn't lead to a different plane, but to a different location within the same plane. This means they won't escape to the real world; they'll remain in Vecna's memory, just in a different location.

4. Mike Wheeler's Memories and how he controls the narrative

As we can see, one of the doors is blue, which is curious. Which character is associated with that color? Mike.

That picture is a BTS; we haven't seen that scene yet, and the Demogorgon destroyed Mike's room (remember that the Demogorgon threw Ted against his door/closet and he fell bleeding next to Mike's bed), so it doesn't make sense for Mike to go back home. This is probably from the past, a memory from before the events of s5.

A typewriter can also be seen (perhaps a reference to Lettergate), and the curtains are yellow (the color associated with Will).

If we're accessing his memories, then it could give us a new perspective on Mike. But why Mike?

"In real life you're more like sorcerer" "And ever cooler, she can cast a dimension door"

Mike told Will he was a sorcerer, Will became a "sorcerer", Mike tells Holly that his character can open dimensional doors and according to my theory she will do it.

There's a pattern here: Mike says something and it comes true. Some might think it's a coincidence, but I don't.

I think it's clear proof that Mike controls the narrative; he's somehow controlling the future of the story. And you might ask why? Because he's a Dungeon Master.

Dungeon Masters are the storytellers; they can create characters and build a world; they are the final authority at the game table.

It is made clear to us that Mike is a Dungeon Master from s1 ep1.

It should be noted that I don't think this is all a D&D campaign and that they're still 12 years old, no, rather, this is Mike's campaign but it materialized into real life, came to life and is now tormenting him.

Since s1, the party has leveled up through the seasons until being able to face Vecna. In D&D, you have to earn experience points and overcome challenges to be able to defeat him.

First of all, why is this Mike's campaign? Why did D&D spill over into real life? Because it's Mike's story, he's the protagonist. And The Duffer Brothers have made us believe he isn't.

We know the series is about outcasts. The core 4 are a group of outcasts: Will is gay, Lucas is black, Dustin is disabled, and Mike is.... upper-middle class and white?. The Wheelers are the prototype of the "perfect" 80s family. There's nothing for them to be discriminated against (he is a nerd and also because of their appearance, as highlighted in the s1, but even so, it could not be considered discrimination).

Which brings us to the fact that Mike is struggling with himself, with conformity; that will be the big plot twist of vol2. Finally, we'll know the truth.

Mike is queer, he always has been, but he's been struggling with himself, trying to follow what society has dictated, heteronormativity, but he's not happy, he's not himself.

This is the first description of the character Mike, from the pilot episode, and ST was originally going to be called "Montauk".

Unlike the description in The Core 4, it's clear that Mike is somewhat obsessed with the idea of ​​having a girlfriend and experiencing his first kiss. Furthermore, he was going to have a birthmark and felt very insecure due to the bullying he suffered because of it.

Following the shows' canon, could his sexuality be what causes him insecurity? That would explain his obsession with having a girlfriend.

Another thing they have in common with Will is that D&D is an escape from their reality (I'll also leave you with the first synopsis of Will as a character)

So, Mike escapes his reality by playing D&D, avoiding thinking about his insecurities and fears. He prefers to go to the fantasy world he created as Dungeon Master, but what if his own creation turns against him? What if what he created comes to life? All of this seems to indicate that it will, and it's probably the biggest plot twist of the entire show.

And the cause of it all is their conformity, because conformity is the real monster. Eddie said it in s4, ep1.

And Vecna ​​may be the personification of conformity, which is why she's the "final villain," but she isn't; is the conformity.

Mike will fight against his own conformity to achieve his happy ending and thus bring his campaign to a definitive close. But before that, he first has to accept himself and save Holly, who will be a key figure in the ending of Stranger Things.

5. Max escaped from "Camazotz" but Holly didn't because of her conformity

We know that the entire Wheeler family has been attacked and that they are apparently important in s5. But why? Because they are the embodiment of conformity; they are not happy and live under forced conformity.

Before Holly was kidnapped, Karen and Ted were fighting. Holly sees it, goes to her room, and cries silently. Just another example of how conformity can destroy lives.

Let's not forget that in s4, Vecna ​​showed Nancy a vision in which her entire family would not survive (and would even die) except for her, and it's coming true.

Vecna ​​attacked Ted, the typical 80s white man, and then Karen, who, despite not adhering to the typical housewife role, was and is comformity with her life. That's why, despite fighting the Demogorgon, it defeated her because she can't and won't escape her conformity. Finally, Vecna ​​attacks Holly, the youngest in the family, who is beginning to follow the path of conformity.

Nancy isn't attacked because she's no longer a conformist; she escaped that. Now she's an independent woman with dreams, and she's evolved as a person. She's a better person and knows what she wants. She's broken free from the norms and the roles assigned to women. She fights against sexism, and misogyny. She doesn't conform. That's why Vecna ​​doesn't show her in the visions she gave her.

Finally, there's Mike, who still doesn't know which path to take, whether to remain a conformist or not, that's why Vecna ​​will go after him.

This is somehow connected with the escape from "Camazotz", Max will escape because she is not a conformist, but Holly will remain trapped because she is following the path of conformity.

Which explains why the Demogorgons attack the hospital, to kill Max, because Vecna ​​doesn't want him to escape and also because she knows valuable information that we don't know yet and will be used to destroy him.

Lucas's love for Max will also save her, and Kate Bush, music, and love will save Max, but who will save Holly?

Holly doesn't feel loved, she feels misunderstood, she feels different, maybe because she is.

Holly is a white, blonde girl from an upper-middle-class family; she has "everything." Why does she feel this way? Maybe because Holly queer.

I have a theory about this here.

To sum up, Holly is a clear parallel to Will Byers, and the fact that she is almost surrounded by rainbows is proof of that.

That is why she cannot escape "Camazotz", because she conforms and does not accept herself.

There's also the Vecna ​​plan, which will take in 12 different and marginalized children. Holly will be one of those kids.

And Mike will have to save her from her conformity.

6. Mike Wheeler and the end of his campaign

Mike in vol2 is wearing the same outfit he wore in the first episode of the show, the one D&D was playing with. Further proof that everything that's happening is because of his campaign.

Mike will suffer a major breakdown during vol2; he will probably be aware or unaware that he is controlling the story like a Dungeon Master, although he cannot control the characters.

In D&D, the Dungeon Master can control the story, but not the characters; each player owns and controls their own character.

This conversation resonates strongly again; I know it seems trivial, and that many debated whether Mike was a controlling boyfriend or whether he "loved" Eleven very much and wanted to protect her.

However, I think it's further proof that Mike controls the narrative throughout the series and wants to control others to maintain the idealized life he thinks he should have, especially to El.

But Mike can't control Eleven or anyone else; everyone is responsible for themselves and their decisions. That's why Mike argues so much with Max in season 3. They're also similar in personality, the letter M is the initial of their names, but the big difference is that Mike is a conformist, and Max isn't.

Eleven has shown great development and has become an independent person.

Mike thought he could control her, but he can't. Besides, he knows his relationship with Eleven makes them both unhappy.

Mike tried to write a story where he was "normal." In s3, he so desperately wanted that and acted that way, but it all backfired. In s4, at the beginning of vol1, he tried to act "normal" when he visited Eleven and Will in California, a stark contrast to who he was in Hawkins and the Hellfire Club. Mike was being himself without the pressure of having Eleven and Will (yes, Will too) around. When Mike is with Eleven, he tries to be as normal and "heteronormative" as possible, but when he's with Will, he pretends to be someone else and hides his true feelings. While Eleven and Will were gone, Mike, despite being depressed for months, was slowly able to return to his old self. In s4, Mike could no longer maintain the facade and keep pretending.

That's why Will and Mike spend almost the entire season together, a narrative device, almost an exact example of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Luke separates from Princess Leia and Han Solo to train as a Jedi and defeat Darth Vader (similar to Eleven trying to regain his powers), while Princess Leia and Han Solo stay together throughout the film. Initially, there was some tension, but it's resolved, and it's acknowledged that they're both in love (throughout the season, the show tries to resolve Mike and Will's friendship, and it strengthens; they become the "friends" they once were). They even kiss. However, in the original trilogy finale, we don't know if Luke or Han Solo ends up with Princess Leia. Similarly, in s5, we don't know if Eleven or Will will end up with Mike.

So, Mike has to recognize that he can't control anyone or even his own story because he has lost absolute control of the narrative; his fears and insecurities have taken control of his story, and if he doesn't do something about it, he will have the ending he fears most: becoming a conformist, which metaphorically would mean his death.

Just like in the vision of Vecna, he gave it to Nancy.

7. A Winkle in Time foreshadows the end of Stranger Things

I'm sure Mike is the key, Eleven and Will too, but Mike is the most important.

When Meg (the protagonist) returns to Camazotz to rescue her kidnapped younger brother, Charles, from "It" (an evil force), she is reunited with her father and Calvin (her friend and love interest), along with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and the other inhabitants of the planet where they are taking refuge. Mrs. Whatsit give Meg a gift: the ability to use love to free Charles from "It."

This will probably happen in the end; Mike will have to face Vecna ​​alone to free his sister. Despite not having powers like Eleven and Will, Mike will defeat him by accepting himself and will free Holly through love.

Charles was mentally taken over by "It" because he possessed special abilities that made him vulnerable; it would not be a coincidence that Vecna ​​possesses Holly because of her vulnerability and controls her to attack Mike.

Mrs. Who also recites a Bible verse to Meg: "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." The meaning Mike's name is "Who is like God?"

Meg confronts Charles, possessed by "It." At first, she feels overwhelmed, as if she can't defeat him, until "It" speaks through Charles, telling him that he hates her. Then Meg understands that "It" doesn't understand or control love, so she uses all the love she feels for her brother to save Charles, and she succeeds. "It" stops controlling Charles, and together with Meg, they escape from "Camazotz" and return home to their entire family.

Mike will save Holly through the love and understanding he lacked as a child. Mike understands how Holly feels, so he will use everything he has learned and become the adult he didn't have as a child. In this way, he will help his sister escape from conformity and unhappiness by giving her acceptance and love, lots of love, making Holly feel loved and thus escaping Vecna ​​and conformity.

Stranger Things is about how Mike Wheeler, a queer kid in the 80s, after going through many difficulties, insecurities, and self-hatred, manages to accept himself despite everything and escapes conformity, escapes heteronormativity, escapes his conservative small town, escapes homophobia, and becomes a confident queer adult alongside his marginalized friends like himself and, above all, alongside the person he loves, Will Byers.

Also The Duffer Brothers said that Will is the heart of the story, because it is Mike's story and Will is his heart, the source of his love.