Solar Valleys In My Mind

angel by madonna

mike’s just nervous guys

And I can prove it… using story structure

ACT 2A:

B story is the heart of the story the theme

B story is introduced this is why we are seeing so much Will and Mike in Vol 1 bc Will is Mike’s B story character their relationship is important to earning the ending but also how their relationship has shaped them as individuals

Fun and Games…

it is about ups and downs, highs and lows,,,

So basically this one is funny because it’s known for being writer’s weak points known as a sagging middle and here it’s done on purpose for you to be thrown off course like the characters even with a dissatisfying “end”

Sagging middle at work:

Everything was going according to plan until people start getting put into trances and I can’t prove those exactly but it’s highly likely why nothing makes sense over time.. it could be Mike or could be multiple

False victory/False defeat:

The “ending” is full of loose ends and things that don’t make sense because it’s an upward path to the false victory of the A story (defeating vecna) because the evil isn’t actually dead! They instead are having a false defeat B story aka Mike’s character arc

right now we are in the false victory/false defeat phase it is what is done in shows/movies/books in the MIDDLE of a story… it’s interesting because in this case it can be both because the false victory is against the enemy (A) the false defeat is character relationships (B)

Mike is not brave at all at the end and this is because he did not face his fears and has remained in a fantastical version just like camazotz but he will have to break out in order to save himself and everyone

The theory that Mike is in a trance would mirror Holly perfectly when she finally decides to escape she’s telling the kids that “none of this is real” “you have to believe me” I believe this is what is going to happen after the “epilogue”

Mike is going to trigger Act 2B where he will have to face his own fears without relying on fantasy and instead being brave and honestly kind of scared of how it’s gonna be handled

Act 2B:

is the B story which is him not conforming… and Im actually editing this part because ive been analyzing the story and it honestly feels like its going to be extremely heavy (my previous post was light hearted) with a lot of unpacking not just about byler but about mike individually. They’re going to address a lot of his behaviors I believe and they will shift his wants to his needs, his need is to confront his fears to become brave but also we are definitely getting this scene addressed:

The key: mike the brave

so yeah guys it’s just the midpoint which is known to be where plot twists happen… which is that it’s not over and perhaps not even real

And I can prove it… using story structure part 1

Okay so first of all we will begin with

Opening Image:

Will’s experience in the UD vecna is reintroduced, juxtaposes Hawkins now being eerily peaceful being controlled by the military, the opened ground is covered up by a “giant metal band aid” and our heroes are still searching for Vecna

Act 1: Set-Up

secret codes in wsqk by Robin, no sign of vecna, Mr whatsit is introduced,Dr Kay and their base in the UD, military searching for El, El’s training, Will’s visions begin

Theme stated:

Mike says,”I think you’re fighting two battles when you need to be fighting one” he’s the main one who needs to hear this from Dustin:

Mike talks to Holly and this is how he copes with his fears aka fantasy (both his strength and weakness) this is him talking to himself!

First episode sets up Will’s sexuality arc, Dustin’s grief over Eddie’s death hindering his friendships esp with Steve, Mike and El talking about running away, Will wanting to be independent while Joyce refuses just like Hopper with El, More visions from Will

Catalyst:

Holly is taken which ups the stakes she is a mirror of Mike and we get insight to what his mind is like

Debate:

when characters are reacting to catalyst deciding what to do next but Nancy immediately sends El (Hopper isn’t happy about this) she talks to Mike and Lucas where they express their fear of what’s coming this also pushes Will to ignore his mom’s orders with Robin’s help because they need to act fast

Break into 2:

Robin and will are investigating on their own, Hopper/El find each other and discover the wall, Nancy and Mike find out from mom Mr whatsit is Henry, Holly is taken to Henry’s home

Camazotz is also our “upside down world” (ironic how that’s how it’s called by writers) where our characters are out of their element they know nothing about it Holly is facing a new world

Remember Holly mirrors mike and mike wants to conform but he needs to break free to earn a happy ending his “need”

the A story is about defeating Vecna meanwhile the B story is about character growth aka the real point of the story aka not conforming to the mass/being brave