You know what else we were robbed of? An imaginary sequence, perhaps a moment in someone’s mindscape, where the entire party is sporting their DnD attire, with special focus on the paladin and the cleric. It could’ve been utilized as another narrative tool for facilitating character growth, depth, realization.
Since their love for DnD was set up as something essential to the interpersonal relationships within the party. Within this sequence we could have, allegorically, seen the mage detach from the paladin and set out for her own personal journey, leaving the relationship that was weighing her down, showing how there truly is more to life than stupid boys.
It could have been used as a tool for showcasing the paladin’s own realizations, his own complicated feelings regarding the cleric, the way his own internal struggles have ultimately led to hurting both of the people he cares about so deeply. The cleric reminding him of his true, geekish inner self in which the entire fantasy land the sequence takes place in plays the most crucial role. Reminding him, that in order to be loved, he doesn’t have to suppress that part of himself or put on a facade. The whole conflict between season 3 Will not wanting to grow up and Mike returning to that very same mindset as soon as Will and El were gone could have been resolved here. This could’ve offered room for utilization of the Eddie doctrine as well, since he was just as important to Mike as he was to Dustin, and I don’t think we ever even saw the impact his passing had on him? Reminding of what he taught Mike about self acceptance could’ve done the job.
God, it all could have been so beautiful. Instead of having Steve ask mickey mouse questions every 5 minutes and dumbing everything down for the audience, a magical fantasy land as an allegory for the characters’ internal worlds could have been perfect exposition.
But no, all we ever get are surface level references, with even their ranks changing each season, and Mike’s simply an asshole for no real reason, because fuck consistency, right?














