The Erasure of Jonathan Byers.
Jonathan and Nancyās breakup was the final nail in the coffin for Matt and Ross Duffer completely dismantling Jonathan Byers as a character (and Nancy Wheeler too, but Iāll write about that in another post) in order to serve a last-minute, nonsensical narrative they thought was good.
Jonathan starts the series as a hyper-responsible teenager, essentially co-parenting with his mother and acting as the āman of the houseā, not just because heās the oldest son, but because he actually has responsibilities in keeping the household afloat, working extra shifts at just 16 years old and taking care of his 12-year-old brother due to their economic situation.
As seasons 1 and 2 unfold, we see that heās interested in art, specifically photography; that his only friend is his 12-year-old brother who had gone missing; that heās dealing with the trauma of an abusive father; and with a society where sexism and patriarchy affectĀ him too, alongside a mother who is overprotective only toward his younger brother.
Nancy Wheeler is, until season 4, his only other friend, and his girlfriend. With her, Jonathan finally softens. He laughs more. He allows himself to exist beyond survival mode. Their relationship is fundamentally one of equals, despite the very real differences between them in class and gender. They respect each other, admire each other, and genuinely love each other.
In season 4, their conflict isnāt a lack of love, itās Emerson College. Jonathan doesn't apply and chooses not to tell Nancy because heās willing to give it up so she wonāt sacrifice her future for him. Thatās not immaturity. Thatās tragic self-denial rooted in years of scarcity and responsibility.
Argyle, Jonathanās first real friend outside of Nancy and Will in S4 is completely erased. Jonathan no longer touches a camera. His mental health is never addressed. Joyce continues to overlook him. His one space of emotional expansion is gone. His growth is reversed.
Jonathanās defining trait has always been self-sacrifice, shaped by poverty, abuse, and the necessity of growing up too fast. His growth was never supposed to be abandoning responsibility, but learning that he, too, deserves care, love, and a future. Jonathan doesnāt outgrow sacrifice; the writers simply stop caring about what it meant.
And on top of all of that, the Duffers decide that the ārealisticā conclusion is to have him break up with Nancy Wheeler, effectively negating his entire arc and sending him back to square one.
Actually, not even square one.
Because now, he doesnāt even have his camera.
