Edwin Orozco

Like many of you, I’ve been frantically rewatching Stranger Things in preparation for the final season. While the epic finale is definitely something to look forward to, the characters and their relationships are really the heart of this show – I’d even argue that they’re the main reason everyone keeps watching. Having been involved in the Stranger Things fandom for a long time now, I’ve observed mostly from the sidelines as people bump heads online about their favorite characters. But by far the most controversial opinions I’ve seen in the fan base revolve around one character: Mike Wheeler.

Why Do People Hate Mike So Much?

Considering the trajectory of his character arc – if you could even call it that – I really can’t blame people for disliking Mike. His personality changes drastically season to season, and it seems his frustrating qualities just get worse over time.

In seasons one and two, Mike is a caring and dedicated friend. When Will disappears, he doesn’t rest until he’s found and safe. He’s also incredibly loyal – he willingly jumps off a cliff to protect Dustin from bullies in season one. While a bit hot-headed and emotional, he clearly cares a lot about his friends and would do anything for them. He’s a complex and well-written twelve to thirteen-year-old, and, at the time of these seasons’ releases, he was many people’s favorite character.

Season three is where a lot of people started jumping ship. Mike regularly blows the party off to hang out with Eleven and constantly disrespects Hopper’s authority. The character who gets the brunt of his hostility, though, is Will. He mocks Will’s attempt at a D&D campaign and ignores him in favor of spending time with his girlfriend. For some reason, his previous understanding of Will’s traumatic experience in the Upside Down completely disappears. On top of that, instead of more nuanced character growth, his arc is reduced to him professing his love for Eleven. That’s genuinely it.

Season four is somehow even worse. Despite his grand confession in the last season, now, for basically no reason at all, Mike can’t say “I love you” to his girlfriend anymore, rendering his previous “development” pointless. Amazingly, his character still revolves around Eleven, causing him to almost completely shut Will out. He’s apathetic at best, cruel at worst, and he doesn’t get any better by his return to Hawkins. Sure, his relationship with Eleven is “fixed,” but he’s still basically the same jerk he was at the beginning of the season.

How Do They Fix It?

Mike’s temper and immaturity only seem to be getting more intense, with no sign of an upturn. It feels like every season, he becomes an exponentially worse friend and person. I’ve noticed that even diehard Mileven (the pairing between Mike and Eleven) fans don’t really care about Mike outside of the relationship. So if not for bad writing, how can the show possibly justify Mike’s behavior?

I raise you one word: Byler.

Half of you might’ve nodded excitedly, while the other half might’ve rolled your eyes. And for those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, Byler is the very controversial romantic pairing of Will Byers and Mike Wheeler. But whatever your reaction, stick with me here, because I think it could be the solution to Mike’s characterization inconsistencies. Let’s take it season by season.

Season One

Growing up in the 80s is complicated. Mike and his party are constantly bullied for being “different,” and the name-calling is ruthless. It’s already clear how much Mike cares for Will – there’s no denying it. But he watches as Will is bullied for even seeming gay, regardless of the truth. Will’s peers, even his own father, call him names and belittle him for a sexuality that’s only speculation at this point. Mike would do anything to defend Will, and he does so when the bullies call Will a derogatory term for “gay.” Will’s not even there, but Mike starts a fight anyway, not caring about the consequences.

Season Two

Will returns, a little bruised and a lot terrified. He’s back to hanging out with the party, joining in on campaigns, and doing group Halloween costumes, but he’s not the same – and Mike can tell. After having an episode while trick-or-treating, Will confides in Mike that he feels like he’s going crazy. Mike replies, “If we’re both going crazy, then we’ll go crazy together, right?” Very platonic, Mike, good job. As Will’s condition worsens, Mike sticks by his side and tries to remind him of their friendship. And through all of this, he speaks to Will in what Byler fans like to call Mike’s “Will voice:” suspiciously gentle and reserved for Will and Will only.

Season Three

This is where Mike gets a bit more complicated. The party is getting older, Mike and Eleven are reunited – seemingly grossly in love – and it feels like Mike has forgotten about Will entirely. But he hasn’t – he’s just conflicted. Eleven is back and everything should be perfect, but he can’t shake the feeling that something is off. The 80s homophobic mentality is really starting to affect him. It’s one thing to get bullied because of his geeky interests, but it’s a whole other thing to be “different” because he possibly could be gay. So, he gets angry, and he avoids Will so those confusing feelings don’t appear. Still, they bubble to the surface when he and Will get into an argument following their failed D&D game. Will insults Eleven, which prompts Mike to yell, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” Projecting onto Will, I see.

Season Four

Mike’s in high school now, even more affected by social pressures and expectations than before. The Byers have moved to California, leaving Mike behind without his girlfriend or his best friend. He calls Will a couple of times, but mainly writes letters to Eleven – whom he can’t get himself to say “I love you” to… for some reason. When he visits during Spring Break, Mike and Will get into a fight at the roller rink, prompting Will to ask what their relationship is exactly. Mike says, “We’re friends. We’re friends.” Sure, keep convincing yourself of that, Mike. Imagine Mike having to verbally establish his friendship with Dustin or Lucas the way he does so constantly with Will – it would be ridiculous. Add the emotional painting reveal in the car and the heartfelt conversation after returning to Hawkins, and the evidence just piles up. 

So What Next?

As much as I would love for Mike and Will to end up together, I don’t expect it to happen. However, that doesn’t mean my point is void. I firmly believe that if Mike is revealed to be queer, regardless of the status of Byler, his character will have one of the best arcs in the entire show. Internalized homophobia is a powerful motivator for some very strange decisions, and it’s the only explanation I can think of that would make sense of Mike’s character. Whether this is all legitimate evidence or just Joyce-level speculation, though, I have no idea. With Volume 1 releasing in less than a week, we’re rapidly approaching our answer. But no matter the outcome, I know we’ll all be glued to our screens come season five.

Catch up on Stranger Things before season five here.

Check out (the other) Ella’s article about Chloe Gong’s “Coldwire” Book Tour!