'Stranger Things': 6 wholesome moments that hinted at Will Byers being in love with Mike Wheeler
Contains spoilers for 'Stranger Things'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Stranger Things' is a mysterious world of Hawkins, a town in Indiana, where supernatural occurrences intertwine with the lives of its inhabitants, one character's journey has captured the attention of fans worldwide.
Since its debut on Netflix in 2016, 'Stranger Things' has sparked speculation about the sexuality of Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp. However, it wasn't until the release of the fourth season in 2022 that the truth about Will's sexuality was sort of confirmed by Schnapp himself.
With this revelation, fans have begun to dissect the subtle nuances of Will's relationship with his best friend, Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard). Let's delve into the moments that hint at Will's unrequited love, the depth of their bond becomes increasingly evident.
'Stranger Things' Season 1 Episode 1: Will always chose Mike before others
'Stranger Things' excels in depicting the unwavering bond among its core characters right from the outset. In the inaugural episode, viewers are introduced to Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas as they immerse themselves in a game of Dungeons & Dragons.
When Will loses the game, Lucas and Dustin suggest he should keep it a secret. But as soon as he's alone with Mike, Will tells him the truth. This moment shows how much Will trusts and respects Mike.
Many fans think Mike's character was better in the first season compared to later ones, and it's easy to see why. When Will goes missing, Mike is the one who is most determined to find his best friend.
'Stranger Things' Season 2 Episode 4: Will Byers remembers only Joyce and Mike
In 'Stranger Things' Season 2 Episode 4, when the Mind Flayer takes control of Will's mind, he becomes a pawn in its sinister plans. As he struggles with his fading memories and consciousness, Mike remains steadfastly by his side at the hospital.
The significance lies in the memories that resurface for Will amidst the chaos, he recalls only his mother, Joyce (Winona Ryder), and Mike. This speaks volumes about the depth of their connection, especially when contrasted with the multitude of other relationships he could have remembered.
Mike's poignant speech during their attempt to exorcise the Mind Flayer further underscores the bond between them.
'Stranger Things' Season 3 Episode 3: Mike's argument with Will in the rain
In Season 3 of 'Stranger Things', Will feels left out because he missed a lot of normal kid stuff due to all the Upside Down craziness. While he still wants to play Dungeons & Dragons, his friends are more into dating now.
Will's upset that his buddy Mike is too focused on Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and ignoring their friendship.
They end up arguing in the rain, and Mike blurts out, 'It's not my fault you don't like girls.' This statement has a deeper meaning, hinting at Will's hurt feelings about Mike's crush on Eleven.
'Stranger Things' Season 4 Episode 1: Will makes a painting for Mike
In 'Stranger Things' Season 4, Eleven and Mike have to do the long-distance thing when Eleven moves away with the Byers family to Lenora Hills, California. They start writing letters to each other to keep in touch over the summer. Eleven spills the beans that Will has been spending all summer on a secret painting, but he won't show it to anyone.
She suspects he might have a crush on someone. Eventually, we find out the painting is actually for Mike, but Will's nervous about giving it to him at first. Will seems to be keeping it under wraps, not letting anyone peek at his creation.
Initially, Will is unsure about giving it to Mike, maybe feeling shy or uncertain about how his friend will react. But in the end, their bond shines through, making the painting a touching gesture of friendship or something more.
'Stranger Things' Season 4 Episode 2: Will feels left out during skating
Will ends up as the awkward third wheel on a supposed date between his best friend, Mike, and Mike's girlfriend, Eleven. They decide to hit the skating rink for some fun, but while Eleven and Mike are all lovey-dovey, Will's just there, feeling left out.
To make matters worse, Eleven starts spinning tales about her exciting social life in California, leaving Will feeling pretty bummed out. He can't take it anymore and spills the truth before Eleven's fib gets her into trouble.
Will ends up blaming Mike for not being there for him, and for ignoring their friendship. It's like a volcano of emotions erupting, with Will feeling hurt and Mike just not getting it.
'Stranger Things' Season 4 Episode 8: Will confesses his feelings indirectly
One of the most crucial moments in 'Stranger Things' is when Will subtly reveals his feelings for Mike. While driving to Suzie's house in their van, Mike worries aloud about whether he's good enough for Eleven, and if she'll still need him in the future.
Trying to comfort him, Will shows Mike a painting he made, portraying Mike as the hero who holds their group together. Then comes the big moment. Will opens up about his romantic feelings for Mike, using Eleven as a cover.
But sadly, Mike doesn't catch on to what Will's really saying. Instead, Will ends up in tears, feeling heartbroken when his best friend doesn't understand.
How to stream 'Stranger Things'?
To stream all seasons of 'Stranger Things,' you need a Netflix subscription. Netflix is the exclusive platform for 'Stranger Things', offering all episodes from Seasons 1 to 4, with the upcoming Season 5 expected to be released there as well.
The show is available for streaming on Netflix. The membership for the same starts from as low as $6.99/month (standard plan with ads).
The standard plan without ads costs $15.49/month, while the premium plan costs $22.99/month.
'Stranger Things' trailer
'Stranger Things' is available for streaming on Netflix.