Stranger Things’ Part 2 salvages Will’s queer arc the only way it could

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It’s finally here! Fans of Stranger Things have been eagerly waiting for this moment, perhaps even more so than Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) developing his abilities.

Will’s journey to accepting himself has been building for a long time. From Joyce describing him as sensitive and his father using an outdated term in season three, to the painful realization of his feelings for Mike in season four, and all the quiet moments in between, these experiences led to his eventual coming out. That moment is finally here.

With the Hawkins team getting ready to finally defeat Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), Will had some preparations of his own to make.

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He realized defeating Vecna meant overcoming his deepest fear – Vecna would try to use his hidden struggles with being gay against him, and he needed to be strong enough to prevent that.

It was breathtaking. Will brought together the people he cared about and, as he spoke, seemed to make the moment real – you could only truly experience it by holding your breath and fully taking it in.

Okay, so he basically said we have everything in common – seriously, everything! But then he dropped this thing about not being into girls the same way we are. He clarified he does like girls, just…not in a way that feels like how we guys relate to each other, you know?

It’s perfectly natural to react emotionally – to gasp, squeal, or even cry – while watching Will share his story, especially knowing the impact his words would have on many fans.

He admitted he had a crush on someone, even though he knew they were different from him. He glanced briefly at Mike as he said this. Mike, looking embarrassed, quickly lowered his eyes before meeting Will’s gaze – Will, his best friend.

It was a heartbreaking moment for fans hoping Will and Mike were meant to be. Will realized something many viewers had suspected – and he’d been trying to ignore – that Mike only saw him as a friend.

Many fans who hoped for a romantic relationship between Will and Mike were disappointed. They’d held onto the possibility that Mike might reciprocate Will’s feelings later in the season, but it became clear that wouldn’t happen.

To feel genuine, Mike’s feelings for Will needed to be just as clear as Will’s were by the fourth season. Otherwise, their relationship risked feeling forced or simply created to please fans.

Throughout the show, there were several instances where Mike’s strong feelings and devotion to Will hinted at a possible romantic connection. However, those moments never fully developed into romantic love for Mike.

Pushing for a romantic connection between them right now would have felt unnatural, particularly considering Mike’s existing relationship with Eleven.

What’s truly frustrating is that the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, didn’t give Will a chance at a relationship of his own. Even a simple flirtation or romantic scene would have been meaningful.

Honestly, it makes total sense. While all my friends have been dating and stuff, I’ve been dealing with way more heavy stuff than anyone else in the group. I’ve gone through a lot, and it’s still happening, you know?

With the Mind Flayer, Venca, and other monsters from the Upside Down (or maybe Dimension X?) constantly trying to harm him, finding romance would have been the last thing on his mind.

It was impossible for him to make room for new connections or feelings while the Mind Flayer controlled him. He wasn’t even in control of his own body.

Growing up in the 1980s, he faced significant obstacles to finding love. Widespread prejudice against LGBTQ+ people made it hard for him to even accept his own feelings, and opportunities to connect with another boy in a meaningful way were very limited.

It would have been really nice to see him connect with someone else who was also exploring their identity, even if just briefly within the story.

Dustin was caught up in his crush on Suzie, and Mike and Lucas were experiencing early romance, but it would have been nice to see Will find someone he connected with too. Even if things couldn’t have worked out right away, just knowing that kind of connection was possible for him would have been a good thing.

The Duffer brothers made a mistake by not including that element now; season five already has a lot going on, and it wouldn’t have fit well.

Adding a romantic partner for Will right now wouldn’t have felt genuine. It would have seemed like a forced and unwelcome addition, so the creators chose the only logical path forward.

After opening up about his crush to the group, Will went on to clarify something very important.

I eventually realized my feelings for Mike were really about my own needs,” he explained. “I was looking for his love and approval to fill a void within myself, rather than it being about him at all. It was about me learning to love and accept myself.

He needed to be courageous enough to be completely honest with the people he cared about, and strong enough to handle their reaction, while also accepting and loving himself no matter what.

The creators understood Will needed a deeper journey than simply coming out, and this scene delivered. By shifting the focus away from romance and his feelings for Mike, they centered Will’s identity as a queer person on himself—which is where it should have always been.

Self love first, before anything else.

If Will had defined himself by his connection to Mike or anyone else, his already shaky self-esteem would have depended on those relationships. Now, he has the freedom to build his own self-worth and define love for himself.

The fact that they all embraced him as well was just the cherry on top.

The timing of Will’s emotional scene felt a bit awkward, like the creators added it in because they knew he needed that moment, but it didn’t quite flow naturally. Honestly, with so much already happening in the story, any coming-out scene for Will would have felt a little rushed at this point.

The stakes are so high but for Will, there were no stakes higher.

Facing a huge challenge, it was important for him to be completely himself, and we’re happy he had that opportunity, even if it took some effort to make it happen. It was absolutely worth it.

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things is now available on Netflix, released in two parts. The first part is available now, and the second will be released on New Year’s Eve in the US (a bit later for viewers in the UK).

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available, and it’s dedicated to the incredible Dolly Parton! You can purchase ‘Dolly at 80’ at newsstands or online for only £8.99.

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2025-12-27 12:22