sporadicparadisewolf

[sporadicparadisewolf]

The Ghost of Byler in this Elmike Tease.

With further film analysis, this elmike shot in the season 5 teaser trailer is actually a callback, or poetic full circle moment, to the byler scene at the end of season 4 between Mike and Will. It is supposed to call to mind Will. This is really who this scene is about, if not literally in dialogue than reflexively through its diegetic filmic techniques. In the first photo, I outlined the shot composition's similarities in blue text/shapes/lines. Then the key differences in red.

To start, both shots place our subjects in front of the same windows, in the same location. Yet, instead of the couch there is now a make-shift sensory deprivation tank (see 5th pic on Ross Duffer's insta).

Also check out this video, to understand the meaning of the couch, and how it gives S5's "Rightside Up" episode title way more of a romantic meaning. The upside-down couch could mirror the previous trajectory of byler's arc. It signals that something is amiss after Mike's love confession in S4 (that coincided with El losing a battle). The door being on it's side should recall the peculiarity of the upside-down couch.

The sensory deprivation tank represents a whole slew of meanings (like mike's and the ga's 🌈 🙈), but I will simply say this theory/deduction is what is most likely going on. In the scene, El almost certainly uses this tank to find Will. Moreover, the filmmakers are using an almost identical shot to harken back to when Will was there.

Perhaps, the tank's fashioned out of a closet door. We see that it is open during their exchange. El and Mike seem to be openly communicating about an important subject matter. As the composition reminisces about Will, they might be, too. Their dialogue is most likely not going to be about Mike coming out about his sexuality. Yet, the mise-en-scène (set up of the scene) shows us this layer of subtext without the need to tell the audience explicitly.

Keep playing spot the similarities and differences. Why also include a broom prop in both shots as well, if not to further this idea? They are using filmic techniques to draw the audience's attention to this constructed analogy.

Then, notice the plywood boarding that covers up the massive hole where the sunbeams once shined. This is obviously functional. El needs the least amount of light leakage as possible so when she enters the tank she'l have an easier passage into the void (on top of no one wanting a giant hole in their living space). You could say that about the dim light, too. Yet, form is always at play with function in cinematic storytelling. It's symbolic meaning could be mending their relationship, sure, but it's such a scabrous, flimsy board compared to a full-on, resolute renovation. It's also just an eyesore the more you look at it. Perhaps, it is glaringly obvious that Mike can't cover up his true feelings for much longer.

Yes, the second edited photo is supposed to be figurative. Cheekily, it depicts byler's ghost hanging over this new elmike teaser shot—because that is what this callback is essentially functioning as. This repeat composition tells us that there is an unresolved or lingering issue, fear, or memory from the past that continues to affect the present. Possibly, it's saying that Mike fears that he was never able to tell Will how he truly feels…

A lot of others have already discussed the lighting/color differences (better than I could, so check them out). What I'll say is, you can see a clear difference between the higher contrast/darker lighting that subtly silhouettes Eleven and Mike's faces and body (due to a missing fill light and the use of harsher key light behind them). With the byler shot, natural light is diffused and bathes them in a romantic glow.

Instead of natural light in the elmike shot, there is now an artificial light bulb hanging above them. Acting as a spotlight, this lighting choice indicates pressure and slight tension. Simply put, placing two supposed love interests in the shadows does not communicate an idealized, romantic angle. Shadows, instead, indicate lingering secrets and the veiling of emotions.

The cabin's barrier/divider is also way more prominent in the teaser shot. Before, the glow/light overtook or flooded it out, and the camera's angle makes it less apparent. Now, in the teaser it is more in focus, straight-on. I'd say, El and Mike still love each other, but there is just simply a barrier keeping it from being romantic love. To me, this represents a platonic barrier.

Now what I really wanted to point out is the body language. Look closely at El's hands. She is holding Mike's, not the other way around. She initiated the hand holding. She would have taken Mike's in hers, brought them on her lap, and then lifted one hand to touch his face.

If this was suggesting mutual romantic feelings, then their hands would be on both their knees, intertwined. Her knees are fully facing his, which are facing away. This body language communicates that she is attempting to comfort him. Mike is still apprehensive, possibly lost in thought. Her raised hand on his cheek is meant to redirect his gaze so to lock his avoidant eyes with hers.

Everybody has pointed out the heart-shape in their blocking. It's undeniable that this is a classic duffer heart-to-heart special moment. Yet, with my shot analysis that suggests nervousness, platonic symbolism, and the recall to Will, it seems to me that this is a display of comfort, lacking an amorous tone/mood. I have another post about how the teaser's editing also suggests new meaning to their dynamic here. The primary idea is companionship, rather than lovers.

At the end of S4, Mike firmly grabs Will's shoulder. He initiates touch in their very similar heart-to-heart scene. Even though both times he's at an arm's length away, the contrast in his body language is noticeable. His body points/faces Will, desperately hanging on to him. In my opinion, his level of engagement and desire for Will's attention in the blocking is more active than in this elmike scene, where he is passive.

His active role in the previous S4 byler scene also indicates that it was from Mike's perspective, where this new elmike scene is from El's perspective since she is being the actionable one. All of this platonic imagery could very well be from El's side/feelings as the perspective suggests.

Indeed, she's been questioning Mike and Will's relationship for awhile now, and now has come to an acceptance.

...

I hope my thought process was easy to follow along, and that my points were clear enough. I do not mean to dissuade others of their interpretation of this moment, but only to offer my own theory. As an audience member, I will not know until I've seen the final outcome (that includes the necessary context). Excuse my crappy photoshop! I'm much better at this (I promise), I just wanted to get my sunny on.

Edit: I also want to point out another callback in the blocking of the byler scene. The two boys form two hearts with their legs (a literal reciprocal heart-to-heart). This is another parallel to elmike forming a heart with their arms.

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Their love saved the world in that moment

Their love saved the world in that moment

They failed because...

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Biggest Proof: If Byler Isn’t Endgame, Who Does It Serve?

If Byler is erased, it doesn’t just disappoint fans. It actively:

• Validates the viewers who mocked Will for being “too soft.”

• Empowers the shippers who hate him for “getting in the way.”

• Silences the emotional truth of queer youth — again.

• Basically validates the people who made fun of Byler shippers with homophobic undertones.

And in doing so, the show sides with the bullies , the very people it villainizes narratively:

-the high school bullies, Jason in Season 4, the government that suppresses truth and feeling.

That’s not just lazy writing.

That’s thematic dissonance.

And Let’s Not Forget Eleven.

If they end with Mileven, they:

• Reduce El back to a romantic accessory in Mike’s story arc.

• Erase her individuation — her right to exist beyond a love story.

• Rob her of a love that isn’t rooted in trauma or obligation.

• Invalidate her own feelings in a relationship she is clearly struggling with.

So yes — it’s not just anti-queer.

It’s anti-feminist, too.

(This isn’t hate toward Mileven shippers — we all know and have experienced the specific side of the audience I’m referring to.)

It’s not just a ship.

It’s a resolution — to a narrative that has spent years showing us how love, vulnerability, and difference can change the world.

If they go through all that… and then ignore it?

They’re not just breaking our hearts.

They’re breaking their own story.

It’s about the kind of world this show says is worth fighting for.

They’ve built Byler too intentionally.

the parallels, the subtext, the emotional arc…

They know the story they’re telling.

They know the consequences if they abandon it.

They didn’t build all this just to walk away from it.

-codedbywicked

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Considering that Byler seems impossible to many people…

[sporadicparadisewolf]

wait i just thought of something...

people are speculating that Will might have been taken by vecna, which is why El is in a swim suit in that one mileven frame:

Mike will be DEVASTATED to see Will get taken in front of his eyes, doing everything he can to stop it and in the end rendering himself useless and helpless. He will do anything to get him back.

If, actually WHEN Mike breaks down at the prospect of Will disappearing again with him being unable to stop it, that would be a great opportunity to use that season 1 scene that was filmed yet never included: Mike biking home sobbing after they discovered Will's 'body' in the quarry. Like a callback. Losing him both times. And if he cries in Joyce's arms? Like he did with Karen? And both of them are desperate and in despair... Oh i wont be able to handle that but i want it so bad

[sporadicparadisewolf]

OH MY GOD IM GOING CRAZY

[sporadicparadisewolf]

let's take a look at how the st4 epilogue foreshadows character arcs & pairings in st5 ☆

so if all these scenes in s4 (+ many more) managed to reveal something about the direction certain characters were heading in s5.....

why haven't we seen anything about this?

maybe this is my bias talking but this is just pure interesting to me because I think the byler scene in the st4 finale is arguably the most emphasized and the most blatant case of foreshadowing out of all of these scenes, not just relating to will's connection to vecna but also mike's insistence on killing him together.

we don't have any byler scenes from the teaser (disregarding the crumb of them biking holly to school). but we know that they have been filming together for majority of the season based on leaks, pap photos, and just piecing things together.

it only makes sense that byler has a storyline together this season based on the s4 epilogue foreshadowing alone, and mike's whole speech to will that they should start working together as a team. but it's a little odd that we haven't seen any confirmation of this through the promotional material, unlike the rest of the shots from the teaser. byler is having a plot together, whether people like it or not, and it's only a question as to why the teasers are trying to keep this a secret to us. (spoiler alert: it's for shock value and being treated as a plot twist)

also — isn't it weird how mileven doesn't have a solo scene together in the s4 epilogue??? 🤔

food for thought

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Love this

Ommg I never thought of it that way.. will needs will in his life to feel less blue is so cute ❤️(rmnder they wear each others colors when arguing).love these tik toks by the way

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Ok, this is my theory:

Here, Mike hasn't the bruise next to his eye yet. Probably Vecna takes Will, and Mike tries, somehow, to avoid it. At that way is how he gets the bruise.

Later, Mike talks to El, he is worry about Will, and she ressures him telling that she will found Will and he will be ok. If you look closely, Mike is wearing the same sweater as in the previous photo but without the jacket. So this meeting with El was after Vecna took Will away because he has the bruise here, and when Vecna shows up he doesn't have it. (At this moment Mike is sure about his feelings about Will but nobody knows it, perhaps El).

Meanwhile Will is in the Upside Down being torture by Vecna.

[sporadicparadisewolf]

if i were mike i wouldn't be able to hide my feelings any longer either like holy shit he's not surviving s5 pretty will byers

[sporadicparadisewolf]

a "which could mean nothing" thought of mine

finn removing "don't ask me to explain" from STurn before the release of the teaser. the promo video was probably filmed before than two days ago. so he probably knew what we would see in it too.

oh i am so normal about this right now.

@mike-wheeler-ik-what-you-are do you see this shit sofi.

[sporadicparadisewolf]

That is NOT an 'i love you face'. That's an 'Ive tried. I promise ive tried, but i can't. I still love you, just not the way you needed me to. Not the way i needed myself to' face. I do NOT care.

Also, the composition of that second shot is stunning. The frame of the door between them, separating them and putting them in different squares reminds me of the s3 ending closet frame that separated them too. Theyre closer now, they understand each other now. Its gentler. Yet theyre still not in the same frame, and thats ok. They can keep loving each other regardless even if its in a different way they had originally intended to.

(Also, why is the door sideways? 😭😭)

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Well in the end they put him a mark.

[sporadicparadisewolf]

About the sunlight when the scene is romantic

[sporadicparadisewolf]

notice how mike and el aren't on there?

[sporadicparadisewolf]

why does it lowkey look like they're sitting on an open closet

the jokes....they write themselves with this show i can't

[sporadicparadisewolf]

Will is in trance!