mike-haters-dni

[mike-haters-dni]

Hey just a quick PSA cuz I’ve see a few people interact with them but these two accounts are trolls

Like it's only obvious from a couple posts they’ve made because I guess besides that they think just saying objectively true things is funny but uh just figured I’d let y’all know <3

[mike-haters-dni]

Yo! Headcanon! Whenever Eleven gets slightly angry with Mike, Mike uses her favorite breakfast, eggos, cheesy eggs, bacon, and syrup, to calm her down before they watch a movie

oh absolutely. Actually I hc that Mike is the one that does most of the cooking for the household (one day, after El mentioned how much she liked his mom’s cooking, he very “subtly” asked her for some cooking advice and recipes and she took it as an opportunity to teach him as much as possible while he pretended to not be super interested) so he does stuff like that all the time. Also they watch a lot of tv lol

[mike-haters-dni]

Sketchfab link so you can turn the models around yourself

The year is 2083. Mike is the leader of a ragtag group of orphaned streetkids struggling to survive and break into the mercenary game in the slums on the outskirts of Night City. Until one day, on a job gone wrong, they help rescue a mysterious girl who can only communicate via sounds and images beamed directly into Mike's AV chip. Her near supernatural netrunning abilities turn out to the break the group was looking for however, and soon they're living the high life and making a name for themselves in the city proper. But as their renown grows, so does Mike's dormant rage against the forces that doomed them to the streets to begin with, and his desire for revenge threatens to tear apart everything they worked so long for. Meanwhile, the advantage the girl offered may have been too good to be true, as her powers are revealed to have a more apocalyptic origin than anyone is ready to reckon with.

[mike-haters-dni]

FUCK

fuck it. wip.

[mike-haters-dni]

no like actually how do i make this mouth not look scary bro please ive never done art before in my life

fuck it. wip.

[mike-haters-dni]

goddamn i wish these models had riggable faces

fuck it. wip.

[mike-haters-dni]

So are we gonna talk about this or...

[mike-haters-dni]

alright sick i have 5 months to finish this project let's go

[mike-haters-dni]

bro I have achieved likeness with mike's eyes holy shit

fuck it. wip.

[mike-haters-dni]

fuck it. wip.

[mike-haters-dni]

Another Unpopular Mike Opinion Post Woah How Do I Still Have Things To Say

Alright, so I know nobody wants to hear this but: Mike as a character does in fact function almost solely in relation to the people around him. Specifically, the Party and Eleven. What do I mean by that? I mean his main hobbies are playing Dungeons and Dragons, something he literally can’t do without his friends, and being El’s boyfriend—which I know is an even more unpopular sentiment but guess what. He exists in the story to be the leader of the Party and El’s love interest. He almost literally never does anything for just himself unless you count those two episodes in s4 where he’s playing/trying to find a sub for dnd—which I kinda do? but also don’t because he's with Dustin (and Lucas’ ghost), and also he has a Leader Moment during the game. Every other character (probably) gets some Thing or plot line(s) they get to do at least partially solo. Dustin gets Dart in s2, Lucas has the basketball team, Max deals with Billy and then his death, Will has the whole possession arc, El....I mean she literally got her own solo episode. But Mike? He barely interacts with his own family, who are mostly also main characters. Really the only time we see Mike alone on screen is in s2 when he’s going through his depression, but he’s depressed because he's mourning Eleven, aka acting as her love interest. But the thing is, that actually is his special solo plotline. Its actually the most significant of the whole show. Or it would be, if it didn't mean that everyone's favorite Main Boy of s1 became a supporting character for the new Mainest Character of the Show, who now gets to do way more shit than him because like, she has magic powers and is the plot. But yeah, that's why people say Mike was ruined after s1 even though he's the same exact guy throughout the show.

But anyway, I think this investment in others is what makes Mike the things people like about him too. Being a character that is solely focused on those around him is what makes him such a natural leader and caretaker, and he was and will continue to be that. And just to prove the haters wrong here is a list of every time Mike acted as a leader in each season:

S1: I mean do I need to explain this one it’s the only season anyone likes

S2: He definitely takes more of a backseat this season (having less to do) but still, he acts like he has the authority to prevent people from joining the friend group and takes charge when Dart becomes a problem. Also, no one else showed up to check on Will and stay by his side to help him through the Events, almost like Mike feels a natural responsibility for his friends or something. At the very end of the season he's right back to form when El needs help and he comes up with and executes the plan to set the tunnel on fire.

S3: Again, he spends a good amount of time being “helped” by Lucas this season, but he’s the one who comes up with the sauna plan (and uses his own voice as bait lol). Also it’s small but he’s the one at the head of the group when they go to sneak into the movies. (Worth noting that Mike spends a lot of action time with Nancy this season, who he is definitely outranked by in terms of group leadership, so he naturally takes more of a backseat. As he should)

S4: You’re expecting me to say he takes a backseat again right? WRONG. He's the one yelling after Eleven that he’s going to fix everything, he's the one who finds the number in the pen, he’s the one who thinks to go to Suzie’s, he’s the one who spots El out in the desert. He spends the whole season bossing Jonathan around and you know, he deserves some credit for that. Also during the meeting with Suzie Mike is in the center of the frame doing the most talking. ALSO, again it's small, but during the dnd game even after his own character was dead and he didn’t have any real input on the situation, Dustin still makes a point to ask Mike what he thinks they should do. Like, he's a leader idk what to tell you.

(Also can I say, god forbid Mike spend a few scenes not in charge. God forbid he get supported himself every once in a while. Like, wtf do people want from him actually. He's a clever kid with a personality so strong it makes all his friends listen to him. Give him a fuckin break.

Personally I don't think any of this is bad writing or whatever. I think its good writing for a leader/love interest to the MC character. I think Mike is someone who, due to his insecurities, defines himself based on his relationships. He wants to be useful and important to people, and this causes him to both selflessly protect the people he loves and freak out whenever he feels like they're pulling away from him. He's useful to the story for both action and drama. And like, realistically, only finding self-worth in other people is unhealthy—but also, valuing your relationships is good and wanting to protect your friends is good. And also he's a character in a story about the power of friendship. And I suppose you could take Will's speech to mean that instead of feeling all this pressure to Do Good to be loved he doesn't need to try at all and its not something he can earn or lose, he's loved because he just is That Guy and always will be. However...if both El and Mike's arcs in s5 involve letting go of responsibility and accepting love and support from people around you just know I called it.

Anyway everyone hates how Mike only ever gets to be Eleven's boyfriend except for ME. Because its WHAT SHE DESERVES

[mike-haters-dni]

Mike isn’t some horrible evil person he was just really mature for his age s1 and s2 and now he’s a normal amount of mature for his age and people can’t stand that.

[mike-haters-dni]

I’ve seen a lot of posts where people are calling Mike Wheeler a super loving and caring boy who doesn’t feel the need to prove himself.  (I’m not trying to call any of these posts out because they’re totally true and adorable and I love them.) However, I’d like to explore the possibility that perhaps Mike is more emotionally reserved and less vulnerable than what I’ve seen this fandom assume (myself included).

Mike has a very right versus wrong way of thinking.  We see this when he gets in his little argument with Lucas in the first season.  We see this in the way he talks about Star Wars and Dungeons and Dragons, etc.  

He has a habit of correcting or criticizing in conversation, not that it’s ever terribly mean-spirited, but he does do it, especially when under stress (aka all of season 2).  

When he does start feeling emotions, he has no idea what to do with them.  The entirety of season 2 is literally Mike being super angry and cranky because he has no idea what to do with all his emotions.  However, Mike doesn’t want to be viewed as terribly angry because angry’s “bad.”  And so, it leaks out in resentment, irritation, frustration, and self-righteousness.  We see this when he interacts with Max.  Or when he’s dealing with his parents.  Or how he started to let his grades drop and started misbehaving in school.  

Mike’s father is extremely absent.  It is a healthy stage of development for young boys to detach from their mother-figure and latch on to a father-figure at around the age of five.  Due to Mike’s father being practically non-exisistent and not very involved in his life (at least, emotionally or socially), Mike never received that.  This would lead to feelings of rejection and emotional abandonment and cause Mike to be more emotionally reserved or withholding.

He really fears judgment and he’s probably his own worse critic.  Both his parents are pretty critical.  His mother is overly concerned with what one should do and how things should look and that her life seems perfect.  It would make sense that he would need to do things right as to escape judgment or to be safe.

He’s a control-freak.  That’s why his character is so interesting to me in the show because he can’t be in control of anything and he practically squirms!  

He’s not very trusting at all.  I mean, he doesn’t trust a grown-ass man to take care of his crush, for shit’s sake.  This part of him is very vital to the plot, as well.  Had Mike been a more trusting person, he would’ve trusted the government to deal with the upside-down.  Or he would’ve trusted the adults.  And then we would have had a much different show.

BUT!

Mike tends to ignore his right verses wrong way of thinking with El.  He’s not very critical, emotionally withholding, judgmental, or controlling with her.  In fact, he’s extremely encouraging, understanding, and trusting with her.  Why?  Probably because for the first time in Mike Wheeler’s young life, he feels like he can completely be himself and not have to fear judgment or how to do it right because El just doesn’t care.  She’s so infatuated with him and grateful for him and Mike can’t help but be equally as infatuated and grateful for her.  He can just coexist with her and never have to be anxious or worried about existing.  Which means he can be emotional with her.  He can open up to her.  He can be vulnerable with her.

Because she was potentially one of the first people to walk into his world, look him up and down, and not cringe.

Guys, Eleven walked into his world, looked him up and down, and flat out thought he was the coolest, kindest, understanding, freeing, best individual she’d ever met.  

And he’s just so amazed and grateful for that.

This isn’t to say Mike isn’t trusting or vulnerable with his friends, he is–they’re his friends–but to the rest of the world?  I think he’s pretty closed off.  El helps him get out of his anxious/broody/right-wrong/emotionally-vacant funk and it’s just so freaking adorable.

[mike-haters-dni]

There's something so poetic about how El is the centre of all the chaos, wanted by the government and military and Mike is her strong calm that doesn't hesitate to get sucked into her storm and stand by her side in the face of any conflict. Like guys. This little boy did not hesitate to protect her and stand off in the face of the government to defend her, going against all the typical patriotic rule-following norms of an American Suburbanite Middle class nuclear family. He comes from pure safe normalcy but doesn't hesitate to run in the other direction heading towards chaos and danger if it means she's there... because he feels safest with her and is driven by the instinct to protect her. 😭🩷 There's something so beautiful and inspiring about someone as hurt and troubled and chaotic as El being loved in such a simple, unconditional way. Mike doesn't see her for the chaos she represents which surrounds her, he sees her for the innocent goodness that she actually is— her calm, gentle demeanour and the warmth it makes him feel. He understands that all the danger that comes with being with her is through no fault of her own, and actively works to help combat all the forces against her. He knows that despite being the centre of the chaos she's not the cause of it, she's the remedy for the effect of it and that is an undeserved, exhausting punishment yet a burden she bears regardless without complaint— a sign of her innate goodness which Mike recognises and loves her for all the more. Even moreso, he works to share that burden with her and criticise it because he sees how innocent and undeserving she is of the responsibility infringed upon her. His willingness to take all of this on is so wholesome and exactly the kind of sweet effort-full love that a character like El deserves, which is so gratifying for the audience to see.

[mike-haters-dni]

new stranger things villian pops up:

the party: oh, its just like blorbo from my games

[mike-haters-dni]

Mike actually really likes the short hair look on El, and it’s always been his favorite, (that’s what she looked like when he fell in love with her after all) but he’s never told her because he knows how much growing out her hair means to her, a way of reclaiming her independence.

El’s hair being a symbol of her freedom means a lot to me. Although lowkey it kinda isn’t in the show, or like it kinda is but only incidentally. Either way she definitely wears it looong and even if he likes the short look, the most beautiful thing she can be is happy :)

[mike-haters-dni]

Sending headcanons? It's a good day in ramblesville.

I like dwelling on Mike. A lot. Favorite character gsjgakgjkaguaahj. I think that he definitely needs some extra assurance these days about love and stuff, which coaxes Eleven, hesitant to speak more than she does, to actually talk more. Sweet-talkin' Mike.

2. When it comes out, Mike is definitely asking Eleven to a movie date for a showing of Ghostbusters 2. I think he's way more excited than she is but she's fond of the idea– She would love a movie-date, don't you think?

3. I think Eleven would get uneasy around animals, given her poor introduction to them, and the fact the only other time I've seen her with one is to kill a squirrel for its meat. On the contrary, I think Mike likes animals a lot and is incredibly touchy with them. Witnessing this might even make her feel a little better.

4. This one actually isn't a ship-y one. I think Jonathan, a horror junkie, would recommend "Carrie" (which, fun fact, was released on November 3rd.) to Eleven. She'd love it. I say she enjoys being able to see herself on the television sometimes, and, well.... she definitely has that "abused, publicly-humiliated, telekinetic and bullied" thing in the bag too.

no way someone actually sent me headcanons let's fucking goooo

Girl same fr. I'm so ready for the return speech she gives him in at the climax of s5. I'm also like obsessed with the idea that post-canon when everything's finally normal, they both get really competitive about showing each other affection to make up for lost time in a way. Like one Valentine's Day, Mike shows up with a nice little bouquet of roses and a handwritten note, and then El pulls out a giant vase filled with black lilies and red and yellow dahlias (that look like fireballs) and other weird, vaguely fantastical flowers and an even longer hand written note, and from that point its on. Also Mike takes every opportunity to say obnoxiously poetic things about how much he loves her, and they both jump on every "not as beautiful as you" as they can lmao

Absolutely. Like its cute when they spend the whole time staring at each other instead of the movie, but even cuter when the movie is so good they're both fully invested in it together lol

That is an adorable image omg. Maybe she has her first positive animal interaction with Dustin's cat. At first she's kinda freaked out by it but it keeps following her around demanding its entry pat tax, and when she finally hands it over its a bit of a healing moment for her <3.

Torn on whether Carrie would be empowering or re-traumatizing lol but ur so right. Honestly it must be weird for her to see telekinesis in media cuz like, the world thinks it's fiction, so it also thinks she's fiction. And that makes me sad but also--what if instead she gets all snobby about the portrayals and critiques the realism lol