somethings-wrong-with-nana

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

It's been a year, Mike.

I can't believe today it's been exactly a year since these pics came out and revived the Byler fandom... I will never forget that day.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

This artwork is amazing. The details on the jeans?

Just a little posessive

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

This definitely makes sense and why I latched on to Greatwise (Will and Gareth) as a ship. Like I knew it would take tons of processing for Mike to get there. To realize his feelings for Will and act on them. And dammit! I want Will to be happy NOW. But then Bychance came along and yeah, that makes sense. I still don't trust Chance, but I am willing to trust the narrative. I mean I kinda feel bad for Gareth - cute little drummer DND geek who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut doesn't stand a chance against tall, dark and handsome athlete. Anyways, the point is, let my boy have fun!!

There's a real possibility we get a Will Byers centric love triangle in ST5

We know the Duffers love a good love triangle.

So much so, they've given us one (or several) in every season of Stranger Things thus far—and I don’t think they’ll break that streak in Season 5.

One thing I’ve noticed is that while some love triangles stretch across multiple seasons (like Steve/Nancy/Jonathan), the writers also introduce at least one new triangle each season.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

S1: Steve / Nancy / Jonathan S2: Steve / Nancy / Jonathan + Joyce / Hopper / Bob + Lucas / Dustin / Max S3: Robin / Steve / Tammy + Joyce / Hopper / Alexei + Joyce / Hopper / Mr Clarke S4: Steve / Nancy / Jonathan + Mike / El / Will + Robin / Vickie / Vickie's ex-boyfriend S5: Steve / Nancy / Jonathan (likely resolved) + Mike / El / Will (will come to a head) + ???

Sometimes they’re played straight, but the writers also love to openly mock the love triangle trope, too—especially in Season 3:

For example, Hopper gets irrationally jealous over Joyce talking to Mr Clarke and even Alexei—prompting Joyce’s sarcastic line about how every man she talks to must be her boyfriend. And of course, there's Steve wrongly assuming Robin has a crush on him, then confessing to her, only to find out she actually liked Tammy Thompson.

Basically, there’s no one way the writers use this trope. They clearly enjoy it—but more importantly, they enjoy subverting it.

So, call me delusional but I think it's likely that we could be getting another Will Byers love triangle in Season 5:

He's the main character of the season and his arc will (partially), revolve around his "coming of age" and acceptance of his sexuality, after all.

Will has consistently been portrayed as someone who is considered attractive or desirable in-universe. In every season except Season 3, a girl shows interest in him despite his nerdiness and perceived queerness.

And now, it looks like the Duffer Brothers are visually rebranding him as a romantic lead:

His new hair and costume design feels both heroic and boyish. The flannel—once a staple of his wardrobe and a symbol of his innocence—is slowly being phased out, suggesting a gradual loss of that innocence. However, he’s still buttoned up. That tells me Will is stepping into his manhood (and by extension, his sexuality), but he's still holding something back. He's going to need to be pushed out of his comfort zone; both physically and emotionally.

Even narratively, there are established links which hint at a possible non-Mike love interest:

When we look back at Will’s comment about not falling in love, we often read it as foreshadowing his feelings for Mike—or hinting that he already is in love with him. But I also interpret it as something more: Will doesn’t believe he will ever inspire love (or romantic attraction). He sees himself as undesirable.

Think about the four original members of the Party. Yes, they’re all considered uncool nerds to some degree—yet three of them are affirmed through romantic connection: Lucas has Max. Dustin has Suzie. Mike has El. They each receive validation and the feeling of being wanted.

Will does not.

And yet, the writers have made a consistent effort to show us that Will is considered attractive—despite his belief that he isn’t, and despite the lack of romantic validation he receives. That creates a real disconnect. A kind of cognitive dissonance.

Having Will repeatedly receive attention from girls—only to reject them or appear disinterested—was an effective way to subtly hint at his queerness. But it’s happened so many times now, that there needs to be a payoff.

What is the long-term point of making the canonically gay kid, who already believes he’s undesirable, only receive interest from women?

Er, there isn’t one.

It makes sense, then, to give Will the opportunity to experience mutual same-sex attraction with someone who isn't Mike.

Because Will's arc about accepting his sexuality doesn't just have to culminate in the realization that Mike loves him too (as sweet as that is).

It should culminate with the knowledge that queerness is valid, that he is considered desirable and worthy of romantic interest, and that he isn't alone in experiencing queerness.

Additionally, as mentioned above, Will is already perceived as queer—he’s been bullied for it his entire life, despite never explicitly coming out. Hawkins is a small town where word travels fast. So if there is another young gay guy in town, chances are… they’ve already heard of “Zombie Boy” Will Byers.

He'd certainly be on their radar: he’s good-looking, he’s mysterious, and he’s still closeted, which means he’d likely be discreet.

And let’s not forget where Will was emotionally at the end of Season 4, especially regarding his feelings for Mike:

He’s starting from ground zero in Season 5. He has zero hope that Mike feels the same way, and he’s likely going to be making zero moves.

In fact, most Byler theorists agree—it makes sense that Mike will have to be the initiator in Season 5. Will is just too emotionally shut down to make the first move.

But… wait a minute.

If this season is supposed to be about Will coming into his own as a young gay man—about self-acceptance, confidence, and owning his identity—how does that make sense if Mike is the one initiating everything?!

Well… maybe Mike needs to make the first move when it comes to Byler. But that doesn’t mean Will has to stay passive the whole season.

It’s possible that Will could gain some much-needed confidence—maybe even a bit of romantic “practice”—by taking a more active role with someone else first.

Giving Will a (temporary) new love interest would also level-out the playing field between himself and Mike:

There's a real sense of karmic justice and ironic foreshadowing in Stranger Things.

Will's jealousy of Mike and El's relationship has been hinted at for two seasons now—and he even complained that Mike only called a couple times while El had a "book of letters" from him.

What’s interesting is that even after Mike takes accountability for their argument and they make up, that specific comment—about the phone calls and letters—is never addressed. It lingers.

That’s why I think we could see a similar conversation (or even a full-blown argument) between Mike and Will in Season 5. But this time, Will might be the one receiving phone calls or letters—from someone else.

And let’s not forget: it’s possible that the Byers are temporarily staying with the Wheelers in Season 5. If Will has a secret admirer, and he’s trying to keep it quiet, Mike is going to find out. (Excellent way to manufacture drama).

I also feel compelled to reiterate that the Duffers have shown time and time again: they can handle love triangles in many different ways.

They can play it for comedy. They can make it completely one-sided or delusional—like Mike projecting his own jealousy, much like Hopper did with Joyce in Season 3. A love triangle doesn’t have to be serious or long-lasting. It could span multiple episodes, or just one. It could involve a kiss—or zero physical contact at all.

And it doesn’t have to disrupt a Byler endgame—in fact, quite the opposite:

Seeing Will Byers receive romantic attention from another male character would serve as a reminder to the audience that Will is desirable and that he has options—this increases the stakes for Mike.

The GA will start wondering if this is really Will's endgame, and if he is truly ready to get over Mike. The GA, especially those who never shipped Byler before, may find themselves unexpectedly invested. They might even feel disappointed or sad at the thought of Will "moving on."

It also creates space for the writers to show us jealous Mike. Just as we've seen jealous, longing Will, a temporary love triangle allows us to explore Mike’s feelings through that same lens of romantic insecurity.

This brings the possibility of Byler to the forefront of the GA's subconscious. At the same time, it invites them to root for Mike, and therefore Byler.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

But also

alright wheeler, i think we found your hub / you're the heart

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

Ok after reading some posts about Madwheeler today and still thinking about manifestation theory and creation powers a silly thought grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I'm not reblogging anything specifically because I know this is just my own weirdness and I don't want to mess with anyone's plausible theories and speculation. I just have to get it out of my head. What if Will wondered if there was maybe a girl that was similar to Mike maybe he could like like her and then maybe he'd be "normal" and could stop being in love with his best friend. And then Max appeared by some weird coincidence and she was for sure interesting. But while she was opinionated and strong willed and apparently girls play video games (?), she was short and had red hair and yeah she had freckles but it just wasn't the same. She wasn't his Mike.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

I love strawberries and this artist I just discovered. These doodles make me so happy 🍓♥️🥰

bought some yummy strawberries at the farm shop!

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

Y'all, has no one posted about this before? Perhaps someone has and I don't have the search skills to find it. That would track because I still don't know what I'm doing here. Anywho, if you have posted about this before, my apologies. Let me know so I can make amends (what amends I don't know but I'll figure it out).

Without further ado, I present to you the Byers tartan.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

This makes so much sense and I'm excited to see how it will play out for Will.

Will, Chance, and the Final Girl Reimagined

Will is at the mercy of circumstance in S1-S4. It's one of the most common criticisms I see from dudebros of his character:

Things just happen to him, and he lets them.

And while that's a one-dimensional take, it's not entirely wrong: Will starts out as the DAMSEL IN DISTRESS who needs to be saved from the horrors after all. He endures, but he doesn't take action. And in the limited capacity he does, he's immediately punished by the narrative for it.

But Will is also clearly a FINAL GIRL.

And that requires agency.

Don't worry Will, you're in good company.

The term final girl was coined by Carol J. Clover in the fantastic Men, Women and Chainsaws, and is a common horror movie trope, especially in slashers.

The final girl is a female character who is the last survivor left to confront the killer. She is usually intelligent, resourceful, and has a moral purity compared to the other characters (avoids sex, drugs, and reckless behavior in general). The final girl is brutally hunted by the killer and often witnesses her friends dying before she starts to fight back, either until she escapes or the killer dies.

Will is already not your average final girl, even if he clearly embodies the core traits of the trope. He is a gender-bent queer version, something that has implications for how the trope will play out in S5.

Things are about to get interesting.

By now, it probably hasn't escaped anyone that there´s a rod motif and allusions to Phineas Gage woven like a red thread through Will's character arc. The last shot we see of him with both is the most on the nose it's been since he destroyed Castle Byers:

Phineas, Phineas... how we obsess over you.

Will is back in Hawkins, and we're reminded that despite being more accepting of his sexuality and embracing his feelings for Mike, he's still very much split. Split by a phallic-looking object.

Clover makes an interesting observation about the phallic, the final girl, and the masculine:

"The tale is no less one of maleness. If the experience of childhood can be—is perhaps ideally—enacted in female form, the breaking away requires the assumption of a phallus. The helpless child is gendered feminine; the autonomous adult of subject is gendered masculine; the passage from childhood to adulthood entails a shift from feminine to masculine."

Childhood is a profoundly feminine period in any person's life. Your power, autonomy, and agency, all traits associated with the masculine, are limited. Instead you are, for better or worse, in a state of reception. You follow, learn, and receive. A highly feminine-coded way of being.

Adolescence is the liminal place where we transition. It's neither childhood nor adulthood but an awkward in-between, like being stuck between two slides in a View-Master.

Teenagers, like the final girl, complete the journey by increasingly stepping into masculine-coded agency. They take action. Often by experimenting.

The final girl takes the step by coming into her sexuality metaphorically: she takes the knife, the chainsaw, or other phallic object from the killer and turns it against him:

"She's the one who killed him. Not because she's a virgin, but because all that repressed energy starts coming out. She uses all those phallic symbols on the guy. She and the killer have a certain link: sexual repression." —John Carpenter on final girl Laurie Strode

I'm sceptical of Will going the violently confrontational route with Vecna. @pinkeoni made a great point about how it would imply that Will's feminine traits are something that needs to be overcome.

Where other final girls found metaphorical outlets for their sexual energy, Will might confront his more directly. Initially, with someone who is simultaneously a manifestation of his sexual suppression, an attempt to break away from it, and a warped version of what he wants to have with Mike.

Namely, this guy:

Yeah, I know how it sounds. But bear with me a little.

Slashers are generally not kind to sexually active characters; they often meet an untimely death early on in the movie. It's more rule than exception that they're punished for their sexuality.

Who else was punished for their sexuality and seen as morally corrupt by the narrative in the 1980s at the height of the AIDS crisis? Homosexual men.

It's crucial that Will not only explores his sexuality, but also uses it as a vehicle for liberation and agency. He's not going to end up sad and alone by the end of the show. Ultimately, he's going to be rewarded for stepping out of the closet and into himself as a queer young man. He's going to get the happiness he barely dares to dream about.

But if the show has been any indication so far, it's going to be a bumpy, chaotic, and messy ride to get there.

@therainscene has noted how Will's rebellious, defiant side is considerably diminished by the end of S4. The slim hope brought on by the painting is crushed, and he no longer believes a happy ending is possible. But instead of lashing out, he seems almost wistfully accepting. His silent tears in the van are a far cry from his angry outburst in Castle Byers.

He has admitted defeat.

But that doesn't mean he will sit back and do nothing next season. If anything, it's going to be the opposite.

Will's acceptance is his first real step towards autonomy. It's often not until we surrender that we start to exercise our ability to act. And only when we act do we have any say in our story.

Will trails after Mike and El all throughout S4, and while he rekindles his friendship with Mike and manages a couple of stolen moments of flirtatious energy, he's ultimately left wanting. It's not enough anymore. And it seems to be all he's ever going to get.

Add the Phineas No-Longer-Gage aspect of it all, and it's not far-fetched at all to assume that Will is going to engage in some uncharacteristic behaviour next season.

He's going to attempt, and fail, to move on.

Moving on from someone you still have feelings for is messy. You might make some highly questionable choices. Especially if you're a closeted queer teen in the 80s with limited options.

Will exploring and experimenting with his sexuality further subvert the expectations we have of a final girl. Where she uses metaphor and moral purity, Will is going to step away from both in the most hands-on way possible.

It will allow him to "wield the phallus" without compromising or erasing the feminine aspects of his character. Sexuality is inherently feminine and masculine after all. You can't leave any part out if you want to be whole.

According to Jung, sexuality is more than a purely biological drive.

It's a life force, an energy, that drives all human development, including spirituality and creativity. Integrating one's sexuality, including its shadow aspects, is critical if a person wants to move towards psychological wholeness:

"Pressures to conform or deny natural instincts create neuroses and psychological splits between inner needs and outer demands." —Carl Jung

By exploring his sexuality outside of Mike, Will is confronting his sexual shadow and the effects of suppressing it for so long. He's going "dark side" without having to go villain. It would also allow Stranger Things to take the psychoanalytic elements of the final girl trope further than possibly any other piece of horror media.

Dealing with the shadow is no child's play. But Stranger Things has proven to be a show that doesn't shy away from letting its characters handle dark, complex themes.

The AIDS metaphor is going to be more... direct next season.

Awakening Will's sexuality will also, most likely, be intrinsically linked to awakening powers that tie him to the laboratory, El, Vecna, and the UD. How this will play out, I'll leave to smarter people to figure out. What seems plausible is that:

Will's journey will culminate when he steps into his powers: sexual, emotional, and supernatural. Sexual exploration is, in other words, a key to Will fulfilling his role as the final girl and subsequently the entire plot of Stranger Things.

And not all of it can be done with Mike.

He's the one person Will needs a little autonomy from right now. Unpopular opinion perhaps, but I stand by it. Sadly trailing behind him and El simply won't do next season. And it would serve Mike's character arc to get a reality check.

If you snooze, you lose, lover boy.

Once byler come together, and I believe they will, it's going to be on equal footing.

So why Chance, this seemingly random jock? They could do this with a new character just as well.

Because there are clues within the show, at least throughout S4, that imply it will be him. There are way too many to recount here, and I don't view them all as equally credible. But more than enough of them are to make me believe this is where the story might be going.

And honestly? I'm pretty excited about it.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

I just have a thing for bat!Eddie 🖤

He's just a little guy

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

Possible ST5 Spoiler/Leak

(Hopefully I did that right)

Back in February there was a leaked photo where that outline of Lovers Lake was a part of a large taped together map of Hawkins that was labeled like a grid with letters along the top and numbers along the side. So the lake was in the H1? (Also OMG Henry/1/?) coordinate. Beyond the theories thrown about and the fact that the leaks were all tied up with scandal from the leakers, the main takeaway was that Mike was standing below Lovers Lake in front of the map and that was a big deal. There are a few photos still floating around but I didn't feel right grabbing them or dragging up the leaks again. I just wanted to mention that as a possibility for what the H was for if anyone was curious

Ross Duffer's BTS photo of LOVER'S LAKE!? #loverslakegate

I know Bylers are going crazy over #loverslakegate

So when I stumbled on this behind-the-scenes photo from Ross Duffer's Instagram from Feb. 16 2024 I figured I should share:

(It's part of a set of photos titled "Weeks 5-6")

I don't know TV/film production, but wouldn't a writer use an index card with a letter to figure out the order of scenes? Or maybe this is in-universe, and the party is labeling gate locations?

Either way, doesn't this mean there might be a scene there?

-teambyler

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

This reminds me of when I decided to explain the plot of Stranger Things to my spouse and somewhere in the middle of the first season they said, "Oh, ok, it's all in their head." "Whose head?" I asked. "Mike or Will. Maybe both. It's classic story telling and makes sense from what you've told me so far." I've been doing a lot of pondering since then. And this post makes me ponder even more....

But back to your post! We know that others have tried to wake him up, too, and failed.

Someone is dreaming...

about reuniting with a lost love

Each one of these songs are about dreaming of a lost love. Dreaming and waking up are commonly alluded to throughout the show. Someone needs to wake up, and I think I know who it is (wait until the end of the post)...

"We found that music has a particularly calming effect on the broken mind. The right song, particularly one which holds some personal meaning, can prove a salient stimulus. But there are those who are... beyond a cure." - Anthony Hatch

Lets go over the songs, shall we?

Moonlight Serenade

I stand at your gate and the song that I sing is of moonlight I stand and I wait for the touch of your hand in the June night The roses are sighing a Moonlight Serenade The stars are aglow and tonight how their light sets me dreaming My love, do you know that your eyes are like stars brightly beaming? I bring you and sing you a Moonlight Serenade Let us stray till break of day In love's valley of dreams Just you and I, a summer sky A heavenly breeze kissing the trees So don't let me wait, come to me tenderly in the June night I stand at your gate and I sing you a song in the moonlight A love song, my darling, a Moonlight Serenade

A lover dreaming about reunited with their love. The "I stand at your gate" stands out to me especially because this occurred twice in ST4 season.

Reuniting at the airport gate and reuniting at the gate at the Russian camp.

Plus, the reference to the opera Nina. Who's lover was killed and she buried the memory and continued to wait every day at the train station (basically another gate) for her lover's return.

Red Sails In The Sunset

{Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea} Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me {She sailed at the dawning, all day I've been blue} Red sails in the sunset, I'm trusting in you Swift wings you must borrow Make straight for the shore We marry tomorrow And she goes sailing no more {Red sails in the sunset, way out on the sea} Oh, carry my loved one home safely to me

Again, a lost love and a lover awaiting their return. Specifically, a lost love in the water...

I'll See You In My Dreams

Lonely days are long Twilight sings a song All the happiness that used to be Soon my eyes will close Soon I'll find repose And in dreams, you're always near to me I'll see you in my dreams Hold you in my dreams Someone took you out of my arms Still I feel the thrill of your charms Lips that once were mine Tender eyes that shine They will light my way tonight I'll see you in my dreams

A lover dreaming of their lost love who was taken from them.

Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams

When skies are cloudy and gray They're only gray for a day So wrap your troubles in dreams And dream your troubles away Until that sunshine peeps thru There's only one thing to do Just wrap your troubles in dreams And dream your troubles away Your castles may tumble That's Fate after all Life's really funny that way No use to grumble Just smile as they fall Weren't you King for a day? Say! Just remember that sunshine Always follows the rain So wrap your troubles in dreams And dream your troubles away

This song is about dreaming troubles away. Coping with reality by dreaming. Pretending.

So which character is dreaming?

Mike.

Is he "beyond a cure?"

Well... this "cure" didn't work but...

I think this one might.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

The lovers are united.

Do you thinks the whole 'opera about nina' thing leans into your 'story in a story' theory? Because it would kinda make sence- mike being nina and her dead lover being will, nina/mike repressing that memory and wating for him ti return/imagining

Re: The Story within a Story theory

YES - I definitely do.

I was going to make a whole post about that but I'll talk about it here.

At first I thought Nina was just about El and by extension Will, repressing his memories... but... this story is specifically about a lover who was killed and the memory of this was repressed by the protagonist. These specific lines are left in the script for a reason. Not to mention how the story of Nina is clearly extremely significant as the whole episode is called "Nina" and the whole story line revolves around the opera.

Mike is repressing the memory of Will's death.

HOWEVER, some interesting things to note:

El says "This... This isn't real." and Papa responds "But it once was."

Also, Papa never reveals the true ending of the story of Nina; the second act.

And... this occurs within the same episode...

Will says it's scary to open up and tell the truth because "what if they don't like the truth?" Mike nods and they are interrupted by Arygle saying "Does anybody know the dead dude's name?" all while the song "Letter to Willy" plays.

Not to mention how all of this fits with the songs about dreaming of a lost love in the previous episode "Dear Billy". Post about that here.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

Ok in reading up on manifestation theory this morning I was struck by this photo of Eddie.

He's glowing. Like the car in the season 3 rain fight.

We know Eddie's fate and we have an idea that something happened to Will involving a car. Can anyone think of other instances of people or objects having a glowing outline? I'm just totally fascinated. And I guess I know what I'll be doing while my spouse is on a work trip this week. Rewatching the whole series looking for eerie outlines.

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

I never thought of any of that but it makes sense!

Wipeout

There are multiple instances where 3 o'clock seems to be an important time

Mayor Larrys parade starts at 3 P.M. on the 4th of July in S3

The grandfather clock Chrissy sees in the woods also shows 3 o'clock (Note that all the other victims get a different time although I can't confirm this Max as it is too hard to see)

It's 3 o'clock when El and One start their plan to escape the lab

When Henry starts to turn back time in his flashback it is also 3 o'clock

It is also noteworthy that 3 o'clock on an analogue clock also resembles an "L"

Then only 40 to 50 minutes later more ominous things happen

Robin informs us that they all die and it's just a matter of time. This happens at the same time as ...

... both Steve and Dustin are burning up. At least Dustin if not both of them are also considered packaged goods.

Then of cause there is El in S4 who finds Henry at approximately 03:47 A.M. or P.M. after he has killed all the kids in the lab. It's interesting to note that this time stays the same throughout their whole conversation which is I might say quite long.

I think some important event in the past (perhaps a birthday party?) started at 3 P.M. and then turned into a catastrophe only 40 to 50 minutes later. Maybe a wipeout happened.

@greenfiend

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

Someone recently mentioned here that Vecna's clock with the cracks labels the 4 o'clock hour as IIII and not IV which is the correct roman numeral. I'm sorry I can't remember who it was but it was such a good catch! I don't know if it is connected to this discussion exactly but I feel it has to be related somehow.

Wipeout

There are multiple instances where 3 o'clock seems to be an important time

Mayor Larrys parade starts at 3 P.M. on the 4th of July in S3

The grandfather clock Chrissy sees in the woods also shows 3 o'clock (Note that all the other victims get a different time although I can't confirm this Max as it is too hard to see)

It's 3 o'clock when El and One start their plan to escape the lab

When Henry starts to turn back time in his flashback it is also 3 o'clock

It is also noteworthy that 3 o'clock on an analogue clock also resembles an "L"

Then only 40 to 50 minutes later more ominous things happen

Robin informs us that they all die and it's just a matter of time. This happens at the same time as ...

... both Steve and Dustin are burning up. At least Dustin if not both of them are also considered packaged goods.

Then of cause there is El in S4 who finds Henry at approximately 03:47 A.M. or P.M. after he has killed all the kids in the lab. It's interesting to note that this time stays the same throughout their whole conversation which is I might say quite long.

I think some important event in the past (perhaps a birthday party?) started at 3 P.M. and then turned into a catastrophe only 40 to 50 minutes later. Maybe a wipeout happened.

@greenfiend

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

Thank you, @greenfiend! I appreciate the science-y hope very much!!

Wheeler’s Delayed Choice

How science may be used to create a happy ending

This is a reference to this post where I theorize that the show is a story written by Mike to change the ending.

While Mike may always be late, this one late decision he will make may actually alter the past (and save Will). AKA How I think the writers may be utilizing concepts in quantum mechanics to explain time travel.

To start, I just want to say that I do think that concepts in quantum mechanics are used on a much grander scale within Stranger Things. For example, there are frequent references to waves (electromagnetic, and water), and the reoccurring theme of being spied on may be alluding to how observation can affect light photons… and more. The mere act of observation can change whether or not light photons are waves or particles! This was discovered through The Double Slit experiment. Unobserved = light acts as a wave, observed = light acts as a particle.

John Wheeler made another experiment in response to this called The Wheeler’s Delayed Choice experiment. Basically, in this experiment, the observer makes the choice late whether or not to observe (after the light photon would be forced to be a wave or a particle). Yet, that “late” choice still managed to affect whether or not the light was a wave or a particle… so it’s as if the light photon already knew the observer’s decision before it was made. Keep in mind I’m really trying to dumb down these complex concepts… so sorry if it’s still confusing or not fully accurately stated.

Basically, within quantum mechanics, time does not seem to work the same. A late choice can change the past…

Wheeler’s late choice may alter the past…

The light photon (Will) has the capability to “see into the future” and know the observer (Wheeler)’s decision before it was made. Thus, it knows whether or not to be a wave or a particle (or to rather to stay or to go).

I believe Wheeler’s decision is about the creation of a letter written late by Mike that can alter the past and change the ending. His ending. Making it happy and gay.

Will is in a superposition of both “stay” and “go”.

Mike makes the decision to write the love letter, even though it was “too late” (believing Will is dead).

Will “sees into the future” and finds Mike’s letter to him.

Will chooses to “stay” before Mike even creates the letter.

I talk about the letter stuff more here and here. I actually attempted to fill out that incomplete letter the writers posted years ago utilizing many context clues within the show.

Much like the letter that Marty wrote to Doc in Back to the Future, I think this late letter may actually save Will's life…

[somethings-wrong-with-nana]

I never noticed the lyrics syncing up with Mike like that 😯

If you have doubt, I will crush it in two screenshots...