#she is so much more than stancy or jancy she either needs a girlfriend or just herself

[dontcallmeeds]

I saw a twitter thread that was giving reasons for Nancy Wheeler being a lesbian and I gotta say, I agree. At least that Nancy is NOT straight. The way she interacts with Barb….dude, do you know how many of the stairs conversations (from season one before Barb disappears) I’ve had with friends who were secretly seeing me??? The whole “this isn’t you” after Nancy lies about where she’s going and the way she reacts with her facial expressions…..bro, they’ve kissed before. This has been said a million times here and otherwise since season one.

But with the level of grief and guilt she goes through in season two, I’m seeing that right now in myself as someone who just had one of their best friends pass away suddenly who was also an ex. The whole “bullshit” Stancy Halloween fight could be chalked up to grief and liking Jonathan sure, but I think it’s way more than that. I think she’s calling everything bullshit including herself because she lost the one person who saw her, someone she loved more than just platonically.

Then season three is mostly just her fighting with Jonathan if you really think about it, because she wants to be more than just a sandwich girl at Hawkins Post. Someone Barb would be proud of. We only see her really happy with Jonathan in season three when they wake up late and she sneaks out and the soft moment they have at the end when he’s leaving. Other than that they’re either fighting with each other or fighting monsters. Robin calls her a “priss,” but before Steve she was just kind of a…nerd. Like Robin. Maybe they ran in the same circles? We know they don’t know each other in person, at least Nancy doesn’t know HER.

FOLLOW ME HERE: What if Robin knew Barb?? What if Barb confided in her that she had feelings for Nancy, but that Nancy was dating Steve and we know how hard Robin goes for her friends so she just made this assumption that Nancy is a priss????

Then season four of course, we see Nancy not going to California. She’s frustrated that Jonathan wouldn’t be coming and she stayed for the basketball game for her front page news right?? Why didn’t she take another flight hmmm??? And we think she’s jealous of Robin, but what if she was jealous of Steve??? Because we don’t really have indication that Steve and Nancy have spent much time around each other since summer ‘85…but Robin and Nancy go to school together. Robin is in band which means they’re in the same room *hypothetically* for the important games that Nancy needs to document. We don’t know how many games Steve went to besides the one, he could’ve been working on some of those games or on dates. So ipso facto, Robin and Nancy have (probably) been in the same room more than Steve and Nancy….why would she suddenly be jealous of ROBIN???

And you can see her genuinely enjoying being around Robin after her monologue at the psych ward when she was being “annoyed” and “on edge” with her before that. I don’t see that as “oh well she started considering her a friend” I think she had a crush, she was on edge because she had lost Barb and didn’t want to feel that way about another girl. But the monologue relaxes her because she realized Robin is just as unhinged as she is, but in a different way. Because Nancy Wheeler is IMPULSIVE. She’s smarter than hell, but she is so careless with her own safety.

Also every time the Bylers shippers contrast the Wheeler siblings really they’re just giving us Nancy Wheeler is gay proof too. Because look at their similar behaviors. They fight and bicker in a way that says “i know what you are, NO I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE”

NOT VERY STRAIGHT IF YOU ASK ME.

Also, while I now understand my attraction to men is because I was a queer trans dude the entire time, I used to think it was comphet. But everything I feel about men is different than the way Nancy feels about men. It feels forced, it feels like she thinks she HAS to have a boyfriend and HAS to force a real connection with them. COMP. MOTHERFUCKIN. HET.

In conclusion, for the love of god, let Nancy Wheeler kiss girls. Natalia wants it, the fans want it. Give us a SMOOCH.

[thestrangestthing89]

More Jancy/Stancy and M*leven/Byler parallels and how they relate to conformity:

Stancy and M*leven represent conformity. Steve and Nancy are both from upper middle class families. She's a good student and he's popular. On paper they are the perfect couple. They are always associated with the Wheeler parents - the people who get married and have some kids in the suburbs. The people who got married because they were supposed to not because they love each other. Which is a life Nancy has already expressed she doesn't want. Mike and El also follow this path. Both represent the relationships everyone expects. The superhero girlfriend who needs to be educated about the world has a nerdy boyfriend. They too are expected to get married and have some kids in the suburbs and live out the Wheeler family life. Both are superficial relationships that don't have a whole lot of depth and understanding between the characters, like the Wheeler parents. There is always an emotional disconnect between Steve and Nancy (with regard to Barb but Steve still does this to Nancy. After Henry shows Nancy the vision and she's telling the group, Steve says "he was just trying to scare you" which is honestly so condescending. Like obviously he was doing that, but that doesn't mean her fears aren't valid or that there isn't a problem to solve. It's dismissive, not supportive.)

There is also an emotional disconnect with Mike and El (with regard to every goddamn thing because these two don't know how to have a conversation). Steve dismisses Nancy's feelings in the same way Mike dismisses El's feelings (calling her ridiculous). And honestly El dismisses Mikes right back when he tries to talk to her about how he was bullied, which is difficult for him. She shuts it down and says it's not the same. There is no emotional support here from either of them. Nancy also has not been shown to be emotionally supportive of Steve at any point.

On the flip side there is Jonathan and Nancy who represent the relationship both characters want, not the one they are supposed to want. They are both from different socioeconomic statuses. This was a big deal in the 80s, so much so that there is an entire John Hughes movie (Pretty in Pink) where Molly Ringwald's character (who is poor) has to hide her relationship with her rich boyfriend because everyone in school will bully them. And the rich boyfriend is all insecure about it and doesn't want to be seen with her. Nancy obviously isn't insecure about being seen with Jonathan but she doesn't understand his point of view in season 3 when they fight about how he couldn't afford to complain about his job. It's part of what leads to him lying to her about college applications - because he doesn't think she can understand. The thing about this is that all they have to do is have a conversation about this topic for them to both reach a better understanding of each other. They've done this before both in seasons 1 and 2. I think it will happen considering Jonathans entire character arch from the past two seasons remains unaddressed. Nancy and Jonathans relationship was built on emotional understanding and support they just aren't communicating very well right now. It's the unconventional relationship because Jonathan is the weird quiet kid and weird quiet kids don't get the cool rich girlfriend. (This is different than the nerdy boy getting a superhero girlfriend - Jonathan isn't nerdy and Nancy isn't a superhero.) Mike and Will also are the unconventional relationship obviously because they are gay. It's the relationship they want even though they are being told they shouldn't. The nerdy boy is going to get the superhero boyfriend. They just also aren't communicating very well right now. This relationship was also built on emotional bonds and mutual support. Interestingly, Mike and Will don't seem to have the same disconnect when it comes to money that their siblings have. Their main issue stems from insecurities around their identities which leads to their miscommunication issues this season. I think that if these storylines are written well (and I think they will be since they have been up until now) this could provide the GA with a good narrative on conformity and how it's dangerous to push relationships on people. Up until now, I can't think of any media (at least not mainstream) that is trying to push the audience into thinking that our usual societal norms need to be questioned. It will be interesting to see if people end up understanding this. I strongly suspect that a portion of the fandom (the homophobes and Steve worshippers) will not and will be pissed. But it could make a positive impact on the GA that isn't like that.

[freckledjoes]

what do you think about stancy btw? is it just me or stancy feels forced? i mean jancy is stressed and stancy is toxic…and what you would do if your ex was slut shaming you and then after years telling you he wants a big family with you? i mean come on…and steve was a shitty bf back (even tho he had the best glow up and ch. development ever. i love him now. he wasn’t a bad guy for me…i feel like he didn’t ever even bully anyone. yeah he broke jonathan’s camera but that was after he found out he was photographing his girlfriend almost naked..i mean…how would u reacted?) what would change if he and nancy got back together? and duffers are saying s5 it’s gonna be like if s1 and 3 had a baby…why would they want to repeat some things that happened in s1 (i really hate stancy pls) give steve a chance to have a gf who actually loves him and respects him and doesn’t take him for granted…or just let him be a single mom of his 6 kids…i feel like nancy needs to be independent… rely more just on her own and her career and not mess around with MY steve lmao 🤣💗

Oh you really put me on the spot here huh, comfortably hiding behind anon while I have to say it out loud (I'm teasing, it's all good)! Let me start by saying: IT'S AN OPINION!!! If you do ship her with either guy, enjoy your ship! I just don't ship it myself.

Alright, so... if I was Nancy, I'd be single. Not saying either boy is bad but I don't see either boy being good for her. Both made mistakes, that's for sure. Not saying they can't come back from it (Steve has had a brilliant arc and I'm sure Jonathan has learned not to take pics of people w/o their consent) but I'd personally much rather see Nancy thrive on her own rather than be reduced to a girl who needs a boyfriend at the end of the show.

I don't think she aligns with either of them. She's ambitious, she doesn't sound like she wants to have kids any time soon, if ever, so that basically cancels out Steve imo. At least, I don't think it's good for either of them to be with each other if they look so differently at the future. As for Jonathan, I just don't feel much for their relationship from what we've seen currently. Just don't really see it.

Steve needs someone who makes him feel and treats him like an equal. He deserves to be loved as much as he loves, and that man has a lot of love to give. I wish my favorite bi (headcanon) guy the best partner <3

[rhoeysama]

Rant: The Undue Hate Directed at Jonathan Byers (and Jancy)

Before I delve right into it, I’d just like to acknowledge that Steve deserved better than what happened to him in season 2, and I truly hope that next season will treat him well. I adore Steve now; he’s made a dramatic turn-around as a character and took me by surprise in likability, and I really hope that he returns for the rest of the show, and gets the closure and also the affection he should have. And hopefully doesn’t get his ass kicked again. 

With that said, let's launch into the meat of the issue.

The number one argument/complaint I keep seeing against Jancy, popping up again and again and again, is “Jonathan never apologized for taking the photo, and it was never addressed that he was being a creep”. 

This is completely false. Jonathan did in fact apologize, and acknowledged that what he did was wrong, directly to the person he had wronged: Nancy.

Nancy: Have you been…doing this a while? Jonathan: What? Nancy: Photography?  Jonathan: Yeah. *shrugs* I guess…I’d rather observe people than, you know… Nancy: Talk to them. Jonathan: I know. It’s weird. Nancy: No! Jonathan: No, it is. It’s just, sometimes…people don’t really say what they’re really thinking. But you capture the right moment…it says more.   Nancy: What was I saying? Jonathan: What? Nancy: When you took my picture.  Jonathan: 

It was addressed and he apologized for it.

It was addressed, and he apologized for it.

What was he supposed to do besides apologize and admit that he was wrong? 

His mistake was what gave them leads to solve the mystery of his missing brother and Nancy’s missing best friend in the first place. Putting things into perspective, Jonathan’s mistake pales in comparison to the predicament they found themselves in: two missing persons - Will and Barbara - both of whom are important in their lives, an unknown and dangerous entity at large, a faked death, a government conspiracy and cover-up. Whenever Jancy is being portrayed in a negative light and criticized, I notice that these elements, that make Stranger Things the interesting story that it is, with all the otherworldly, supernatural and political going on, it all gets thrown out the window, and it’s all distilled down to some basic high school soap opera with no regards to context.

So, let’s talk about Steve. I’m pretty sure that Steve didn’t actually ask Jonathan to drive Nancy home after the party; we never saw it happen; there was no indication of any interaction between Steve and Jonathan at that party, or even any signs of Steve being aware of Jonathan’s presence. It is therefore fair to assume that Jonathan made that story up, to save face for Steve who ditched his drunk girlfriend. Jonathan could easily have taken advantage of the situation by taking credit for driving her home, and make Steve look bad. But he didn’t try to get between them. If anything, he was trying to patch up their relationship, because he’s actually a good friend who cares about Nancy’s happiness. He even tried to convince her that her drunken ravings were just that: drunken ravings, while Nancy wasn’t so sure it’s quite that simple.

Steve wasn’t a bad boyfriend per say. Just not really on Nancy’s wavelength; they weren’t on the same page and that bothered her so much that it became a deal-breaker. She realized that it couldn’t work between them, and although she tried to pretend that it could, she realized that she was merely lying to herself, and to Steve, and it wasn’t fair to either of them. It was nobody’s fault that it didn’t work out between them; not Nancy’s, not Steve’s, and not Jonathan’s. Steve’s solution to Nancy’s problems have always been to go do something to get her mind off it; “let’s just go catch a movie”, “let’s just go party and pretend to be stupid teenagers”. Distraction is only a temporary band-aid solution; reality has a tendency to catch up to you sooner or later and burst your bubble. What you resist persists, as they say. And that’s precisely what was happening with Nancy. And Steve isn't a bad person, because he meant well; he just wanted to help. But unfortunately, for Nancy, it was only making things worse.

I find that Jonathan gets an undue and disproportionate amount of crap for this one mistake he made. A mistake that didn’t do any lasting damage to anyone, and a mistake which he more than makes up for with compassion, support, reliability, selflessness and friendship. And any great relationship is built on friendship. (Stancy, in comparison, as I see it, was initially built on sneaking off to make out in secret, partying and having sex. Sure, it’s fun and exciting and sexy, but that’s not enough to keep two people together.) 

Jonathan and Nancy’s relationship started off with initial distrust and skepticism, which was replaced with loyalty when they proved that they could have each other’s backs in the face of grave danger. The loyalty and trust were born when Jonathan pulled Nancy back from the Upside Down, from certain death. They saw that they worked well together as a team, highly in-sync, willing to fight together for a common cause. In season 1, Nancy helped Jonathan find and fight the monster to save Will, Hopper and Joyce. In season 2, Jonathan helped Nancy get justice for Barb, and Nancy helped exorcise the monster out of Will. They shared in the trauma and loss, and the burden of it, which is something that only the two of them truly understand, and this shaped their relationship into what it is now.  

I truly hope we see all of this more fleshed out next season, because I do think that they rushed it a little bit in S2, and left a lot of things out due to time constraints (and introducing all these new characters all competing for screen time), and I also hope that Steve gets the closure he deserves. 

That about sums up my thoughts and what I needed to get off my chest. Thanks for sticking around.