#we'll be ready for the bts and promo and everything in between

[chirpsythismorning]

So crazy there is more than meets the eye with those 3. At first I was thinking: Of course Will is sitting away from the happy couple after his own feeling were used to fix them. Wonderful. Now I think Will must have chose to sit away from them to avoid further heartache and prepare himself for being back in Hawkins. In those 2 days, even if we didn't see it there is no way both of them didn't offer to swap seats or tell him to sit with them at some point to be more comfortable you know?

They were so unhinged for that 2 days later epilogue! Though, I definitely understand why they did it.

In fact, that time jump is probably one of the strongest arguments pointing to milkvan bones in s5.

Because if Mike's monologue was truly as satisfying as so many hardcore fans insist it was, then why didn't we get the aftermath of said satisfying monologue? Why didn't we get El opening her eyes, finally being able to look back at Mike meaningfully after this highly anticipated moment, kissing or even just embracing. And THEN fade to black and do the time jump?

(If you want to see this exact scene, but romantic, check out Stiles saving Lydia from 5x16 of Teen Wolf... Literally the exact same scene, but with a genuine romantic lens... After watching that, you'll realize how truly unromantic Mike's monologue was).

Giving us the aftermath of Mike's love confession would have nicely closed off the conflict related to him not being able to say it to El, going on 2 seasons now? But instead they're going to leave it ambiguous, and stretch it one more season?

Yeah... okay.

Though we know, because Will asks Mike, has she talked to you at all, that the answer is... not much. ?

And so I think you're right. I think in major part, Will made that choice to sit in front of them after the monologue, because from his POV, everything that happened at Surfer Boy was strictly romantic. It was Mike professing his love (at first sight) to El.

Him being able to face away from them, in turn attempting to stay out of their way and try to keep everything that just happened from completely destroying him (i feel like my life started that day we found you in the woods), by literally facing the opposite direction... As well as looking forwards, preparing for what is just ahead of them. It's tragic but it's also very typical Will Byers behavior.

Something that really makes me uncomfortable about the time jump, is the fucking painting.

The aftermath of the monologue, in regards to how El was behaving towards Mike, clearly contradicted what Will said to Mike about the painting El commissioned (obviously). So maybe Mike just felt sort of confused on the way back to Hawkins, which is why he likely didn't address the painting? Despite it sitting there right in front of them (with Will facing away, allowing him to not feel stressed about addressing it at least?).

And then of course there's El's POV to consider during that 20 hr ride. Honestly I think she was preoccupied with Max mostly, but also, she's not stupid.

We know she knows about the painting. We know she's been around for conversations where the people talking didn't know she was hearing what was outright being said, ie. the fight at rink o mania where Will mentioned Mike never calling AND Dustin mentioning how Mike is always whining about the Byers' line being busy AND El hearing Will say Mike's the heart during the monologue...

So, whose to say she didn't see the painting sitting in the back seat.? Could that have been the point where it sort've clicked for her? I mean, even though we didn't see her see it, or any of them agknowledge the painting during the epilogue for that matter, it would be as easy as a less than measly 10 second flashback to allude to it. I don't think that's what it would look like, but all i'm saying, it wouldn't take a lot to give that impression.

It would make sense for her to just keep quiet because she's also got a lot on her mind. She's probably feeling guilty for her own reasons with everything that went down.

I think in regards to Will she's probably preparing herself for a follow-up conversation about what just went down. Because I don't think she would bring it up to Mike first when it comes to the painting... If she saw the painting and it clicked, it would have to be Will that she brought it up to, I feel like?

I could be wrong, but even though El isn't well versed in social etiquette, I just can't see her directly mentioning the painting being from Will to Mike and not her, without at least talking about it with Will first, just like he did with her at Rink O Mania.

Will waited until the very last second, THEN he told Mike the truth, when there was literally no other option.

That's the only way I could see her doing the same in Will's case... Until there is no other option... In that case, it could be Mike confronting her about it and about how he doesn't understand why what he said didn't work if she felt all those things... I could see that being a scenario where she'd be like, talk to will. But still, I think even if that happened, she still would've talked to Will at least vaguely before that point.

Although I am looking forward to it, it's going to be sort of scary seeing El and Mike predictably falling apart early s5, and Will perhaps panicking and distancing himself even more bc he thinks he might have something to do with their problems and miscommunication in the first place ie the painting.

Now, when it comes to whether or not El or Mike offered for Will to join them in the backseat, I'm going to hope they did offer, at least once, preferably numerous times, but each time Will refused.

Otherwise I have to consider the possibility Mike didn't offer bc he was scared it would make his feelings obvious and he's already nervous El is catching on to him... Which Idk that feels odd and OOC?

I could however consider the possibility of El being annoyed/frustrated with both of them and just letting them wallow in their self pity on their own. Mike offering. Will refusing. El just rolling her eyes like, these fucking morons.

Also another reason I think Mike might have made the move to gravitate more towards Will near the end of the season was because they're now back in Hawkins and we know Hawkins isn't the same without Will. It could have been entirely subconscious on Mike's part, making his behavior in s5, of him transitioning back to his very observant self in relation to Will, a lot smoother.

But still, I fully expect Will to scram whenever either of them are in his sights, specifically near each other. Like I could totally see him being like Sorry! I'll leave you guys to it! Or even just silently making it obvious that's what he's doing.

And Mike being confused bc of Will and also confused bc of El.

The miscommunication is going to be miscommunicationing. I simply cannot wait!!

[perfectarmony]

In the promo pics it looks like Nadia is definitely getting more of an edge - regaining control but harsher appearance (is wedding ring still on?). By contrast, Arman and Thony look so natural together (even if a bit worried) and much more authentic - great bike pic in their matching black jackets! I hope this reflects Arman's journey - everything stripped away but finding his true self with Thony by his side, wherever that goes. Curious to see if ep title Spousal Privilege has anything to do with Nadia & Arman in part. Once Fi and kids leave, I wonder where Thony will stay if in danger?!

Haaaa I love how you interpreted the pics 🤧 100% agree with you!

Putting the rest under the cut, because of speculating/spoilers on 2.07 - 2.08 and 2.09

Warning: I mostly speculate here, but I do address some scenes that will happen in 2.09 - it can be heavily spoilery, so please tread carefully if you don't want any of that.

It definitely looks like it 👀 this might be the episode where we'll get to see Nadia torn between Arman and Robert - she'll still stay loyal to Arman though but it'll be interesting to watch anyways!

Concerning JD taking Fiona and the kids away, that won't last long - Luca is back (and sick..) at Fiona's house in ep9 - which is probably the reason why they come back (despite the possible danger).

Here is a BTS pic from ep8 - I don't think I posted this one before 🤔 it now makes sense and is most likely JD's house/apartment

I see what you're getting at Anon 😅 and I would definitely love it!

Whatever happens, I'm sure Arman will keep a close eye on her to make sure that she's safe, and I'm sure we'll get stunning scenes - but I don't know if she's really in immediate danger.

If Kamdar is sending someone (or whatever may happen in ep7 - I'm just speculating here because of the promo for 2.07) to Fi's house - I guess it's more as a way to "display his power/send a warning/show how easily he could have killed Thony's entire family" if she ever betrays him...

Maya will probably take the fall for the FBI Raid (I could really see Kamdar torturing and then killing her in front of Arman oooorrr forcing Arman to kill her himself to ''prove'' that he's not involved with her/the FBI - imagine Garrett's reaction once he finds out..this probably won't happen but that's how my twisted mind works when I see those promo pics for 2.07 🙈) ⬇️

Robert will still be suspicious but I'm sure they'll come up with a plan that will make them valuable to him - so their lives shouldn't be directly threatened. They're probably just trying to protect anyone that could be used as leverage against them 🤷🏻���♀️

But that's all just my tired brain speculating, so just ignore my rambling! 😅

Edited to add: I JUST REMEMBERED THAT SHE HAS NO CAR IN EP 8!! Fiona seems to be taking the van - so she's stuck with Arman (and his motorcycle) 🤧🥺🤧

(Sin Cara could also start to become an issue in ep8 so that adds another problem if they have to slow down with the drugs, unless they wait for ep9 (the attack on Bosco and his gang) to really address that story and having to find another access to ''pharmaceuticals'' ➡️ Thony going to Manila etc etc 👀)

Also...I'll try to post what I have on episode 10 and 11 tomorrow, but it's going to be hell to try and not say too much. Just like I refused to blatantly reveal Marco's death before the premiere aired, I'll once again avoid revealing any major plot point I stumbled upon - it will just ruin the surprise for you all. Trust me, I once again regret having seen some things, I just want to scream and cry everytime I think about it because we are NOT ready. I may guide you to your own speculation and speculate on BTS pics, which is fair game - but I'll stop there 😉

They just started filming episode 12 yesterday - I know we still have 6 episodes but I'm already saaaaaad 🤧