nobylerdoubt

[nobylerdoubt]

I still have hope, considering with the recent marketing and promotion for the show barely having any Byler in it, they’re pretty much not following the typical strategies that most shows that queerbait do.

You would think is Byler really isn’t going to happen they would still find a way to get queer fans that love Byler engaged before ultimately disappointing them in the end.

Byler has an entire storyline you can follow. It has an impact on the overall plot. If they just ignored it in season 5 the story wouldn't be whole.

Byler isn't just hints and crumbs and what-ifs. It has a plot - one that needs to be finished.

[nobylerdoubt]

Even though I have no doubt in my mind they’re going to make Byler canon I’m still genuinely worried for some people in this fandom.

Like seeing people in the tag making posts claiming that their mental health and well being relies on Mike and Will getting together, or some saying they would k-word themselves if Byler doesn’t happen(some could just be exaggerating but it still concerns me) like I feel regardless of whether they happen or not relying your whole mental well being over some fictional characters starting a relationship is not a good thing and I think you should seek some professional help.

Something that I've discussed with my mutuals is how young this fandom seems to be. And with that youth comes the extremes of emotions.

And those feelings are valid! I remember being that age and thinking something like my ship becoming canon was a matter of life and death. The feeling is so strong. It takes time to learn that your world isn't gonna end if something doesn't happen in your favorite show or your favorite movie series.

I know a lot of us have mentioned being queerbaited before - so we know the feeling, we've survived, and we know that we'll come out the other side OK. The fandom will still exist. We'll still have fanfiction to read, art to enjoy, and people to talk to.

But I agree if you truly feel that the emotional toll of Byler not becoming canon would be too much for you to handle - then yes seek out counseling.

[nobylerdoubt]

If in the end Mike truly doesn’t feel the same way about Will that Will does him and they remain best friends I will certainly question the writers about the whole van scene and the “we’re friends 2x” shit that they wrote into the script.

Like what was the reason? Byler not being requited will just create so many plot holes atp.

If Byler isn't endgame, then it will have been queerbaiting. There will be so many things in the show that just won't make sense.

[nobylerdoubt]

https://www.tumblr.com/riryofthevalley/790489128229814272/proof-that-the-mileven-scene-in-s5-teaser-trailer

What do you personally think of this analysis?

With so many parallels to Dawson's Creek I think it definitely is a potential parallel.

[nobylerdoubt]

Hi, I’ve downloaded tumblr after a decade or so- just for byler content!

What do you think about the Duffers saying that season 5 won’t have much room for romance? I think they gave the example of how we won’t be seeing who Steve is with, because action will begin immediately and there’s a lot to be revealed abt the UD/Henry/El/Will.

I see a lot of bylers saying that while the show has constantly been dropping hints about Byler, s5 will be more on the nose, so that the plot twist is a twist- not a shock or random occurrence - for everybody. However, if there isn’t a lot of space to flesh out new romances and relationships, how would they manage to show Mike’s uncertainty with El/his sexuality? How would they set up a boy who has been canonically ‘in love’ with and in a relationship with the main girl, to now fall for his best friend? I’m super curious. Thanks!!

Welcome to the tag!

I have spoken on this topic a bit in the past, with this post about how there will be "no time for romance", and this post which refers to @hawkinsschoolcounselor's post about how all the relationships in the series have gotten together within the span of a series, and with that precedent we can feel confident that there is enough time to establish and execute the byler plot. But in summary:

"No Time for Romance"

This is likely referring to the idea that they're not gonna start a romance plotline with a new girl for Steve, and they probably won't be needlessly adding any more drama/conflict to their established relationships then they've already set forth.

However, we wrap Season 4 with many questions about what will happen with a lot of the relationships - not just Byler. What's gonna happen with Jancy? How will Nancy respond to Jonathan admitting that he didn't apply to Emerson? Will Nancy and Steve's flirtation continue? How will Jonathan react to Steve becoming a romantic adversary again? For Lumax, how will Max come back from whatever is going on with her? How will their relationship progress when she inevitably wakes up? How will they face the challenges they're sure to face once Max wakes up? Will Robin officially get together with Vickie? How will Joyce and Hopper's relationship look now that they're together in the real world? How will it look when their family combines?

Story isn't about the plot - sure, that's a big part of it - but plot is simply the setting for characters and relationships. That's what we care about. If the final season were solely about how they shut down the Upside Down, it would be a terrible story! Because we care about the characters - we want to see them grow and change and love. And the Duffer's know that - they've done a very good job of managing the balance between stone cold plot and the characters involvement with it.

"No Time for Byler."

There's a general sentiment that it seems impossible for Byler to get together in the span of one final season, and therefore the duffers might just not do it - but they can't not do it.

Whether the GA has noticed it or not (which actually many of them have noticed it, which is not something the Milevens want you to know) Mileven's relationship is in shambles and they've set up the Chekov's gun of Will's painting. They've established that Will has a crush on Mike, and that is going to have to be resolved in some way. They've established that Mike wants to be a team with Will again - so we're going to see him become close to Will again.

They can't just drop these things - their loose ends that need to be resolved.

And, as previously mentioned, Mileven "got together" in the span of one season, Lumax got together by the end of the season Max was introduced, Jopper confessed feelings for each other in the same season they were properly presented, Jancy, while established in season 1, spent one season actually getting together.

Byler has been in the works for at least two seasons now (arguably four!) so I don't think that time is an issue we need to worry about.

Another thing to consider is again - plot is simply the setting for the characters. Romantic subplots don't solely exist in one- on-one scenes separate or adjacent to the "actual" plot. They take place within it.

Jancy went to Murray for help exposing Hawkins Lab - and while they were there he clocked them.

Lumax had a heartfelt conversation on top of a bus while staking out for Demodogs.

Jopper made out while they waited for Yuri to fix his helicopter so they could get out of Russia.

They didn't stop the "actual" plot in order to get through some romantic storylines. The plot and the romance work in tandem to tell a cohesive story.

Hope this makes sense!

[nobylerdoubt]

I just realized that El’s s5 costume looks a lot like superman (which is of course how Mike famously refers to her in the van scene), what could this mean in terms of Byler or mileven? I can kind of see it playing to both sides but I’m not sure…

That was one of the first things I realized about El's costume as well.

I've always been of the mind that Mike's constant references to Superheroes/Superman about El has always been a negative thing. El doesn't want to be a Superhero. She is held to this impossible standard in Mike's eyes because she's so powerful. She's responsible for the lives and safety of her friends and family. Without her powers back she felt useless - like she wasn't enough for any of them anymore, especially Mike. This, in part, is what motivates her to go back to the arms of the lab to get her powers back.

So Mike saying El is holding her to too high a standard - but it also makes Mike feel less than, like he's not good enough for El. He feels he has nothing to offer her, and generally feels useless and unneeded. "At least Lois Lane was an ace reporter for the Daily Planet."

I've recently been thinking about this addition to a post I made, by @maccakgae. Season 4 is about characters regressing (not the only thing obviously, but this is the season they lose, and it's because, narratively, they're moving backwards in their character arc.

Nancy considers falling back into her old ways with confusing feelings for Steve

Jonathan gives up on dreams of doing well for himself and building a future for himself in favor of listening to his guilt and the need to protect and provide for his family.

Will gives up on his desire to have a romantic relationship with Mike in favor of making sure him and El are happy by using his own words of love to save their relationship.

Mike has learned that he doesn't need to give up on his interests and is back to playing D&D with his friends in Hellfire Club, but hides his true self when visiting El in California. He questions if he can really tell El he loves her (because he doesn't think it's true) but lets go of the possibility of the two being done when he thinks El's life is on the line.

El - at the end of Season 3, really - regresses and goes back to the familiar (her relationship with Mike). Hopper's death causes her to seek out what's comfortable. In Season 4 we see her struggle to uphold this mantle of Superhero when she has no powers - leading us into Season 5, where she has the misbelief that she needs to be the strong one, she needs to save everyone. She's facing an incredible amount of pressure.

So I think El's season 5 outfit looking like Superman is meant to represent that weight on her shoulders - and for Mike it will be a reminder that she doesn't need him. That he doesn't bring anything to the table. That she's Superman, and he's Lois Lane (and he's not even an ace reporter.)

[nobylerdoubt]

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.reddit.com/r/StrangerThings/comments/1m5bczu/will_byers_deserves_an_independence_arc/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwi05crRsdmOAxWwSjABHZxkFBwQFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3F4usj72HbnerZE1p5Wxg6

Could I have your opinion on this? Cause I will say they do make some relatively good points but others I’m not so sure but I’m a little biased so….

Yeah, I have a lot of thoughts on this post.

Link to Reddit Post: Will Byers Deserves an Independence Arc

It's a weird mindset that I see a lot that a person isn't considered whole if they depend on others.

I talked about this a while ago in VHS club - but there's a general theme surrounding the show about relying on others. Not being an island.

In Season 1, when the party splits, bad things happen. Mike jumps off a cliff, Eleven gets spotted at a grocery store, Lucas has to frantically radio them that the bad men are coming - and it's only when they're together than they can flip a van and flee to safety. Joyce shows El her first real parental love when she comforts her and praises her as she finds Will in the bath - Joyce needed El's help and El needed Joyce's comfort.

In Season 2, Hopper goes alone to the tunnels, which ends up being a mistake that puts him in danger and Joyce and Bob go together to save him. Bob separating from the rest of the lab group proves fatal.

In Season 3, Billy is an easy target because he's a loner. Nancy and Jonathan learn they're better together and need to think about each other's wants and needs. Steve and Robin get separated from Dustin and Erica and get tortured - to save the kids - and they need to rely on Dustin and Erica to get them out of there. Will chastises Mike for ostracizing him and Dustin "to swap spit with some stupid girl". El befriends Max who shows her to broaden her social horizons and yes - be independent, but with the help of a friend who encourages you.

In Season 4, Vecna's Curse is all about social isolation - being alone makes you vulnerable. When you have no one you feel you can depend on you are in danger. Max wouldn't have survived if she hadn't had people with her to put the headphones on - or the happy memories with those people in her support group that make her realize she wants to fight - she wants to live.

And all these examples are just off the dome.

On top of all of that - every season is structured where separate groups gather the pieces of the puzzle and come together to fight the big bad. The only season they don't get to do this is Season 4 - when they lose.

There's a line in this that highlights the OP's hypocrisy:

Will feels incredibly disconnected from all of his friends and has far less agency than any of the other party members.

... so the answer is to further disconnect him by insisting he has to go it alone? OP suggests that Will find new friends and discover "new interests outside of D&D" to help him "connect with peers his age".

(t's forced conforming, that's what's killing the kids)

I made a post talking about how growing up doesn't equal giving up your childhood. So you can go to that post to see my thoughts on that subject.

It's also a bit telling to me that they put an emphasis on all these good qualities about Will: how he survived alone in the Upside Down and loaded a rifle under duress and "where's that survival instinct?" Along with the line "He shouldn’t be used by Vecna; he should be the one using that bastard."

There's an emphasis here on Will's masculine traits. The value of being a badass. The idea that he should aspire to dominate someone. The idea that he needs to stop being a perpetual victim. The idea that him pining over someone makes him weak.

It's divorcing Will from his feminine traits to make him a "better character" (post on Will and masculinity vs femininity)

Sure - it can seem that Will seems to not have a character arc at all - but that's because it's slower, and broader. Where other characters have neatly wrapped one-season arcs that create a chain that makes up one overall arc - Will has one arc that spans all five seasons. He's a selfless character who thinks of others before he thinks of himself - going from the protected one to the protector, taking on all the damage from himself to keep others happy.

(I tried to concisely explain Will's arc but I decided I'm gonna make a longer post about it).

Generally I think Will just takes on a more feminine role in the series - he's a damsel in distress, he's emotional, he's polite, he's in love, he apologizes too much, among other things that I'll cover when I do a deep dive of his character - but the vibe I get from this post is just - he needs man up.

In my opinion Will needs to let himself have nice things - allow himself to be loved, without worrying about what that might cost someone else. His mom's worry for him isn't his fault. Jonathan getting hurt trying to save him was his own choice. El won't be destroyed by ending her relationship with Mike. Mike just might actually be happier with Will.

Will isn't a burden. He doesn't have to hold all of this trauma himself. People want to help him share the load.

A couple other pulls from this post:

Look, I understand Will's feelings for Mike are part of his identity. The van scene in Season 4 was beautifully acted and emotionally powerful. But Mike has made it clear he loves Eleven

... has he?

"Man that scene was beautiful... too bad it didn't mean anything."

Will deserves better than spending as Mike's emotional support friend while Mike gets the girl. Will is a good representation, but reducing his entire arc to "gay kid pines for straight best friend" feels limiting and honestly kind of tragic.

... they're sooo close. They know that simplifying Will to "upholding straight bff" is bad - and yet they still want that to remain the case.

Will Byers should end the series as his own person, not as someone defined entirely by his relationships with others.

We are ALL defined by our relationships with others. the people who you surround yourself with, the people you love, the people who raised you are all a part of who you are.

I'll call this reddit post out for what it is - an attempt to find some semblance of a way to make Will's story "okay" without him ending up with Mike so the precious Mileven can be endgame. Central themes of the show and core tenants of Will's character be damned.

[nobylerdoubt]

I will say I do have Byler doubt but not for the same reasons as most people, cause I genuinely do believe Mike and El will break up and the reported leaked pictures with Mike and Hopper having a conversation at that bench which I was think is about El has me thinking she will leave Hawkins for good due to the government still being on her tail. But due to the Jonathan dying rumors, if it were to happen wouldn’t you think that would take a huge mental toll on Will? That was his big brother/practical parental figure growing up and I feel like his grief will be his main focus at the moment that he won’t really care enough to be in any romantic relationship. Along with Mike possibly losing a family member as well.

Well then I guess it wouldn’t happen but also still be ambiguous?

So keep in mind that the Jonathan dying rumors are just that - rumors. We don't have any clear indications of who, if anyone, will die.

The writers care more about telling a good story than shock value. Therefore if a character dying is going to get in the way of story they're trying to tell - and they're definitely trying to tell Byler's story - they won't do it.

That being said I don't necessarily think Jonathan dying would get in the way of Byler endgame - but it would depend on the writing. Not saying Jonathan will die, or that it wouldn't be devastating if he did. I'm just saying they have story to tell, and they have complete control over that story.

The ending - I'm 95% certain it won't be ambiguous. It's been said many times over that this is the end of the story. They're not gonna leave any loose threads.

[nobylerdoubt]

https://x.com/braterrr/status/1949900003188887752?t=OIrtwsZICBZKxq8eCGuGoA&s=19

I would like to know your take on this.

Very eloquent.

Byler has been set up very nicely for a season 5 storyline. A lot of moving pieces are already in place.

I think if they were gonna "stretch mileven out as much as they can" - why even make byler canon? Why set up the storyline.

The whole point of byler working as a "plot twist" is that it has to make sense. Shock value isn't good writing. I know some movie and show producers think otherwise but not Stranger Things. There's a quote from one of the Duffers that I can't find, but the said the best plot twists are the ones that make you go "who did I not realize sooner?"

They want the pieces on the board before they reveal the secret. Therefore the final season won't just pull the rug out from under us in regards to Byler - the story will be laid out.

But also it seems like this poster doesn't like byler so I wouldn't take anything they say to heart.

[nobylerdoubt]

The True Meaning of Stranger Things — and the Only Byler Proof You’ll Ever Need

Outcasts, Love, and Light: The Truth Behind Byler and Stranger Things

The entire Stranger Things universe has always been about the outcasts. The weird kids. The ones who didn’t fit in — the ones who were bullied, misunderstood, or overlooked. It’s a story rooted in authenticity, in choosing integrity over popularity, and in the healing power of love — not just romantic love, but the kind of love that sees you for who you are, and saves you from the darkness within and around you.

Will Byers embodies all of that.

He’s been through hell and back, literally — yet he’s never once experienced romantic love in return. In Season 3, he even said, “I’ll never fall in love.” He’s the only one out of the main characters who’s never had a romantic arc. Think about what that means to the viewers who see themselves in him — the quiet ones, the ones grappling with their identity, the ones who feel invisible. Will represents the kids who carry shame about their sexuality. Who haven’t been chosen. Who are still waiting to be seen.

If Mike doesn’t return Will’s feelings, we’re left with one message: that the only gay main character is destined for rejection, while everyone else gets to be loved. And that completely goes against the heart of Stranger Things.

⸻

• Mike and Will are about not letting fear stop you from loving yourself or others. About the courage it takes to be vulnerable. To be seen.

• Eleven is about self-respect, independence, and the power of feminine strength. Her journey is one of becoming her own person, not just someone’s weapon or girlfriend.

• The entire cast represents found family — the kind that challenges traditional roles and redefines what connection means. Hopper and El. Steve and Dustin. Joyce and Hopper. Chosen family can be just as real, as strong, and as life-saving as biological family.

[nobylerdoubt]

Thinking about how Mike wasn't just told to like El then he liked her. No. There's a third event that happens between them that we skip over so often but is vital and Mike's crush might not have even happened without it.

Mike is being teased about El, yes. But he actually doesn't even get the chance to respond, let alone have his following actions be influenced by only that. Because before he can even react, look who's here:

Stakes.

This scene isn't about El. This scene plays out in one, very simple way.

Lucas: you like El.

Mike: I don't.

Troy: Let me remind you what will happen if you don't.

Just like the ily speech, Lucas is Will, but that's not all it took. It didn't just take the suggestion of something. It took the STAKES. It took threat. He was told to do something then he turned to see just what would happen to him if he didn't do it. The romantic trope is feigned: realize your feelings once someone points out that someone could be romantic. Steve has the same with Robin in season 3. But one thing here is different.

Before he has a chance to respond (to ensure we don't know what would have happened), he is given incentive to lie.

It isn't just suggestibility. "Huh, maybe I should like her. I guess I will." It's fear. It's "you need to hide, like right fucking now, and there's a hiding spot right there." Yeah. You run to the hiding spot and you do not fucking come out ever.

[nobylerdoubt]

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.reddit.com/r/StrangerThings/comments/1m5bczu/will_byers_deserves_an_independence_arc/&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwi05crRsdmOAxWwSjABHZxkFBwQFnoECBsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3F4usj72HbnerZE1p5Wxg6

Could I have your opinion on this? Cause I will say they do make some relatively good points but others I’m not so sure but I’m a little biased so….

Yeah, I have a lot of thoughts on this post.

Link to Reddit Post: Will Byers Deserves an Independence Arc

It's a weird mindset that I see a lot that a person isn't considered whole if they depend on others.

I talked about this a while ago in VHS club - but there's a general theme surrounding the show about relying on others. Not being an island.

In Season 1, when the party splits, bad things happen. Mike jumps off a cliff, Eleven gets spotted at a grocery store, Lucas has to frantically radio them that the bad men are coming - and it's only when they're together than they can flip a van and flee to safety. Joyce shows El her first real parental love when she comforts her and praises her as she finds Will in the bath - Joyce needed El's help and El needed Joyce's comfort.

In Season 2, Hopper goes alone to the tunnels, which ends up being a mistake that puts him in danger and Joyce and Bob go together to save him. Bob separating from the rest of the lab group proves fatal.

In Season 3, Billy is an easy target because he's a loner. Nancy and Jonathan learn they're better together and need to think about each other's wants and needs. Steve and Robin get separated from Dustin and Erica and get tortured - to save the kids - and they need to rely on Dustin and Erica to get them out of there. Will chastises Mike for ostracizing him and Dustin "to swap spit with some stupid girl". El befriends Max who shows her to broaden her social horizons and yes - be independent, but with the help of a friend who encourages you.

In Season 4, Vecna's Curse is all about social isolation - being alone makes you vulnerable. When you have no one you feel you can depend on you are in danger. Max wouldn't have survived if she hadn't had people with her to put the headphones on - or the happy memories with those people in her support group that make her realize she wants to fight - she wants to live.

And all these examples are just off the dome.

On top of all of that - every season is structured where separate groups gather the pieces of the puzzle and come together to fight the big bad. The only season they don't get to do this is Season 4 - when they lose.

There's a line in this that highlights the OP's hypocrisy:

Will feels incredibly disconnected from all of his friends and has far less agency than any of the other party members.

... so the answer is to further disconnect him by insisting he has to go it alone? OP suggests that Will find new friends and discover "new interests outside of D&D" to help him "connect with peers his age".

(t's forced conforming, that's what's killing the kids)

I made a post talking about how growing up doesn't equal giving up your childhood. So you can go to that post to see my thoughts on that subject.

It's also a bit telling to me that they put an emphasis on all these good qualities about Will: how he survived alone in the Upside Down and loaded a rifle under duress and "where's that survival instinct?" Along with the line "He shouldn’t be used by Vecna; he should be the one using that bastard."

There's an emphasis here on Will's masculine traits. The value of being a badass. The idea that he should aspire to dominate someone. The idea that he needs to stop being a perpetual victim. The idea that him pining over someone makes him weak.

It's divorcing Will from his feminine traits to make him a "better character" (post on Will and masculinity vs femininity)

Sure - it can seem that Will seems to not have a character arc at all - but that's because it's slower, and broader. Where other characters have neatly wrapped one-season arcs that create a chain that makes up one overall arc - Will has one arc that spans all five seasons. He's a selfless character who thinks of others before he thinks of himself - going from the protected one to the protector, taking on all the damage from himself to keep others happy.

(I tried to concisely explain Will's arc but I decided I'm gonna make a longer post about it).

Generally I think Will just takes on a more feminine role in the series - he's a damsel in distress, he's emotional, he's polite, he's in love, he apologizes too much, among other things that I'll cover when I do a deep dive of his character - but the vibe I get from this post is just - he needs man up.

In my opinion Will needs to let himself have nice things - allow himself to be loved, without worrying about what that might cost someone else. His mom's worry for him isn't his fault. Jonathan getting hurt trying to save him was his own choice. El won't be destroyed by ending her relationship with Mike. Mike just might actually be happier with Will.

Will isn't a burden. He doesn't have to hold all of this trauma himself. People want to help him share the load.

A couple other pulls from this post:

Look, I understand Will's feelings for Mike are part of his identity. The van scene in Season 4 was beautifully acted and emotionally powerful. But Mike has made it clear he loves Eleven

... has he?

"Man that scene was beautiful... too bad it didn't mean anything."

Will deserves better than spending as Mike's emotional support friend while Mike gets the girl. Will is a good representation, but reducing his entire arc to "gay kid pines for straight best friend" feels limiting and honestly kind of tragic.

... they're sooo close. They know that simplifying Will to "upholding straight bff" is bad - and yet they still want that to remain the case.

Will Byers should end the series as his own person, not as someone defined entirely by his relationships with others.

We are ALL defined by our relationships with others. the people who you surround yourself with, the people you love, the people who raised you are all a part of who you are.

I'll call this reddit post out for what it is - an attempt to find some semblance of a way to make Will's story "okay" without him ending up with Mike so the precious Mileven can be endgame. Central themes of the show and core tenants of Will's character be damned.

[nobylerdoubt]

Do you think it's lazy writing if they decide to give Will a new love interest that is not Mike in S5?

[nobylerdoubt]

What do you think of the 3rd duffer account? Cause I think she makes some pretty good theories although she does receive hate but those are usually coming from biased fans.

Is this a twitter account? Because I've never stepped foot on twitter so I wouldn't know much on this topic.

[nobylerdoubt]

The homophobia in this fandom is becoming more absurd, shocking, and grotesque every day. For any Byler, it's simply impossible to live on Twitter, impossible. This, unfortunately, is a major reflection of society and goes beyond a fandom discussion. The more I observe this nonsense, the more I understand the anon who was so deeply hurt here by the possibility of Byler not being canon. This person may have exaggerated their outburst, but I understand them every day now. Other than that, let's stand firm and return all the kindness to these homophobes as soon as Byler is endgame. I won't feel any pity.

Well said.

We can forget sometimes in our own circles and echo chambers of the internet that the world still has so far to go when its comes to LGBT acceptance.

That being said too - homophobes are loud. Louder, often times, to the casual everyday allies. Those who aren't at the head of the movement but are there to listen to support.

A few loud voices can be a lot easier to hear over a crowd of people who are listening to you.

We've got a long way to go - but we've also come so far.

[nobylerdoubt]

omfg HELPPPP okay so i was looking through a byler ytber's community posts and this fuckass leak analyzer called caden's cut keeps saying shit like "i'm sorry to tell you but..." and "i'm gonna stay delusional with you bc i know the truth 💔" (someone replied with "is this reverse psychology or...?" and they said "you have to wait until dec 31") AND ITS MESSING WITH MY HEADDDD

like i KNOW they're going to happen bc theres SO MUCH PROOF and it'd be completely cruel and go against the show's message but at the same time they're a leak analyzer and WTF DO YOU MEANNNNN 💔💔💔 so uhm yeah pls help

So this is a leak analyzer - not a leaker. Meaning they don't have any more information about the season than those of us who choose to keep up with leaks.

Many of the leaks (especially the most convincing ones) don't have anything conclusive to say about byler. Therefore this person is simply looking at the leaks and drawing their own conclusions.

That all being said - this person also has a youtube channel which they may be hoping with earn them some money. Getting money from YouTube is a result of getting views. So these comments are likely an attempt to entice both bylers and milevens to go watch their videos and generate some money.

At the end of the day they are no more informed on the show than me or any other theorist on the internet.

[nobylerdoubt]

Hii I really appreciate you and your blog! I was wondering what you'd say to the argument that Mike was just awkward at the airport cus he hadn't seen Will in a long time and they didn't really speak over the phone? The airport scene has always been my biggest Byler proof (bc Mike seriously what was that) but I could potentially see it being played off as just pure awkwardness over not really knowing where they stand as friends. The failed hug & Mike asking about the painting afterwards spell only one thing to me, but after seeing a lot of comments about how it's just teenagers being awkward, it's just been bothering me a bit. Thank youu! :)

One thing to remember when watching a show or movie, or reading a book, or following any kind of story is you have to remember that these are characters - not real people.

Everything a character does is for a purpose to the story - it's meant to communicate something to the audience. Maybe that something is to explain who the character is, why they make the choices they make, etc. Maybe that something is to communicate exposition. Maybe that something is to establish a dynamic between two characters - and in this case - communicate that something is going on between Will and Mike. Something has changed between them.

Every moment of precious screen time is supposed to further the story in some way.

First, lets look at the scene on it's own

Now - hypothetically if the purpose of the scene was to demonstrate that the two haven't been talking, Mike isn't sure where there relationship stands, it might include:

Will not being so eager to hug Mike (now this would depend on the story they were trying to tell but if the message was that their relationship was drifting apart and they needed to fix it - having both of them be equally distant would better exemplify that) OR Mike tentatively going for the hug - if it's not a strange feeling that hugging Will would mean something more, Mike wouldn't be afraid of hugging Will, only that Will wouldn't want yo be hugged - he would look to Will for a sign that it was okay to hug.

Mike not caring about the painting - or not being cagey and tense about it. It might be more like "Is that the painting El says you've been working on?" Trying to invite conversation.

If Mike weren't sure where his friendship was with Will - especially knowing later on that he's been wanting to reconnect with Will - he would be looking for opportunities to do so. Instead he's nervous, he's flinching, and he's pushing Will away.

My read on this scene is that Mike is trying not to expose his feelings for Will and pretend everything is normal, especially in front of El.

And Argyle tells us this. He comments that Mike's outfit isn't the real deal - it's a shitty knock-off. Read: Mike's behavior isn't true to himself it's this fake, straight, shitty knock-off version of himself.

And we know from the Rink-o-mania fight that it's Will who's complaining about the lack of communication over the duration of their time apart. Mike was upset that Will was "moping" the whole time. He's upset that his attempts to keep up appearances in front of El has caused consequences with his relationship with Will.