#st5 spoilers

[will80sbyers]

They really can't keep anything secret omg

[kittykat940]

We are figuring out the plot before we even got a teaser bye lmao

[apocalyptic-byler]

lucas sinclair back in his bandanna phase <3

camouflage bandanna makes its return!

[stranger-feathers]

That Cleric line is sus as hell, and I think it's not actually about El

So. When the first reference to this quote said that Mike was talking about El, I was very weirded out by the idea of El being a cleric. It didn't make much sense for her character and I couldn't really see the point of switching El and Will yet again in their D&D persona.

But seeing the actual quote... El isn't actually mentioned anywhere on here, which makes me think that the first leak might have been jumping to conclusions a bit. (honestly, even believing this quote is also jumping to conclusions because it's sus to have such direct quotes this early, but I digress. I'm gonna assume this one is reliable for this post)

On this post (it's a compilation of most textual leaks we got so open at your own risk), the quote is under the "Role-Playing Inspired" category, and juxtaposed right next to a nickname that seems very interesting : Holly the Heroic, which is probably a reference to a D&D persona for Holly, similar to Will the Wise. And I think this little picture below is her figurine.

Interestingly enough, @will80sbyers has made the observation on this post that it might be the same figurine she has on her necklace on that old leak of her in the Wheeler's House.

So my guess right now is that this speech from Mike is actually him trying to comfort and reassure Holly through creating a D&D character for her ! It would also explain why the powers described don't really align with El's powerset (they don't entirely align with a Cleric's either, but it's not the first time the writers have made no sense in terms of D&D classes abilities so whatever), or why the hell Mike would openly be talking about his girlfriend's power when she's supposed to be in hiding because of them.

That all sounds pretty in-character for the guy who is known to escape real world issues through his fantasy game, wouldn't you say?

My curent guess is that Mike is not taking Holly's worry about Mr Whatsit seriously ("Monsters are not real" as he says in one of the leaks, he seems to think it's a fantasy), which is why he thinks that comforting her with imaginary games will be enough. It probably won't be, which will almost certainly lead to him blaming himself (potentially what the "Nancy looking at Mike with concern" pic was about ?).

(Thanks to @will80sbyers for the leak pics, it made it much easierr to find what I was looking for)

[love-byers]

🚨🚨LOVERS LAKE ABOVE MIKES HEAD THIS IS NOT A DRILL I REPEAT LOVERS LAKE ABOVE MIKES HEAD THIS IS NOT A FUCKING DRILL🚨🚨

[ghostlycleric]

NO WAY WE GOT THE IN CHARACTER VERSION OF THIS SCENE

Out of character (rehearsal?): Mike first, then Lucas, then Dustin, then Will super late.

In Character: Mike first, then Will, then Lucas, then Dustin.

It’s in the order that they all met in the in character version, which is so cutesy. Also Will is the first to agree to whatever Mike is proposing (I say, clawing at the bars of my enclosure).

The important thing that I’m confident is 100% scripted is Mike initiating it.

Leader Mike is so back. The OG Party is so back.

[pixidivine]

I’m SICK of them

[paladinsbrainrot]

THE best looks of the season... stranger gays I lobe you

[bylertruth3r]

ST5 SPOILERS

HOLLY IS THE CLERIC NOT EL, MIKE MADE ANOTHER OF HIS LOVED ONES A CLERIC (Will is also a cleric), Byler playing dnd with Holly, that's my gay little family <33, they're the people he wants to protect the most as a paladin <33

My gay little family <33

Pixel gay boyfriends

That's so cute omg

Knew it

Will is actually living with Mike, it would explain them sharing clothes and Mike wearing Will's shoes and Will hanging out with Holly and Byler playing dnd with Holly, imagine them having to live with the person they're in love with, the gay romantic tension is gonna be crazy

why are the gay boyfriends connected? also they're really going with the willelmike love triangle also the painting imagery.. interesting that they're promoting the symbol of Will's love for Mike for s5.. because Mike loves him back

they put Byler on the same side <33 "starring: Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Max Mayfield, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Joyce Byers, Jim Hopper" the endgames iktr

their s5 boyfriendism is crazy

the painting aka Will's love confession possibly being what connects Byler is so adorable <33

[lesbylertruther]

"mike tells holly el's a cleric" i have three things to say.

1. el is the party's mage.

2. will is their cleric.

3. i will burn your village to the ground.

good day and good night.

[miwiromantics]

someone say sike rn-

@confessionsttwt - twitter (x)

[will80sbyers]

See these are awesome!!! Also Mike and Will being singled out and Will being right after El in the names eheh willel supremacy once again

[kittykat940]

S2 parallels here we come! 🤭

[itwasaseven7]

"they were writing a big monologue for the end uh... and i think they were really excited about... just the idea of me having like a-... and professing my love finally kind of to eleven..."

BRUH how did i miss this!! Finn told us the monologue was a lie way back duffer bros were really excited to fool us all into believing mike loves el , but thats not the case

I even heard duffers say in an interview " the best plot twists are the one that you don't see coming" "how did i miss that it was right in front of my eyes"

credits it @creatixefilmcdits on yt for pointing it out

[anothercastle]

hmm

[love-byers]

most intentional design choice i've ever seen