oh let the sun beat down upon my face

don't ship

Jargyle! The Cheech and Chong duo of season 4.

I don't really ship them romantically. I think Argyle's funny, and I certainly appreciated his levity in such a dark and serious season, but other than being a plot device, I wasn't totally sure how he fit into the story. He and Jonathan are mostly just high, and that seems to be Argyle's entire character (with the exception of his scene with Eden). I don't know if Argyle was ever meant to take on a bigger role in the show or not. I know Eduardo Franco said they never called him, but he might have been lying. Especially if he is making a season 5 appearance. Then obviously he would have to bend the truth.

Because I don't feel like we know much about Argyle as a person, I have a hard time articulating how he and Jonathan fit together. I know Jonathan was going through it this season, and weed was an escape for him. Argyle just seemed to be part of the package deal.

Don't get me wrong: I like Argyle. I think he's funny. I'm just not super invested in him as a character. If the Duffers want to add layers to him later, then I'm all ears.

cute / adorable / perfect

Rovickie! Or Rockie, as its known in other circles.

Since Robin came out in s3, I have been waiting for her to have a love interest. And lo and behold, Vickie came into the picture, and Robin - recklessly loving as she is - fell head over heels for her. And honestly, who could blame Robin for that. She's a cutie.

Robin and Vickie seem to be similar in personality, which is interesting to me. It says a lot about the kind of girl Robin likes. As Robin tends to dress more masculine/androgynous, I think the tendency is for people to believe she'd gravitate toward a more feminine-presenting woman. But I like that Vickie isn't totally and completely that. Robin's first crush, Tammy, may have more fit that profile, but Vickie seems to be comfortably in the middle. She wears earrings and skirts, sure, but isn't overly girly. And she's clearly intelligent, judging by her diatribe about Fast Times having no plot. Robin has described her as "the girl of my dreams," which I think is a testament to how fearlessly she loves. I mean, I don't know if she even knows Vickie that well. But whatever she does know of Vickie she loves, and is willing to love and lose if she has to.

Come season 5, I think Robin will be very protective over Vickie, not least because Vickie is new to all this, and Robin knows how much she stands to lose by caring for this new member of their found family. Especially after what happened to Max. And how much danger she and all of her friends are still in. Unfortunately, I think Robin's emotional state, as well as her anxiety about Vickie being a potential target for Vecna (if the Duffers go that direction), may also leave Robin open for Vecna to fuck with her. He better not, I'll kill him for touching my baby, but we must be honest with ourselves. I am hoping against hope that Robin makes it out of season 5 alive. If she does, then I think she would make sure Vickie felt loved and treasured for the rest of their lives.

cute / adorable

Mileven! My original Stranger Things ship.

I'm almost afraid to say this in our Byler-dominated fandom, but I like Mileven and I always have. I think there's a real tenderness to their relationship, and there always has been.

Side note, but it's a real testament to the strength of the writers that no two Stranger Things ships are alike. Mileven has a different dynamic than Lumax, which has a different dynamic than Jancy or Stancy, which has a different dynamic than Jopper.

Now I do think in the beginning Mike more viewed El as something of a lost puppy that needed to be taken care of, though you see small glimpses of him also being physically attracted to her. This was addressed in season 3, however, and I think by season 4 their relationship had matured. They had some rifts in season 4, for sure, but I think they could really be headed for wonderful things together. They've always been a good team, and they trust each other implicitly, even more now that the stakes are higher than ever. Mike is awkward, and not that great at relationships, but with El you can see he's trying to be good for her. And Mike has always had the utmost faith in Eleven and what she is capable of (though, again, it's had to evolve and mature over the years). It's hard to know what El specifically thinks about their relationship. But Mike is clearly a central person in her life, one who sees her as a superhero rather than a monster. And she loves him for it.

I want to be very clear: I am not opposed to Byler happening. I have always said that if the writers plan to go that direction, then I respect it. I am more concerned with whether or not the resolution feels earned. If the writers can earn it, then Byler may move forward full steam ahead. I would be a little sad to see Mileven fizzle out, however. I think they're very sweet.

don’t ship

I don't ship Henderclair romantically, though I do love their friendship.

I mean, look at these dumbasses. You gotta love 'em.

I think they're great friends. They both serve as great comic relief when they're together, but also a realistic-feeling male friendship. They're both very sweet boys, although Dustin's sweetness is buried a little deeper than Lucas'. He's so smart he sometimes comes off as an asshole. But I think he and Lucas balance each other out in that sense. I enjoyed their storyline in s2 where they both liked Max, and I enjoyed even more that Dustin realizes that Max favors Lucas, and is brave and mature enough to let her go in that sense. He doesn't hold it against Lucas, either.

One thing I've always loved about Stranger Things is that Lucas being black - as well as a black nerd - doesn't seem to be an issue for anyone in the party. And in conservative Indiana in the 80s, I feel like that's worth noting. It isn't exploited in the show either. They show some very realistic intersections with Lucas' race, but it never feels pandering.

Platonic Henderclair for the win!

cute / adorable / perfect / sexy

Ronance! One of the serendipitous ships of s4!

So, look. I don't think Ronance will ever become canon in terms of being a romantic relationship. That said, I'm kind of in love with Maya Hawke's headcanon for s5:

Now, I will be CRUSHED if Robin dies. I really want her to survive. And I'm also tired of the gay characters being the ones who die. But in case she does leave us, I would love some iteration of this in s5.

Nancy and Robin are so funny because they are almost polar opposites on the surface. Nancy is poised and serious, and Robin is free-spirited and almost certainly ADHD (autistic-coded, even). As we know, though, both girls possess a rich, beautiful inner layer, and I think that's what bonds them. Nancy isn't really the "priss" Robin thought she was, and Robin isn't the silly, empty-headed fool that Nancy may have assumed her to be on the surface. Plus, as much as Nancy denied it, I'm sure there was some slight jealousy going on in terms of Steve. Once Robin and Steve clarified, however, it becomes clear that Robin starts to grow on Nancy. I think because Robin really has a gigantic heart, and Nancy values that in people. And, when it comes down to it, Nancy has a big heart too.

I absolutely adore them as a ship. But I also wish Rovickie the most happiness. Who will Nancy choose - Jonathan or Steve? Who cares. As long as Nancy's happy. She can be happy without either of them if she chooses.

cute / adorable / perfect

ELMAX. Let me talk about a great enemies-to-besties relationship. And they are not escaping the fruity allegations. I think the show will definitely go the Lumax route, so I don't think romantically anything will happen for these two, BUT! They are right on the EDGE of it. I mean, watch these "completely platonic" friends interact:

I definitely support the Lumax bi4bi theory. Max is a little fruity, I think, though I don't expect the show to explore that. For me, jury's still out for El. I think she needs time to truly discern where she falls on that spectrum.

But I love them so much. And if what I've read about the upcoming season is true, we're getting some great Lumax and Elmax moments. Their eventual reunion once they find Max (wherever her consciousness is) is going to bring on the waterworks for me. I just know it.