The relationships between the main cast of Stranger Things have always been the emotional anchor of the series. Monsters came and went. What made the show stand out was how deeply these characters loved each other, and how that love cost them something.
From Dustin’s bond with Steve and Eddie, to Joyce’s fierce devotion to her younger son Will, Stranger Things was about connection.
Now that the show is over, let’s look at the friendships, romances and alliances that are still standing or have come to an end.
Mike and Eleven: Permanently Separated
Mileven (Mike/Eleven) fans were devastated when El sacrificed herself to escape the military.
It’s bad enough that Mike is relieving his trauma of losing Eleven back in season 2. What makes it worse is that there’s no chance of a reunion. Mike chooses to believe that El is still alive out there, but he accepts that he’ll never see her again.
Will and Mike = Best Friends
Byler (Will/Mike) stans didn’t get what they wanted in season 5.
After years of hinting towards it, Will finally comes out as gay to his friends and family.
However, the show makes it clear that Byler fans’ dream of Mike reciprocating Will’s crush on him is just that… a dream.
During Will’s coming out speech, he refers to Mike as his version of Tammy: someone he loves who will never love him back in the same way.
Mike does get the chance to speak with Will after he comes out. He apologizes for not being there for Will in the past while making it clear Will is still his best friend.
The show ends with Mike single and grieving El’s absence. As for Will, the finale shows him in New York City sitting in a bar talking to a man who’s implied to be gay like him. He ends the show single, but living in an environment where he can be himself and look for love.
Dustin Reconciles with Steve (and breaks up with Susie)
Dustin’s arc in the final season is defined by grief. Eddie’s death leaves him cynical and bitter. He pushes people away, gets into fights with bullies, and lashes out at Steve.
The show never addresses Dustin’s relationship with Susie. Dustin’s actor Gaten Matarazzo mentioned in interviews that Dustin and Susie broke up off-screen due to the teen’s grief.
What does survive is his bond with Steve. Tensions reach a boiling point when they get into a fight over whether Eddie’s death was a pointless sacrifice. The two finally make up when Dustin reiterates how much Steve means to him. The series finale reveals the two regularly meet up even after Dustin goes away for college.
Lucas and Max Are Going Strong
Lucas and Max are the only members of the Party to still be in a relationship.
The two broke up before season 4 started. There are signs they still care for each other and could find their way back to each other. They make plans for a movie date…unfortunately after making those plans Max is attacked and is nearly killed by Vecna.
Max spends much of season 5 in a coma with Lucas visiting her regularly. Even when she’s trapped in Vecna’s mindscape, Max can sense that Lucas has never given up on her. Her connection with Lucas helps her escape Vecna’s mind where the two have an emotional reunion.
The 18-month time skip confirms that Lucas and Max are back together. They finally have their movie date, with Mike prophesying their love will only grow stronger.
Jonathan and Steve Let Go of Nancy
The Nancy-Jonathan-Steve love triangle is over with both guys not getting the girl.
Nancy and Jonathan break up in episode 6, “Escape From Camazotz.” The couple are forced to accept they’re incompatible despite still being in love with each other. Their shared trauma is the glue holding them together, and it’s suffocating both of them.
Steve reaches a similar conclusion. He also acknowledges that he and Nancy want different things in their lives. Both men decide that it’s better to be friends with Nancy because of how special she is.
Ironically, Steve and Jonathan actually grow closer after the latter saves Steve’s life and become good friends after the time skip. Steve stays in Hawkins where he works as a baseball coach and a sex Ed teacher while dating someone named Kristen.
Nancy briefly attends Emerson until she drops out to accept a job from the Boston Herald. And Jonathan is attending New York University as he works on his anti-capitalist cannibal film.
Robin and Vickie: ????
Robin finds love with her classmate Vickie. After crushing on Vickie throughout season 4, the final season shows the two started a relationship before season 5 begins.
The two socially awkward lovebirds are adorable together but Vickie disappears during the epilogue. The series never confirms if the two are still together once Robin moves to Massachusetts to attend Smith College.
Joyce and Hopper Get Their Happy Ending
We didn’t get a lot of moments between Joyce and Hopper in season 5.
The couple spent much of the season apart with Hopper investigating the military’s presence in the Upside Down. Meanwhile, Joyce remains in Hawkins while dealing with Vecna’s plan to merge the town with the Upside Down.
The final episode does have a scene where the couple finally have their dinner date at Enzo’s. The date ends with Hopper proposing to Joyce, who says yes. The two share a slow dance while a lounge singer does a wonderful cover of Etta James’ At Last.
It’s hinted they’ll move to Montauk after Hopper is offered a job as chief of police. After all the pain and horrible things these two have been through, it’s nice to see them ending the series being happy.
Vecna and the Mind Flayer: A Toxic Bond
We got some clarity on the nature of Vecna’s connection with the Mind Flayer.
While it’s debatable on how much agency Vecna actually has, he insists that he chose to embrace the entity’s corrupting influence on him. He never controlled it, it never controlled him, they are one.
We’ll probably never know the truth about their twisted bond now that Vecna is dead, while the Mind Flayer’s fate is unclear.
Erica and Tina: Friends Turned Enemies
After being mentioned throughout the series, Erica’s friend Tina Turnbow finally makes her first (and only appearance) in the episode “The Turnbow Trap”.
Interestingly, we only see Tina after the two had fallen out with each other. Their friendship soured after Erica accidentally injured Tina’s crush Josh during a dodgeball game at gym class.
Erica doesn’t seem to be interested in reconciling with her former best friend. Instead she drugs Tina’s entire family so the Party could protect Tina’s younger brother Derek from Vecna.
Tina refuses to eat the drugged pie Erica brought over to the Turnbow house. Funny enough, it’s because she thinks Erica is trying to make her gain weight in some elaborate conspiracy meant to make her unattractive to Josh.
Anyone who’s watched Stranger Things knows Erica doesn’t have time for that kind of drama. She does have a plan B and jams a syringe down Tina’s neck.
We never see Tina again after that, but it’s safe to assume those two will never be friends again. That’s probably for the best.
