Stranger Things season 2 publicity photo. Image courtesy Netflix
Mike and Will
It’s true. A little bit of affection goes a long way in the first three episodes of Stranger Things 2.
Mike, who didn’t magically become best friends with his sister Nancy, struggles to come to terms with Eleven’s absence. For someone at his age who only knew her for a brief period, he’s basically as tormented as one could be in a Netflix supernatural show centered around four kids in the ’80s. In addition to being quick to anger and not wanting another girl in their friend group, he continues to try to contact Eleven through the walkie-talkies and believes that he still sees her. Of course, we know that he’s not crazy, but he doesn’t.
The only solace he does seem to find is being a part of the support system for Will. While Lucas and Dustin continue to be Lucas and Dustin, Mike remains more sensitive to Will’s feelings and whereabouts. Whether it’s because he believes Will could be connected to Eleven somehow is unclear, but their relationship immediately becomes a sweet spot of the show in the first few episodes.
Oddly, Mike seems like he outgrew his friends over the past year. Actually, it seems like he physically outgrew them, too. Because with each episode, you can also see the stretching height difference between Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp pretty easily. Which makes it all the more interesting when Mike bends down to ask Will if he’s alright, or wraps his arm around him to make him feel better.
At this point, it feels like Mike is the emotional crux of the show and I’m alright with it.