It’s only been a couple of days since part one of Stranger Things season four dropped on Netflix, and already many of the fans have binge-watched the whole thing. You can watch the trailer here:
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While others are taking their time and savouring the new episodes, one thing that’s clear from the start is that the show continues to drop hints at a major character’s sexuality.
We are, of course, talking about Will (Noah Schnapp) – our beloved Dungeons and Dragons fan who was first transported into the Upside Down all the way back in season one.
Fast forward to season three and the Stranger Things creators gave the fans what they wanted by introducing its very first (official) LGBTQ+ character in the form of our favourite snarky rebel Robin (Maya Hawke).
And while viewers were delighted with the news, they couldn’t help but turn their attention to the question of Will’s sexuality.
Although never explicitly confirmed, there were a number of moments implying his sexuality, most notably in the third season when the dynamic of the gang changed.
Mike (Finn Wolfhard) was dating Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) was with Max (Sadie Sink), and all Will wanted was to go back to the glory days.
Things came to a head when he forced his pals to play Dungeons & Dragons once more, but when the guys were more focused on their SO’s, Will became frustrated and ran off.
Mike caught up with him, leading to a confrontation in which he said to Will: “It's not my fault you don't like girls.”
Again, this moment didn’t explicitly confirm his sexuality, but it was yet another major hint of the many that have been dropped so far.
And season four is no different; in episode one, while Eleven is giving a presentation to the class, a girl sitting next to Will attempts to play footsie with him under the table.
But instead of reciprocating, Will swiftly pulls away, a moment the fans have been discussing online.
“The moment when girl tried to flirt with Will I immediately had gay panic vibes,” wrote one. “Will Byers is gay. He has to accept it.”
Then there was the awkward reunion between him and Mike in episode two, a moment that leads Will to refrain from gifting him a painting he’d been working on.
Will’s face goes from excitement to sadness, leaving the fans (us included) heartbroken.
Now, once again none of this is fact as of yet. But Finn Wolfhard himself did appear to suggest Will’s feelings towards Mike are a little more than platonic in a recent interview with Digital Spy.
When asked if they are shifting towards ‘heartfelt, romantic affection’, he replied: "Yeah. I think you find out slowly through the season, Will's kind of love towards Mike and I think it's a really beautiful thing."
Here’s hoping that if (or should we say when) Will comes to the realisation, his story will be given the justice it deserves.
Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Stranger Things, Netflix, LGBTQ, TV and Film
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