I want to point out that Mike says that "his life started the day he met eleven" and that's also the day Will went missing, which makes it more painful for him.
Omg, I haven’t even thought about that! Will wasn’t even there when that life changing moment happened for Mike. If Will had never been stuck in The Upside Down, Mike never would have been in those woods looking for him and he never would have met Eleven. Now that Piggy Back scene when Mike gives his speach has yet another level of pain. My heart is breaking for Will all over again.
AND he didn’t even have a birthday because the whole rinkomania thing happen (AND the writers forgot about it too so it’s not like he remembered and everyone else forgot but still)... AND his feelings for mike on top of it... poor Will...
Another fun little detail in this scene is that the music that is playing is actual a mixture of “the first lie” which is in season 2 and is played when Nancy and Jonathan are denying their feelings for each other and “the first I love you” which is played in season 3 when Robin comes out. The mixture between those two scores symbolizes that this is the first time Will is lying to Mike, but also basically the first time he is openly saying how he feels (even if he’s covering it up as El’s emotions)
I thought he was crying because he was also in love with El. When I went back and watched the scene and all the dialogue about being different I realized your version makes so much more sense.
@Jane Cochran i saw the scene in this current season as a mixture of both things: him struggling with hiding that part of himself from his friends, AND having to deal with the horrible trauma of what happened to him without the support of his friends. also, i think it was the older episode you referenced where Will kind of did come out to his friends but they didn't seem to get it. that might have informed his decision to be very cautious around his friends in season 4. desparately wanting to reach out, but not feeling completely safe to do so with them.
Poor Will, my heart broke for him when he poured out his feelings to an oblivious Mike, who didn't even notice him crying beside him. Major Kudos to big brother Jonathan, who definitely noticed, and assured him that he didn't love him any less.
@@eggsoverbreezy6264 nobody said that... it's not about him reciprocating wills feelings for him or not, it's about mike not being a good friend like he used to be. mike is oblivious to ALL of his feelings, even when they're being told to him directly.
@@eggsoverbreezy6264 I actually suspect that Mike DOES know that Will is gay and also suspects that Will has a crush on him. And he doesn't want to have Will confess his feelings because he (Mike) knows he cannot reciprocate those feelings. In a sense, I see it as his way of not hurting Will...and the pulling back and not being huggy with him isn't because he no longer considers Will his friend (he does) but he likely suspects that Will has been dealing with this issue since, well, at least season 3. So he's trying to create a bit of a distance so Will doesn't become hopeful for a reciprocation of those feelings when Mike simply cannot do so. He's trying to avoid the fallout of Will going through pain by simply avoiding the situation, which might not be the best way to handle it...but I don't think Mike is trying to hurt his friend at all. Just the opposite.
Noah hit it out of the park with his acting, portraying what I think most of us who've watched the show can safely conclude is a 15-year-old boy with a same-sex attraction who is gay/questioning, and living much of that struggle closeted in a small midwest town in the 1980s.
Okay... I am REALLY hoping that Season 5 can have Robin and Will interact. I think it could do Will some good. Plus, they are two of my three favorite characters (With Max being the third).
absolutely hated will this season, they really didnt know what to do with him at all, he went from being an avatar to the mind flyer and a catalyst to huge events in the show to a whiny crybaby about eleven and mikes relationship "oh mike please notice me mike please"" like shut up will no one has time for that lmao, they couldve made him one of the most important characters but they chose to make him useless
@@sashabent6585 Dude, is realistic the way they made Will like that. You're just traumed, you just want to forget the past, and you just want love, and it is not dumb. God, he has been giving love all the seasons and they were caring a shit Will. And now, when he's OK and everything... Is Will an asshole? Bruh, no, the hole group in previous seasons should be it, but I don't even blame them.
@@javiergonzalez.6150 he needs to move on cause mike clearly has shown no signs that hes a homosexual or bi at all so will definitely has no chance RIP who cares GG
I wish they made it a little more clear that Will lied to Mike about the painting being commissioned by El when she said in the first episode that she had no idea what he was painting or for who. So Will basically threw away his hope to come out to Mike about this painting he made for him to help Mike feel better about Eleven, and I think also to not freak Mike out. Think that's part of what he was crying about at the end, not just because he released some of his pent up feelings, but also because he sacrificed his feelings for Mike to make Mike feel better.
You can know it because of the letter that El wrote, that Mike reads at the beggining of episode 1. She says that Will is painting something for someone he maybe is in love with, but that she doesn´t know anything, and that he didn´t say anything to anyone also.
They might bring that around to start the conversation in season 5 if it was on purpose. Mike could be talking to El like “just like the painting you asked Will to make” and she will be like “what are you talking about? He’s never even showed it to me.” Then Mike can go to Will and be like why did you lie. And that can start the conversation?
I feel like people aren't giving Mike enough credit. In my opinion he definitely knows that Eleven didn't ask Will to paint what he did. El isn't even in the painting and it's of their party playing D&D, which El has never been shown to play. I really don't think that Mike is that oblivious.
I’d love to see your reaction to Jonathan’s “Big Brother” speech to Will later in the season. The acting between the two actors is incredible, and I think anyone who’s ever had a close connection to an older/younger sibling can totally relate to their dialogue.
Absolutely. People feel like Netflix was doing a cop-out by not having Will or Jonathan say outright that Will is queer, but I think Jonathan's dialogue was perfect. He didn't outright make a claim about Will-because he knew it wasn't his place to do so-but he made sure Will knew he was there for him, and opened the door for Will to share something if he wanted to through subtext. And, it's totally reasonable for Will not to say anything, not only because it's the 80s, but Mike, El, and Argyle were literally just a couple feet away from them. I do think the show is going to address this further in anther season, especially since they have Robin who might actually have a relationship soon :)
@@mementomoray Agree totally. I think poor Will is going to be in the closet for a good long while. Maybe he’ll be an underground cartoonist like Alison Bechdel or Howard Cruse.
I think Will is the heart, because he can connect with the others feelings more deeply. But I agree with Mike being the leader. Everyone always will listen to him, he make the group stay together, I don't think Will can do it.
I’ve been wondering about that, really. Not that I dislike Mike as a character, but his role as leader has shrunk since season 1. He isn’t the one everybody looks to the way they used to, and he doesn’t seem bothered by that. His drive to save Will was what made him the leader back in the day, but now it only seems like his proximity to El makes him… I hate to say relevant? Again, it’s not that I don’t like Mike. He just doesn’t seem to have the charisma to draw this collection of groups together naturally, and he isn’t the “idea man,” and he isn’t the Big Gun. Good natural leaders are people who can make a group feel more effective, more able, more part of something bigger than themselves. Bad natural leaders may be able to do some of those things, but fall short because they don’t really care about their people as much as they care about running things. Mike doesn’t seem to be either thing, and doesn’t seem to care about it much. Nancy has been the leader more than Mike this go-round. I think Will is just expressing love by assuring Mike that he’s the core of their sub-group. And his strong desire to go back in time.
@@toomanymonkeys21 I think Mike is afraid of it, and he doesn't believe he can be a good leader anymore. I think he's just a kid and he's trying to understand who he's. I think Will loves a version of Mike that doesn't exist anymore or maybe was never real. Will lives in the past, the past that existed before he was taken, and he's too afraid of letting go. I don't think Mike's bad with Will, he just can give him what Will wants. But I still believe that Mike is a good leader, but with everything what happened to him he feel lost, and he's scared. He doesn't believe in himself anymore. I really love Mike character, and I know he's not the most funny character or the center of the story, but I think he's able to support people in a different way, a kind way. Mike is not the badass, but leaders normally are not the people who wear guns, but he's still the person that will make friends cross half of the country to find a friend. I hope he will not die like Vecna showed to Nancy.
People don't quite always see it, because the show has such a big diverse cast, but if you take the core group of kids you get a 5 man band. Mike is the Leader Dustin is the Smart Guy Will is the Heart Eleven is the Tough Guy Lucas (later Max also) is the Lancer
i always think that dustin is the glue. in season 1, he’s the one that initiates apologies between lucas and mike. and as an audience, in season 3 and 4, when they’re seperated, the party doesn’t feel whole.
Will is the heart, I agree. Emphatically. He has been the emotional core of most of the series. I love him to bits, an I wish hte writers loved him just as much.
Will cried because even though he expressed his own feelings for Mike he technically just encouraged Mike to go after El. Putting your own happiness aside for the happiness of someone you love can be painful. It takes a lot of maturity and selflessness to do that. It can also feel isolating. I’m glad his brother noticed this and was there for him.
This is what true love is about. Putting the other person's needs above yours, even though it hurts. I just really hope s5 will do him justice, because, well, his feelings are not only undeniable and deep, but beautiful to see them manifest...
Will is a sweetheart and has a lot of emotional intelligence and inner strength but he holds back. Mike (until this season) has his heart on his sleeve and is an open book, a person of action and leader for his friends and doesn't hesitate to fight for them, which is why Eleven and Will see him as the knight fighting the dragon. His confidence and loyalty allow them to flourish.
In season 1, when Will was missing, the thought of saving him pulled the party together - the thought that she might be able to help was one of the reasons they bonded with Eleven. When they thought he was dead, they fell apart. He's the heart through and through.
I really liked your prespective. It's interesting that a character so emotionally sensitive like Will, can actually be so emotionally present too. Also about Mike, I'd say he actually used to be the heart of the group at some point (Season 1 & 2). Take the second season for example; The first person to become aware of Will's feeling of danger and insecurity was Mike. Even though he was still dealing with El's loss and didn't find it easy to indulge in all the things that were going on around him, he was still there for Will and wasn't even separated from him for a moment. There's even a sweet moment of him sleeping on a chair by Will's side, while they were in the lab/hospital. Yet, after the second season, he somehow began to regress; for which i can find no particular reason. Thank you for the content!
I think most of us feel the same about Mike, and for me is cause Mike´s insecurities about Eleven and how she changed his life for the best, to his eyes. He became too much attached to her, and the reason he and Will became so close in S2 was that they were both in grief, and they found support in each other. Will because of his suffering with the upside down stuff and Mike for the loss of Eleven. Later, in season 3 it was clear that Will was out of tune of Mike and Lucas emerging interests, he didn´t share them at all, and wanted all to be the same to before everything happened. For Mike when he met Eleven she kind of gave him a purpose and there he was thinking mostly of her (we were like that with our crushes in that age lol, but for Mike was even more because of his experience and also his unique attachment to her). For Will the upside down after experience was kind of the opposite, for Will everything was perfect and better before the Upside Down, for Mike, was the opposite, because for all of that he has El. Some people have pointed out that is a contradiction that in S4 they played D&D again, but the point there wasn´t that they hated D&D, the point was that they were crazy by the novelty of having girlfriends now and that distracted them of their old interests, and also they wanted to be far from those things to pay more attention to them and look "cooler" (remember that at the beggining they all were rejected by girls and were like the group of losers, now they wanted to get a little away of the image of "nerd", just Dustin didn´t want, but he had like a nerdish girlfriend). With time, we realize that is not worth to get rid of your passions are hobbies just to pretend an image, and I think that they later realized that. The difference about how both experienced all the stuff (both puberty and the Upside Down things) drifted them appart...Will recriminated to Mike that the group was ruined because of the girlfriends, and all of this things damage the relationship, because for Mike El was not just "some girlfriend" she was something very important to him. And I think that this is something that has happened to a lot of us. We have had very good friendships, that get cold or don´t survive to how we both change later. I don´t know if I am right at this, but are kind of my thoughs.... When we were teenagers we were foolish than we remember... I am sure, because I didn´t forget about it haha. Puberty is a dificult and confusing age.
I have a feeling that Mike is pulling back from Will because he DOES suspect that Will is gay and also has a crush on him. I take it as Mike not knowing how to talk to his friend because he does not want to deal with Will being hurt by a perceived rejection but also cannot actually reciprocate Will's feeling...because he knows he doesn't feel the same way.
As someone who doesn't watch Stranger Things (I know, I know, I'm sorry!) this still hits very close to home. Unrequited love feels the same as grieving: physical sickness, pain, helplessness. There is no one answer to get out of it. But allowing yourself to feel that pain is necessary. It doesn't surprise me in the least to have a character like Will pour his heart out "indirectly" like that. When you have such a strong bond, the last thing you want is to end it all because you would rather keep what is already strong than to lose it forever.
I loved that scene. I love how Will expressed himself in a way Mike wouldn't understand, because if I were him I wouldn't really wanted Mike to know either. And I love how you can tell Jonathan understands everything, but it's still subtle. Compared to that, Mike's confession to El seemed like a bunch of generic cliches - I love you, I can't live without you, I loved you from the moment I saw you... The difference is kinda baffling to me.
Mike obviously didn't speak with his heart and sincerity. Not only he said things that contradicted what he said to Will, but he also used parts of both Eddie and Will's speeches, copy paste, with few alterations, just to get inspiration, which wouldn't be necessary if he really felt the way he claimed he did.
If we go back to season 1, there is a suggestion that Will's disappearance might be a hate crime. The time setting of the series is when HIV epidemic was starting. Hitting the LGBT community hard, especially for gay man. This added a whole new level of fear and stigma. A child of his age would have been aware of that. This adds to the pain.
Will even lied that El told him what to paint, because if you remember in the first episode of the season you hear her say that Will's making something and she thinks it might be for a girl. She had no idea what the painting was. Will possibly said that in order to not feel embarrassed or to save himself.
I relate to Will. I was that kid in the 80s & I had a friend like Mike who acted as the leader of our group of friends. I came out years later and that friend accepted me, he's still straight, but we're still friends. 😋
Will is one of my favorite characters in this show. And I just want him to be happy for more than a short period of time. He's always so supportive. And he always puts everyone else before himself. I hope his story concludes in a satisfying way.
I see Mike as the leader of the party, but Will is definitely the heart. And something I noticed as well, is that Will actually lied to Mike when he said El commissioned the painting. Because at the beginning of the season, she wrote to Mike saying that Will had been working on his painting for a long time and was curious as to why he was being so secretive about it. Which means she couldn't have commissioned it.
YUP and if she wrote that in her letters to Mike and Mike remembers that detail at all, he will realize in the back of his mind that the painting was Will's vision all along, not Eleven's. Even though Will did say to Mike that she was lying to him in the letters about a lot of stuff, she wasn't lying about *everything.*
Will crying silently... makes me think Will knew very well he was talking about himself. It was his way to confess to Mike without a risk. Because it was risky back then to come out and I don't think he would want to impose on Mike. He wouldn't want to make Mike feels uncomfortable.
i really hated how they used Will's feelings for Miek to create a stronge rbond with mike and Eleven, it breaks my heart. I relate to him so much and seeing him so hurt, hurts my whole soul
Re watch the painting scene. And re watch the confession scene. Mike Refers to El as superMAN. Mike recycles his speech from season 2 . “ asking you to be my friend was the best thing i ever did” “I came alive the day we found you.”( i m paraphrasing but you get the point ) Then during his i DIDN’T say it cause i was afraid to lose you, because it would hurt (paraphrase) he pauses and looks away from El on the word Hurt and then looks at Will. The ending scene. When eL IS ALONE and Mike/Will are standing with the actual canon couples.. 🤔
@@gilbirdsareawesome i didn't pay attention to Mike's speech to El cause I was so upset. But I think I'll rewatch it so I can analyse it more (I'll keep what you pointed out in mind tho)
@@bellatommo13 it was very obvious that his speech was forced and rushed because he wanted to save her life, and give her strength. He only said what he thought she needed to hear, not what he felt deep down in his heart. If he really loved El, he would tell her sooner. He would have kissed her when he met her again. He would have said more personal things to her and not only talk about her powers (because that was what he talked about mostly in his monologue) and the FACE EXPRESSIONS OF THE CAST when they’re watching the scene, especially Finn’s - it was priceless. Mikes monologue to Will in season 2 was far more emotional. He cried, right in front of Will’s mother AND brother. And no one pushed him to say anything. In this monologue to El, Will pushed him there. Byler is gonna be endgame ✨👊🏻
I love this scene and the metaphor used and how realistic it was. But so many people on social media keep missing it or denying the message behind it it's so frustrating.
One of the key things we see throughout this season is Will's repeated interactions as Mike's center of gravity at least emotionally. At the junkyard he explains to Mike that it's natural to be afraid to express yourself. In the earlier bedroom scene, Will is motivating him again to stop focusing on the note and move forward. Mike repeatedly shows that he struggles to express himself emotionally and then on the flip side we see Will helping him do just that. Even if it seems a bit hand-hold-y
WATCHING WILL CRY LIKE THAT MADE ME UGLY SOB BECAUSE I RELATE TO HIM SO MUXH AND I USED TO CRY IN THAT EXACT SAME WAY AND IVE GONE THROUGH THAT SAME THING BEFORE AND JUST OH MY GOD
2 года назад+138
That scene resonated so much with me because I could feel Will's pain just too well. Will's easily one of my favorite characters (aside from Jonathan and Jason too) just because of their complexity. An episode on Jason regarding Chrissy and everything that came after and his inner conflict would be great, especially since he's getting a lot of hate for a very reasonable motivation.
Spoilers… I think the amount of hate he gets is unsurprising and well deserved. While his motivation to find out what happened to Chrissy is fair. His actions aren’t justifiable. Instead of communicating, he actively incited a witch hunt on Eddie. He couldn’t accept the fact his gf was struggling and went to get drugs. Jason also had full intentions to murk Eddie and anyone standing in his way. Also through his ignorance he indirectly helped the person who murdered his gf. And while he couldn’t have known better. Oh wait he could’ve… if he fucking talked to the ST crew. Him breaking Max’s music player and fighting Lucas led to gingersnaps and his own death. So yea fuck him.
I want to make it clear that I do think it would be cool to see Jason’s perspective and that I also don’t have an issue with you liking the character. His motivation was respectable at the very least.
2 года назад+5
@@HornyOnMain yeah exactly! He just felt exactly like what would happen if your own world suddenly turned upside down.
Yeah, I hated Jason initially (because he was set up as a secondary antagonist, we're not supposed to find him overly sympathetic), but his emotional journey after the brutal murder of his girlfriend was understandable. He was looking for answers and justice based on the best information he had to go on. I had hoped for redemption for him in the end, but that's not going to happen now.
A lot of people were "upset" that Will didn't come out, like the Duffer Brothers chickened out or sth. I don't think a lot of them understand how insanely hard it is to come out, even if your family is supportive. It's a very complicated and personal journey and I don't think will has fully come to terms with it completely, even with Jonathan's love and support. He's not only realizing he might be gay, which was specially scary in the 80s (it still is!).. he had already been bullied by his dad and other kids, who called him a fairy. Will also is realizing he's having feelings for his best friend and that it's not reciprocated. I think it was handed wonderfully
I liked this scene, but I wish Will's feelings wouldn't have been used as a stepping stone for mike and eleven. I feel like they could have done more (Not necessarily a coming out scene though, since exactly as you mentioned it was really scary) Mike being the heart of the group to me felt so corny too because he's only been a dick to Will these past seasons and didn't even check up on him when he was crying :/
I think it's best if it's executed slowly. The duffer Brothers know what they're doing, and I believe that, even though we say the series has some issues (like people saying mike was acting weird or annoying or out of character during the last 2 seasons, or El not being her own person and pretending to be someone else, or Cali/8 disappearing, etc), those aren't actual issues, but they're just leading to an ending bigger than we could ever imagine.
@elenagonzalez8463 I think this will be used next season, when Mike realizes that the painting wasn't actually commissioned by El, but it was a reflection of Will's feelings. I really want a scene like that tbh.
I do think Mike is the heart of the group, actually. Will may be sensitive and emotionally intelligent and wise and awesome, but Mike was the one not only telling everyone else not to treat El like a robot or a dog, but also that she was going to be able to have the safety and normalcy of actual nourishing food and a bed to sleep in, which was really impressive for such a young child. He was the one who called her every night for about a year. It makes sense he was worried she wouldn’t need him bc I relate to him so much on this, trying to figure out how much to help. He is the mom friend of the group for sure. As wonderful as Will is, Mike kept El alive in a way that looked out for her holistically (her physical needs, her emotional needs, everything). He was able to yell to everyone else about what she needed and do it regardless of what the others thought. Will will get more bold. He will continue to be able to have more and more difficult conversations in such a poignant and sensitive way. But Mike literally jumped off a cliff for Dustin. Mike is the heart. But I do think this makes Will an incredibly good manager and strategizer when it comes to how people work together and thrive, a recognizer of the good traits and how they all fit together and how everyone thrives. He’s the thinking kind of people person, and Mike for better and for worse is the feeler. They are both so amazing. EDIT: Maybe Will meant Mike is hope because I guess that’s what he said he’d brought El and would continue to bring her and the others. Wilk is so much more tuned in to the present, but Mike is tapped into justice and hope and a way forward. So maybe that does equal the leader instead. But there’s so much passion and feeling over thought or even over the current situation that exists there.
Will is one of the most healthy characters on Stranger Things (apart of Robin, my favorite) and I'm glad he's finally getting the love he deserves in the group.
Hmm, when Will talked about them playing DnD and Nintendo for the rest of their lives, I didn't see it in a positive way. To me it felt emblematic of his refusal to accept that things are not the same, like with S2-3. I really love Will, he's my fav character, but I feel like the writers have done him such a disservice.
@@obara7366 I think he's having trouble accepting that the world and friends are moving on without him because he's had his childhood stolen from him. Speaking as someone with childhood trauma, this part of Will's arc is super relatable and I think that both Will Schnapp and the writers have done a fantastic and subtle job with Will's character.
@Katak I'm not saying that. I'm saying that the show treats it that way, and that I keeping him stagnant. I would love for yhe show to explore what DnD means to him, although I know the basics. What is childish is that he doesn't think of his life beyond that. That's like thinking you can live for video games and anime alone. I ADORE those things, but they're only a part of what makes a fulfilling life.
I know Will's feelings all too well. Having such intense feelings for a friend who *cannot* love you back the same way... it hurts. It's like a shard of glass digging into your heart that you can't pull out. They did such a phenomenal job writing him.
So, Georgia is right when she says that Will is the heart of the group. Meanwhile, Will is right when he describes Mike as the heart of the group. It's all about your point of view. Georgia (and everyone else watching) has the benefit of being in the audience and seeing everything that's happening. Will doesn't get to do that, and he hasn't really had an opportunity to come to terms with the changes he's experienced. Plus, of course, there's the projection that he's doing (he's full of love for Mike, therefore he perceives Mike to be full of love). What was Will doing in season 1? He was hiding, and being desperately in need of rescue. Mike was the organizer of the group and they did rescue him. What was Will doing in season 2? He was being scared, and especially he was scared of himself. He was aware that he was doing evil things. And when he managed to get control over himself and was desperately sorry for his role in setting up an ambush, it was Mike who understood what he was trying to communicate. And what is love but 'understanding someone, even when they're being a complete jerk'? What was Will doing in season 3? Being scared, unstable and reclusive. Mike brought him the structure that he needed, a sense of security and something to belong to. Will's experience of Mike is "This person brings me the things that my heart needs most." It's only when you're a highly compassionate psychologist, seeing things from a distance, that you can say "Love and affection is something that people give, and Will is the one who gives those things more than anyone else." Because you've separated the things that come from the heart with the things that go to the heart. Mike is the person who meets Will's emotional needs (which are very similar to Eleven's emotional needs). That makes him the heart. Even though, seen clearly from a distance, Will is the heart.
I agree with you that Will is the heart. He's sensitive and kind and tries his best to be there for people. It broke my heart that Mike didn't even notice Will crying beside him and I hope to see a scene where Will comes out to Mike and Mike is accepting and kind about it in season 5. Fingers crossed!
I think the biggest reason Will cries at the end is because he just poured his heart out to bring help Mike, to bring Mike closer to El, which pulls Mike further away from himself as a romantic prospect. He self-sacrificed because he loves them both so much, and he did it in the rawest, deepest, most personal way possible.
I love Will's character too because he's so sensitive and really understands people. He's also such a fragile character that makes me worry about him. I was really happy that later in that episode his older brother saw his suffering (even though it's unclear if he understand the reason behind it) and reassured him that he was there whenever Will needed him. That gave me hope for Will.
I think he did understand what was happening. Johnathan is pretty intelligent emotionally, and he loves his brother more than anything. The speech he made during the last episode was about letting his brother know that he will always love and accept him for who he is, and that he doesn't have to be alone, that he can share averting with him (obviously hinting at his feelings for Mike )
This scene was deeply affecting. But the later scene between Will and Johnathon topped it. Johnathon's always been the best big brother one could ask for, so it wasn't really a surprise, but it was also clear he saw what Will was going through and just made it clear that no matter what or whoever Will is, that brotherly bond they have will endure regardless. Looking forward to your vid on that.
I’d love for you to react to (spoiler alert) papa’s death scene and the relationship between eleven and papa. I think it’d be so interesting to hear an explanation from you on that. As well as Max’s “death” scene because it felt so real, especially the pain Max and Lucas feel in that moment were so raw. Love if u could dive into their relationship as well!
I think mike is the charismatic leader that knows how to bring people together. He knows when to interject when needed and when to stand back and let others speak their minds. Dustin is the brains. He comes up with the ideas. I am still thinking what Lucas is. He does his own thing, but steps in when asked and tries to contribute. I do agree that will is the heart. He is the quiet man behind the scenes. He tries to help everyone even when it is hard. He does feel things deeply which I feel he and Elle have in common. I also wanted to see more of Elle’s and Will’s friendship which adds to the difficulty of telling Mike how he feels because he doesn’t want to hurt either of them. The issue is that he does not put his foot down at times and is afraid to speak up even when he wants to which leads to being taken advantage of. I do want to see a season where he is confident and does stand up for himself and finds out he is worthy.
I feel like I relate so much to Will. I'm not gay but I would've acted the same way he did in this. This actually made me feel a bit better about myself when you talked about the heart of the group. A couple days ago I was pointing out my friend's strengths and I felt so insecure for some reason. I thought what if they don't feel this about themselves and feel uncomfortable that I'm just throwing all this at them. But this made me feel a bit better.
Will has something in common with Steve in that even though he’s heartbroken personally, he still wants other people to be happy- like Steve being happy for Robin when he saw her vibing with Vickie. They both deserve better than the self absorbed Wheeler siblings who make other people miserable when they’re personally miserable. I’m talking about how Mike was grumpy early in season two and even lashed out at Will and ditched him because Will said it was okay for Max to join them. Right up to the end, he told Max she didn’t belong. Nancy has good reason to be miserable because her best friend died, but she partially blamed Steve. Also, she dumped Steve because he wasn’t being what she needed. She then caused Jonathan to lose his job that was a great opportunity to get a better life because she thought she was too good to be an intern. The worst thing Will did when he struggled with trauma is was annoy his friends because he wanted to play D&D. He wasn’t a jerk to either of the girls that joined. Will was playing therapist to Mike all season. Mike was dealing with insecurities of his own making. Will was still dealing with moving across the country after being trapped in a dark dimension and then possessed. It was frustrating that we never saw Mike so much as ask Will what happened to Castle Byers. He definitely owed Will a much bigger apology after the way he treated him ( and El) at rink o mania. Mike suddenly seemed to pull his head out of his own butt and remembered Will had been trapped in the Upside Down and possessed when Will said he could feel Vecna. Max has also been through a lot. She had an abusive brother and step father. She and her mother had to move to a trailer. And she got targeted by Vecna. Mike constantly excluded her and told her she wasn’t in the party. Dustin lashed out at her because she liked Lucas. El knocked her off her skateboard and snubbed her until she was upset about Mike. Max could have told El to go screw herself, but she listened to El and gave her friendship. After Max got targeted by Vecna, she still showed concern for Lucas. I hope it’s Will and Max that defeat Vecna because they put others before themselves even when they are going through trauma.
I think Mike is the driving force, his stuborness and his drive is what makes the group advancing in their tasks. And Will is the heart, the one that connects and inspires people. While Most of Mikes acts are selfish, most of Wills acts are selfless.
8:00 I rather think that he is sad because he realises that even if Mike knows these were his feelings too, he wouldn't react like that. He only can react like that towards Eleven having those feelings. And that even now that he basically shared everything he wanted to share with Mike for such a long time it still doesn't change anything between Mike and him but only Mike and Eleven. And he'll never have a chance. And also Mike doesn't know those are Will's feelings, which is of course painful too.
Will is the healer of the party. The cleric who doesn't just heal with miracles but also morally guides the party, and bridges the gap between this world and the spirit world. In a similar way I think each character in the group deliberately fits a class archetype from D&D. The actor knocks it out of the park, btw!
It's really interesting the way that D&D is used in the show. Will's character is a Wizard, and if I recall, he said that Mike is the Paladin. In a real sense though, Will is much more the Paladin (or Cleric) of the group, in the way that he supports others. He's giving that Aura of Courage to support them.
Ugh Will is so relatable, at his age I also had a crush on my straight best friend who was in a relationship and it's still one of the most painful things I've ever gone through. This scene hit close to home
I think of it like Mike's the heart. Will's the soul. Johnathan's the empathy. Steve's the protector. Nancy's the seeker. Max is the conscience etc etc.
Mike seems more like the head. Will reminds me how devastating is to wake up everyday hiding your true self to the world, how exhausting is living a lie.
I think that the ❤symbol in the painting just meant that Mike is the one in the group that he loves. Saying that Mike is the heart ❤of the group was just his way of trying to tell him.
"The Heart" doesn't have to be one person. Misconception, the heart is one organ. The heart is essential four organs working as one. A beautiful metaphor for how real, "Heart" works within groups. Four chambers working as one to keep the blood flowing, to keep the body warm. Maybe Mike starts the LUB, but, Will finished the DUB. They're all responsible for keeping the heart going. Everyone within the group, Lucas, and Max, at one time or another, echoed "LUB" when everyone needed HEART. Let's not even get into how much heart Dustin has(unmeasurable, just want to hug him!). The heart isn't an independent organ. Nor is independence the height of human achievement. The pressure should not fall on one. It's the finest human example of interdependent cohesion. Listen to a heart beat. It says, "LUB...DUB, LUB...DUB" The best heart is one that carries pressure evenly. These "Hearts" beat the longest. These relationships will last. Plays as many roles as you're able to adapt and grow towards, don't pigeonhole yourself as "this" or "that". We're all so much more than a single role. The heart of this team is everyone working together. Thank you Georgia, for an outstanding insight. Everything you said rings true, I wish only to "PIGGYBACK" on your thoughts. ;) See what I did there?
this was a wonderful thing to add and yes you are right Lub lub and i do see what you did =)) thanks so much for the many hearts ( chambers ) in the show very true
This really is my favorit scene of the entire show! Noah is such an amazing actor, he nails it every single time he is on screen. Even if the focus isn't even on him. He's just listenig to someone and I'm like "wow that was some incredible acting!"
If only Twitter would realize that what Will was doing was 'silent crying' that wasn't meant to be noticed by Mike...because they wouldn't either as if that gives them a reason to hate Mike for not noticing
"You're guiding the whole party. Inspiring us. That's what you do. See your coat of arms here? It's heart. That's what holds this whole party together. Heart. Without heart, we'd all fall apart." I think the show want to tell and remind people that Mike's role is significant in the show and that this is a set up that Mike's gonna take the lead again in season 5. Yes, he's been kind of up in the clouds this past few seasons, going through his own coming of age journey with its ups and downs (which I think has slipped from people's mind most of the time). He might not come off as (subjectively) awesome as the earlier seasons , but at the core of it he is still the one who inspires the whole party, the glue to the group, the leader. He sees the best in every one of them (which more prominent with El and Will). Even in season 3 and 4 where he supposedly a little bit distracted by his personal problem, he still operates as the leader. And Will reminds him just how important his presence is in the group, as he was struggling with his sense of self-worth and insecurites (a trait of his since the beginning of the show that surprisingly well-addressed this season) a minute before. Yes, Will seems more sympathetic and able to connect and support people around him, but for me his character depiction throughout the show hardly depicts that. We've only seen him interact with Lucas and Dustin one or two times, even barely with Max, and he only started to properly interact with El in this new season. As what is defined as "the heart" through Will's speech in that scene, he still have a long way to be one: Guiding, inspiring, holding the party together. I think it's a matter of how you see the term "The Heart". But for what the show has told us through Will's speech, Mike is definitely "The Heart". He truly is. He deserves it.
I'm not negating Will's heart in the least. But, Mike is the heart. This is the first time in the series that Mike has needed emotional support from others (well, no. it's not. but it's the first time it's being addressed on screen by someone other than his mother). In the past three seasons Mike has been the one to come to the rescue: Dustin at the quarry cliff, and the search for Will in season one; Will all throughout season two; and Eleven at every single turn of her story. I think it's beautiful that Will is giving Mike the recognition that he deserves, for all the noble, compassionate, and heroic things he has done for the party. It's too bad that there is divide in the fandom, and that people are pushing to turn this beautiful friendship into something that it probably is not. Regardless, these two boys are amazing.
Loved the video! Yes Will is the heart. I would only add that Will sobbed at the end because he originally meant that painting to be an intimate present for Mike, to remind Mike how much he meant to Will and his love for D&D, etc. (with SOME hope he'd get the tender, protective Mike from s2 back). But by lying about the painting he also gave up on Mike. "You push them away and so you rip it off like a Band-Aid" 😢 Will was crying because he thought to himself it was over (whether it IS, we'll see!)
As infp i relate to my infp character in this show a lot, will went through a lot he never complain, he always gives the best to his friends nd beloved people around him. He's always the one who notices everything when it comes to their emotions nd never hesitates to help them. It pains me to see him suffering while everyone seems to forget his presence just bcs he's quite nd never complain .... Luckily Jonathan was there for him in that scene nd that was heartwarming !
I thought Will was more the heart too!! The way he projects his own feelings through Eleven to will and it's heart breaking cuz he must really love him.
I feel Will has so much more character development and so much better written than Mike, such a journey he has been on. He has gone through real trauma but has always been the supportive one, I loved this scene. Thanks for analyzing this.
I feel like Will made the decision to prioritize being a good friend over his personal happiness, which is never an easy choice because sometimes it is the right decision to do one or the other depending on the situation. Personally I think Will made the right choice because realistically coming out to mike wouldnt have went anywhere because of how in love with El Mike is and he knows that.
it is such a great, importend detail that jonathan is imidietly showen to pick up on what is going on, imidietly worried but also respectful enough not to bud in
Will is so much more concerned with everyone else that even though he's the heart he doesn't think he is. This is why I think he believes Mike is. Maybe it'd be more appropriate to call Mike the soul of the group.
You have made some great observations of Will in this particular van scene. It would be worth mentioning that this season was Will’s “be a good friend arc”. We saw him, for the very FIRST time, put his feelings aside to be there for Mike. This was the scene that captured his growth as we saw him pivot and “rip off the bandaid.” By all means, give Will credit for these things, but please don’t forget who played the role of support and even caregiver for four entire seasons. That was Mike. The relationship had been lopsided for four entire seasons, and we finally saw the reciprocation and selflessness from Will in the van scene. Mike is the heart. Period.
really lovely video, very touching 💙 I'm glad to see more videos from you 😀 My favourite will moment not going to lie I have forgotten alot, perfect excuse to rewatch 😁
i feel mike is that passionate leader heart while will is this caring healer heart! mike is intense while will is comforting, mike does things when it needs to be done for his loved ones and will sees and understands people around him and what they need… is magical
I’ve had a conversation like this with the person I love and while I thought I was being very open about my feelings, she was still oblivious about what we were talking about. It broke my heart to know that it all meant nothing to her and everything to me, but I’m still proud I had the courage to talk to her about it at all, and we eventually cleared up the confusion later on. By that time of course, the feelings had become too much and I had a panic attack in front of her and her family 😅 but we finally got things sorted out, even if it didn’t go how I hoped it would. Basically what I’m saying is, it’s good to be honest with the people you love (while respecting their boundaries.) Communication helps the both of you move past the issue, and hopefully keep the friendship alive if they don’t share the same feelings.
“know that you're still our best friend, and you're still Xos baby brother, and we want you to be happy. And we want to be happy with you, dude. I-I don't want you to ever question whether our friendship comes with limitations."
Mike was definitely the heart of the group in seasons 1 and 2. It's a little more muddled after season 2. But imagery wise, Mike is the heart of the group because Mike's basement is the meeting place for the group. Everyone goes there just like all blood goes through the heart.
Well said and agreed! And it’s also the wrong time, like if two people are in this situation, it’s not the time to say your feelings or make a move... sadly it’s when you should be there and help even if it’s heartbreaking... so I hope he and mike at least try in the next season and that Robin and Vickie get together and Will gets to talk to Robin... Have a good one!
I definitely see Will as the heart too! Without his empathy and optimistic outlook, the group would fall apart. He see's the best in everyone, and is always kind to them.
It's even more interesting to watch this video because the clip we're watching is actually actors acting and yet the fact that you can analyze it proves they're really great actors.
This shows how much more superior our group and El our because they focus on the good and how much stronger it makes them while Henry focuses on the bad and negativety and makes him ultimately weak.
me going into the video: ohh cool a video from you looking at my highest kin character! me after: well damn i didnt need to be called out like that- idk what i was expecting tho-
I want to point out that Mike says that "his life started the day he met eleven" and that's also the day Will went missing, which makes it more painful for him.
Omg, I haven’t even thought about that! Will wasn’t even there when that life changing moment happened for Mike. If Will had never been stuck in The Upside Down, Mike never would have been in those woods looking for him and he never would have met Eleven. Now that Piggy Back scene when Mike gives his speach has yet another level of pain. My heart is breaking for Will all over again.
Oh my goodness !!!!
Woooooooow I didn’t notice that, dang…
AND he didn’t even have a birthday because the whole rinkomania thing happen (AND the writers forgot about it too so it’s not like he remembered and everyone else forgot but still)... AND his feelings for mike on top of it... poor Will...
no its not, its the day after
Will is the heart. But his heart belongs to Mike, so it can be found on Mike's shield, protecting him the way Will has always tried to.
oof
Nicely said!
Genius
So true
I always thought that Dustin was the heart but since he loves Mike it's him for Will.
Another fun little detail in this scene is that the music that is playing is actual a mixture of “the first lie” which is in season 2 and is played when Nancy and Jonathan are denying their feelings for each other and “the first I love you” which is played in season 3 when Robin comes out. The mixture between those two scores symbolizes that this is the first time Will is lying to Mike, but also basically the first time he is openly saying how he feels (even if he’s covering it up as El’s emotions)
Very cool I did not catch that at all. Very fitting and telling to what was being conveyed
ok now you got me sobbing😭
oh my godddd thank u for this comment
I thought he was crying because he was also in love with El. When I went back and watched the scene and all the dialogue about being different I realized your version makes so much more sense.
@Jane Cochran i saw the scene in this current season as a mixture of both things: him struggling with hiding that part of himself from his friends, AND having to deal with the horrible trauma of what happened to him without the support of his friends. also, i think it was the older episode you referenced where Will kind of did come out to his friends but they didn't seem to get it. that might have informed his decision to be very cautious around his friends in season 4. desparately wanting to reach out, but not feeling completely safe to do so with them.
Poor Will, my heart broke for him when he poured out his feelings to an oblivious Mike, who didn't even notice him crying beside him. Major Kudos to big brother Jonathan, who definitely noticed, and assured him that he didn't love him any less.
thats what a big brother does
@@nesseihtgnay9419 unless you're Billy lol 😅
What is with you people expecting Mike to be gay for his friend when he just isnt
@@eggsoverbreezy6264 nobody said that... it's not about him reciprocating wills feelings for him or not, it's about mike not being a good friend like he used to be. mike is oblivious to ALL of his feelings, even when they're being told to him directly.
@@eggsoverbreezy6264 I actually suspect that Mike DOES know that Will is gay and also suspects that Will has a crush on him. And he doesn't want to have Will confess his feelings because he (Mike) knows he cannot reciprocate those feelings. In a sense, I see it as his way of not hurting Will...and the pulling back and not being huggy with him isn't because he no longer considers Will his friend (he does) but he likely suspects that Will has been dealing with this issue since, well, at least season 3. So he's trying to create a bit of a distance so Will doesn't become hopeful for a reciprocation of those feelings when Mike simply cannot do so. He's trying to avoid the fallout of Will going through pain by simply avoiding the situation, which might not be the best way to handle it...but I don't think Mike is trying to hurt his friend at all. Just the opposite.
Noah hit it out of the park with his acting, portraying what I think most of us who've watched the show can safely conclude is a 15-year-old boy with a same-sex attraction who is gay/questioning, and living much of that struggle closeted in a small midwest town in the 1980s.
Okay... I am REALLY hoping that Season 5 can have Robin and Will interact. I think it could do Will some good. Plus, they are two of my three favorite characters (With Max being the third).
That would be so cute
!!!!!!!!
absolutely hated will this season, they really didnt know what to do with him at all, he went from being an avatar to the mind flyer and a catalyst to huge events in the show to a whiny crybaby about eleven and mikes relationship "oh mike please notice me mike please"" like shut up will no one has time for that lmao, they couldve made him one of the most important characters but they chose to make him useless
@@sashabent6585 Dude, is realistic the way they made Will like that. You're just traumed, you just want to forget the past, and you just want love, and it is not dumb. God, he has been giving love all the seasons and they were caring a shit Will. And now, when he's OK and everything... Is Will an asshole? Bruh, no, the hole group in previous seasons should be it, but I don't even blame them.
@@javiergonzalez.6150 he needs to move on cause mike clearly has shown no signs that hes a homosexual or bi at all so will definitely has no chance RIP who cares GG
I wish they made it a little more clear that Will lied to Mike about the painting being commissioned by El when she said in the first episode that she had no idea what he was painting or for who. So Will basically threw away his hope to come out to Mike about this painting he made for him to help Mike feel better about Eleven, and I think also to not freak Mike out. Think that's part of what he was crying about at the end, not just because he released some of his pent up feelings, but also because he sacrificed his feelings for Mike to make Mike feel better.
Yes wow I didnt notice that either till someone pointed it out. It makes the painting even more meaningfully
You can know it because of the letter that El wrote, that Mike reads at the beggining of episode 1. She says that Will is painting something for someone he maybe is in love with, but that she doesn´t know anything, and that he didn´t say anything to anyone also.
it is pretty obvious that el lnows nothing about the painting since she said she also doesnt know what it will turn out like
They might bring that around to start the conversation in season 5 if it was on purpose. Mike could be talking to El like “just like the painting you asked Will to make” and she will be like “what are you talking about? He’s never even showed it to me.” Then Mike can go to Will and be like why did you lie. And that can start the conversation?
I feel like people aren't giving Mike enough credit. In my opinion he definitely knows that Eleven didn't ask Will to paint what he did. El isn't even in the painting and it's of their party playing D&D, which El has never been shown to play. I really don't think that Mike is that oblivious.
I’d love to see your reaction to Jonathan’s “Big Brother” speech to Will later in the season. The acting between the two actors is incredible, and I think anyone who’s ever had a close connection to an older/younger sibling can totally relate to their dialogue.
Agreed, I love Jonathan and Will's relationship, and how well Jonathan is able to pick up his little brother's messages.
Yeah that moment with Will and Jonathan was just incredible and definitely gave me the feels.
Absolutely. People feel like Netflix was doing a cop-out by not having Will or Jonathan say outright that Will is queer, but I think Jonathan's dialogue was perfect. He didn't outright make a claim about Will-because he knew it wasn't his place to do so-but he made sure Will knew he was there for him, and opened the door for Will to share something if he wanted to through subtext. And, it's totally reasonable for Will not to say anything, not only because it's the 80s, but Mike, El, and Argyle were literally just a couple feet away from them. I do think the show is going to address this further in anther season, especially since they have Robin who might actually have a relationship soon :)
As sad as it is, I think their dialogue might be a dearest dream for so many
@@mementomoray Agree totally. I think poor Will is going to be in the closet for a good long while.
Maybe he’ll be an underground cartoonist like Alison Bechdel or Howard Cruse.
I think Will is the heart, because he can connect with the others feelings more deeply. But I agree with Mike being the leader. Everyone always will listen to him, he make the group stay together, I don't think Will can do it.
I’ve been wondering about that, really. Not that I dislike Mike as a character, but his role as leader has shrunk since season 1. He isn’t the one everybody looks to the way they used to, and he doesn’t seem bothered by that. His drive to save Will was what made him the leader back in the day, but now it only seems like his proximity to El makes him… I hate to say relevant? Again, it’s not that I don’t like Mike. He just doesn’t seem to have the charisma to draw this collection of groups together naturally, and he isn’t the “idea man,” and he isn’t the Big Gun. Good natural leaders are people who can make a group feel more effective, more able, more part of something bigger than themselves. Bad natural leaders may be able to do some of those things, but fall short because they don’t really care about their people as much as they care about running things. Mike doesn’t seem to be either thing, and doesn’t seem to care about it much. Nancy has been the leader more than Mike this go-round. I think Will is just expressing love by assuring Mike that he’s the core of their sub-group. And his strong desire to go back in time.
@@toomanymonkeys21 I think Mike is afraid of it, and he doesn't believe he can be a good leader anymore. I think he's just a kid and he's trying to understand who he's. I think Will loves a version of Mike that doesn't exist anymore or maybe was never real. Will lives in the past, the past that existed before he was taken, and he's too afraid of letting go. I don't think Mike's bad with Will, he just can give him what Will wants. But I still believe that Mike is a good leader, but with everything what happened to him he feel lost, and he's scared. He doesn't believe in himself anymore. I really love Mike character, and I know he's not the most funny character or the center of the story, but I think he's able to support people in a different way, a kind way. Mike is not the badass, but leaders normally are not the people who wear guns, but he's still the person that will make friends cross half of the country to find a friend. I hope he will not die like Vecna showed to Nancy.
People don't quite always see it, because the show has such a big diverse cast, but if you take the core group of kids you get a 5 man band.
Mike is the Leader
Dustin is the Smart Guy
Will is the Heart
Eleven is the Tough Guy
Lucas (later Max also) is the Lancer
nicely broken down
True, was also thinking about that!
i always think that dustin is the glue. in season 1, he’s the one that initiates apologies between lucas and mike. and as an audience, in season 3 and 4, when they’re seperated, the party doesn’t feel whole.
And Argyle is the WILD CARD
That is almost exactly how you make a successful dnd party afterall
Will is the heart, I agree. Emphatically. He has been the emotional core of most of the series. I love him to bits, an I wish hte writers loved him just as much.
Will cried because even though he expressed his own feelings for Mike he technically just encouraged Mike to go after El. Putting your own happiness aside for the happiness of someone you love can be painful. It takes a lot of maturity and selflessness to do that. It can also feel isolating. I’m glad his brother noticed this and was there for him.
This is what true love is about. Putting the other person's needs above yours, even though it hurts. I just really hope s5 will do him justice, because, well, his feelings are not only undeniable and deep, but beautiful to see them manifest...
Will is a sweetheart and has a lot of emotional intelligence and inner strength but he holds back. Mike (until this season) has his heart on his sleeve and is an open book, a person of action and leader for his friends and doesn't hesitate to fight for them, which is why Eleven and Will see him as the knight fighting the dragon. His confidence and loyalty allow them to flourish.
beautifully said
the scene of Will crying on the window just crushed me
He has such emotional intelligence and i feel bad people dont see him. But one person does fully see him and thats my next video
In season 1, when Will was missing, the thought of saving him pulled the party together - the thought that she might be able to help was one of the reasons they bonded with Eleven. When they thought he was dead, they fell apart. He's the heart through and through.
I really liked your prespective. It's interesting that a character so emotionally sensitive like Will, can actually be so emotionally present too. Also about Mike, I'd say he actually used to be the heart of the group at some point (Season 1 & 2). Take the second season for example; The first person to become aware of Will's feeling of danger and insecurity was Mike. Even though he was still dealing with El's loss and didn't find it easy to indulge in all the things that were going on around him, he was still there for Will and wasn't even separated from him for a moment. There's even a sweet moment of him sleeping on a chair by Will's side, while they were in the lab/hospital. Yet, after the second season, he somehow began to regress; for which i can find no particular reason.
Thank you for the content!
I think most of us feel the same about Mike, and for me is cause Mike´s insecurities about Eleven and how she changed his life for the best, to his eyes. He became too much attached to her, and the reason he and Will became so close in S2 was that they were both in grief, and they found support in each other. Will because of his suffering with the upside down stuff and Mike for the loss of Eleven. Later, in season 3 it was clear that Will was out of tune of Mike and Lucas emerging interests, he didn´t share them at all, and wanted all to be the same to before everything happened. For Mike when he met Eleven she kind of gave him a purpose and there he was thinking mostly of her (we were like that with our crushes in that age lol, but for Mike was even more because of his experience and also his unique attachment to her). For Will the upside down after experience was kind of the opposite, for Will everything was perfect and better before the Upside Down, for Mike, was the opposite, because for all of that he has El.
Some people have pointed out that is a contradiction that in S4 they played D&D again, but the point there wasn´t that they hated D&D, the point was that they were crazy by the novelty of having girlfriends now and that distracted them of their old interests, and also they wanted to be far from those things to pay more attention to them and look "cooler" (remember that at the beggining they all were rejected by girls and were like the group of losers, now they wanted to get a little away of the image of "nerd", just Dustin didn´t want, but he had like a nerdish girlfriend). With time, we realize that is not worth to get rid of your passions are hobbies just to pretend an image, and I think that they later realized that. The difference about how both experienced all the stuff (both puberty and the Upside Down things) drifted them appart...Will recriminated to Mike that the group was ruined because of the girlfriends, and all of this things damage the relationship, because for Mike El was not just "some girlfriend" she was something very important to him. And I think that this is something that has happened to a lot of us. We have had very good friendships, that get cold or don´t survive to how we both change later. I don´t know if I am right at this, but are kind of my thoughs.... When we were teenagers we were foolish than we remember... I am sure, because I didn´t forget about it haha. Puberty is a dificult and confusing age.
I have a feeling that Mike is pulling back from Will because he DOES suspect that Will is gay and also has a crush on him. I take it as Mike not knowing how to talk to his friend because he does not want to deal with Will being hurt by a perceived rejection but also cannot actually reciprocate Will's feeling...because he knows he doesn't feel the same way.
As someone who doesn't watch Stranger Things (I know, I know, I'm sorry!) this still hits very close to home. Unrequited love feels the same as grieving: physical sickness, pain, helplessness. There is no one answer to get out of it. But allowing yourself to feel that pain is necessary. It doesn't surprise me in the least to have a character like Will pour his heart out "indirectly" like that. When you have such a strong bond, the last thing you want is to end it all because you would rather keep what is already strong than to lose it forever.
beautifully said. He is a wonderful character in the show.
I loved that scene. I love how Will expressed himself in a way Mike wouldn't understand, because if I were him I wouldn't really wanted Mike to know either. And I love how you can tell Jonathan understands everything, but it's still subtle. Compared to that, Mike's confession to El seemed like a bunch of generic cliches - I love you, I can't live without you, I loved you from the moment I saw you... The difference is kinda baffling to me.
Mike obviously didn't speak with his heart and sincerity. Not only he said things that contradicted what he said to Will, but he also used parts of both Eddie and Will's speeches, copy paste, with few alterations, just to get inspiration, which wouldn't be necessary if he really felt the way he claimed he did.
If we go back to season 1, there is a suggestion that Will's disappearance might be a hate crime. The time setting of the series is when HIV epidemic was starting. Hitting the LGBT community hard, especially for gay man. This added a whole new level of fear and stigma. A child of his age would have been aware of that. This adds to the pain.
He wasn't gay those season
Will even lied that El told him what to paint, because if you remember in the first episode of the season you hear her say that Will's making something and she thinks it might be for a girl. She had no idea what the painting was. Will possibly said that in order to not feel embarrassed or to save himself.
He probably said it was for some one he really cared about.
I relate to Will. I was that kid in the 80s & I had a friend like Mike who acted as the leader of our group of friends.
I came out years later and that friend accepted me, he's still straight, but we're still friends.
😋
I am really happy that you are both friends and for such a long time
Will is definitely the heart of this group.
Will is one of my favorite characters in this show. And I just want him to be happy for more than a short period of time. He's always so supportive. And he always puts everyone else before himself. I hope his story concludes in a satisfying way.
Agree!
I see Mike as the leader of the party, but Will is definitely the heart. And something I noticed as well, is that Will actually lied to Mike when he said El commissioned the painting. Because at the beginning of the season, she wrote to Mike saying that Will had been working on his painting for a long time and was curious as to why he was being so secretive about it. Which means she couldn't have commissioned it.
Oh my goodness !~!!!!!! you are right mind blown. It was too close to his heart no doubt
YUP and if she wrote that in her letters to Mike and Mike remembers that detail at all, he will realize in the back of his mind that the painting was Will's vision all along, not Eleven's. Even though Will did say to Mike that she was lying to him in the letters about a lot of stuff, she wasn't lying about *everything.*
Will crying silently... makes me think Will knew very well he was talking about himself. It was his way to confess to Mike without a risk. Because it was risky back then to come out and I don't think he would want to impose on Mike. He wouldn't want to make Mike feels uncomfortable.
i really hated how they used Will's feelings for Miek to create a stronge rbond with mike and Eleven, it breaks my heart. I relate to him so much and seeing him so hurt, hurts my whole soul
Re watch the painting scene. And re watch the confession scene.
Mike Refers to El as superMAN.
Mike recycles his speech from season 2 . “ asking you to be my friend was the best thing i ever did”
“I came alive the day we found you.”( i m paraphrasing but you get the point )
Then during his i DIDN’T say it cause i was afraid to lose you, because it would hurt (paraphrase) he pauses and looks away from El on the word Hurt and then looks at Will.
The ending scene. When eL IS ALONE and Mike/Will are standing with the actual canon couples.. 🤔
@@gilbirdsareawesome TRUE
@@gilbirdsareawesome i didn't pay attention to Mike's speech to El cause I was so upset. But I think I'll rewatch it so I can analyse it more (I'll keep what you pointed out in mind tho)
@@bellatommo13 it was very obvious that his speech was forced and rushed because he wanted to save her life, and give her strength. He only said what he thought she needed to hear, not what he felt deep down in his heart. If he really loved El, he would tell her sooner. He would have kissed her when he met her again. He would have said more personal things to her and not only talk about her powers (because that was what he talked about mostly in his monologue) and the FACE EXPRESSIONS OF THE CAST when they’re watching the scene, especially Finn’s - it was priceless. Mikes monologue to Will in season 2 was far more emotional. He cried, right in front of Will’s mother AND brother. And no one pushed him to say anything. In this monologue to El, Will pushed him there. Byler is gonna be endgame ✨👊🏻
@@gilbirdsareawesome Well said! (:
I love this scene and the metaphor used and how realistic it was. But so many people on social media keep missing it or denying the message behind it it's so frustrating.
One of the key things we see throughout this season is Will's repeated interactions as Mike's center of gravity at least emotionally. At the junkyard he explains to Mike that it's natural to be afraid to express yourself. In the earlier bedroom scene, Will is motivating him again to stop focusing on the note and move forward. Mike repeatedly shows that he struggles to express himself emotionally and then on the flip side we see Will helping him do just that. Even if it seems a bit hand-hold-y
WATCHING WILL CRY LIKE THAT MADE ME UGLY SOB BECAUSE I RELATE TO HIM SO MUXH AND I USED TO CRY IN THAT EXACT SAME WAY AND IVE GONE THROUGH THAT SAME THING BEFORE AND JUST OH MY GOD
That scene resonated so much with me because I could feel Will's pain just too well.
Will's easily one of my favorite characters (aside from Jonathan and Jason too) just because of their complexity.
An episode on Jason regarding Chrissy and everything that came after and his inner conflict would be great, especially since he's getting a lot of hate for a very reasonable motivation.
Spoilers…
I think the amount of hate he gets is unsurprising and well deserved. While his motivation to find out what happened to Chrissy is fair. His actions aren’t justifiable. Instead of communicating, he actively incited a witch hunt on Eddie. He couldn’t accept the fact his gf was struggling and went to get drugs. Jason also had full intentions to murk Eddie and anyone standing in his way. Also through his ignorance he indirectly helped the person who murdered his gf. And while he couldn’t have known better. Oh wait he could’ve… if he fucking talked to the ST crew. Him breaking Max’s music player and fighting Lucas led to gingersnaps and his own death. So yea fuck him.
I want to make it clear that I do think it would be cool to see Jason’s perspective and that I also don’t have an issue with you liking the character. His motivation was respectable at the very least.
@@HornyOnMain yeah exactly! He just felt exactly like what would happen if your own world suddenly turned upside down.
Yeah, I hated Jason initially (because he was set up as a secondary antagonist, we're not supposed to find him overly sympathetic), but his emotional journey after the brutal murder of his girlfriend was understandable. He was looking for answers and justice based on the best information he had to go on.
I had hoped for redemption for him in the end, but that's not going to happen now.
Nah sorry Jason is wrong.
Will is my favorite character for that exact reason, and there are times when even I can relate to what he's feeling.
A lot of people were "upset" that Will didn't come out, like the Duffer Brothers chickened out or sth. I don't think a lot of them understand how insanely hard it is to come out, even if your family is supportive. It's a very complicated and personal journey and I don't think will has fully come to terms with it completely, even with Jonathan's love and support. He's not only realizing he might be gay, which was specially scary in the 80s (it still is!).. he had already been bullied by his dad and other kids, who called him a fairy. Will also is realizing he's having feelings for his best friend and that it's not reciprocated.
I think it was handed wonderfully
I liked this scene, but I wish Will's feelings wouldn't have been used as a stepping stone for mike and eleven. I feel like they could have done more (Not necessarily a coming out scene though, since exactly as you mentioned it was really scary) Mike being the heart of the group to me felt so corny too because he's only been a dick to Will these past seasons and didn't even check up on him when he was crying :/
I think it's best if it's executed slowly. The duffer Brothers know what they're doing, and I believe that, even though we say the series has some issues (like people saying mike was acting weird or annoying or out of character during the last 2 seasons, or El not being her own person and pretending to be someone else, or Cali/8 disappearing, etc), those aren't actual issues, but they're just leading to an ending bigger than we could ever imagine.
@elenagonzalez8463 I think this will be used next season, when Mike realizes that the painting wasn't actually commissioned by El, but it was a reflection of Will's feelings. I really want a scene like that tbh.
I do think Mike is the heart of the group, actually. Will may be sensitive and emotionally intelligent and wise and awesome, but Mike was the one not only telling everyone else not to treat El like a robot or a dog, but also that she was going to be able to have the safety and normalcy of actual nourishing food and a bed to sleep in, which was really impressive for such a young child. He was the one who called her every night for about a year. It makes sense he was worried she wouldn’t need him bc I relate to him so much on this, trying to figure out how much to help. He is the mom friend of the group for sure.
As wonderful as Will is, Mike kept El alive in a way that looked out for her holistically (her physical needs, her emotional needs, everything). He was able to yell to everyone else about what she needed and do it regardless of what the others thought. Will will get more bold. He will continue to be able to have more and more difficult conversations in such a poignant and sensitive way. But Mike literally jumped off a cliff for Dustin. Mike is the heart.
But I do think this makes Will an incredibly good manager and strategizer when it comes to how people work together and thrive, a recognizer of the good traits and how they all fit together and how everyone thrives. He’s the thinking kind of people person, and Mike for better and for worse is the feeler. They are both so amazing.
EDIT: Maybe Will meant Mike is hope because I guess that’s what he said he’d brought El and would continue to bring her and the others. Wilk is so much more tuned in to the present, but Mike is tapped into justice and hope and a way forward. So maybe that does equal the leader instead. But there’s so much passion and feeling over thought or even over the current situation that exists there.
Will is one of the most healthy characters on Stranger Things (apart of Robin, my favorite) and I'm glad he's finally getting the love he deserves in the group.
You’re so real!! Will is the heart!! I think Will said this because Mike is Will’s heart.
yes agreed
Hmm, when Will talked about them playing DnD and Nintendo for the rest of their lives, I didn't see it in a positive way. To me it felt emblematic of his refusal to accept that things are not the same, like with S2-3. I really love Will, he's my fav character, but I feel like the writers have done him such a disservice.
that will is stuck in the past but that those are also his happiest moments
@@GeorgiaDow I definitely agree, I'm just frustrated the show hasn't expanded upon it
@@obara7366 I think he's having trouble accepting that the world and friends are moving on without him because he's had his childhood stolen from him. Speaking as someone with childhood trauma, this part of Will's arc is super relatable and I think that both Will Schnapp and the writers have done a fantastic and subtle job with Will's character.
Honestly that sounded like a line from a Riverdale fanfic from someone with a poor grasp on this show. A lot of season 4 felt like that.
@Katak I'm not saying that. I'm saying that the show treats it that way, and that I keeping him stagnant. I would love for yhe show to explore what DnD means to him, although I know the basics.
What is childish is that he doesn't think of his life beyond that. That's like thinking you can live for video games and anime alone. I ADORE those things, but they're only a part of what makes a fulfilling life.
I know Will's feelings all too well. Having such intense feelings for a friend who *cannot* love you back the same way... it hurts. It's like a shard of glass digging into your heart that you can't pull out. They did such a phenomenal job writing him.
💯Will is the heart. Absolutely every per cent plus extra credit. He’s “giving” the heart to Mike here… because this conversation works on two levels.
So, Georgia is right when she says that Will is the heart of the group. Meanwhile, Will is right when he describes Mike as the heart of the group. It's all about your point of view.
Georgia (and everyone else watching) has the benefit of being in the audience and seeing everything that's happening. Will doesn't get to do that, and he hasn't really had an opportunity to come to terms with the changes he's experienced. Plus, of course, there's the projection that he's doing (he's full of love for Mike, therefore he perceives Mike to be full of love).
What was Will doing in season 1? He was hiding, and being desperately in need of rescue. Mike was the organizer of the group and they did rescue him.
What was Will doing in season 2? He was being scared, and especially he was scared of himself. He was aware that he was doing evil things. And when he managed to get control over himself and was desperately sorry for his role in setting up an ambush, it was Mike who understood what he was trying to communicate. And what is love but 'understanding someone, even when they're being a complete jerk'?
What was Will doing in season 3? Being scared, unstable and reclusive. Mike brought him the structure that he needed, a sense of security and something to belong to.
Will's experience of Mike is "This person brings me the things that my heart needs most."
It's only when you're a highly compassionate psychologist, seeing things from a distance, that you can say "Love and affection is something that people give, and Will is the one who gives those things more than anyone else." Because you've separated the things that come from the heart with the things that go to the heart. Mike is the person who meets Will's emotional needs (which are very similar to Eleven's emotional needs). That makes him the heart. Even though, seen clearly from a distance, Will is the heart.
Do Argyle next! He's smarter than people give him credit for and he's such a good friend to Johnathan
he is a wonderful friend. Few friends would help so much with so little complaints
I agree with you that Will is the heart. He's sensitive and kind and tries his best to be there for people. It broke my heart that Mike didn't even notice Will crying beside him and I hope to see a scene where Will comes out to Mike and Mike is accepting and kind about it in season 5. Fingers crossed!
I think the biggest reason Will cries at the end is because he just poured his heart out to bring help Mike, to bring Mike closer to El, which pulls Mike further away from himself as a romantic prospect. He self-sacrificed because he loves them both so much, and he did it in the rawest, deepest, most personal way possible.
I love Will's character too because he's so sensitive and really understands people. He's also such a fragile character that makes me worry about him. I was really happy that later in that episode his older brother saw his suffering (even though it's unclear if he understand the reason behind it) and reassured him that he was there whenever Will needed him. That gave me hope for Will.
I think he did understand what was happening. Johnathan is pretty intelligent emotionally, and he loves his brother more than anything. The speech he made during the last episode was about letting his brother know that he will always love and accept him for who he is, and that he doesn't have to be alone, that he can share averting with him (obviously hinting at his feelings for Mike )
Will is absolutely the heart of the group. I think we’ll see Mike realize this next season… hopefully before it’s too late 😭
This scene was deeply affecting. But the later scene between Will and Johnathon topped it. Johnathon's always been the best big brother one could ask for, so it wasn't really a surprise, but it was also clear he saw what Will was going through and just made it clear that no matter what or whoever Will is, that brotherly bond they have will endure regardless. Looking forward to your vid on that.
I’d love for you to react to (spoiler alert) papa’s death scene and the relationship between eleven and papa. I think it’d be so interesting to hear an explanation from you on that. As well as Max’s “death” scene because it felt so real, especially the pain Max and Lucas feel in that moment were so raw. Love if u could dive into their relationship as well!
I think mike is the charismatic leader that knows how to bring people together. He knows when to interject when needed and when to stand back and let others speak their minds.
Dustin is the brains. He comes up with the ideas.
I am still thinking what Lucas is. He does his own thing, but steps in when asked and tries to contribute.
I do agree that will is the heart. He is the quiet man behind the scenes. He tries to help everyone even when it is hard. He does feel things deeply which I feel he and Elle have in common. I also wanted to see more of Elle’s and Will’s friendship which adds to the difficulty of telling Mike how he feels because he doesn’t want to hurt either of them.
The issue is that he does not put his foot down at times and is afraid to speak up even when he wants to which leads to being taken advantage of.
I do want to see a season where he is confident and does stand up for himself and finds out he is worthy.
I feel like I relate so much to Will. I'm not gay but I would've acted the same way he did in this. This actually made me feel a bit better about myself when you talked about the heart of the group. A couple days ago I was pointing out my friend's strengths and I felt so insecure for some reason. I thought what if they don't feel this about themselves and feel uncomfortable that I'm just throwing all this at them. But this made me feel a bit better.
Will has something in common with Steve in that even though he’s heartbroken personally, he still wants other people to be happy- like Steve being happy for Robin when he saw her vibing with Vickie. They both deserve better than the self absorbed Wheeler siblings who make other people miserable when they’re personally miserable. I’m talking about how Mike was grumpy early in season two and even lashed out at Will and ditched him because Will said it was okay for Max to join them. Right up to the end, he told Max she didn’t belong. Nancy has good reason to be miserable because her best friend died, but she partially blamed Steve. Also, she dumped Steve because he wasn’t being what she needed. She then caused Jonathan to lose his job that was a great opportunity to get a better life because she thought she was too good to be an intern.
The worst thing Will did when he struggled with trauma is was annoy his friends because he wanted to play D&D. He wasn’t a jerk to either of the girls that joined.
Will was playing therapist to Mike all season. Mike was dealing with insecurities of his own making. Will was still dealing with moving across the country after being trapped in a dark dimension and then possessed. It was frustrating that we never saw Mike so much as ask Will what happened to Castle Byers. He definitely owed Will a much bigger apology after the way he treated him ( and El) at rink o mania. Mike suddenly seemed to pull his head out of his own butt and remembered Will had been trapped in the Upside Down and possessed when Will said he could feel Vecna.
Max has also been through a lot. She had an abusive brother and step father. She and her mother had to move to a trailer. And she got targeted by Vecna. Mike constantly excluded her and told her she wasn’t in the party. Dustin lashed out at her because she liked Lucas. El knocked her off her skateboard and snubbed her until she was upset about Mike. Max could have told El to go screw herself, but she listened to El and gave her friendship. After Max got targeted by Vecna, she still showed concern for Lucas.
I hope it’s Will and Max that defeat Vecna because they put others before themselves even when they are going through trauma.
I feel bad for how u wrote this whole essay and no one responded
@@bramvanharen689 aw well, life goes on.
kinda felt bad for Will since season one because he seems to always be the victim of something. I hope they give him a happy ending.
I think Mike is the driving force, his stuborness and his drive is what makes the group advancing in their tasks. And Will is the heart, the one that connects and inspires people. While Most of Mikes acts are selfish, most of Wills acts are selfless.
I knew exactly why he was, not only upset, but devastated.
8:00 I rather think that he is sad because he realises that even if Mike knows these were his feelings too, he wouldn't react like that. He only can react like that towards Eleven having those feelings. And that even now that he basically shared everything he wanted to share with Mike for such a long time it still doesn't change anything between Mike and him but only Mike and Eleven.
And he'll never have a chance.
And also Mike doesn't know those are Will's feelings, which is of course painful too.
You should do a video on Lucas and his grief of losing Max.
+all of his other traits.
@@psysahji hating on Lucas???
@@psysahji huh? why do you hate him??
Will is the healer of the party. The cleric who doesn't just heal with miracles but also morally guides the party, and bridges the gap between this world and the spirit world. In a similar way I think each character in the group deliberately fits a class archetype from D&D.
The actor knocks it out of the park, btw!
It's really interesting the way that D&D is used in the show. Will's character is a Wizard, and if I recall, he said that Mike is the Paladin. In a real sense though, Will is much more the Paladin (or Cleric) of the group, in the way that he supports others. He's giving that Aura of Courage to support them.
Ugh Will is so relatable, at his age I also had a crush on my straight best friend who was in a relationship and it's still one of the most painful things I've ever gone through. This scene hit close to home
I think of it like Mike's the heart. Will's the soul. Johnathan's the empathy. Steve's the protector. Nancy's the seeker. Max is the conscience etc etc.
I like that analysis
Mike seems more like the head. Will reminds me how devastating is to wake up everyday hiding your true self to the world, how exhausting is living a lie.
I think that the ❤symbol in the painting just meant that Mike is the one in the group that he loves. Saying that Mike is the heart ❤of the group was just his way of trying to tell him.
Yes!
omg wait you're right, I totally agree with you
"The Heart" doesn't have to be one person.
Misconception, the heart is one organ. The heart is essential four organs working as one. A beautiful metaphor for how real, "Heart" works within groups.
Four chambers working as one to keep the blood flowing, to keep the body warm.
Maybe Mike starts the LUB, but, Will finished the DUB.
They're all responsible for keeping the heart going. Everyone within the group, Lucas, and Max, at one time or another, echoed "LUB" when everyone needed HEART.
Let's not even get into how much heart Dustin has(unmeasurable, just want to hug him!).
The heart isn't an independent organ.
Nor is independence the height of human achievement.
The pressure should not fall on one.
It's the finest human example of interdependent cohesion.
Listen to a heart beat.
It says, "LUB...DUB, LUB...DUB"
The best heart is one that carries pressure evenly. These "Hearts" beat the longest. These relationships will last.
Plays as many roles as you're able to adapt and grow towards, don't pigeonhole yourself as "this" or "that". We're all so much more than a single role.
The heart of this team is everyone working together.
Thank you Georgia, for an outstanding insight. Everything you said rings true, I wish only to "PIGGYBACK" on your thoughts.
;) See what I did there?
this was a wonderful thing to add and yes you are right Lub lub and i do see what you did =))
thanks so much for the many hearts ( chambers ) in the show very true
This really is my favorit scene of the entire show! Noah is such an amazing actor, he nails it every single time he is on screen. Even if the focus isn't even on him. He's just listenig to someone and I'm like "wow that was some incredible acting!"
Will is definitely the heart of the group🥺💖 and i love how in this season you can really see how selfless his character is
If only Twitter would realize that what Will was doing was 'silent crying' that wasn't meant to be noticed by Mike...because they wouldn't either as if that gives them a reason to hate Mike for not noticing
Will is the heart. Mike is the crown.
"You're guiding the whole party. Inspiring us. That's what you do. See your coat of arms here? It's heart. That's what holds this whole party together. Heart. Without heart, we'd all fall apart."
I think the show want to tell and remind people that Mike's role is significant in the show and that this is a set up that Mike's gonna take the lead again in season 5.
Yes, he's been kind of up in the clouds this past few seasons, going through his own coming of age journey with its ups and downs (which I think has slipped from people's mind most of the time). He might not come off as (subjectively) awesome as the earlier seasons , but at the core of it he is still the one who inspires the whole party, the glue to the group, the leader. He sees the best in every one of them (which more prominent with El and Will). Even in season 3 and 4 where he supposedly a little bit distracted by his personal problem, he still operates as the leader. And Will reminds him just how important his presence is in the group, as he was struggling with his sense of self-worth and insecurites (a trait of his since the beginning of the show that surprisingly well-addressed this season) a minute before.
Yes, Will seems more sympathetic and able to connect and support people around him, but for me his character depiction throughout the show hardly depicts that. We've only seen him interact with Lucas and Dustin one or two times, even barely with Max, and he only started to properly interact with El in this new season. As what is defined as "the heart" through Will's speech in that scene, he still have a long way to be one: Guiding, inspiring, holding the party together.
I think it's a matter of how you see the term "The Heart". But for what the show has told us through Will's speech, Mike is definitely "The Heart". He truly is. He deserves it.
I'm not negating Will's heart in the least. But, Mike is the heart. This is the first time in the series that Mike has needed emotional support from others (well, no. it's not. but it's the first time it's being addressed on screen by someone other than his mother). In the past three seasons Mike has been the one to come to the rescue: Dustin at the quarry cliff, and the search for Will in season one; Will all throughout season two; and Eleven at every single turn of her story. I think it's beautiful that Will is giving Mike the recognition that he deserves, for all the noble, compassionate, and heroic things he has done for the party. It's too bad that there is divide in the fandom, and that people are pushing to turn this beautiful friendship into something that it probably is not. Regardless, these two boys are amazing.
Love this. They're relationship is so sweet, and so beautiful and full of love.
Loved the video! Yes Will is the heart. I would only add that Will sobbed at the end because he originally meant that painting to be an intimate present for Mike, to remind Mike how much he meant to Will and his love for D&D, etc. (with SOME hope he'd get the tender, protective Mike from s2 back). But by lying about the painting he also gave up on Mike.
"You push them away and so you rip it off like a Band-Aid" 😢
Will was crying because he thought to himself it was over (whether it IS, we'll see!)
As infp i relate to my infp character in this show a lot, will went through a lot he never complain, he always gives the best to his friends nd beloved people around him. He's always the one who notices everything when it comes to their emotions nd never hesitates to help them. It pains me to see him suffering while everyone seems to forget his presence just bcs he's quite nd never complain .... Luckily Jonathan was there for him in that scene nd that was heartwarming !
I thought Will was more the heart too!! The way he projects his own feelings through Eleven to will and it's heart breaking cuz he must really love him.
Happily waiting for this 😊
I feel Will has so much more character development and so much better written than Mike, such a journey he has been on. He has gone through real trauma but has always been the supportive one, I loved this scene. Thanks for analyzing this.
I feel like Will made the decision to prioritize being a good friend over his personal happiness, which is never an easy choice because sometimes it is the right decision to do one or the other depending on the situation. Personally I think Will made the right choice because realistically coming out to mike wouldnt have went anywhere because of how in love with El Mike is and he knows that.
it is such a great, importend detail that jonathan is imidietly showen to pick up on what is going on, imidietly worried but also respectful enough not to bud in
around 7:23 it was even obvious that you were also tearing up just taking about will's character and situation in that scene. such an emotional scene!
it was so well done
Man it's painful how straight and oblivious Mike is, I feel so bad for will :(
Will is so much more concerned with everyone else that even though he's the heart he doesn't think he is. This is why I think he believes Mike is.
Maybe it'd be more appropriate to call Mike the soul of the group.
You have made some great observations of Will in this particular van scene. It would be worth mentioning that this season was Will’s “be a good friend arc”. We saw him, for the very FIRST time, put his feelings aside to be there for Mike. This was the scene that captured his growth as we saw him pivot and “rip off the bandaid.” By all means, give Will credit for these things, but please don’t forget who played the role of support and even caregiver for four entire seasons. That was Mike. The relationship had been lopsided for four entire seasons, and we finally saw the reciprocation and selflessness from Will in the van scene. Mike is the heart. Period.
really lovely video, very touching 💙 I'm glad to see more videos from you 😀
My favourite will moment not going to lie I have forgotten alot, perfect excuse to rewatch 😁
Thank you so much will is such an endearing character
@@GeorgiaDow I agree with that 👌
Will is definitely the heart. He only thinks Mike is the heart because he is in love with Mike.
THATS WHAT IM SAYING LIKE
“going into that closet, and opening those scary boxes.” This also fits as a metaphor because he is far in the closet to everyone around him.
i feel mike is that passionate leader heart while will is this caring healer heart! mike is intense while will is comforting, mike does things when it needs to be done for his loved ones and will sees and understands people around him and what they need… is magical
I’ve had a conversation like this with the person I love and while I thought I was being very open about my feelings, she was still oblivious about what we were talking about. It broke my heart to know that it all meant nothing to her and everything to me, but I’m still proud I had the courage to talk to her about it at all, and we eventually cleared up the confusion later on. By that time of course, the feelings had become too much and I had a panic attack in front of her and her family 😅 but we finally got things sorted out, even if it didn’t go how I hoped it would.
Basically what I’m saying is, it’s good to be honest with the people you love (while respecting their boundaries.) Communication helps the both of you move past the issue, and hopefully keep the friendship alive if they don’t share the same feelings.
“know that you're still our best friend, and you're still Xos baby brother, and we want you to be happy. And we want to be happy with you, dude. I-I don't want you to ever question whether our friendship comes with limitations."
Mike was definitely the heart of the group in seasons 1 and 2. It's a little more muddled after season 2. But imagery wise, Mike is the heart of the group because Mike's basement is the meeting place for the group. Everyone goes there just like all blood goes through the heart.
Well said and agreed! And it’s also the wrong time, like if two people are in this situation, it’s not the time to say your feelings or make a move... sadly it’s when you should be there and help even if it’s heartbreaking... so I hope he and mike at least try in the next season and that Robin and Vickie get together and Will gets to talk to Robin...
Have a good one!
I totally agree with you, will is definitely the heart and mike is more of the leader
6:27 the passive-aggressive tone had me DYING honestly same
Very great emotional analysis of Will^^ He is the heart of the group!
I love seeing expressions of affective empathy.
thank you for sharing that and loved your effective use of the terminology
I definitely see Will as the heart too! Without his empathy and optimistic outlook, the group would fall apart. He see's the best in everyone, and is always kind to them.
It's even more interesting to watch this video because the clip we're watching is actually actors acting and yet the fact that you can analyze it proves they're really great actors.
they are amazing actors I really feel through their actions
I can't even THINK about this scene without balling my eyes out...which I am currently doing!
This shows how much more superior our group and El our because they focus on the good and how much stronger it makes them while Henry focuses on the bad and negativety and makes him ultimately weak.
this video has me wanting a moment in season five where mike tells will that HE'S the heart
me going into the video: ohh cool a video from you looking at my highest kin character! me after: well damn i didnt need to be called out like that- idk what i was expecting tho-
Noah's acting was so good in this scene. I've never been through any of this yet it felt so relatable on a deeper level.
Yes 100% agree with you. Will is the heart of the team. He is the glue sticking everyone together. The first two seasons are all about saving him
My poor boy! I haven't even seen the last 2 episodes, but I'm sure I'm going to cry.
you may = )