will sitting on mike’s lap while will kisses him stupid is a necessity and not up for negotiation
noah schnapp bloopers are so important bc they’re pretty much my only shot at seeing will happy
He thinks Will is cute 🥹
Dustin, Lucas, Steve, Max, and Robin all use the word “hot” to describe people that they’re attracted to in S3.
For Dustin, Lucas, and Steve, it’s in reference to Phoebe Cates, who Dustin compares Suzie to.
Dustin: “Think Phoebe Cates, only hotter.”
Lucas: “She’s a genius and she’s hotter than Phoebe Cates? No girl is that perfect!”
Steve: “No no. No way. Hotter than Phoebe Cates? No.”
It’s implied that they all view Phoebe Cates as the pinnacle of hotness - a common opinion at the time as a result of her role in Fast Times.
Similarly, Max uses the word hot to describe Ralph Macchio. Another actor that was popular at the time as a result of his looks.
Max: “Yeah he’s the Karate Kid. […] He’s so hot right?”
Finally, Robin uses the word hot in reference to girls when she tries to convince Keith to give Steve a job at Family Video. She bribes him by talking about all the ladies he’ll bring in.
Robin: “And these ladies… These ladies are hot. They’re so very hot.”
This is all to say that most teenagers are attracted to people that they consider “hot.”
When Mike finds out about Suzie though, he doesn’t ask Dustin if she’s hot. Mike asks…
“Is she cute?”
Mike is the only one to use this word. He’s the only one who is primarily concerned with cuteness rather than hotness, and his word choice is so telling. Unlike many teenagers, Mike is drawn to cute things still.
Things like the little teddy bear with the bow tie at the mall…
…and, ya know, his best friend, who happens to be strategically placed right behind him throughout the entire shot…
… in bright red shorts…
… as if he’s Mike’s version of a certain someone.
I love this theory so much I had to draw it bc its so real and true and it happened!!!
that entire scene of billy being taken can literally be interpreted as a metaphorical rape scene. he's dragged downstairs by his ankles to an abandoned basement in the middle of nowhere while he's thrashing and screaming for help. the mindflayer holds him down and enters his mouth while he continues to struggle. when he's free, he runs away to his car and drives off to the nearest phone booth because he's terrified that it's following him.
he doesn't know what to tell the 911 operator, would they believe him? it all seemed very unrealistic. he has flashbacks and starts dissociating, replaying the scene in his mind, specifically the scene when it enters his mouth. and then he's faced with himself. the other billy represents the side of him that feeds his degrading emotions.
this is literally a metaphorical rape scene i don't know what to tell y'all. the way will's kidnapping can also be interpreted as a child predator holding a child hostage and violating him. joyce's initial thoughts must've been that her son was kidnapped by a sick person. and the fact that they found will unconscious with something forced in his mouth?? metaphorical assault scene.
and billy's shower scene? the black veins represent the phantom touches and pain left behind by his rapist. he's showering because he wants it off him but it's not going away. he's starting to dissociate and the memories are hitting him full force again.
do the duffers realize this connection? the show would be outstanding if they acknowledged the general theme of vecna/the MF representing an abuser/rapist who specifically targets troubled children because they're easier to manipulate.