Live Poll: When Did You Know About Byler?

@NYVKE​ 

I think many people are of a similar mind. I hope I covered all the options in the poll.

Personally, I'm a bit embarrassed that I didn't realize it from watching the first four seasons. I thought I had decent media literacy, but maybe it's because I'm straight and didn't know much about internalized homophobia.

I also think many people failed to see it because the Duffers didn't want to make it too obvious for the general audience. I and many other people believe they were planning for Mike's coming out to be a plot twist worthy of The Sixth Sense, but failed to deliver. The kind of plot twist you don't expect at first but when you look back at everything before it, it all makes sense, and you wonder why you didn't see it sooner. If they hadn't re-written season 5, it would have made sense to everyone. That's why we are not just angry about the ending, but it feels like a massive betrayal.

@Jessica​ 

Season 5 was re-written?

Do we have this on good authority?

Honestly, I think Mike getting together with anyone so soon after El's sacrifice would have come across as awkward and annoying to viewers.

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Edit.. I managed half of the 1st video.

So far, my assessment: S1 & 2 : No

S3 & 4 : Yes, but very subtle. Likely deliberately so; the showrunners wanted to keep their options open.

@NYVKE​ 

Season 5 was re-written?

Do we have this on good authority?

Well, if you believe the Duffers intended for Byler to happen they must have re-written it. It's unclear when the change happened, but Noah Schnapp said that most of his scenes in season 5 were with Finn, and they had like two one-on-one scenes which means they must have been cut. 

The Duffers also told Finn that the painting lie would "pay off" but we didn't even see them talking about it. It's not established if Mike knew it was from Will. Instead, they reduced his deep love for Mike to a "crush", and not even having them talk about it after his coming out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o0T1NUE7yA&t=145s

And if they didn't intend for Byler to happen, Mike's character literally makes no sense.

How do you explain his behavior in season 3 and 4? Why was he a shitty friend to Will in season 3 and a shitty boyfriend to El? Why couldn't he hug Will at the airport? Why couldn't he say he loves El in season 4 and not even at the very end when she was about to die? 

Why did he tell El in his season 4 "love confession" that he knew right then and there in that moment that he loved her when in season 1 he wanted to "send her back to Pennhurst or wherever she came from" so they could find Will?

Why did they have Will asking Robin about signals (from Mike, who else?) in season 5 volume 1 and having a hopeful look of realization? 

Why didn't Mike and El have any chemistry all season and why didn't they make it clear if they had broken up or not? Why did Mike break down while placing his D&D binder next to Will's?

Not only did they ruin Byler, but Mike and El's relationship doesn't make sense at all. There is no explanation for Mike's whole character arc if he isn't closeted.

Anyway, the videos can explain this better than me. Glad you watched one. :)

Also, if you're not into longer videos, here's a good one (not only Byler related):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYP0TMU0WD8

Suggestion:

Option 6½ : I was not aware of the discussion until recently. After seeing the "evidence", I think the showrunners wanted to keep the Byler option open, but ultimately chose not to go that route.

(You can rephrase it better.)

For a less subtle comparison... look at the "other" Byler triangle - Jonathan - Nancy - Steve.

It could have gone any of three ways

1. N stays with J
2. N goes back to S
3. N is too good for not compatible with either.

I'm pretty sure the decision was made pre season 5, not earlier on. 

@NYVKE​ 

Thanks, but I'm not sure if that option fits into the question. It's more about when you were aware and what you believe about Mike's sexuality.

I guess option 4 covers it (I had missed all of these hints and the Byler discussion but now after watching season 5, I believe that Mike is gay or bi from seeing the evidence.)

@Jessica​ 

Fair point.

My suggestion is too "meta".

@dan_dassow​ 

Thank you Dan. You have now pushed 100 of my polls. :)