Stranger Things 3: Let’s talk about Will Byers

It’s safe to say Stranger Things 3 is the most emotional season in the series, and one of the reasons why is Will Byers.

Will Byers has always been the sweetheart of the group. Will is kind, loves his friends, and has been through hell and back quite literally. In Stranger Things 3, trouble finds Will yet again. Except this time, his struggles are more relatable than being hunted by the monsters of the Upside Down.

Haven’t watched Stranger Things 3? What are you waiting for! Go finish your binge before reading ahead as there are big spoilers that follow. This is your one and only spoiler alert!

Before the group is even aware of the Mind Flayer’s return, they’re each going through something. Especially Will, though it may not initially appear this way. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) is dealing with having lied to El (Millie Bobby Brown) after Hopper (David Harbour) threatened their relationship. El goes to Max (Sadie Sink) for advice on dealing with, as Max puts it “stupid boys.” And Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) is equally frustrated with girls, but does his best giving Mike advice.

Meanwhile, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) enlists Steve’s (Joey Keery) help in cracking a suspicious Russian code. This leaves Will trying to keep the gang together — Will just wants to play D&D, guys! Won’t someone pay him attention?

As bad as I felt for Will as Lucas and Mike paced around the room worried about their relationships with Max and El, I shrugged it off believing we all mature at different times. Will is likely not there yet, I thought. He’ll find a girl he likes eventually. But hold the door!

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In episode 3, “Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard,” Will calls Mike out for preferring to “swap spit” with El than spend time with him. Mike defends El and tells Will “it’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” Say what? Consider us shook. We did not see this coming.

Sure, Mike could have said this out of anger and didn’t mean anything by it. But the stunned silence from Will has us thinking otherwise. Is Will gay?

MORE: Is Dustin’s girlfriend Suzie real?

Will doesn’t deny it. Mike apologizes and tells Will that it wasn’t like they were going to play games in the basement for the rest of their lives. Will leaves on his bike after telling Mike that he actually did believe they’d always hang out.

MORE Stranger Things: Is [spoiler] really dead? 

Will not denying that he isn’t into girls works as confirmation that he is gay. And this also explains why he is having more trouble than the others with growing up. He’s confused and trying to find himself and where he fits into all of this. Still, Will never does admit it and his sexuality isn’t brought up again.

Let’s consider that he isn’t. Will has, after all, been through so much that he could just not like girls at the moment, there’s really no age for this. What are your thoughts on the matter? Would you like to see Will have a heart-to-heart conversation about it with his mom, brother, or friends? Either way, this is great representation for children who struggle fitting in when it seems all of their friends are growing up without them.

Whatever happens with Will on the matter, he needs and deserves all the happiness there is! Let’s hope there’s a very happy ending waiting for him in season 4.

Stranger Things 3 is now streaming on Netflix.