Will Byers looking serious in a close-up while channeling his powers in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1.Image via Netflix
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Michael Block
Published 35 minutes ago
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts!
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In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5 Part 1.
Stranger Things' fifth and final season has been highly anticipated, with fans waiting to see how the Duffer Brothers would wrap up the mammoth series. Although viewers are waiting for the second volume and finale to complete the story, the final episode of Volume 1 ended in extraordinary fashion: Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) had a coming out — in terms of grasping his untapped powers, that is. When his extraordinary gift came to fruition, it also doubled as the moment when Will acknowledged and accepted his identity.
Will Byers Has Come Into His Full Potential on 'Stranger Things'
Across the first four episodes of Stranger Things' final chapter, much of the action seemed pivotal as the show ventured nearer to its end. With the gang seeking out Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) in the Upside Down via a joint effort above and below Hawkins, there was surprisingly very little character development for anyone but Will. Unlike any other character, Will was the only one to have these side moments that seemingly existed in contrast to the greater plot. It may have felt jarring to take these emotional pauses to explore Will's sexuality, but it was clear that these scenes were crucial for him to unlock his powers and unleash his full potential.
Many of Will's moments of questioning revolved around him catching Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) and candy striper Vicky Dunne (Amybeth McNulty) kissing at the hospital. From there, Robin served as Will's "fairy gay-mother," opening up the door for him to ask questions about how she came to terms with her own sexuality. Her story about a crush on a girl, only to have her own heart broken when said crush began dating Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), moved Will to tears, since it reflected a feeling he understood all too well. The more Robin and Will's friendship evolved, the more it gave Will permission to accept himself for who he was. He was able to acknowledge that the seemingly strange feelings he had for Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), though likely unrequited, were what were holding him back, and that self-realization opened up his potential. From a supernatural perspective, it was a breathtaking moment, with Will's powers strong enough to break Demogorgon bodies. From a personal perspective, it was Will Byers coming out fully.
'Stranger Things' Needed To Acknowledge This Crucial Storyline for Will
Will Byers looking serious and standing in front of a fire while bleeding from the nose in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1Image via Netflix
Sexuality, especially in the decade when the series takes place, was a topic that Stranger Things had to handle with care. As an action-adventure horror thriller largely focusing on kids, romance was mostly reserved for the older teens and adults, like Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer), or Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour). When there were shades of Will's emotional yearning through his jealousy of Mike's relationship with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), however, it opened the door to Will's own evolution.
The closing scene of Episode 4 was the touching and emotional swing that Stranger Things needed before moving into the final episodes. Incredible action sequences built up to that point, but Will's coming out resolved the end of Part 1 on a note of hope. While the season's expanded runtime might have seemed odd at first, it ultimately served a greater purpose in furthering Will's development. Vecna may have given him superpowers in the Upside Down, but Robin gave him the power to accept himself.
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Posts By Hannah Hunt 4 days agoWhat Will Happen to Will Byers in 'Stranger Things' Final Episodes?
Vecna has the upper hand on Will in Stranger Things 5.Image via Netflix
Stranger Things has explored individuality and identity before; Will's journey is far from the first time the show has tackled the subject of sexuality. When Robin and Steve's arc in Season 4 culminated in her coming out, it was a fun touch that didn't change the characters' overall dynamic. Now, Will's coming out has the potential to turn into something even bigger. We can only hope that Will will have a moment to tell Joyce the truth about himself. However it plays out, the moment is almost as anticipated as the show's conclusion at this point.
Previously, Stranger Things Season 4 offered subtle hints about Will's deeper potential, but Season 5 is already off to a game-changing start with him finally having the strength to own his truth. The biggest question now is whether Will will be a casualty of the story and wind up killed off before the end. We've watched some major sacrifices go down in the past — Bob Newby (Sean Astin) and Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) — so there is a chance that Will could go out in a blaze of glory, but it would be a shame after everything he's been through, especially now that he's become one of the show's most powerful characters both on a supernatural level and a personal one.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix, with Season 5 Vol. 2 premiering on December 25 and the finale premiering on December 31.
Stranger Things
Like TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction Release Date 2016 - 2025-00-00 Network Netflix Showrunner Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Directors Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz Writers Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
7 Images
Eleven looking into an opening of the Upside Down with pink light in Stranger Things season 1
Jim Hopper (David Harbour) grabbing Jonathan's (Charlie Heaton) shoulders in Stranger Things season 1©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eleven with cables all over her head in Stranger Things season 4
Vecna looking towards Will in the trailer for Stranger Things season 5 (2025)
Max and Eleven in Stranger ThingsNetflix
Stranger Things season 2, episode 2 "Trick or Treat, Freak".MovieStillsDB
The Upside Down in Stranger Things season 5Courtesy of Netflix Close
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Millie Bobby Brown
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