Stranger Things Failed Mike Long Before His Divisive Will Story

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4!

Mike Wheeler’s Stranger Things season 4 story has been met with backlash, but the show failed his character long before his divisive Will subplot. When Stranger Things season 1 began, Finn Wolfhard’s Mike Wheeler was arguably set up as the male lead for the kids as he unified the characters’ connection to Eleven and the search for Will. However, Stranger Things has gradually forgotten Mike’s central role, with season 4 more clearly demonstrating the problems with how far removed his character is from where he began.

Stranger Things season 4 sees feelings for Mike through his painting and monologues, Mike is finally able to express his love for Eleven, creating a heartbreaking storyline for Will.

While he may have begun as an integral character in the show’s supernatural plots, Stranger Things has increasingly failed Mike Wheeler as his stories grow to be repetitive and further removed from his original motivations. Mike is no longer a central figure whose various relationships serve an important role in the show’s larger narrative, with his divisive Stranger Things season 4 story being a culmination of the problems with his character development. As Stranger Things has progressed, Mike’s pivotal role has been overshadowed by the other of the party, who have gone on to better represent the qualities that made him the group’s leader in season 1.

Why Mike’s Stranger Things 4 Story Is So Divisive

Mike Wheeler and Will Byers in Stranger Things 4 Episode 8

Alongside being criticized for not explicitly confirming Will's sexuality, reactions to Stranger Things season 4’s California storyline featured notable backlash for its misunderstanding of Mike’s character progression. The most significant point of contention arrived when Will called Mike the “heart” of the party, which was certainly true back in Stranger Things season 1, but is no longer accurate. While Mike’s status as the largely selfless leader of the party was a fundamental aspect of his character at the beginning of Stranger Things, the series has failed to maintain this significance in his subsequent storylines.

Mike’s Stranger Things season 4 story is largely divisive due to the character having very little to do but stress out about Eleven against Vecna in Stranger Things’ season 4 ending, but was otherwise given a relatively one-note story.

Mike’s Stranger Things 4 Story Is The Same As Season 3

Mike and Eleven in Stranger Things Season 4

While Stranger Things season 4 adds some more serious developments to the subplot, Mike’s story is the same as it was in season 3. Mike’s Stranger Things season 3 story surrounded his relationship with Eleven and his attempt to win her back while proving his love for her (without explicitly saying “I love you”). Meanwhile, Mike’s sole focus on his romance with Eleven saw him neglect his friendship with Will, who simply wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons with his friends like in the old days. In Stranger Things season 4, Mike is once again solely focused on his relationship with the briefly powerless Eleven, though his biggest hurdle throughout the entire installment is learning to say “I love you.” Similarly, Mike placing all of his attention on Eleven results in him leaving his friendship with Will behind, with the stakes growing higher as the subtext of Will being in love with him becomes less subtle.

In neither case was Mike significantly motivated by killing the supernatural villain, with the battle against the Mind Flayer in Stranger Things season 3 seeing him largely averse to Eleven directly fighting the creature. Mike isn’t even remotely aware of Vecna’s presence or the danger that his Hawkins friends are in during Stranger Things season 4, not to mention that his sister was once targeted by the villain. However, while Mike at least shared several scenes in Stranger Things season 3 with Lucas and Max to add some variations in his dynamics, the majority of his time in season 4 is spent interacting with Will or Eleven. While Will and Eleven have always been important to Mike's story, he previously offered far more to the series as his other dynamics were challenged.

Stranger Things Failed Mike Wheeler Long Before His Will Subplot

Mike and Will smiling each other in season 4 of Stranger Things

Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things season 4 is not the same character that he was back in season 1. While the rest of the characters have improved with more depth and higher stakes after each season, Mike has moved away from a broad progression of his character to a very singular motivation. Mike in Mike is oblivious to Will crying right next to him.

Will may be blinded by his love for Mike in Stranger Things season 4, as the heart of the group now seems to be Dustin. Since Stranger Things season 2, Dustin has been the character most focused on bringing together the many different groups as he directly faces the villainous creatures. Dustin is fiercely protective of his friends, with his friendship with Eddie being an example of how Dustin would put himself in harm’s way to clear the name of those he loves. Had Mike been involved in any other storyline or been given a selflessly heroic moment in Stranger Things season 3 or 4, the character could perhaps have retained his reputation from season 1. As Stranger Things season 5 ends the series, the sci-fi show must fix its failures with Mike Wheeler and prove that he offers more than his emotional conflicts with Will and Eleven.

Next: Stranger Things 4 Finale Needs To Fix The Series’ Most Tragically Ignored Relationship

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