WE WARNED YOU before, and we’ll warn you again: This article is full of Stranger Things spoilers. Do not read on if you do not want to be spoiled. OK? OK.
The second season of the show managed to pull many surprises out of its hat – more monsters, more 80s references, and a very unlikely new hero.
Steve. STEVE!
We got a hint that Nancy’s seemingly useless boyfriend was more than he appeared at the end of season one, when he grabbed that nail-bat for the first time to give the Demogorgon a seeing to.
But who could have thought that he would step up to the plate like he did this season?
He somehow assumed responsibility for all the kids
He ran into a panicked Dustin at the Wheelers’ house and happened to have a baseball bat studded with nails in the boot of his car. If he’d just stayed at home it would all have been so different (and not as good. Thanks for not staying at home, Steve).
Dove headfirst into battle with a load of monsters
Both the Demodogs and Billy, that swine. His bravery would have been stupid if it wasn’t so admirable.
Went Full Mam
Tea towel over the shoulder, hands on hips, admonishing the young ones… Dumb jock to sassy single mam. Talk about character development.
Became the benchmark for stress
Yeah, you’ve been stressed, but have you been a badly beaten Steve Harrington coming to in a speeding car being driven by a 12-year-old stressed?
And gave us a new duo to root for
Mike and Eleven? Fine. Joyce and Hopper? Cool, OK. But how about Dustin and Steve? (And the nail bat. Let’s make it a trio.)
All while maintaining optimum hair height
With Fabergé Organics shampoo and conditioner and four puffs of the Farrah Fawcett hairspray, it can stand up to anything. Even the end of the world as we know it.
We never thought we’d say this, but we love you, Steve Harrington
You may be a pretty sh*tty boyfriend, but it turns out you’re a pretty damn good babysitter. <3
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