It seems almost silly and trivial to prioritize romance when the world — specifically, Hawkins — is being taken over by a disturbed and power-hungry creature from the Upside Down, but it’s such a human emotion to value and champion love even in the darkest moments when everything looks bleak. 

As Stranger Things continues to prove, love, in all of its shapes and forms, trumps hate every time. And Nancy and Steve? They love each other. They might not know it yet or simply aren’t ready to admit it, but there are some strong feelings there that deserve to be explored, especially in light of a possible end-of-the-world scenario. Ask yourself, if not now, when?

Stranger Things Season 4, through all of its darkness, found a light with Nancy and Steve. Hero hair aside, Steve underwent massive character growth from your stereotypical and shallow jock to a father figure, caretaker, and most importantly, a man who knows what he wants. Steve and his voluminous Herbal Essence commercial hair ran towards danger countless times for the greater good and for his friends. Steve’s emotional glow-up wasn’t lost on Nancy either, as she took notice on several occasions, and at times, found herself taken aback by his newfound maturity. As some people pointed out on Twitter, Season 4 Steve Harrington just hits different. 

Credit: Netflix/ Stranger Things

Yes, he’s portrayed as a ladies’ man, but on the inside, Steve is a softie with a mad crush and a dream of having a real relationship with the right one. He acknowledged the progress he’s made since season 1 and how much he’s grown in the swoon-worthy speech to Nancy that further drove him into heartthrob territory with audiences while proving to Nancy that those butterflies she’s been feeling whenever he looks at her aren’t just a result of an unexpected trip to the Upside Down. Steve Harrington told Nancy flat-out that he was to have six kids (six nuggets, to be exact) with her, and if that didn’t convince her that he’s top-notch boyfriend material, I honestly don’t know what would.

Credit: Netflix/ Stranger Things

I wouldn’t have blamed them if they took advantage of the moment and used the “apocalypse” excuse to sneak in a passionate kiss, but that’s the other point — despite his desires, Steve never made a move on Nancy because he respects her and their friendship. He knows that she’s with Jonathan, and he’s not going to cross that line even if they might never get a chance to pursue these feelings again. At least not without Nancy making a move and giving him the go-ahead. 

Deep down, Steve cares about Nancy as a friend. He proved it not just with words, but also with his actions as he stood by her when Vecna put her in a trance. He could’ve left the Upside Down at any point to save himself, but he would never leave her there. And, in turn, Nancy proved that she would risk it all for Steve when she jumped into the water and swam into the Upside Down to go after him. She’s always had a soft spot for Steve, but now that he’s become a man worthy of her, there’s no denying the attraction. 

There’s also a love and understanding between them that has provided for a solid foundation that would be helpful if they were to pursue a romantic relationship. 

Credit: Netflix/ Stranger Things

Stranger Things benefited from the love triangle this season, in particular, as it kept tensions high and provided a personal escape for the characters, but it also cannot be dragged into the final battle. The bottom line is that Nancy and Jonathan can’t string each other along as Steve continues to pine Nancy — it’s not fair to any of their very deserving characters.  

One might argue that Jonathan has always been the underdog so he deserves the girl, but even that’s starting to change as Steve grows into his own and figures out his real connection to Nancy that’s only intensifying as time goes on.

This brings me to Jonathan.  I know it isn’t entirely his fault that he wasn’t by Nancy’s side when the fight against Vecna began,  but it speaks volumes that he was on the other side of the world. The reason Mike was with Eleven when it mattered is because he willingly made the trip to go see her. Neither Nancy nor Jonathan chose to visit each other despite being apart for so long. The chance was there, but they both decided to stay put and deflect.

Credit: Stranger Things/ Netflix

There was a time when Nancy and Jonathan were the right choice for each other, but there’s nothing left between them but a forced relationship that continues because it’s comfortable and safe. The spark between them barely has a pulse. When they were finally reunited at the end of the season, it didn’t seem like a romantic relationship but two friends who care about each other. And that’s the thing — they’ll likely always love each other and feel a connection through shared trauma, but they are not in love with each other anymore.

They aren’t on the same page anymore, no matter how much they hope to be. They want two different things out of life, but they’re refusing to come to terms with the fact that their paths are taking them in opposite directions. Nancy wants to excel in college and make something of herself, while Jonathan didn’t even apply. The worst part is that they both know that time is running out on their relationship, so they are avoiding the hard conversations. Neither of them has the heart to tell the other the truth. 

Even if nothing happens between Nancy and Steve in the upcoming season, in the face of the unknown and a potential apocalypse, Nancy and Jonathan owe it to themselves to be honest about their feelings and go after what their hearts desire. I’m not sure what that is for Jonathan at the moment as he seems pretty lost about his future, but for Nancy, I think that definitely involves six little nuggets with Steve Harrington somewhere down the line. 

Who Dies On ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4B?

Stranger Things Season 4 was quite a bloodbath as Vecna brutally claimed a handful of victims in his plan to take over Hawkins.

The body count included a handful of pivotal and core cast members that will forever leave a mark on our hearts. 

Dr. Brenner – When the FBI came in guns blazing, Brenner tried his best to get El to safety. But the truth is, she wasn’t even supposed to be there. If he simply allowed her to leave when Dr. Owens insisted, she would’ve been on her way to help her friends fight Vecna. Also, there definitely wasn’t a solid contingency plan in place in the event that the FBI did find their secret hiding spot. 

In his last moments, Brenner assured El that he loved her and always meant well, but it’s hard to really believe any of that when he pushed her to her limits, shamed her, treated her like nothing more than a lab rat, held her against her will (in hopes that she’d understand), and even put a dog collar on her in order to mute her powers. Brenner was definitely not a friend. And in the moment where they say goodbye, El realizes what true love is when she sees her friends sacrifice everything to come and save her. Papa never came from a place of true love — it was all self-serving and manipulation masked as love. It’s unclear if Dr. Owens survived or if the FBI took him out simply because he betrayed them. If they did, I bet they’re regretting it now. 

Eddie – Eddie is a fan favorite, so his time on the series was limited considering Stranger Things has a track record of killing off the lovable, new guy. After a really metal guitar solo in the Upside Down, Eddie took one for the team and sacrificed himself to stop those bats from digging into his friends. It was a redeeming moment as Eddie proved he wasn’t a coward as he “didn’t run away” this time. I only wish he held off a little longer so El could do her thing because he could’ve been spared! 

Max (kind of) – Max was marked this season, and it’s unfortunate. Everyone in that group is brave, but Max, in particular, risked it all in hopes of defeating Vecna and stopping his plan. She allowed herself to become his target — the bait that lures him while everyone works in the background to slay the monster. Eleven tried her best to help Max when she could no longer stay in the light and run from Vecna’s wrath, but it wasn’t enough. Vecna got his grip on Max before El could regain her strength. And even after she broke his hold on Max, the damage had been done as her bones snapped and her eyes were glossed over and bleeding. She died in Lucas’s arms, a hero that only a few will ever truly know about. As far as death’s go, it one was the most heartbreaking next to Eddie’s. But then, Max came back to life. Her heart stopped beating for a full minute before it restarted in what doctors call “a miracle.” We know, however, that Eleven used her powers to resuscitate Max. Unfortunately, the injuries were intense and she’s now in a coma. It’s not known when she’ll wake up, if ever… and the battle for Hawkins, and the world, inches closer. For this reason, Max stays on the list. 

Jason also died in a gory scene, but honestly, there was nothing more satisfying than seeing him burn in half right after he tried to kill Lucas. The ego on that dude was next level, so he had it coming. Also RIP Chrissy, Fred, and the 22 and counting other souls that died in the mysterious and seismic earthquake that unexpectedly hit Hawkins. A natural disaster it was not! Not to mention all the Russians who fell victim to the Demogorgon and the Demodogs…. they, too, had it coming,

There’s no one you spend more time conversing with on a daily basis than your co-workers. 

The people you work with directly and remotely are some of the most important people in your life, even if you’ve never met them in real life (thanks, Zoom!). 

To mark the launch of the Stranger Things Season 4, Frank Recruitment Group got thinking about how Stranger Things’ lovable gang of misfits can be found in our own workplaces. What would the characters of this beloved TV show be getting up to if they were transported from the dual setting of a small Midwestern town/monster-ridden hellscape to your average office environment?

Using the Myers-Briggs test—a personality categorization methodology employed by a huge number of businesses worldwide—Frank Recruitment Group has matched your favorite Stranger Things characters up with ten of the most common personality types found in offices across the globe today.

Is your desk-mate an Eleven or a Mike? Recognize anyone from your own workplace? You can even apply these to yourself! 

The Joyce

Myers-Briggs Type: The Defender (ISFJ)

The office caregiver. Caring, thoughtful, and worries about their colleagues. Brings in baked goods for everyone, although they’re usually burnt.  Their pride and strong work ethic make them a valuable addition to any team, and they’re known to go to great (read: unusual) lengths to get the best results. Their deep investment in both their work and their colleagues can leave them a little frazzled sometimes, so make sure you’re looking after them the way they look out for you. They’re also the one who puts up all the holiday decorations. Big fan of fairy lights.

The Hopper

Myers-Briggs Type: The Virtuoso (ISTP)

Practical. Down to earth. Most likely found next to the coffee machine. A born, if sometimes reluctant, commander and protective of their team. The Hopper is a no-nonsense, learn-by-doing type who leads from the front, and won’t get caught asking their colleagues to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. The Hopper gets things done, even if they tend to work to their own schedule. Don’t bother setting up any meetings with them before lunchtime; they will not attend. Willing to bend the rules if it means doing the right thing (like going over corporate’s head or breaking into a morgue), and probably needs to put a little more effort into their work-life balance.

The Eleven

Myers-Briggs Type: The Entrepreneur (ESTP)

Cautious, principled, and fiercely loyal. The Eleven can be unpredictable, but when they channel their white-hot passion into their work, you see their exceptional talents shine. The Eleven is a true natural with heaps of determination and resilience. A fast learner, they’ll often have had an unconventional path into their role, and are always eager to listen and develop as a result. Remember, friends don’t lie; they also don’t eat other people’s lunch from the communal fridge.

The Mike

Myers-Briggs Type: The Advocate (INFJ)

Open-minded and sensitive, The Mike has a strong moral compass and a commitment to doing right by others. Their optimism can occasionally get them in over their heads, but they’re mature enough to admit when they’re wrong and learn from those around them. They’re extremely dedicated to their work and will stick with a project even when it looks totally doomed. A bit of a romantic, they’re known to harbor the occasional office crush.

The Dustin

Myers-Briggs Type: The Entertainer (ESFP)

The office clown, their gung-ho nature and goofy charm make them well-liked around the office. Not necessarily the safest pair of hands, their heart is always in the right place. Even though they don’t always make the best decisions, they’re truly the soul of the team. Someone accidentally set fire to the shared microwave? It was probably The Dustin (again).

The Will

Myers-Briggs Type: The Mediator (INFP)

The Will tends to be quiet, but incredibly passionate about what they do. Often underestimated, they might not always speak up in a group setting, but you can be sure that they’ve whipped up some great ideas behind the scenes. Resourceful and creative, they can be relied on to think outside of the box to find a solution to a challenge. Known to occasionally eat lunch in the bathroom.

The Lucas

Myers-Briggs Type: The Executive (ESTJ)

Logical, responsible, and a natural leader, level-headed Lucas is the first to come in with rationality and reason. They work hard and they like to maintain order wherever possible. A great foil to any Dustins on the team, The Lucas has high standards, thinks wisely about risk versus reward, and unlike many of their colleagues, can see the potential for chaos in making the office dog-friendly.

The Nancy

Myers-Briggs Type: The Consul (ESFJ)

A stickler for the rules, The Nancy always endeavors to be a gold star employee. They like to do things by the book and are motivated largely by their appreciation for recognition and approval, but that’s not to say they can’t stand up for themselves and their team when they have to. Studious, ambitious and driven, The Nancy’s intelligence and diligence are among their greatest strengths and make them an ideal colleague to have in your corner in a tight spot.

The Max

Myers-Briggs Type: The Logician (INTP)

Something of a dark horse around the office, The Max is terse, private, and often pessimistic. They may not always be the life of the office party, often opting to spend their free time on unconventional hobbies, but they are steadfast and brave when it comes to helping out their team and making bold choices. Don’t expect them to stop by your desk for a chat often, but you can bet they’ll be super loyal once you get to know them.

The Steve

Myers-Briggs Type: The Adventurer (ISFP)

Sociable, popular, and never seen to have a bad hair day, this chilled-out colleague has hidden talents. Though they may not necessarily appear to be a natural mentor, beneath their aloof exterior lies an unconventional authority figure. They have a soft spot for the underdogs on their team and will shed a little of their too-cool-for-school attitude to pitch in when needed. Perhaps their greatest strength is their ability to own their mistakes and their drive to grow and improve.

“Delving into these personality types gives us a really fascinating insight into the fantastic diversity of the modern workplace, the ways we can work together with our colleagues, and the strengths they each bring to our teams,” said Zoë Morris, President at Frank Recruitment Group.

“Inspiration and motivation at work come in so many forms, from your favorite TV shows to a co-worker who always goes that extra mile for their team, and I’ve no doubt that this new series will bring us more valuable life lessons. From Eleven’s loyalty and Joyce’s perseverance to Will’s creativity and Dustin’s enthusiasm, I think we can all take something away from StrangerThings to empower us to be our best selves in our professional lives.”

“Also, I can only hope this exercise helps settle any arguments about who gets to be Eleven at the next office Halloween party.”

Share your results in the comments below!