Stranger Things' Will Mystery Hurts Its Perfect Robin Story

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4

Will Byers' character is actually hurting a key part of Robin's story in Stranger Things. Robin Buckley is still a fairly new character in the Stranger Things cast, only being introduced in season 3 as Steve's co-worker at Scoops Ahoy. Yet, she's still had a huge impact on the show and has become a key asset, partly due to her wonderful story. How Will has been handled in Stranger Things, though, overshadows the work done with Robin.

While some shows are bettering their on-screen representation in of straying away from heteronormative characters, there is still a long way to go. Netflix is making strides in inclusivity, such as its "Representation Matters" line of work, but LGBTQ+ representation in media is still important, and there's always room for improvement. Unfortunately, despite Stranger Things' best efforts, this is the case for the show, and Will's ambiguous story is actually detrimental to Robin's story, and to audiences.

The reluctance of Stranger Things to confirm Will as LGBTQ+ overshadows how wonderful Robin's story is. Robin came out to Steve in season 3 of Stranger Things in one of the show's most touching moments, and Steve, a previous high-school popular jock (and, sometimes, jerk) accepted her and has been a strong ally ever since. Robin's perfect story, though, is hurt by the fact that Will's sexuality remains an ambiguous ploy. It's been said that Will's sexuality is beautiful because of its ambiguity, but in fact, it takes away from much-needed representation, and simply reads as an easy way to please all parties.

Stranger Things Marybeth McNulty Vickie Maya Hawke Robin

Will's LGBTQ+ sexuality has been hinted at even from episode 1 of Stranger Things, as Joyce tells Hopper that Will's dad has taunted him his entire childhood for acting ''queer.'' In an argument where Will feels abandoned by Mike, who has been increasingly absent with his new girlfriend Eleven, Mike says to him, ''it's not my fault you don't like girls.'' Finally, in season 4, Will's school project is based on historical gay legend Alan Turing, and he has been working on a mysterious painting for Mike. It's been hinted at for many years, thus the reluctance to confirm Will's sexuality whilst bread-crumbing audiences seems like an easy way to play both sides without actually taking a stance.

However, Stranger Things hasn't shied away from Robin's sexuality in the slightest, and has made it as perfect as it could be. Her coming out to mistake of Will Byers' purposefully vague sexuality.

With how well-written and well-received Robin's story has been, it's odd that Stranger Things hasn't yet made Will's sexuality clear. That being said, Will has always been a shy, reserved, and awkward boy, more so than any of his friends. Therefore, he might take his time in coming out, despite the high likelihood that all of his friends and family would accept him. Hopefully, this is the case, and Stranger Things will soon make it evident that it understands the importance of clear representation.

Next: Does Amybeth McNulty's Stranger Things Character Return In Season 4?

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