Stranger Things: Jim Hopper is the best TV Dad

Stranger Things’ Jim Hopper is the best TV dad

Father’s Day is here, and Stranger Things’ Jim Hopper has become the best dad on television.

That’s right Stranger Things fans; Hopper has made his way to the top of the throne as far as being the best dad on TV. At the very least, an argument can be made to back that theory up. Let’s take a dive into why that is!

When we are first introduced to Hopper in season 1 of the Netflix series, he’s passed out on his couch in his messy trailer with empty beer bottles on the coffee table. That’s followed up with heavy cigarette smoking, pill-popping, and more beer to wash the pills down.

Not quite the look you want or expect from the Sherriff of Hawkins, Indiana let alone “the best dad on TV.” But at that moment in time, we didn’t know Hopper used to have a daughter named Sara who passed away from cancer. We didn’t know his wife Diane left him after the death of their daughter.

As soon as we found all of that out, things started to make sense. Pieces to the puzzle and reasons as to why Hopper was the way he was started to come together.

In season 1, we saw that Hopper loved to be the guy in charge and lead with conviction. From day one, he always looked out for the kids and really everybody around him despite the image he portrayed in the beginning.

But what changed? What changed with Hopper that turned him into a better person and eventually a great father?

Eleven.

Hopper left Eggos in the woods, and Eleven came into his life.

As we saw in season 2, Hopper was hiding Eleven in his cabin in the woods away from the people at Hawkins Lab and everybody in Hawkins period, including Mike, who had tried to contact Eleven every night for 353 days.

Whether you agreed with Hopper hiding Eleven, and despite Eleven getting angry at him for doing so, it was to keep her safe and away from danger. Eleven changed Hopper’s life for the better. He opened up his heart to her and showed true affection as a father.

So what makes Hopper the “best dad on TV?”

It’s no secret that Hopper hasn’t always made the right decisions when it came to Eleven, but over time, we’ve seen Hopper grow. We’ve seen him become a loving father figure not only to Eleven but all of the kids. That’s why Hopper has become the most beloved character in Stranger Things.

His growth from season 1 to season 3 was nothing short of mind-blowing. We, as fans, tend to attach ourselves with the troubled characters on shows for a few reasons.

The main reason that we do that is that a lot of us, if not all of us, have been at a low point in our life. We’ve felt the same kind of pain and darkness that Hopper felt, despite how different the circumstances may have been. We connect with those characters also because we want to see the end story, the growth.

Unfortunately, we don’t always get that, but with Hopper, we did!

Hopper has a unique loving connection with Eleven that is greatly appreciated by the fans and that is on full display in season 3. The letter from Hopper to Eleven says it all. It breaks down every emotional connection he has to Eleven and it’s nothing but pure love.

With all that was said, the love Hopper has displayed, the growth he has accomplished, and for the simple fact he would, and was willing to give his life for not only Eleven and the kids, but the people of Hawkins period makes Jim Hopper the best Dad on TV!

We can’t wait to see what season 4 has in store for Hopper and the rest of the gang!

Be sure to stay tuned for all updates and news on Stranger Things season 4!