10 things nobody wants to admit about Stranger Things

6. There’s too much body-shaming

I’ll just come out and say it: Stranger Things has a body-shaming problem, particularly when it comes to the character Jim Hopper. Throughout the show, Hopper is the target of weight-related jokes, and the topic gets brought up the most in season 4. Of course, after being held in the Russian prison, he loses a lot of weight. And instead of just commenting on it once or not at all, his appearance is brought up several times.

In the season 4 finale, Hopper and Mike reunite in an emotional scene, however, it’s cut short with the mention of Hopper having “shrunk.” Could the writers not come up with something better than that? It just feels weird. And I’m not the only one who feels this way, with a few publications covering the topic. Many fans may not realize these jokes are offensive, but nevertheless, they need to go.

5. Mike is actually a great character

Where does all of the Mike hate come from!? It’s totally unwarranted. Even Millie Bobby Brown was stunned to hear at a fan convention last summer that fans dislike the character. Though Mike isn’t perfect, he’s a child! And he and Eleven have the sweetest relationship. They may not always be on the same page, but they’re teenagers just trying to figure it out. Even when they have their ups and downs, they always come back to each other and defend one another when it’s most important.

Mike is a great friend who really treasures Will, Dustin, and Lucas, even if it sometimes feels like he prioritizes El over them. At the end of the day, he’s doing the best he can.