Stranger Things might be full of government experiments and terrifying monsters but that doesn’t mean young love isn’t blooming! Such is the love between Eleven, a young girl with telepathic powers, and Mike Wheeler, a nerdy high schooler. Let’s take a trip down memory lane between our favorite Hawkins couple, shall we? Warning: spoilers ahead.
Mike and Eleven have been Stranger Things‘ most solid couple since season 1. They’ve been separated by supernatural forces and Demogorgan matters before, as well as a temporary breakup during season 3 when Mike was pulling away from El because Hopper had threatened him. The show has always seemed to put the two of them at its center, even when the other couples separate. That’s why it’s so surprising that in season 4, the couple run into issues after El accuses Mike of not loving her anymore as they work around their long-distance relationship.
“I can’t imagine long-distance in the ’80s,” joked Finn Wolfhard, who plays Will, to Collider. “I could not imagine.” Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, added, “I think it was like, ‘See you when I see you.'”
And although season 4, volume 1 leaves off with Mike and El separating due to matters out of their own hand — supernatural forces and Demogorgan matters once again — Finn and Millie say there is no lack of love between them.
“There’s an effort there that Mike and Eleven, because they’re so in love, and they love each other so much, and they’ve gone through so much together,” explained Finn. “That’s what’s so beautiful about [it]. It’s that they don’t have [a] normal life and this is the way that it is for them and that’s what makes it so special.”
Millie also explained that although the couple is sure to face some issues, she doesn’t think a breakup is in the works for the two. “It’s like they’re married and there’s no option of divorce,” she said. “So it’s like, it’s inevitable. They’ll always be together. And you get to see some real relationship issues that they both have to face this season, which I think is really funny, and it’s very comedic, but it’s also very real.” Phew!
Scroll down to relive the iconic love story between Eleven and Mike throughout the seasons.
Love J-14? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun, exclusive videos with your favorite stars.
In season 1, Finn allows Eleven to stay at his house after saving her from Hawkins Lab. He provided meals for her every day and even built her a pillow fort! He was the first of his friends to trust El and eventually falls in love with her.
In the season 1 finale, Mike invited Eleven to be his date to the Snow Ball, which she happily accepts. He tries to explain that he likes her more than a friend, and when she didn’t understand what he was trying to say, he kissed her in an attempt to demonstrate his love for her.
They were eventually found by the “bad men” and also the Demogorgon, which Eleven defeats after (seemingly) sacrificing herself, leaving Mike devastated. Tough luck, buddy.
She’s alive! In season 2, Mike discovers Eleven has survived her ordeal with the Demogorgon and has been living with Hopper this entire time. They have their dance moment at the Snow Ball, kiss and all is well … for now.
Photo by Netflix/Kobal/Shutterstock
Season 3 is Eleven and Will’s most hormonal season yet. The pair cannot stop kissing each other and closing El’s door, much to Hopper’s dismay. This eventually leads to Hopper threatening Mike, who then pulls away from El.
After being pushed away by Mike, Eleven breaks up with him and spends some much-needed girl time with her new BFF Max. They later reconcile after Mike reveals that he only avoided Eleven because Hopper had threatened him and tells El he loves her which she reciprocates.
Too bad another Demogorgon attack leads to Eleven moving away from Hawkins with the Byers family at the end of season 3. This couple just can’t catch a break!
In the opening scene of season 4, Eleven writes to Mike from California about how amazing her new life is with the Byers. She lies about having a lot of friends so as to not worry Mike, when it’s really quite the opposite. He quickly discovers the lie after visiting her during spring break, after an ugly altercation with some roller-skating bullies. He’s understandably upset with El, but she takes it to another level when El accuses him of not loving her anymore.
After their fight, Eleven is whisked away by top secret government entities. Don’t you hate it when that happens?
J-14 has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.
J-14 is part of the A360 Media Entertainment Group. Copyright © A360 Media LLC 2022. All Rights Reserved