AlthoughStranger Thingsis about evil forces in a small town and there are a lot of action scenes, the hitNetflixseries has a few fan-favorite relationships. While viewers cheered when Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) began dating, there is something special between Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder).
It would be a shame ifStranger Thingsseason 5 focused on the action so much that this popular pair was neglected. Thefinal season may need some dark, action-packed momentsandStranger Thingsseason 5 is going to have a lot going on (and that’s an understatement). Still,Hopper and Joyce also need a proper resolution to their love story.
Joyce And Hopper Need To Have A Happy Ending In Stranger Things Season 5
If Joyce and Hopper aren’t still together in theStranger Thingsseason 5 finale, thenfans will be disappointed and won’t consider it a fully satisfying and happy conclusion. Many would agree that they are meant to be since they have been through so much together and care about each other. Although there will inevitably be ups and downs throughout the fifth season, it wouldn’t make sense to split them up for good or have the characters move away from Hawkins without each other. Althoughtime is of the essence inStranger Thingsseason 5, this pair is important to fans.
According toVariety, in 2023, David Harbour said on the podcastHappy Sad Confusedthat the end ofStranger Thingsis emotional. He explained:
“I know what it is. I know where we net out and it’s very, very moving. That is the term I will use.”
There willhopefully be a moving scene between Hopper and Joyce. After Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) is defeated and Hawkins is in good shape again, there needs to be at least one big scene between the couple. They should discuss their feelings and come up with a plan for the future. While it would be fun to see them make a fresh start and move somewhere new, they might feel nostalgic for the old Hawkins before Vecna andthe other scary creatures came. It would make sense if they settled down in Hawkins.
Harbour also said The Duffer Brothers make sure to “pay off” the character arcs. He said:
“I’m excited to really swing with this character, because you know they’re going to pay off these OG characters: Eleven, Hopper, Joyce, Will, Mike. They’re going to pay them off in big ways because they’ve lived with you for the past eight years.”
As Harbour suggested,the focus will be on the original characters who viewers love, and it would be odd if Joyce and Hopper’s arcs didn’t end with them finally committed to each other. WhenJoyce and Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) save Hopper, she proves she would do anything for him. Hopper has also sacrificed a lot for Joyce and he has shown that he cares about her family.
While there are plenty ofterribleStranger Thingsendings,it would be awful if these characters broke up or decided that there was no way that they could be together. Since their kids have gotten older and will likely leave Hawkins and the evil will probably be gone, there is no logical reason for Hopper and Joyce to be apart.
What Happened In Joyce And Hopper’s Stranger Things Relationship?
WhileJoyce and Hopper aren’t together throughout all four seasons ofStranger Things, it’s clear from season 1 that they like each other and have chemistry. They connect while looking for Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) when he disappears in the pilot episode, and they get to know each other even more in season 2. Before and after meeting and becoming friends with Joyce,Hopper says some hilarious quotes. He’s a bit of a comic relief character who wants to protect his small town but has been beaten down by life. But it’s through his connection with Joyce that he shows his vulnerability.
Joyce and Hopper’s relationship truly begins in season 3, but of course, they don’t have an easy journey. But while they’re supposed to go on their first date early on in the season, Joyce doesn’t take it seriously and misses it. They go on their first date in the last episode of season 3 and then, in season 4, Joyce goes to Russia to find Hopper. When they kiss, fans cheer them on because they hoped for that for so long.Stranger Thingsseason 5 needs to be even betterthan season 4, and it needs to give Joyce and Hopper a proper send-off.
