The creators of 'Stranger Things', Matt and Ross Duffer, have defended Will Byers' coming out scene after it sparked a wave of negative reviews. The episode, titled 'The Bridge', saw Noah Schnapp's character reveal he is gay to his friends before confronting the villain Vecna. It became the lowest-rated episode of the series on Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 5.6 out of 10 from 96,000 reviews.
Ross Duffer told Variety that the scene had been planned for nine years and was crucial for both the character and the actor. 'This show has always been about our characters overcoming evil, and in order to overcome this evil, Vecna, in so many ways, represents all the dark thoughts and the evil of society. And for our characters to overcome that, it really becomes about embracing themselves,' he said.
Matt Duffer added that the scene was 'the ultimate f— you to Vecna', as it represented self-acceptance and courage. He admitted the duo were surprised by the homophobic backlash, despite the long build-up. 'Because it is, as Ross said, something we've been building for a really long time. I always say, Ross and I are many things, but subtle is not one of those things!' he said.
The Duffers emphasised that Noah Schnapp's comfort was their priority. They wrote the scene with him in mind and he was deeply moved by it. 'He wrote us sobbing after he read it. So it really worked and resonated for him, which was great,' Matt said. Schnapp, who is gay in real life, has reportedly been in a 'really good place' since the episode aired.
Despite the review bombing, the creators remain proud of the episode and Schnapp's performance. 'We're proud of the episode, and we're proud of the scene, and proud of Noah, who gave a really brave, very vulnerable performance,' Ross said.
