The final season of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things has sparked intense debate among viewers, with fans sharply divided over a pivotal scene addressing Will Byers' feelings for his best friend Mike Wheeler.
The Cryptic Scene Dividing Fans
Following the release of Stranger Things season five's first volume on Thursday 27 November 2025, one particular moment has become the centre of fan speculation. The scene shows Robin Buckley, played by Maya Hawke, observing Will and Mike engaged in conversation, with her wistful smile suggesting she recognises Will's unrequited romantic feelings.
This moment appears to confirm what many viewers have suspected since the show's early seasons - that Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, harbours romantic feelings for his friend Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard. The potential romance, dubbed "Byler" by fans, has been a popular theory throughout the series' run.
Robin's Pivotal Advice to Will
In a later scene that has proven equally controversial, Robin shares a personal anecdote with Will about her own experience with unrequited love. She recounts falling for a girl named Tammy Thompson and how she eventually realised she needed to find self-worth within herself rather than seeking validation through others.
"I found this 8mm film reel - it was a silly movie I made in the fourth grade," Robin tells Will. "I got it up on the projector and all of a sudden, I was looking at this little version of myself. And this little me, I could hardly recognise her. She was so carefree and fearless. She just loved every part of herself."
Robin's speech continues: "That's when it hit me - it wasn't ever about Tammy; it was always about me. I was looking for answers in someone else, but I had all the answers. I just needed to stop being so goddamn scared - scared of who I really was. Once I did that, I felt so free."
Fans Clash Over Interpretation
The fandom has split into two distinct camps regarding these scenes. Some viewers believe Robin's expression during the Will-Mike conversation clearly indicates she recognises Will's feelings aren't reciprocated.
One Reddit user expressed frustration, writing: "People are NOT GETTING IT!!! Robin's face while Will and Mike were talking, WAS NOT POSITIVE!!! It was a face of pity because she KNOWS that Mike doesn't have the same feelings."
Another fan agreed, stating: "It could not be more obvious that is what was happening. I was so confused when I opened X, and somehow Bylers are taking this as a win?"
However, dedicated Byler supporters remain convinced the storyline isn't over yet. They argue that Robin's advice actually sets up a character breakthrough for Will, who later uses this self-realisation to resist Vecna's manipulation and save Mike.
The debate echoes comments made by the actors in previous years. In 2022, Noah Schnapp told Variety that the Duffer brothers had intentionally kept Will's sexuality ambiguous, saying: "I think that's the beauty of it, that it's just up to the audience's interpretation."
Meanwhile, Finn Wolfhard told Attitude that if Mike were revealed to have romantic feelings for Will, the storyline wouldn't feel "earned."
With the next batch of episodes scheduled for release on Boxing Day and the final episode dropping on New Year's Day, fans won't have long to wait for answers to one of Stranger Things' most enduring mysteries.
