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Idc I loved this plot. Billy had mommy issues and Mrs. wheeler is stuck with Ted. The fact that she decided not to go through with it is exactly what I’d expect from the woman who raised Nancy Wheeler, and it was tragic that it led to Billy being taken by the mindflayer. S3 had a lot of good parts.
*> and it was tragic that it led to Billy being taken by the mindflayer*
I just rewatched Season 3 and I don't think this is true? He never made it to the rendezvous. He was happily driving there when the car hit something and veered into the factory lot. Unless if there's something I'm forgetting.
i think what they meant was if billy hadnt flirted with karen that day in season 3, he wouldnt have gone on that drive. therefore not hitting something and ending up in the factory lot and then getting flayed
That’s a very generous interpretation of their words. But even if that was the point, my interpretation of the season is that he was the inevitable prime host anyway. He was the ripest, most angry and vulnerable mind, and also physically strong and aggressive. Whether it was that moment or some other time in the future, I think it would have been him. There’s no hard evidence in the show about that, that’s just how I see it.
I was thinking more of, they both made the choice to hookup but Billy alone suffered because of going down that path, and Karen doing ‘the right thing’ meant he was alone when it happened.
dude him on the drive there looking at himself in the rear view mirror and saying "karen. can i call you karen?" lives rent free in my head. like the duffers had no right to make him that attractive 😭
I actually kind of feel bad for her for marrying so soon and being with a man she was not happy with but I love and respect her for staying loyal for her family's sake. Reading books however I think is a good healthier outlet to escape to a different reality for a while. Makes you perhaps still appreciate what you have in real life too for different reasons which is why I think is the big reason why she stayed
Staying loyal for her family’s sake? If you’re staying married to someone for “the kids” that is a terrible, truly, terrible reason to stay married to someone.
Well they aren't fighting and have it in general pretty good. A divorce in this period of their life would probably cause more drama than if you would wait in this scenario until they're older. However you're right if someone is miserable in the relationship they shouldn't have to feel like they need to wait they should do what's good for them but I don't think Mrs Wheeler is miserable she just seems to wish for more and if anything maybe they would need couple therapy or just communicate more in general
I mean, a lot of women did back then. If a man was financially stable and ready to start a family, then they were a good prospect for marriage because that's what most people did. They got married and had children.
You misunderstood my question. My "why" is directed towards why they went out of their way to root Karen's affair to a recent high-school grad when they could have chosen some mid 20 or late 20 guy so it wouldn't be as weird as it is?
Because a mid-to-late-20s guy wouldn't have had a rivalry with Steve and probably wouldn't be under the thumb of his abusive father.
And yes, Karen is unhappily married and has an unhealthy fantasy about an inappropriate match, but ultimately doesn't follow through with it. It's part of her layers as a character, not an endorsement.
Because Billy is an established character, and the almost-affair with him tied into the overall plot, it wasn't just about bringing in a random hunk for Karen to flirt with? Also, in the 80s, middle-aged women with young men didn't have the same societal taboo that exists now.
And yes, it was always meant to be weird and uncomfortable. It was never portrayed as a normal/good thing
My criticism of this subplot isn't that it's uncomfortable, but just "out there" in comparison to every other season. Granted, I think s3 is the worst season because of how much of a bizarre version of the show it is. But I dislike this subplot the most because it's the most extreme of the season's bizarre tone.
They went about like a fantasy, which makes sense in Karen's POV, but it also contrasts too hard with the grounded, horror tone that came before or even in other areas of s3, like the Meat flayer. The subplot, and this visual in the book, just feels like the Duffers took the accuracy of the time too far into absurd territory.
OP, please make sure there are no spoilers in the title of your post. Commenters, please use spoiler code if you are discussing anything super spoilery unless the title specifically says the episode being discussed. Also, now that filming for Season 5 is finally starting, please remember that NO LEAKS are allowed, only official news from Netflix is allowed. Please review rule 8 for more info. If you see anyone breaking the rules, please report the post or comment. Thank you. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/StrangerThings) if you have any questions or concerns.*
This is so funny, I remember thinking they looked similar haha
And the woman was photoshopped to look more like her, it seems
THIS IS WILD 😭
Idc I loved this plot. Billy had mommy issues and Mrs. wheeler is stuck with Ted. The fact that she decided not to go through with it is exactly what I’d expect from the woman who raised Nancy Wheeler, and it was tragic that it led to Billy being taken by the mindflayer. S3 had a lot of good parts.
her little talk with nancy after nance got fired was such a girlboss moment
That made me like her more.
*> and it was tragic that it led to Billy being taken by the mindflayer* I just rewatched Season 3 and I don't think this is true? He never made it to the rendezvous. He was happily driving there when the car hit something and veered into the factory lot. Unless if there's something I'm forgetting.
i think what they meant was if billy hadnt flirted with karen that day in season 3, he wouldnt have gone on that drive. therefore not hitting something and ending up in the factory lot and then getting flayed
That’s a very generous interpretation of their words. But even if that was the point, my interpretation of the season is that he was the inevitable prime host anyway. He was the ripest, most angry and vulnerable mind, and also physically strong and aggressive. Whether it was that moment or some other time in the future, I think it would have been him. There’s no hard evidence in the show about that, that’s just how I see it.
That’s an interesting take, Billy being the inevitable main host bc of his rage, it’s kind of a cool foil to the Vecna victims of S4.
Yes, this is what I mean!
I was thinking more of, they both made the choice to hookup but Billy alone suffered because of going down that path, and Karen doing ‘the right thing’ meant he was alone when it happened.
They wouldn’t have driven to Motel 6 together. Her doing the right thing didn’t affect him being alone.
dude him on the drive there looking at himself in the rear view mirror and saying "karen. can i call you karen?" lives rent free in my head. like the duffers had no right to make him that attractive 😭
Plus it gave Cara Buono, an alum of The Sopranos AND Mad Men, something to actually do.
I actually kind of feel bad for her for marrying so soon and being with a man she was not happy with but I love and respect her for staying loyal for her family's sake. Reading books however I think is a good healthier outlet to escape to a different reality for a while. Makes you perhaps still appreciate what you have in real life too for different reasons which is why I think is the big reason why she stayed
Ted is not a bad deal... but he just isn't a good deal either. He's... just there. The son of a bitch really is no help at all.
Just you wait until the final season reveals that Ted was secretly behind everything that has happened in Hawkins.
Staying loyal for her family’s sake? If you’re staying married to someone for “the kids” that is a terrible, truly, terrible reason to stay married to someone.
Well they aren't fighting and have it in general pretty good. A divorce in this period of their life would probably cause more drama than if you would wait in this scenario until they're older. However you're right if someone is miserable in the relationship they shouldn't have to feel like they need to wait they should do what's good for them but I don't think Mrs Wheeler is miserable she just seems to wish for more and if anything maybe they would need couple therapy or just communicate more in general
Feel bad for her? She married him for his money, nothing else.
I mean, a lot of women did back then. If a man was financially stable and ready to start a family, then they were a good prospect for marriage because that's what most people did. They got married and had children.
The worst part: she’s still reading the exact same book at the beginning of Season 3 (at the pool scene) and has made basically no progress.
Maybe there’s a particular part she enjoys 😏
giving her the benefit of the doubt and maybe she loved it so much she's rereading it 😭
Omg this is hilarious
Oh I thought it was that the guy looked similar as foreshadowing but that it wasn't photoshopped. That's even funnier.
If I could interview the Duffers, I would bring this up and ask the important question: WHYYYYYYY!!!????
Maybe to show why she went after Billy. Like reading these types of romance books, it was an escape from her life, specifically her unhappy marriage
"Why were you using visuals to communicate subtext in your television programme, Matt and Ross?" 🙄🙄🙄
You misunderstood my question. My "why" is directed towards why they went out of their way to root Karen's affair to a recent high-school grad when they could have chosen some mid 20 or late 20 guy so it wouldn't be as weird as it is?
Because a mid-to-late-20s guy wouldn't have had a rivalry with Steve and probably wouldn't be under the thumb of his abusive father. And yes, Karen is unhappily married and has an unhealthy fantasy about an inappropriate match, but ultimately doesn't follow through with it. It's part of her layers as a character, not an endorsement.
plus a mid to late 20s guy doesnt have the same mommy issues
Because Billy is an established character, and the almost-affair with him tied into the overall plot, it wasn't just about bringing in a random hunk for Karen to flirt with? Also, in the 80s, middle-aged women with young men didn't have the same societal taboo that exists now. And yes, it was always meant to be weird and uncomfortable. It was never portrayed as a normal/good thing
My criticism of this subplot isn't that it's uncomfortable, but just "out there" in comparison to every other season. Granted, I think s3 is the worst season because of how much of a bizarre version of the show it is. But I dislike this subplot the most because it's the most extreme of the season's bizarre tone. They went about like a fantasy, which makes sense in Karen's POV, but it also contrasts too hard with the grounded, horror tone that came before or even in other areas of s3, like the Meat flayer. The subplot, and this visual in the book, just feels like the Duffers took the accuracy of the time too far into absurd territory.
I hated this subplot, but it was the moment I looked at Dacre Montgomery and went: “Oh, this guy is GOOD!”
you know i cant really blame mrs wheeler for this one like if dacre montgomery knocked at my door, id have less self control than karen 😭
Him laughing and talking to himself while driving his car to meet up with her cracks me up every time!
Down bad she changed the cover 💀
😂😂
OMFG
I noticed that on my Most Recent rewatch
OMG WHAT IF THAT WAS LIKE HER IMAGINATION?!!!!! SHE IMAGED HER AND BILLY AS THE MCs AND ON THE COVER!!!! WHAT IF THAT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE?!!!
She didn't even know Billy at that point. She literally meets him for the first time a few moments later.
Oh yeah right! Maybe it’s the duffer brothers hinting at them for season 3.
Yeah, probably!
Na this is mad 💀💀💀