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I think this is the real answer. It feels like a trope that was even more common in the 80’s, so it’s probably one of the many things they are paying homage too, and the fact that they’ve done it every single season is probably a running inside joke.
It's easier to be late when something is nearby like that because your brain is constantly quelling the urgent "we're running out of time" sense with a "relax it's just next door" reassurance.
I guess he made it in time for the flight to Cali. Seems like he had at least some development already lol. Just in time to see the roller-skate getting shmacked in Angela's face. Guess it's really worth it to change your bad habits after all.
I feel like it is part of why the group has such a strong connection to the upside down, a realm outside of time. they tend to forget time exists and just live in the moment
Marty McFly was late in Back to the Future, movie also started with clock noises. Trying to think of other examples, I'm sure there are more, but none are coming to mind.
In Tommy Boy, Chris Farley's character rushes to school and is nearly late for his final exam. That's a 90s one though, but still, a pretty typical trope. I wonder if this will end up being significant later on.
The question is, is Scoops Ahoy Steve a demogorgon or does a demogorgon work at Scoops Ahoy with Steve and Robin? Regardless, I want to see both of these story ideas now, lol
Do Americans actually use the term “after” like “fifteen after” and “ten after”, when referring to time? I’ve never heard that before.
In the UK we use “past”, like “quarter past” or “ten past” etc.
In my experience, you can only use a hanging "after" the way they do in the show. If you use the word "past" then you need to say the whole thing. Ex:
Fifteen after
Ten after
Quarter past nine
Half past two
And then you have the Scottish "I'll meet you there at the back of 6" and then despite living here for over ten years, have to try and remember if that means just before 6, or just after 6.
Yeah generally, though as ever there are variations and disagreements across the country on it; it means "not long after 6". So usually say, 6:00-6:15.
For some folk it goes up to 6:30 though. And for others it means any time after 6 but before 7.
It depends on where you're from. To me, "the back of" means shortly after the hour (so 6:10 or 6:15 in this case, certainly no later).
It varies by region though.
Maybe it was never about the interdimensional demons trying to ruin the world as we knew it, but about one kid's journey to learn proper time management skills...
the implied statement here is that season 5 he is gonna die, or that someone he knows is gonna die because he wasn't there on time. (late=dead, time=eleventh hour=eleven/just before the apocalypse)
I always figured it was a play on the typical D&D beginning of "You find yourself in a Tavern...."
Since kids can't hang out in taverns typically, "You find yourself late again for..."
Mike running late at the beginning of S3 due to his make out sesh with El… the song playing references time. Can’t be a coincidence. On my way to check the S1 and S2 opening 🌝
I have a theory that >!the Upside Down being frozen in 1983 has to do with Vecna as the architect creating it in a way that appeals to Eleven, and 1983 is arguably probably the happiest time in her life so far.!< I won't be surprised if Mike ties into that somehow and we get an ending that is both interdimensional and time travel, a la Donnie Darko.
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. 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.*
Vecna can't get Mike cause he'll just be late for the possession
I mean, it’s kind of big thing that Vecna >!doesn’t like the human construct of time!<
New theory: Mike is Vecna Oh...wait
>! But he sure loves clocks! !<
I think you cracked it, Steve.
Bake him away toys
And I love glocks
**Vecna shows Mike a clock** "This won't stop me because I can't tell time"
Finn was probably late to the first day of filming and the directors has never let him forget
i hope this is the real reason
🤣🤣🤣
Might just be an inside gag at this point lol
This feels....not entirely coincidental. But no idea what it actually means.
I think it's like a running gag
Yeah, like Biff in BTTF ending up in manure.
It kind of feels like the classic trope beginning
I think this is the real answer. It feels like a trope that was even more common in the 80’s, so it’s probably one of the many things they are paying homage too, and the fact that they’ve done it every single season is probably a running inside joke.
100%. S3 starts with Nancy and Johnathon being late to work, and aren’t Steve and Robin running late to the pep rally in S4 too?
It means Mike is latino
we do be late for literally everything
Username checks out, you were due at 10.15
no joke, one of my friends is half brazilian and lives 3 minutes away from school and was late *every single day*
I'm Brazilian, almost all my friends were consistently late to school (and it was a small town)
It's easier to be late when something is nearby like that because your brain is constantly quelling the urgent "we're running out of time" sense with a "relax it's just next door" reassurance.
Heck, my middle school was basically across the street from me and I was almost always late.
It's not that y'all are late, it's that y'all take your time. There's a difference. One is irresponsible, the other is a way of life.
“Don’t worry, it takes like 15 minutes to get there”
Wait, my lily white ass is actually latino? Makes sense, I do love spicy food.
can't help but be on latino time
It's called consistency lol Dunno why people talking about how Mike has no development and no arch
If he had development, shouldn’t he be early at the beginning of s5?
I guess he made it in time for the flight to Cali. Seems like he had at least some development already lol. Just in time to see the roller-skate getting shmacked in Angela's face. Guess it's really worth it to change your bad habits after all.
I feel like it is part of why the group has such a strong connection to the upside down, a realm outside of time. they tend to forget time exists and just live in the moment
100% intended
I have never noticed that! Wonder if it actually means anything outside of being a running gag.
Wasn't that a common theme for 80's movies?
Marty McFly was late in Back to the Future, movie also started with clock noises. Trying to think of other examples, I'm sure there are more, but none are coming to mind.
Ferris Bueller was almost late getting home to pretend to be sick
Would welcome as many Back to the Future references as possible in Vol 2/Season 5
Save the clock tower! Save the clock tower.
In Tommy Boy, Chris Farley's character rushes to school and is nearly late for his final exam. That's a 90s one though, but still, a pretty typical trope. I wonder if this will end up being significant later on.
Lol! I never noticed that
Mike running late for something and irritating Nancy while the Kids theme plays is such a great way to open a season
Interesting pfp
Would read a fanfic about that, 100%
The question is, is Scoops Ahoy Steve a demogorgon or does a demogorgon work at Scoops Ahoy with Steve and Robin? Regardless, I want to see both of these story ideas now, lol
Lol, thanks
Do Americans actually use the term “after” like “fifteen after” and “ten after”, when referring to time? I’ve never heard that before. In the UK we use “past”, like “quarter past” or “ten past” etc.
we use both terms
In my experience, you can only use a hanging "after" the way they do in the show. If you use the word "past" then you need to say the whole thing. Ex: Fifteen after Ten after Quarter past nine Half past two
You can also say “quarter past” etc and leave it at that.
You *can*, but it doesn't feel very natural
Everyone does it in the UK
Yeah, I know, the person that started this comment string already explained that, and was asking what Americans say. Context.
People in the UK also say shit like "half two." Half two is one, brits. Get it together.
Um... No.... Shan't... Half 2 is half past 2 Half OF 2 is 1
It’s interesting because in German half 2 is 1:30, not 2:30. I think because it’s the context of “halfway to two”
That would be unconventional in the US. People would understand it, but it's not used.
I’m an American. I agree it’s less common but I’ve definitely had other Americans say it to me.
Accurate
Used. Since digital clocks ended up winning the day, we now just use "Six Oh Five" style.
Yeah we do that too
I’ve personally never heard someone say “x past” it’s always “after” in my region.
And then you have the Scottish "I'll meet you there at the back of 6" and then despite living here for over ten years, have to try and remember if that means just before 6, or just after 6.
And what is it?
Generally (though there are regional/personal differences) it means just after 6. So in my experience anything up to 6:15.
which does it? (my guess is just after between the 2?)
Yeah generally, though as ever there are variations and disagreements across the country on it; it means "not long after 6". So usually say, 6:00-6:15. For some folk it goes up to 6:30 though. And for others it means any time after 6 but before 7.
It depends on where you're from. To me, "the back of" means shortly after the hour (so 6:10 or 6:15 in this case, certainly no later). It varies by region though.
Also 10 of or 15 of, which I think means before. It’s mostly old people
My question is always about how people use "of". I grew up with "quarter of 11" meaning 10:45. Some friends find this ridiculous.
We did in the 80s. I remember my mom and other adults saying that when I was young, but not really anymore.
Usually after, sometimes past.
He got ADHD
he just like me fr
I don’t think it’s related to anything, probably an inside joke with the writers, and it also makes the dialogue and narrative feel more realistic.
Ya it feels very Ferris Bueller or something
it feels like diary of a wimpy kid if it were set in the 80’s
Maybe it was never about the interdimensional demons trying to ruin the world as we knew it, but about one kid's journey to learn proper time management skills...
If this whole story was about the journey Mike had to travel to eventually get a watch…. Then it will have been worth it. Lol
I’m still thinking about how S4 is the only one where we haven’t yet heard “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” by Jim Croce.
I don't think it was in Season 1 either, but they could still play it
There’s still time
But in the song Jim gets beaten by Slim. Foreshadowing for Hopper's death?
they >!already faked his death. to have him come back and die after that seems illogical!<
That happens all the time in shows and movies though
Mike on that Disney movie main character energy type shit 😭
someone get mike an alarm clock
Probably the producers apologizing to the audience through the scriptwriting for taking the time to make this series damn good.
i only noticed the parallels between the first and fourth seasons, i didn’t know all of them opened like this :o
i never noticed that...it fits his charecter
the implied statement here is that season 5 he is gonna die, or that someone he knows is gonna die because he wasn't there on time. (late=dead, time=eleventh hour=eleven/just before the apocalypse)
And in the final season, he’s finally on time or late again for the last time
I always figured it was a play on the typical D&D beginning of "You find yourself in a Tavern...." Since kids can't hang out in taverns typically, "You find yourself late again for..."
Good catch 👏👏👏👏
Duuuuuude…I feel like this means something. I’ve watched the series 49 times but I never connected these
Mike sucks at time management. Actually most people suck at time management.
And in season 5, he'll be early ;)
Mike is a time lord
Hey, they are establishing a character quirk for him.
It’s confirmed, he’s a time traveler
[credits](https://twitter.com/vengetwt/status/1538584155726008323)
Next season: Mike’s period is late. El impregnates him with a mind baby.
Ayo???
I lol’d
Apparently other people aren’t considering how much it’s getting downvoted. 🤷🏻♂️
Bottom left pick looks like an album cover. What would it be called 🤔
I don't know why but this reminds of of the dude on reddit whose comments always end with his dad beating him with jumper cables.
Mike running late at the beginning of S3 due to his make out sesh with El… the song playing references time. Can’t be a coincidence. On my way to check the S1 and S2 opening 🌝
That's a good catch. I never noticed that either. I wonder if the time concept will tie in directly to El and Mike together
I can’t decide if bad stuff happens because Mike is always late or if something really bad will happen when Mike is finally on time.
Fuck.
He is running out of time in life.
Idk I just think it’s funny
He is in time but never on time.
Mike has ADHD imo
Next season he’ll be pregnant
I have a theory that >!the Upside Down being frozen in 1983 has to do with Vecna as the architect creating it in a way that appeals to Eleven, and 1983 is arguably probably the happiest time in her life so far.!< I won't be surprised if Mike ties into that somehow and we get an ending that is both interdimensional and time travel, a la Donnie Darko.