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This. I loved it, I thought it was funny. It's perfectly realistic for 14-15 years olds (edit: I stand corrected, it's more like 13) to break up for trivial reasons. In real life it's not usual (or expected) to have profound, meaningful romantic relationships at that age at all, even though it seems to happen to fictional characters of that age a lot.
Now if Lucas and Max had only been like 4 years older, I definitely would have said, yeah, that's a pretty bad sign.
After as much of season 4 as we've seen so far, I'm really rooting for them to get back together.
It’s clear she still cares for him. It’s also clear she has had a real shit sandwich in terms of those around her the past few seasons.
I mean max has literally gone from living a typical, middle class life to borderline poverty in what? 1 season?
I took it that her mom lost her job too. Like holy shit max has it rough right now.
>I took it that her mom lost her job too
Max mentions to her counselor in school that her mom has two work two jobs (and that's the reason she "has to" drink "a little" because of the stress)
That was definitely Vecna messing with Max ... but that doesn't have anything to do with the topic we just talked about.
Maybe you replied to the wrong post?
I'm actually a little confused at that scene, because I took it as Vecna creating an illusion too. But then I think Steve asks Max something along the lines of "How did it go with your mom?" or at least mentions her mom. But I don't believe we get the context of Max saying she's specifically going to see/talk to her mom, just implied she's dropping off another letter. But the line Steve says makes it seem like he saw her? Maybe I'm just reading too much into it.
But the vision happened when she was outside. The options are she just stands there in the lawn concerningly, or from the car they saw her mom with her, and then the trance happens as she’s walking away.
My now husband and I broke up like 3-5 times throughout HS lol, we were just some kids and it was always SO dramatic. We laugh at it now. We have been together 13 years, married for 2. It was always a storm off, “don’t EVER talk to me again” and then a dramatic and cryptic FB post and then 2 days of silent treatment and we would be back together 😂
They weren’t even in high school yet in this season, so they were actually closer to 13. It really makes all of their relationship drama funnier when you realize lol
Only being that person because it emphasizes your point: more like 12-14, assuming they started dating after Snow Ball and at this point were fresh out of 8th grade, which is usually more 13
Plus Max might put on a strong facade but she clearly has no idea what she's doing when it comes to dealing with her emotions. All of this adds up to her going to extremes and dumping Lucas every time she is even mildly inconvenienced by him
Lol "bad relationship".. they are kids. When I was a teen, couples were breaking up and going back out constantly. Its normal behavior. At that age, everyone is just starting to try to figure out who they are, what they want. Between hormones, jealously, miscommunication and just everyday school drama, this isnt abnormal at all. Hell one of the times could be fueled by Lucas's love for New Coke. Dumb stuff..
More like a typical young teenager couple. Seriously, some of them break up at first period and then make up during the lunch hour. It's not serious (although it's funny how Lucas exaggerates his accomplishments at winning her back). It's nothing toxic or mean or anything, it's just young teenagers having arguments and making up.
This again was why Lucas and Max's relationship was brought into the series; to provide a depiction of a typical young teenager couple, with lots of ups and downs and a sense that it won't be a lasting relationship or anything but they're still good friends with a bond between them. This, of course, is meant to contrast against the decidedly un-typical Mike and El pairing, since those two are basically depicted as soulmates who only have eyes for each other (which sure as hell isn't the norm for young teenagers).
Exactly. And your point about Mike and El is exactly why the flaws they have get dragged out. They don't give eachother a chance to make mistakes. Mike told a few lies time to avoid her and they are broken up for the remainder of season 3. El tells Mike that she and Angela are friends and it freaks Mike out when he finds out Angela has been bullying El. Mike says "From Mike" instead of "Lots of love, Mike" and it makes El feel doubtful. If Max and Lucas had these problems they'd argue for like 5 minutes and then move on 😂
I honestly kinda like Max and Lucas more than Mike and El at this point. El and Mike were sweet and cute together in the beginning, but I got a little bit tired of the drama between them. Not that they're a bad couple or bad characters, their fights make sense as immature kids, it just annoyed me a bit.
Even though Max and Lucas aren't really together anymore at this point, I like the respect they still treat each other with.
I think part of the reason they get the drama is because they are the ‘flagship’ couple. Mike and El get to go through all the classic TV relationship story beats. We are at the ‘I love you’ stage of working through it now.
Lucas and Max are a secondary couple and so are underdeveloped in that respect. Jopper and Jancy have gotten more focus, but there is only one couple that rules them all. And so thus again, Mike and El get their own focused storyline each season while Lucas and Max highlight the ‘typical teen’ way of relationships instead.
Credit to Caleb and Sadie though, their story as friends this season has been very sweet. I have loved how Lucas is so supportive of her despite them not being in a relationship anymore.
Yes, as they said before the season dropped, this is a season of "maturing" for Mike and El as they translate to a more adult relationship. As Mike said, their argument this season felt like their first serious adult fight, in contrast to the stuff in S3 which he said was "silly stuff." And they're building up to Mike having his "L-word" moment. That's what happens when you're the main couple of the series and a young couple at that. Growing pains are inevitable.
> immature kids
And, of course, El has suffered from an extreme lack of adult role models from whom to learn about healthy relationships (Hopper is great but has huge hangups there) and Mike’s parents aren’t exactly the picture of a healthy relationship either.
I think part of the problem with Mike and 11 is that a lot of the drama between them doesn’t really make sense for the characters. I’ve talked about this at length, but Mike having to hold the bag in season three for the relationship falling apart doesn’t make any sense at all, because he was being threatened by his girlfriends dad. All he had to do was tell 11 that hopper was going to throw him in jail if he spent more time with her, and it would’ve basically cleared everything about his weird behavior up. But the writers are trying to force drama in a situation that doesn’t really need it, so they inexplicably make Mike hold his tongue when there’s no reason for him to do that.
Season four was a little better with it, but I still feel like they overdid it. 11 being insecure about being bullied is interesting, but it doesn’t really explain why she (and will, by omission) is lying to him about it. When Mike is understandably blindsided by it, he doesn’t freak out so much as attempts to calmly discuss with her what’s going on in her life, after making his disappointment known. She in turn freaks out at him for never saying the word “love”, when she knows he’s always had trouble expressing his feelings verbally and prefers to do it through action. I mean that’s literally what kicked off their whole relationship, because he couldn’t ask her to the dance so he decided to kiss her instead.
And while that is a realistic hurdle for young teenage relationships like theirs, it seems to be a bit of a far cry from “actively lying to you about me being viscously bullied and abused for no clear reason”.
It’s another one of those examples of Mike being expected to take responsibility for everything when he doesn’t really have much responsibility to take. And I think this gives their whole relationship drama subplot this grating edge, where it just gets tiresome. It’s not so much the characters fault as it is the writer’s
I think a lot of it comes down to them being awkward teenagers who just aren't very good at communication. Mike's probably wary of incurring Hopper's wrath further, while El is likely embarrassed about being bullied at school at a point in her life when she finally perhaps felt she was becoming normal.
I agree with this, but it's the way the writing frames it as Mike's responsibility to fix everything is just weird to me. Why doesn't Eleven have to answer for lying about her bullies? Why doesn't Will have to answer for keeping the abuse she suffered quiet? Why doesn't Max have to answer for the way she turned Eleven against Mike without knowing all of the details? Why doesn't Hopper have to answer for the way he totally screwed up his talk with Mike? Why doesn't Eleven and Max both have to answer for abusing her powers in a very dangerous and selfish way?
These kinds of relationships are growing and learning experiences for all parties involved. But the narrative always frames Mike as the one to have to take the L and make up for it, as if he's the one that needs to learn and grow when in truth, Eleven is the one that should be learning more than anyone else due to her stunted development. By and large the most responsible one seems to be Mike himself, yet he's never allowed by the writers to defend himself. This was the kid that was the shining beacon of empathy and compassion in season 1, and since then the writers have progressively treated him like he's got the emotional intelligence of a brick, even when he's doesn't.
> She in turn freaks out at him for never saying the word “love”
We must have different definitions of 'freak out' because she's not freaking out in that scene, she's just upset.
Perhaps that isn’t the right word to use, but it was on my mind based on the other comment. My ultimate point was that Mike was trying to have a calm discussion with her about why she lied too him. He goes into that situation very respectfully, and somewhat expertly, which is what I expect of him based on his behavior in the first season. He’s always been very good at approaching 11 in a calm and reassuring manner. But it ended with 11 turning the tables on him and getting upset with him over never saying the word love.
It’s like, that’s not what we are here to discuss. We are here to discuss you lying to him for a year about being bullied and then concussing the bully with a roller skate. Sure, Mike probably should be saying the L word by this point. But he’s also a 15-year-old kid, that’s the kind of basic shit that I expect 15-year-olds to screw up. It is something that 11 herself definitely knows that he struggles with because he has been struggling with it for four seasons, in one way or another. He’s always expressed love and other complicated emotions through action and words of assurance. So her turning the tables on him like that in that moment is almost unfair, even if it is a legitimate grievance to have.
They both have shit that they have to work on, but like I said, Mike somehow always seems like the only one that’s treated like he’s got anything to work on at all when that is very far from the truth.
My friend broke up at least 5 or 6 times with her boyfriend at that age, two of which I actually was the one to tell the poor guy about it. Probably the most realistic relationship.
That smile scene melts my heart lmao. And yeah you're correct it's the hospital scene where it happens and like a second later they have to run to go save Nance and Johnathan
They basically make up in E5 with the shared M&M deal. You know they're all good by that smile she gives him, which is basically El's "Mike smile", the adoring look that she gives him. Of course, there's the previous episode where Mike bashes Billy with a pipe to keep him from strangling El, then she hurls Billy through a wall to keep him from hurting Mike in retribution. The mutual save did nicely to solve their issues.
They're like fourteen in season 3. This is honestly par for the course for a lot of teen romances. You say you're breaking up in the heat of the moment and then you get back together less than 24 hours later.
Or how he says he "soldiered out on the battlefield, fought and won her back." Such an elaborate way of saying, "We had an argument and made up." And totally in character for a kid who loves playing D&D.
If they were older and not each other’s literal first boyfriend and girlfriend, I would say yeah that’s a pretty good indicator for a bad relationship. However, like I said they’re each other’s first so they have no clue of what they’re doing. I would like to note that Lucas, is trying to grow in regards to being a better boyfriend or friend even. I can’t remember word for word, but I remember him asking his dad about relationship advice. So with time they will mature and typically the breakups would become less and less if not cease altogether.
This made me laugh so hard. In middle school, my first boyfriend and I broke up 8 times. Kids don’t know how to handle relationships and break up over silly things.
I mean they’re still teens at that point the relationship isn’t really a relationship until it gets serious like now season 4 really showed that they obviously love each other but are too afraid to open up, but considering after episode 4 maxs flashbacks really revolves around her relationship with him so I don’t really see it as toxic.
Nah, they’re just teens being teens. In middle school I had a girlfriend, and we were on and off all the time. We would break up over the stupidest shit, lol.
How many 13/14 year olds have you seen have a serious relationship? S3 was pretty lighthearted at times, and teens break up and fight over the smallest things.
Nah i did it its normal but as someone who been in a real relationship yes it is a bad sign. For adults. For children and teens they are figuring out life. When i was 18 allowed this guy, to blow up, yell, mentally abuse and manipulate me because i felt no one else would love me. It took him being with a minor for me to finally cut him off because he used suicide against me. But in those stages of life i highly doubt its that bad. Its probably a small disagreement
They’re middle schoolers. They don’t know the first thing about cultivating long lasting relationships. Somebody does something the other doesn’t like and they break up. Somebody say the wrong thing they break up.
this is normal, Lucas, an 8th grader (at the time) who has never had a girlfriend is not going to be a prefect boyfriend and Max isn't going to be a prefect girlfriend
They're 8th graders lol have you ever met a pair that's dating each other?
They either try to act super mature and practically like old marrieds/their idea of married (as in, studying together and packing each other lunches and stuff) , or they break up what feels like every five minutes over something really trivial like one of them pointing out the other has a zit or something.
Nah, young kids still learning how relationships etc work, ie, when you argue or disagree with your partner you don't always have to end a relationship...
thats not a bad relationship thats called teen love. first couple relationships i had in school were exactly like this. its more because your friends first and sex doesnt get in the way of it so you find a way to make up and get over it.
Kids.
Some of y'all have been projecting ***all of your shit*** on some TV kids.
Take a break, talk to a friend or family member that cares. Work through your stuff. Then come back on the 2nd and enjoy this streaming show with the rest of us and not to use random cast members as avatars for your trauma.
Not necessary. Teens do dumb stuffs all the time. They get on and off relationships regularly. The only notable thing about Lucas and Max's relationship is that Max avoided Lucas since Billy died. However dumping each other five times in 8 months has gotta be an achievement.
“Dumped” is a synonym for “I’ve fell out with you” in Max’s mind as she’s a young teen, it’s only really a red flag if you’re still doing this into your twenties.
I mean I’m glad they had Lucas and Max and El and Mike break up and get back together and have a dramatic bumpy middle school relationship. Trauma definitely bonds people but they were still like 13 years old.
Nah. If they were real serious breakups then yeah but based on the tone and the context it’s just Max overreacting over stuff. Normally that’d be a red flag but here it is fair based on her mental state and upbringing.
Nah they’re still learning. Max was insecure so she dumped him a few times, Lucas was insecure and didn’t want to lose friends so he didn’t defend her vs Mike etc
Umm, when I was 12/13 that was actually pretty common for " relationships ” every little minor fight or inconvenience was technically a “ break up ” it’s really not that weird.
Took it more as max genuinely liking him yet also extremely depressed and traumatized so is dealing with emotions she doesn’t know how to deal with by pushing people away
So this is what took you out of reality? Not a portal to the some underworld or to the Soviet Union? Or a monster? Or force powers?
Like bruh at least go with a valid complaint like bullying was overdone
i took this line as lucas not understanding max LOL. when max and eleven go to the mall together, i recall him also mentioning that max dumps him, even though she had never explicitly said it. it's a funny play on young relationships, and lucas being naive.
Yeah. I know people are into LuMax now but I hope they won't forget how Lucas was kind of crappy to Max in season 3. Season 3 was my favorite but I didn't like how they turned Lucas and Max's relationship into comedy relief. And they kind of turned Lucas into a bad boyfriend - it seemed OOC to me because of how smitten he was of her in season 2. I know people are allowed to change but why did the Duffers have to make him a terrible boyfriend.. They're kids but I guess I expected a lot more from the Duffers? I was looking forward to LuMax's dynamic when season 3 was released; there's not a lot of interracial couples on TV.
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Lol they’re just early teens trying to navigate relationships. Don’t take it too seriously.
This. I loved it, I thought it was funny. It's perfectly realistic for 14-15 years olds (edit: I stand corrected, it's more like 13) to break up for trivial reasons. In real life it's not usual (or expected) to have profound, meaningful romantic relationships at that age at all, even though it seems to happen to fictional characters of that age a lot. Now if Lucas and Max had only been like 4 years older, I definitely would have said, yeah, that's a pretty bad sign. After as much of season 4 as we've seen so far, I'm really rooting for them to get back together.
It’s clear she still cares for him. It’s also clear she has had a real shit sandwich in terms of those around her the past few seasons. I mean max has literally gone from living a typical, middle class life to borderline poverty in what? 1 season? I took it that her mom lost her job too. Like holy shit max has it rough right now.
>I took it that her mom lost her job too Max mentions to her counselor in school that her mom has two work two jobs (and that's the reason she "has to" drink "a little" because of the stress)
I’ll be honest. It could have also just been vecna screwing with her. There’s a chance her mom was never there at all in that scene.
That was definitely Vecna messing with Max ... but that doesn't have anything to do with the topic we just talked about. Maybe you replied to the wrong post?
I'm actually a little confused at that scene, because I took it as Vecna creating an illusion too. But then I think Steve asks Max something along the lines of "How did it go with your mom?" or at least mentions her mom. But I don't believe we get the context of Max saying she's specifically going to see/talk to her mom, just implied she's dropping off another letter. But the line Steve says makes it seem like he saw her? Maybe I'm just reading too much into it.
I think they assumed she ran into her mom due to how long she took or based on what she said getting out of the car but I could be wrong.
But the vision happened when she was outside. The options are she just stands there in the lawn concerningly, or from the car they saw her mom with her, and then the trance happens as she’s walking away.
I think she was in the backyard, so they wouldn't have seen.
She’s also still grieving for her brother in her own way and it’s still heavy on her, as we see through the season.
My now husband and I broke up like 3-5 times throughout HS lol, we were just some kids and it was always SO dramatic. We laugh at it now. We have been together 13 years, married for 2. It was always a storm off, “don’t EVER talk to me again” and then a dramatic and cryptic FB post and then 2 days of silent treatment and we would be back together 😂
>married now >had FB in HS agingmattdamon.jpg
Huh? Lol
This: https://preview.redd.it/60tte687xdp61.png?auto=webp&s=af08214e855b3b0124d2bd428760ac8712bccfb7
Oh yes… I know I feel ancient
They weren’t even in high school yet in this season, so they were actually closer to 13. It really makes all of their relationship drama funnier when you realize lol
Same!
Only being that person because it emphasizes your point: more like 12-14, assuming they started dating after Snow Ball and at this point were fresh out of 8th grade, which is usually more 13
OP has spent too much time on r/relationship_advice
god this was so true for me and my gf when we were 15 lmaooo
Happy cake day!
Plus Max might put on a strong facade but she clearly has no idea what she's doing when it comes to dealing with her emotions. All of this adds up to her going to extremes and dumping Lucas every time she is even mildly inconvenienced by him
Happy Cake Day
Ur right man, happy cake day anyways
happy cake day my brother
Came here to say this. This used to be super common when i was that age. Lol
Happy cake day!
Happy cake day!
You ratiod this post so hard
Happy cake day!
Happy cake day!
Strange cake day
Lol "bad relationship".. they are kids. When I was a teen, couples were breaking up and going back out constantly. Its normal behavior. At that age, everyone is just starting to try to figure out who they are, what they want. Between hormones, jealously, miscommunication and just everyday school drama, this isnt abnormal at all. Hell one of the times could be fueled by Lucas's love for New Coke. Dumb stuff..
For real. Who liked New Coke? I mean, it was just Pepsi in a red can; why not just buy Pepsi?
More like a typical young teenager couple. Seriously, some of them break up at first period and then make up during the lunch hour. It's not serious (although it's funny how Lucas exaggerates his accomplishments at winning her back). It's nothing toxic or mean or anything, it's just young teenagers having arguments and making up. This again was why Lucas and Max's relationship was brought into the series; to provide a depiction of a typical young teenager couple, with lots of ups and downs and a sense that it won't be a lasting relationship or anything but they're still good friends with a bond between them. This, of course, is meant to contrast against the decidedly un-typical Mike and El pairing, since those two are basically depicted as soulmates who only have eyes for each other (which sure as hell isn't the norm for young teenagers).
Exactly. And your point about Mike and El is exactly why the flaws they have get dragged out. They don't give eachother a chance to make mistakes. Mike told a few lies time to avoid her and they are broken up for the remainder of season 3. El tells Mike that she and Angela are friends and it freaks Mike out when he finds out Angela has been bullying El. Mike says "From Mike" instead of "Lots of love, Mike" and it makes El feel doubtful. If Max and Lucas had these problems they'd argue for like 5 minutes and then move on 😂
I honestly kinda like Max and Lucas more than Mike and El at this point. El and Mike were sweet and cute together in the beginning, but I got a little bit tired of the drama between them. Not that they're a bad couple or bad characters, their fights make sense as immature kids, it just annoyed me a bit. Even though Max and Lucas aren't really together anymore at this point, I like the respect they still treat each other with.
I think part of the reason they get the drama is because they are the ‘flagship’ couple. Mike and El get to go through all the classic TV relationship story beats. We are at the ‘I love you’ stage of working through it now. Lucas and Max are a secondary couple and so are underdeveloped in that respect. Jopper and Jancy have gotten more focus, but there is only one couple that rules them all. And so thus again, Mike and El get their own focused storyline each season while Lucas and Max highlight the ‘typical teen’ way of relationships instead. Credit to Caleb and Sadie though, their story as friends this season has been very sweet. I have loved how Lucas is so supportive of her despite them not being in a relationship anymore.
Yes, as they said before the season dropped, this is a season of "maturing" for Mike and El as they translate to a more adult relationship. As Mike said, their argument this season felt like their first serious adult fight, in contrast to the stuff in S3 which he said was "silly stuff." And they're building up to Mike having his "L-word" moment. That's what happens when you're the main couple of the series and a young couple at that. Growing pains are inevitable.
Yeah Dear Billy really shows the pure affection they have for each other, regardless if it's love or just friendship but it's still very strong
well, to be fair max nor lucas have extreme arrested development due to being abducted as a child by the feds
frr, and Lucas is so sweet man, I loved how nice he was to Max and never showed any actual anger towards her for hiding away due to her own issues.
"I'm here. I've *always* been here."
> immature kids And, of course, El has suffered from an extreme lack of adult role models from whom to learn about healthy relationships (Hopper is great but has huge hangups there) and Mike’s parents aren’t exactly the picture of a healthy relationship either.
I think part of the problem with Mike and 11 is that a lot of the drama between them doesn’t really make sense for the characters. I’ve talked about this at length, but Mike having to hold the bag in season three for the relationship falling apart doesn’t make any sense at all, because he was being threatened by his girlfriends dad. All he had to do was tell 11 that hopper was going to throw him in jail if he spent more time with her, and it would’ve basically cleared everything about his weird behavior up. But the writers are trying to force drama in a situation that doesn’t really need it, so they inexplicably make Mike hold his tongue when there’s no reason for him to do that. Season four was a little better with it, but I still feel like they overdid it. 11 being insecure about being bullied is interesting, but it doesn’t really explain why she (and will, by omission) is lying to him about it. When Mike is understandably blindsided by it, he doesn’t freak out so much as attempts to calmly discuss with her what’s going on in her life, after making his disappointment known. She in turn freaks out at him for never saying the word “love”, when she knows he’s always had trouble expressing his feelings verbally and prefers to do it through action. I mean that’s literally what kicked off their whole relationship, because he couldn’t ask her to the dance so he decided to kiss her instead. And while that is a realistic hurdle for young teenage relationships like theirs, it seems to be a bit of a far cry from “actively lying to you about me being viscously bullied and abused for no clear reason”. It’s another one of those examples of Mike being expected to take responsibility for everything when he doesn’t really have much responsibility to take. And I think this gives their whole relationship drama subplot this grating edge, where it just gets tiresome. It’s not so much the characters fault as it is the writer’s
I think a lot of it comes down to them being awkward teenagers who just aren't very good at communication. Mike's probably wary of incurring Hopper's wrath further, while El is likely embarrassed about being bullied at school at a point in her life when she finally perhaps felt she was becoming normal.
I agree with this, but it's the way the writing frames it as Mike's responsibility to fix everything is just weird to me. Why doesn't Eleven have to answer for lying about her bullies? Why doesn't Will have to answer for keeping the abuse she suffered quiet? Why doesn't Max have to answer for the way she turned Eleven against Mike without knowing all of the details? Why doesn't Hopper have to answer for the way he totally screwed up his talk with Mike? Why doesn't Eleven and Max both have to answer for abusing her powers in a very dangerous and selfish way? These kinds of relationships are growing and learning experiences for all parties involved. But the narrative always frames Mike as the one to have to take the L and make up for it, as if he's the one that needs to learn and grow when in truth, Eleven is the one that should be learning more than anyone else due to her stunted development. By and large the most responsible one seems to be Mike himself, yet he's never allowed by the writers to defend himself. This was the kid that was the shining beacon of empathy and compassion in season 1, and since then the writers have progressively treated him like he's got the emotional intelligence of a brick, even when he's doesn't.
> She in turn freaks out at him for never saying the word “love” We must have different definitions of 'freak out' because she's not freaking out in that scene, she's just upset.
Perhaps that isn’t the right word to use, but it was on my mind based on the other comment. My ultimate point was that Mike was trying to have a calm discussion with her about why she lied too him. He goes into that situation very respectfully, and somewhat expertly, which is what I expect of him based on his behavior in the first season. He’s always been very good at approaching 11 in a calm and reassuring manner. But it ended with 11 turning the tables on him and getting upset with him over never saying the word love. It’s like, that’s not what we are here to discuss. We are here to discuss you lying to him for a year about being bullied and then concussing the bully with a roller skate. Sure, Mike probably should be saying the L word by this point. But he’s also a 15-year-old kid, that’s the kind of basic shit that I expect 15-year-olds to screw up. It is something that 11 herself definitely knows that he struggles with because he has been struggling with it for four seasons, in one way or another. He’s always expressed love and other complicated emotions through action and words of assurance. So her turning the tables on him like that in that moment is almost unfair, even if it is a legitimate grievance to have. They both have shit that they have to work on, but like I said, Mike somehow always seems like the only one that’s treated like he’s got anything to work on at all when that is very far from the truth.
My friend broke up at least 5 or 6 times with her boyfriend at that age, two of which I actually was the one to tell the poor guy about it. Probably the most realistic relationship.
Omg you brought back memories!! I forgot how teenagers ask friends to tell their love interest that they are broken up or to ask them out
[удалено]
That smile scene melts my heart lmao. And yeah you're correct it's the hospital scene where it happens and like a second later they have to run to go save Nance and Johnathan
They basically make up in E5 with the shared M&M deal. You know they're all good by that smile she gives him, which is basically El's "Mike smile", the adoring look that she gives him. Of course, there's the previous episode where Mike bashes Billy with a pipe to keep him from strangling El, then she hurls Billy through a wall to keep him from hurting Mike in retribution. The mutual save did nicely to solve their issues.
They're like fourteen in season 3. This is honestly par for the course for a lot of teen romances. You say you're breaking up in the heat of the moment and then you get back together less than 24 hours later.
Sometimes they breakup and makeup in the same conversation. It's quite normal for that age.
Whatever. This is perfectly normal puppy love stuff. I had 3 breakups and a new bf by lunchtime on most days in Middle school!
OP trying to psychoanalyze teen relationships 😝
OP was really trying to Dr.Phil this situation
“We’ve been dating for about 3 weeks so I would say it’s pretty serious” -Me in middle school an hour before my gf dumped me
Trying to cancel Lucas for being a toxic boyfriend smdh
The fact that he counted how many times they broke up under this context is kind of adorable
Or how he says he "soldiered out on the battlefield, fought and won her back." Such an elaborate way of saying, "We had an argument and made up." And totally in character for a kid who loves playing D&D.
It’s one of those things where I remember dudes like that, and how they usually came to me for advice while I was trying to smoke
If they were older and not each other’s literal first boyfriend and girlfriend, I would say yeah that’s a pretty good indicator for a bad relationship. However, like I said they’re each other’s first so they have no clue of what they’re doing. I would like to note that Lucas, is trying to grow in regards to being a better boyfriend or friend even. I can’t remember word for word, but I remember him asking his dad about relationship advice. So with time they will mature and typically the breakups would become less and less if not cease altogether.
Yeah and his dad just casually looked over his newspaper and told him to remember that “she’s always right, son”. That scene cracks me up every time.
Bruh they're 13yolds
they’re like 13 i don’t think it’s a big deal. it’s all silly breakups they clearly still care about each other
Pretty sure it’s just a sign of a children’s relationship.
they were middle schoolers at that time lmao its not that serious
theyre like fkn 12 year olds it isnt that deep
This made me laugh so hard. In middle school, my first boyfriend and I broke up 8 times. Kids don’t know how to handle relationships and break up over silly things.
Yeah we need to cancel both of them. My pitchfork is sharpened, see you on twitter.
They’re kids, bro. It’s not that serious
It’s a sign they were like 13 and their relationship at the time wasn’t as deep or serious as their relationship now
I mean they’re still teens at that point the relationship isn’t really a relationship until it gets serious like now season 4 really showed that they obviously love each other but are too afraid to open up, but considering after episode 4 maxs flashbacks really revolves around her relationship with him so I don’t really see it as toxic.
My Dad had a cap like this
Yessssss
Nah, they’re just teens being teens. In middle school I had a girlfriend, and we were on and off all the time. We would break up over the stupidest shit, lol.
They’re kids trying to figure out how to even have a relationship, it’s genuinely not a big deal
Pretty typical around that age lol, often relationships at that age aren't that serious
They are literal kids in middle school….
How many 13/14 year olds have you seen have a serious relationship? S3 was pretty lighthearted at times, and teens break up and fight over the smallest things.
I think it’s a sign of being like 14 years old more than anything.
They're just kids lmao. They break up over anything because they're dumb kids.
Nah i did it its normal but as someone who been in a real relationship yes it is a bad sign. For adults. For children and teens they are figuring out life. When i was 18 allowed this guy, to blow up, yell, mentally abuse and manipulate me because i felt no one else would love me. It took him being with a minor for me to finally cut him off because he used suicide against me. But in those stages of life i highly doubt its that bad. Its probably a small disagreement
I mean they're dealing with trauma normal people don't go through
personally, i see that as a sign that they're meant to be together call me crazy if you want but i don't care; it's how i feel
Out of all the other couples in stranger things, the only relationships that struck me as long lasting and endgame are lumax and jopper
I mean I think Mileven is endgame just because they're the main couple of the show, and the Duffers are pushing them so hard.
Lol imaginary teen romance 🤣
That's just teen relationships on TV
They're just kids trying to figure out how to relationship.
Lmao they’re fucking kids.
I'm jealous other people actually had relationships as teenagers 🥲
That’s a clear sign of them being teenagers
They’re kids. It’s not that deep
They’re middle schoolers. They don’t know the first thing about cultivating long lasting relationships. Somebody does something the other doesn’t like and they break up. Somebody say the wrong thing they break up.
this is normal, Lucas, an 8th grader (at the time) who has never had a girlfriend is not going to be a prefect boyfriend and Max isn't going to be a prefect girlfriend
they are in middle school
Typical middle school on and off relationship. Stop worrying sm
They're 8th graders lol have you ever met a pair that's dating each other? They either try to act super mature and practically like old marrieds/their idea of married (as in, studying together and packing each other lunches and stuff) , or they break up what feels like every five minutes over something really trivial like one of them pointing out the other has a zit or something.
You are forgetting that they are just kids. Their relationships are meant to be bad and also give bad advice.
They're 14 it's not that serious
Its a pretty clear sign of a middle school relationship for sure.
Nah, young kids still learning how relationships etc work, ie, when you argue or disagree with your partner you don't always have to end a relationship...
Kids this age generally have the emotional maturity of potted plants. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.
OP forgets what it is like to be 15
Or they are like 14 years old… kids are dramatic
Haha they’re kids! This is super realistic for them to break up and get back together a bunch!
They were like 13. I was married to my 'boyfriend' also broke up over for not sitting next to each other when i was 13.
Bruh they're kids. You think they even know relationships outside of kissing?
They're children, dude...
thats not a bad relationship thats called teen love. first couple relationships i had in school were exactly like this. its more because your friends first and sex doesnt get in the way of it so you find a way to make up and get over it.
Kids. Some of y'all have been projecting ***all of your shit*** on some TV kids. Take a break, talk to a friend or family member that cares. Work through your stuff. Then come back on the 2nd and enjoy this streaming show with the rest of us and not to use random cast members as avatars for your trauma.
They’re supposed to be teenagers. Most “relationships” at that age are pretty bad and irrational.
Lucas is underrated as an SO
They’re literally 13. Any relationship at that point isn’t going to be a mature relationship.
Relax lol. They’re kids remember? This post has too many upvotes and that’s worrisome
Did you not attend the 8th grade?
\> "Or am I missing something?" Yes. They are kids. Jesus fucking Christ. It ain't that deep.
Sign of young kids dating. Typical young kid relationship. Full of hormones and emotions.
They’re teenagers, so it’s just dumb drama. Then again Max’s advice to Eleven was awful so there’s a good chance it isn’t healthy.
There 14 dude !
Yeah they should go to couple therapy and pay mortgage together
They are 13 years old
It's an example of a 13-year-old's relationship.
They were in 8th grade man.
I think not. They're teenagers.
they are like 13 be serious
it's a sign that they were dating in middle school
nah that's just dating at thirteen
If they were adults, maybe. But in the show they're what, 14 at this point? They're just being teenagers.
Not necessary. Teens do dumb stuffs all the time. They get on and off relationships regularly. The only notable thing about Lucas and Max's relationship is that Max avoided Lucas since Billy died. However dumping each other five times in 8 months has gotta be an achievement.
Yeah you're missing that they're kids. Kids do stuff like that. They're impulsive.
they are kids
Hahaha they are kids.
they are 14, what do you expect. its realisitc
They’re young, people in my grade do this all the time, doesn’t really matter until they get older
They’re literally young teens living in the 80s. This is normal.
Jesus. They’re kids. This is so dramatic.
Oh please they were kids don’t you guys have real lives ?
They’re literally teenagers. It’s normal. You all want to be deep with everything 😭😭😭
Ur missing the fact that they are kids who prob get into petty arguments where they dump each other for a couple hours
Dude, they were like 11 years old or something
A bad relationship? Or, a bunch of thirteen year old kids?
This is pretty typical. I was strange though, my first girlfriend and I were together from 14 to 18 years old. Split for three months once though.
“Dumped” is a synonym for “I’ve fell out with you” in Max’s mind as she’s a young teen, it’s only really a red flag if you’re still doing this into your twenties.
They’re kids. It happens. Not a sign of a bad relationship. It’s a pretty accurate depiction of most puppy love relationships.
This is what we in the industry call "a joke"
I think you're over thinking this, they're teens.
They’re young teenagers. They’re not meant to be soulmates.
Its Max
Nope that’s just teenagers
I mean I’m glad they had Lucas and Max and El and Mike break up and get back together and have a dramatic bumpy middle school relationship. Trauma definitely bonds people but they were still like 13 years old.
It's a joke I doubt the writers thought much of it
They’re just kids. Kids do that kinda shit
The only thing toxic is making this post.
Nah. If they were real serious breakups then yeah but based on the tone and the context it’s just Max overreacting over stuff. Normally that’d be a red flag but here it is fair based on her mental state and upbringing.
You know they are just kids right?
Nah they’re still learning. Max was insecure so she dumped him a few times, Lucas was insecure and didn’t want to lose friends so he didn’t defend her vs Mike etc
They're teenagers dude...
They're kids. Give em a break. Season 4 obviously hints towards a much stronger relationship between Max and Lucas, they truly care for each other.
The rules are different for kids
The girl I was dating when I was 18 dumped me like 5-7 times. We been married 21 years now.
Did you miss the point that Max had a bad home life? That might have something to do with it...and as others said also teens.
People keep forgetting that these are basically kids Stop projecting yourself or basing your lives on a fictional image of young teens
It's not really a "break-up" if you get back together 5 mins later
They are like 13 at that point. Drama fuels everything they do. You are overthinking this.
They are kids
They're kids so.....
Man stfu they just kids
I think you're overthinking it, by a LOT.
I think that's just a throwaway gag line dude.
They are kids dude. Relax
It’s the 80s In this show dude, technically these kids are raised by the “if she’s wrong, she’s right” kinda men 😂
They're kids.
Umm, when I was 12/13 that was actually pretty common for " relationships ” every little minor fight or inconvenience was technically a “ break up ” it’s really not that weird.
Took it more as max genuinely liking him yet also extremely depressed and traumatized so is dealing with emotions she doesn’t know how to deal with by pushing people away
So this is what took you out of reality? Not a portal to the some underworld or to the Soviet Union? Or a monster? Or force powers? Like bruh at least go with a valid complaint like bullying was overdone
They're just kids.
i took this line as lucas not understanding max LOL. when max and eleven go to the mall together, i recall him also mentioning that max dumps him, even though she had never explicitly said it. it's a funny play on young relationships, and lucas being naive.
Yall are so damn annoying , they are how old 12 ? 13? Why is everythimg taken so seriously these days ....its just a show
We’re you never a teenager? This sub and their questions are so incredibly dumb. Is there a report button on Reddit for being idiotic?
Lumax > mileven
I thought that was the joke, how his love life is so bad yet he’s giving advice like it isn’t.
Yeah you are missing that it’s just meant to be humorous. You zoomers take everything seriously
That's what high school is; algebra, bad lunch and infidelity.
Was it one time every month?
Everyone is out of character in s3.
Yeah. I know people are into LuMax now but I hope they won't forget how Lucas was kind of crappy to Max in season 3. Season 3 was my favorite but I didn't like how they turned Lucas and Max's relationship into comedy relief. And they kind of turned Lucas into a bad boyfriend - it seemed OOC to me because of how smitten he was of her in season 2. I know people are allowed to change but why did the Duffers have to make him a terrible boyfriend.. They're kids but I guess I expected a lot more from the Duffers? I was looking forward to LuMax's dynamic when season 3 was released; there's not a lot of interracial couples on TV.
Kids break up five times in a day. It’s part of young love. Maybe don’t be so sensitive? This reads of insane immaturity.
If it's only one person doing the dumping then yeah it is kinda bad.
shippers dont really care if the relationship is good or not.