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In connection with the last season of ‘Stranger Things’ Netflix’s official Instagram account carried out a post that basically paid homage to the maternal characters of ‘Stranger Things’ but almost instantly the fans proclaimed Steve Harrington the ultimate ‘mother’ of the Hawkins town. The post which was meant to be a part of the marketing campaign soon got transformed into a mass of shared unadulterated and humorous reactions around the actor Joe Keery’s most liked character and his typical role of a baby-sitter.
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In the clearest language, the caption declared “the mothers who stepped up”. And there was also a brief video of Stranger Things 5 that was shared along with it. But the internet had different opinions as usual, and they were making jokes around it. Before long, the headliners of the discussion were not only the characters of Joyce Byers or Karen Wheeler but totally the former popular schoolboy, Steve Harrington who had turned into the protector of the young ones.
In the most precise manner, one of the netizens voiced the consensus by saying “I think Steve would win Hawkins mother of the year by a landslide. He is just a single mom who works two jobs and loves her kids and never stops lmao”. What began as a prank has slowly morphed into an accepted theory. Transitioning from an egoistic teen to the unofficial protector of the group is indeed the most beloved character arc throughout the series. The comments simply sang praises for this character’s growth.
Another viewer said that the promo contained a hilarious twist and if he were to visually express it, he’d say “Steve The Queen of Hawkins.” The idea that Steve was part of the ‘mothers’ montage was not thought of as a mistake but rather a well-timed acknowledgment of his status. “adding Steve in this is everything,” wrote another user, suggesting that Netflix was fully conscious of its moves.
The same amount of love shown also contained a bit of fear from the followers. The first part of the last season has already been released and the buzz is at its highest. One of the comments tried to be humorous but at the same time pointedly asked a worrying question, “so you’re killing Steve off aren’t you?” This is a worry that has been associated with every new Stranger Things release. Steve, the man’s best friend, is now considered a crucial part of the show and the idea of his death or departure before the end is terrifying for a large number of fans.
There were hilarious situations on one hand and a demand for a dramatic resolution on the other. One viewer was so desperate for the upcoming episodes that he stated, “I’m gonna need steve and Dustin to repair their relationship before the end of the season. OK cause that is hurting my heart.” The rift between the two friends has been the main emotional issue in Season 5, reminding us that the show’s main strength is still in these down-to-earth, human relationships amid the supernatural chaos.
The post also led to some playful evaluations of Steve’s valour. “Just so you know Steve did not even use the chainsaw,” one user remarked sarcastically, clearly indicating that sometimes acts of courage go wrong in the absence of good planning. Still, he is very likable. He is giving it his all.
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In conclusion, Netflix’s post was not merely confined to the indication of the final confrontations but also revealed the reason for the Stranger Things saga’s longevity. Indeed, there are monsters, mysteries, and the huge nostalgia of the 80s. But fundamentally it is about the family one finds and the ones they choose to protect. And one of the hardest defenders in Hawkins, Indiana is the guy Steve who did not literally have a baby but surely is worthy of the ‘mom’ title. The fans’ response was one enormous happy recognition of the simple truth. The end is near, and Steve Harrington is the one whom everyone offers the legendary, maternal farewell he rightly deserves.