I’ve noticed that a popular theory for how Byler will happen, is that Mike and El broke up off-screen between S4 and S5. Personally, I don’t think that would make much sense, for the Duffer brothers to not show such a major plot point and then to also not mention it at all in the first half of the final season. As a directorial choice that seems off to me, and when Max and Lucas broke up between S3 and S4, that was revealed immediately.

My theory is actually that this conversation in the trailer between Mike and El is their breakup. Yes, this clip could just be them discussing the world at large, but it’s not super emotionally charged. And to me, that makes perfect sense. They already seemed platonic / familial by the end of S4, not even kissing at the two dramatic reunions. And in the rooftop conversation in Vol 1, they were sitting apart with distance between them. So to me, I wouldn’t imagine their breakup would be a massive blowout. It would be sad, yes, but maybe something that El would see coming. I mean, the girl’s plenty emotionally intuitive, which is highlighted in the “from mike, from mike, from mike” scene in S4.

A lot of Mike and El shippers took this clip as romantic, because they’re gazing at each other and El touches his face. But I would argue that these are the expressions of people going through an amicable breakup. Where one of them (Mike) initiated the breakup, so he’s sad but not a mess. And where one of them (El) is visually more upset, but ultimately understands. Because there is no debate that they care deeply about one another, and there is an understanding that they will continue to be in each other’s lives as close and bonded friends. And yes, El touches Mike’s face, but so what? She’s an affectionate person, they *do* love each other, and during breakups there tends to be “parting touches” anyway.

The dialogue too, I find interesting. “This isn’t like one of your campaigns. You don’t get to write the ending. Not this time.” This actually would make a lot of sense, as something El might say in reference to Mike being gay. Something she might say to comfort him, tell him that it’s not his fault and he doesn’t need to feel guilty. Because, again, they do care about each other. Mike also probably does to some extent wish that El was his “ending,” whether thats due to internalized homophobia or simply because he cares about her.

Could this scene be them discussing anything else, like the world at large? Of course! But. If it was in reference to the worry about dying, losing their loved ones, or the world ending - I imagine they would both be a lot more emotional. They would probably be frantic, charged, moving erratically in a fit of fear or anger. The Duffer brothers don’t shy away from emotionally charged scenes, especially as it relates to character deaths or fear for each others’ safety.

So that’s my theory! Let me know what you think.

Thoughts on this part of the S5 trailer?