Dear Duffer Brothers,

I usually don’t write letters to characters who aren’t fictional. But you guys deserve an exceptional excuse in my heart, which kept plunging me to write this. I want to start with a huge thank you. Thank you for never giving up on creating this show, even after so many roadblocks, rejections, and turmoils. If this show had never been born, I would have never believed in fantasy (or science) the way I believe now. 

As a lover of fiction, I have always felt a massive fringe in each story, which kept me grounded in reality. So I know it is not real whenever I see something bizarre, out of the usual. In that case, Stranger Things made a big hole in my confidence. It’s annoying that everything about this show, including the fan theories, makes sense to me. Various factors and connecting points that contribute to making this show authentic talk to me personally, spurring a sense of belonging. It feels very real, plausible, relatable and yet just a story. That is the power of good writing, I guess. The other day, when the lights at mt place blinked for a moment, this ray of fear crossed my mind, staring at the walls, whether a demogorgon will make contact or the most handsome monster I know will cast his spell on me. The next second, I was worried that my outfit would not go with Vecna’s memories, and I wouldn’t fit in his hive-minded castle. How unhinged I am! 

I want to talk about the characters which made the show what it is. I can’t play favouritism here, because every character has impacted me in many unknown possibilities. But I need to give credit to a few people who were more than the show stealers for me. I am going to add a small message to each of them which you can deliver, if possible?!

Beginning with King Steve – he is one of us, right?. I feel like I know him as much as Robin knows him. Because he is so familiar, he is so human. Everything about him is basic, no drama, no glamour, just pretentious – like all of us. He is openly obtuse, and if he has a question or a problem, he will raise his damn hand instead of being embarrassed about not knowing it. Every emotion he goes through is a bedtime epiphany for every other boy before sleep. He is that person who will play both the hero, a cocky dude, and we can never dislike him, though he is a little dumb and vainly confident. Maybe he should flirt less in the die or live situations, but again, he is just a boy who fell in love with the wrong girl. You guys have written a hell of a character arc for Steve, which can never be disapproved by anyone. I would ship Steve and Dustin’s bromance over any other relationships in the show. Also, thanks for not breaking my heart by killing him. Please hand over this to Steve – “You not only have the perfect hair, but you also have the perfect heart to care for, befriend, and love people for who they are”.

Henry Creel, the dearest. I know he is not the problem here; the mind flayer is. Still, we are supposed to hate him, right? I couldn’t, I am sorry. I’d say it’s your mistake for writing the villain in the loveliest way. I have all my cues to back up my soft spot for him and support his reasons to build another world or whatever. The reasons won’t make good sense, though. He has suffered as a kid, as an adult, as an extra-terrestrial species. He bluntly suffered. His pain has transcended the boundaries and is cured with revenge. And deep down he is just a human whose innocence is misused, whose curiosity is deceived, whose vulnerability is exploited. When I learnt the truth about him, I sighed a little, lingered his origin a little longer, I ached for his freedom, I promised myself to never loathe him for who he became. Hence, I chose to embrace him for who he was, more than who he is now. I am glad that he is finally dead. I am unapologetically sad that he didn’t die as a human, the form which he was never given a chance to evolve into. Yes, his character is a tad emotional for me. Because I love the lore behind how someone becomes vicious. I wanted to ask you about his new look. What’s the deal with the sharp ends, huh? Okay, here goes the message for him. Say it with a smile (complimented by teary eyes). “Remember, you are not the monster. You would’ve been the prettiest and kindest boy if the mind flayer had never caged you”.

How can I not talk about Robin? Sorry, Rockin Robin! She has my heart, soul and a pinch of care. She is the one I relate to the most. Robin’s character has no development or growth. Because she was written impeccably from the beginning. When I talk about her, I can not pinpoint one thing she is good at or one way she has made me feel. She is myriad of things, mixed with emotions, coated with layered colours. She is shy, cool, smart, stressed all the time, yet curious to figure out. She is a good friend but a bad motivator. She has all the solutions but is unaware of the next step. She sees things which are mostly hidden, prejudiced to be felt, ashamed to be said aloud. She struggles herself with a cloud of chaos, yet she believes in life. That’s the best part about her. Oh, she gives the classic monologues, btw. You have written unnecessary speeches in Season 5, but Robin’s are your finest work. “Yes Robin, I know how it feels when your mouth goes faster than your brain. I have been there a million times! Don’t worry about that. Love you”. Can you please tell her this?

The next mention would be – Dustin. He is my favourite actor in the whole show. We like others because of their role architecture. But I like Dustin because of how he performed, how he delivered his lines with a punch. The most favourite part about him (for me) is his loyalty towards his guys. He loved Eddie and Steve endlessly, and he stayed true to that even if it put his life at risk. Thanks for making him not just brilliant but fearlessly brilliant. “Most of the nerd figures are known for their talent, smartness, and innocence. But this nerd will be remembered for his bravery!”  Send this note to Dustin.

Continuing with the girl who lived rent-free in Vecna’s mind. MADMAX! I never hoped you would revive her. I will be forever grateful to you for bringing her back. I think my love for her got weighed in because of the loophole you found to make her stay. To describe Max in one word, Adamancy. She was adamant about staying top in Dig Dug. She was adamant about winning Mike’s approval to become friends. She was adamant about not opening up as she struggled with the trauma of Billy’s violent massacre. She was adamant about not letting Vecna take over her mind; she fought every single minute. Running, running and running. You chose a perfect song for her – “Running up that hill”. Until the end, she was adamant to be MadMax no matter what. She taught me a significant lesson on being persistent in the things that are important to us. The message I want you to tell her is that “I would always include her in my party without a second thought. Tell her she is a beautiful person (inside and outside) with a beautiful smile, eyes, and braids”. Gosh, I think I have a girl crush on her. PS: I hope Lucas succeeded in making his movie date happen…

The wheelers have definitely taken the show one step up. Especially, Nancy and Mike. They were heroic and tenacious. The thing which made me write them as Wheelers, not on the account of individuality is that “they are not born heroes”. They have become one. Every time, there is a mystery to solve or a demodog to slice, Nancy intentionally becomes the bait placing her courage over fear, always being a curious case-solver. Every time they drain El’s powers as if she is the source of an escape generator, the one person who made sure of her sanity by joining hands with her trauma is Mike (other than Hopper). I know he is in love. Sometimes, he had been a shitty boyfriend by not completely trusting her. But his care for her is very transparent; he never applies a filter or masks the way he feels, even though it involves the audience rolling their eyes, shrugging off his decisions, and tutting away at him. He has given all the love that El deserves as a girl and a superhero. Just let him know that “I believe in his theory more than I believe in reality”. 

I can’t close this segment without mentioning El and Will the Wise. At the end of this tale, I believe both of them are characterised with the same intentions. A traumatised childhood, uncertainty about how to love and be loved, their inability to become the unchosen ones for science experiments or monster friendships. They carried the essence of the story as an unburdened weight, which I wish they had never let go of. I couldn’t draft the right message for El. She knows that I love her. She can mind-spy me if there’s a doubt. Here’s a message for Will. “I have always known there’s more to you than just being a frightened kid. Vecna didn’t choose you as his first vessel by accident or for no reason. He knew you held a silence that could calm a storm and a strength capable of reimagining the shattered (the best monster recruitment in my watch history). Please remember there’s nothing wrong with you and you will never lose me either” 

Okay, we are at the endpoint now where goodbyes are in order, reflections take over the stage, and tears crown the point of reliving. I suck at goodbyes. Just believe that I am probably crying already. You both made me realise how important it is to chase one’s dream, how impactful and huge art can be to the world, more than to the artist. I proudly call myself a “Narrative nerd” because I am fascinated by how one tells a story rather than what the story itself is, how one unravels characters rather than what spice they add to the plot. And you Duffer Brothers have told the strangest story with all things of greatness I stand in awe of and am unreasonably obsessed with (which my inner mind despises to the core, yelling at the back of this letter to let go of you for my rationality). Maybe I watched this show at the right time when my existential crisis peaked or my craving to make sense of fictionality spiralled. I don’t know how to justify my love at the moment. I am just a girl who believes in good writing.

Despite the fact that the final season was a disappointment (for me), and there will always be a list of great shows or movies better than Stranger Things, your story, the way you wrote characters will forever rule my heart. Thank you for letting us witness your creation, Duffer Brothers!🤍

PS: I didn’t write this to impress you. If I wanted to, it would be through something I create, something born out of the deep admiration I carry for your work. And I believe I will!!

Over and out,