The internet world is very thankful that Stranger Things gave them Steve Harrington. And it was rough going at first, with Season 1 offering a vastly different version of what we have come to know of the character.
But that was necessary during the search for character development and change.
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Steve needed to be flawed so he could learn from those mistakes, and make everyone fall in love with him in the process.
Stranger Things Season 2 in exchange gave us Steve in the role of a lifetime, the group mother.
He was caring, and he was present for the kids, taking their worries seriously and defending them any way he could.
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So it isn’t a surprise that Steve then managed to become the internet’s boyfriend, a universal fan favorite character from Stranger Things.
And with Stranger Things Season 3 coming back this July, it seemed like the perfect time to take that walk down memory road with our new favorite TV boyfriend.
Longing Looks
Everyone dreams of having someone look at them the way that Steve looked at Nancy during the dance. They may be broken up, but that doesn’t mean the internet can’t enjoy the soft looks Steve still offers.
All the Pain
This was a really rough scene, and yet it was still perfect because of the added heartbreak. Joe Keery played this extremely well, specifically the way he gave Steve an extra layer of emotion to struggle with during Stranger Things Season 2. It was painful to watch but also so good because it made the internet want to protect Steve more.
Joining the Mother Ranks
At this point, Steve is the unofficial mother of the group, one of two that actually knows what is going on at Hawkins. It was the best direction to take Steve in after his development from Stranger Things Season 1. And who doesn’t love a guy who is good with kids?
Mall Adventures
We only got a small glimpse of Stranger Things Season 3, and so far Steve lives up to his hype once again. He got a job at the mall, and he is still hanging out with the kids from the looks of it. It is lovely to see that he actually cares about them and even offers Dustin a big brother that he doesn’t have but needs.
Punching the Villian
Billy is a racist and abusive asshole, and Steve is our knight in shining armor for putting him in his place. The way he got into a fight, willing to take a beating so that Max and the kids wouldn’t is the sign of a true hero in the internet’s eyes. He is loved and he is appreciated for how much he proved that he changed from his Season 1 persona.
Roses and All the Adorable Feels
Steve wasn’t actually at fault for the fight he had with Nancy, especially since it came from her telling him that she doesn’t love him. But like a good boyfriend, he got her flowers and was trying to apologize anyway. It is these kinds of gestures that guarantee him a spot as the internet’s next boyfriend.
Looking out for Dustin
Steve looked out for all the kids, but it was Dustin that he really formed a bond with. From girl advice to hair secrets to spending a day trying to catch a monster, Steve was there when Dustin needed someone. It was an organic way to give these two someone new to team up with. The best part though was the way it grew, with Steve even driving Dustin to the dance at the end of it all. Their friendship wasn’t created for plot reasons so the reaction to it was as genuine as they were.
Character Development Magic
Steve was introduced during Season 1 as a guy who wasn’t quite the best version of himself. It took him hitting his own rock bottom with Nancy to realize that, but then he visibly took certain steps to show that he was going to change the way he interacted with those around him. By cleaning up the mess he made and taking responsibility for it, Steve proved how real character development works and earned himself plenty of new supporters as well.
A Faithful Friend
Steve and his bat is something the internet didn’t think could be this epic, and Stranger Things Season 2 proved us very wrong. All we ask is for more of exactly that during Stranger Things Season 3.
Babysitting Duties
Once again, when someone is good with kids, it is far from a bad character trait. Steve earned the best babysitter award for the way he genuinely cared and pulled off looking after our favorite small humans.
The Steve and Nancy Resolution
Nancy didn’t love Steve, which he realized and didn’t make her feel bad for. This is the bare minimum for how a guy should react to someone not being interested in them, but it still sets a bar for fans. Steve is a good guy, and getting to see him not guilt or try to pressure Nancy to get back together when that wasn’t what she wanted was wonderful.
Keeping Watch Over the Children
There just isn’t enough time to appreciate how Steve looks after everyone. It was one of the best parts of Stranger Things Season 2, and the softest representation of Steve.
The Holiday Season
Steve getting Jonathan a new camera, all without trying to take credit for it, was yet another example of excellent growth. And how much time do you have to talk about that adorable holiday sweater?
