Although some people don’t like to call it that, Nancy Wheeler fromStranger Thingshas been accompanied by a love triangle throughout the whole series so far. As a fan of the series, you’re weirdly expected to be either on Team Steve or Team Jonathan. Who will be the one winning Nancy over once and for all in the upcomingfifth and final season? Indeed, this is the eternal question everyone has wanted an answer to ever since the series premiered.
However, what if Nancy didn’t end up with either of them? What if she decidede to finally focus on her own dreams and move on from her life in Hawkins? ThroughoutStranger Things' run so far, Nancy has always been tied to the boys and men in her life. So, here’s why we think she shouldn’t end up with either Steve or Jonathan by the series finale.
What Were the Relationships Like?
For some,the love triangletrope is too outdated and unnecessary, but for others, it’s what keeps the premise interesting. WhenStranger Thingspremiered, we were introduced to Nancy Wheeler as a nerdy goody two shoes, who was secretly dating the popularheartthrob Steve Harrington, and is just on her way to make it to the popular crowd. While she has always had certain ambitions and known what she wants in life, Steve has been navigating his life with veritable insecurities.
It was only a matter of time until Nancy realized that bonding over shared trauma is more of her cup of tea. Jonathan Byers was right there, going through the same troubles she was and getting together only made sense. But, as they made their relationship official, they realized it isn’t as perfect as it seemed at first. They, too, seem to want different things and their opinions often differ. AsStranger ThingsSeason 4 suggests, Nancy seems to be gravitating back to what she used to have with Steve. At this point, Steve has evolved immensely, and it’s clear he could easily offer her the life she’d like to have — or can he?
Related:Stranger Things: A Timeline of Nancy and Steve’s Relationship (So Far)
Teenage Flings
We’ve all been there, right? You get into high school relationships, and every time you think they’re the love of your life, you soon realize that high school isn’t the end. Yes, what Nancy had with both Steve and Jonathan is magical, but could it be they’re purely just teenage flings? Hawkins has been pretty much what’s connected the three throughoutStranger Things, but a big world awaits them and has so much to offer — and Nancy is hungry for that. We can already see that being in a long-distance relationship isn’t something that helped Jonathan and Nancy prosper. Yes, both of them have been worrying their heads about the relationship, and, yes, both of them love each other, but they’ve also been doing just fine on their own. High school flings aren’t everything.
Different Dreams and Aspirations
This may be one of the most obvious reasons as to why Nancy ending up with either of the two doesn’t make sense. Nancy is an ambitious young woman: she has been accepted to a great university and has a very clear career in investigative journalism in front of her. Her drive and passion totally differ from those of Jonathan and Steve. Jonathan has clearly stated that he’d be moving away from his family because of someone else’s dreams. He has wanted to go to the NYU since he was six years old (viaCBR). Neither align with Nancy’s ambitions. As for Steve, he seems to be completely content with staying in Hawkins for the rest of his life. He’s a traditional family man, who’s okay with having a nine-to-five job, providing for his suburban nuclear family and taking care of his kids. Ultimately, Nancy is a free-driven spirit; a life like that with Steve would surely constrain her as a person.
Right People, Wrong Time
That’s not to say both Jonathan and Steve aren’t the right people for Nancy. Believe it or not, there are those in theStranger Thingsfandom that wish all three of them would eventually form a poly couple. Never say never. But in all seriousness, both Jonathan and Steve adore and nourish Nancy deeply; there isn’t anything inherently wrong with either of those relationships. Nevertheless, it’d be refreshing to see TV show couples, especially teenage ones, calmly accepting that it’s not the right time for a serious relationship. The audience doesn’t always need to see which ship makes it to the end. To have one of the couples end up together just for the sake of fulfilling the ship expectations is something that we need to get rid of in both TV series and movies. It’s okay not to follow the prescribed Hollywood structure.
Related:Stranger Things Star Responds to Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘Lousy Kisser’ Comments
Outgrowing Each Other and Moving On
On another note, it’d be refreshing to see a plot where it’s okay to put yourself first. Both Jonathan and Nancy need to amicably move on in their own ways. Both of the relationships need proper closures; the characters need to sit down with one another and lay things out on the table like adults. It’s really important to show that people grow apart. It’s more interesting to see where the characters can grow rather than forcing them to stay in relationships/places that no longer fit their growth. All of them would be deprived of their lives just to make a ship happen. All of them need to grow on a personal level before staying in a long-term relationship. They’re still in their teenage years; let them find themselves first.
Re-connecting in the Future
With all that being said, if Nancy wants to end up with either of them, we can definitely see that happening in the future. She is definitely not one to be a stay-at-home mum, but we can see both Jonathan or Steve taking the role. Steve has been thoroughly preparing for thejob of a babysitter, and we can also see Jonathan staying home with the children and doing freelance photography. Reuniting with either of them in five or ten years would be the idealStranger Thingsconclusion. Nancy needs to develop into the woman she wants to become; Steve needs to find a purpose in his life; and Jonathan also needs to figure out and openly admit what he wants in life. People naturally grow apart, but they can naturally grow together again. It would feel more earned and less suffocating.
