Steve Does Not NEED a Romantic Interest on STRANGER THINGS, He Has the Loves of His Life

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Steve Harrington hasn’t had much luck with romance on Stranger Things. He quickly fell for Nancy Wheeler, but they didn’t work out because of their shared history. Nancy ultimately connected with Jonathan Byers, who understood the trauma they both experienced. Throughout seasons 3 and 4, Steve has a series of casual, unsuccessful attempts at finding love. While fans still hope for a Steve and Nancy reunion, it would be better for the show to let Steve focus on his existing relationships as Stranger Things ends. He’s already found deep connections with Robin and Dustin, and that’s arguably more meaningful than a romantic partner. It would be a satisfying conclusion for Steve if the show acknowledged the importance of these close, platonic bonds and showed that they are enough.

The trailer for Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 features a callback to a sweet and intense moment between Steve and Dustin. In Season 3, Steve, Robin, Dustin, and Erica discovered a secret Russian operation happening under Hawkins. While investigating, they found a mysterious crate, and Steve, acting as the protective ‘babysitter,’ told everyone to back away in case it exploded. Dustin refused, declaring, “If you die, I die.” It was a charming scene, as it seemed unlikely anyone would actually be harmed in that elevator. However, it also powerfully demonstrated Dustin’s devotion to Steve, who was the first person to truly accept and appreciate him – not as a sidekick or a nerd, but as a genuinely cool friend worth standing by, even at personal risk.

The trailer for Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 shows Steve and Dustin repeating a significant line to each other – a line that highlights how much their relationship has grown since Volume 1. This time, Steve says it first: “You die, I die.” Unlike the same exchange in Stranger Things 2, this moment feels much more serious and the threat of death feels very real. It suggests a deep, profound love – not just a playful connection, but a belief that life wouldn’t be worth living without the other person. They’ve reached a point where their lives are inextricably linked.

This is a powerful promise – a commitment to face life together, through thick and thin, or not at all. It’s a huge vow, and the person you make it to is the most important person in your life. To have someone you can share such a deep promise with means you’ve found a truly profound love, like the one between Steve and Dustin on Stranger Things.

Robin and Steve aren’t a couple, but they’re incredibly close and share a deep connection. Since season three of Stranger Things, they’ve become inseparable, working, fighting, and spending all their time together. Even though Robin has a girlfriend, Vickie, in season five, her bond with Steve remains her strongest relationship – even if there’s a hint of potential romance.

Robin was a turning point for Steve. Through their friendship with someone who had been an outsider in school, Steve started to move past his old worries about popularity. Robin had known him when he was “King Steve,” but also gave him the freedom to grow and become a better version of himself.

For Robin, Steve was one of the few people on Stranger Things who truly saw and accepted her for who she was, offering unwavering love and support. With Steve as a reliable confidant, Robin was able to grow, become more open, and fully embrace her true self. In many ways, they helped each other become the people they were meant to be, building their adult identities through their connection. Steve, in turn, found a deeply important love that transformed him, fulfilling his need for a meaningful partnership, though not in the way he expected.

What would be gained by getting Steve and Nancy back together on Stranger Things, or even introducing a new romantic interest just for the sake of it? While Steve and Nancy have a past, the show hasn’t really explored their individual journeys or growth together. Nancy essentially moved on with her life, leaving Steve’s story behind. Instead, Robin and Dustin have become central to Steve’s experiences, and that relationship is already compelling enough – it doesn’t need a romantic subplot.

We often overlook the deep connections we have with people who aren’t romantic partners, both in stories and in real life—particularly when it comes to male characters. Remarkably, Stranger Things has created a heartwarming story for Steve Harrington that highlights this perfectly. It beautifully shows that the most important relationships in your life don’t need to be romantic—and for many, they aren’t.

Let’s be clear: Steve Harrington from Stranger Things doesn’t need a romantic partner. He’s already discovered what truly matters most to him.

The first part of Stranger Things Season 5 is now available on Netflix. The final episodes, five through seven, will be released on Christmas Day, December 25th, at 5 PM Pacific Time / 8 PM Eastern Time.

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2025-12-15 21:34