Throughout its seasons, Stranger Things featured many important characters, but Will Byers stood out, especially in the first season when he was trapped in the Upside Down. He again played a crucial role in the final battle against Vecna, but his storyline felt incomplete. Now, the show has successfully resolved both his initial predicament and his ending.
The new Netflix series, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, fills in the gaps between seasons 2 and 3, and it’s been a great opportunity to improve Will’s storyline. The show addresses a significant problem with his character arc and even sets up some things that will make his ending in season 5 better, largely thanks to a new character named Nikki.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Moves Will Back Into The Forefront (And Sets Up His Evolution)
Nikki Baxter is a new character in Stranger Things. Soon after starting school in Hawkins, she narrowly escapes a dangerous new creature. As she gets to know the other characters and learns about Will’s past, she quickly becomes a source of strength and support for him.
Will’s story throughout the series is framed by strong beginnings and endings, but he often takes a backseat in the middle seasons. While he sometimes gets focus, it usually centers on him being protected or dealing with his own anxieties. However, things shift dramatically with Tales From ’85 and the arrival of Nikki, encouraging him to confront and overcome his fears. This growth becomes especially noticeable in episode 3.
Nikki helps Will reclaim the hurtful nickname ‘zombie boy,’ turning it into something he’s proud of. She also encourages him to recognize his own resilience. No one else truly understands and acknowledges how much Will has overcome – surviving difficult experiences while still navigating the everyday challenges of high school – until much later in the series, making Nikki’s support incredibly impactful.
There’s a memorable scene where Nikki gives Will a hammer she won at a carnival, and it unexpectedly becomes important later when the group faces a terrifying monster. Will first seems to abandon his friends, running away and exclaiming he’s been through this before. However, he bravely returns wielding the carnival hammer, using it to rescue everyone and help them escape the monster.
After their battle, Nikki playfully tells Will, “I knew you were amazing!” and their supportive relationship continues throughout the show. She even creates a special weapon for him, using a piece of his damaged hammer, which feels like a fitting reward for everything he’s overcome at such a young age.
Will didn’t get much character development throughout the series until the very end, but this extra backstory makes his final arc even more satisfying. As a longtime fan, it’s great to finally see him get the attention he deserved.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is now streaming on Netflix.
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2026-04-28 01:13