Volume 1 of Stranger Things 4 premiered on Netflix to resounding praise, with fans loving the mix of horror, gore, comedy, and heart. In addition, this season is full of romantic, familial, and friendly relationships that tug at viewers' heartstrings and breathe more life into the story.
People feel love in many different ways, whether romantic or platonic. The friendships formed in Hawkins are more fundamental than any other. These tight bonds have even saved lives on multiple occasions, proving that love is one of the most essential things in life.
This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things 4.
10 Joyce & Murray Are Funny & Relatable
Joyce Byers is Jonathan and Will's caring and compassionate mother who took Eleven in as her own after Jim Hopper's supposed death. Murray Bauman is the eccentric ex-journalist who flies to California to help Joyce when she receives a doll from an anonymous source in Russia claiming that Jim is alive.
Joyce and Murray set off to Alaska and then to Russia on a mission to rescue Hopper. The pair is hilarious, often playing off each other's irritability and pessimism. Despite their bickering, they work together wonderfully to force Yuri to give them what they want and save their friend.
9 Will Tries To Protect Eleven From Bullies
Will and Eleven have always had a close relationship, but they become like siblings when she moves to California with the Byers. Now in high school, Eleven's differences make her a target for bullies, specifically Angela, the mean girl in her class.
Will tries desperately to protect El from the bullies, encouraging her in class and helping her up when she's tripped. He's grown into the brotherly role and wants to care for her, and even when he can't make things better, he's still there.
8 Nancy & Robin Develop Respect For Each Other
Nancy Wheeler and Robin Buckley work together on the hunt for Vecna, although the two haven't spent time together previously. At first, the girls are at odds, as their personalities clash; Nancy is academic and to the point, while Robin is a talkative wildcard.
However, the longer Nancy and Robin work together, the more respect they gain for one another, and they even proudly call themselves friends by the end of Volume 1. Their opposite brains lead them to life-saving discoveries, including that music grounds Vecna's victims to their bodies, which allows Max to escape the Upside Down.
7 Steve Is Still The World's Greatest Babysitter
Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson's fantastic friendship is back with full force in Stranger Things 4, and their hilarious banter never falls flat. Dustin and Steve pick on each other relentlessly, but they still love each other no matter what.
Steve complains about always being the babysitter because he's constantly paired with Dustin or driving the younger kids around. However, fans know that Steve, one of the best characters, wouldn't have it any other way. He and Dustin are such an unlikely pair, but their comedic timing is fantastic, and they play off each other perfectly.
6 Eddie & Chrissy Have Great Chemistry
Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham meet in the woods after Chrissy sees Vecna's grandfather clock, which terrifies her. Looking to ease her panic attacks and hallucinations, Chrissy wants to purchase marijuana from the older student. Due to their statuses of metalhead oddball and popular cheerleader, the two barely cross paths, but when they do, it's endearing.
Eddie and Chrissy have wonderful chemistry, and even though she's dating Jason, she and Eddie could've developed an excellent relationship if Vecna hadn't taken her. Many Stranger Things fans are left wondering what could've happened between the two had they been given time.
5 The Byers Are The Most Caring Brothers
Jonathan and Will Byers have always been extremely close, and Jonathan has shown time and again that he's willing to do anything for his little brother. Throughout the chaotic and dangerous events in Lenora, California, the brothers stick together no matter what.
When armed agents come to find Eleven, a shootout takes place, and Jonathan risks his life by running ahead of Will and Mike to shield them. The brothers love each other dearly and will protect each other to the end. Their relationship is sweet and refreshing, especially for viewers with siblings.
4 Hopper & Enzo Share An Unlikely Bond
Hopper and Enzo should be enemies; Hopper's a prisoner in a secret Russian institution, and Enzo's a guard tasked with controlling the other man. In a ploy to get rich, Enzo contacts Joyce to let her know that Hopper's alive and instructs her to bring $40,000 to Alaska. Upon receiving the money, Enzo will allow Hopper to escape and meet up with Yuri, who'll fly him back to Joyce.
The plan falls apart when Yuri turns on Enzo, reporting him as a traitor to the other guards, and he and Hopper are both caught. However, the men develop a strong bond, sharing stories of their children and their personal lives that stretch beyond the prison walls. Enzo's fate is left uncertain, and Stranger Things fans hope that the two can continue to have a friendship in the future.
3 Steve & Robin Play Wingman For Each Other
Steve and Robin develop a friendship while working at Scoops Ahoy, uncovering a Russian plot and helping save the world together. Steve begins to have romantic feelings for Robin, which forces her to come out to him, progressing their friendship even further.
As Robin states, they're "Platonic with a capital P," and their friendship is one of the most endearing. They often lift each other up, provide advice about love, life, and relationships, and become wingmen for each other. For example, Steve encourages Robin to act on her crush on Vickie, and Robin subtly nudges Nancy toward Steve, who still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend.
2 Memories Of Lucas Save Max's Life
Max Mayfield and Lucas Sinclair broke up after Billy's death in the Starcourt Mall, but both still long for the wholesome and caring relationship they lost. Unfortunately, Max becomes Vecna's target as she suffers from guilt and trauma over the violent killing of her brother, and she's almost lost forever in a heartbreaking moment at his grave. However, two things save her life: her favorite song that grounds her to her body and her memories of her and Lucas's relationship.
Max also sees images of Eleven, Mike, and her other friends, but the most prominent are the moments with Lucas. Lucas cares about Max so much, and once she learns that she shouldn't push everyone away, the two teens begin to open up to each other again. So, Stranger Things fans wonder if Max and Lucas will rekindle their romance again in Volume 2.
1 The Older Teens Have To Fight Their Way Out Of The Upside Down
Steve, Robin, Nancy, and Eddie follow each other into the Upside Down through Lover's Lake, or "Watergate," as Dustin calls it. In a terrifying moment, when Demogorgon-like bats attack Steve, the other three come to his rescue and fend off the monsters. They prove to be a great team, fighting together to save each other's lives multiple times.
Steve, Robin, Nancy, and Eddie find themselves at an entrance to the real world in Eddie's trailer, where the younger kids are waiting. The four teens' teamwork brings Eddie and Steve closer, even though Steve previously referred to Eddie as "The Freak." It's refreshing to see characters who didn't like each other before become an unshakable team.