346:) is recruited to sneak into the site in exchange for free ice cream. Steve, Robin, Dustin, and Erica find a secret Soviet base under the mall that is attempting to open a portal to the Upside Down. Though Steve and Robin are captured and drugged, Dustin and Erica help save them and return to the surface to warn the others. Whilst coming off the drugs, Steve admits he is attracted to Robin and learns that Robin is a lesbian, but accepts her sexuality. In the following battle with the Mind Flayer, Steve helps to stop the possessed Billy from ramming the car that the group is using to escort Eleven away, and joins the rest in distracting the Mind Flayer with fireworks as the gate in the Soviet base is shut down. With the mall's destruction from the battle, Steve and Robin lose their jobs at Scoops Ahoy and get work at the local
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379:", on her headphones, having learned from Nancy and Robin that music breaks his spell. Based on Max's account of what she saw while possessed, Steve and the others investigate the abandoned home of Victor Creel, who was arrested for the deaths of his wife, son and daughter (which the group believes Vecna to have committed) in the 1950s. They notice the lights flickering and later exploding while Vecna claims his third victim.
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194:. Though initially characterized as a stereotypically unlikeable jock, Steve has progressed throughout the series into a more courageous, thoughtful, and caring character. His character development has been well received, with critics calling him the show's breakout character and its emotional anchor.
259:
by breaking his camera, Nancy seems to become close to
Jonathan. After Steve sees Jonathan and Nancy together, he accosts Jonathan, but is beaten by him in a fight. This causes Steve to see the error of his ways and abandon his former friends. Traveling to the Byers' home to apologize to the pair, he
367:
In spring 1986, Steve continues to work at the video store with Robin, and remains close friends with Dustin. After cheerleader
Chrissy Cunningham is mysteriously found dead inside the trailer of fellow student Eddie Munson, Steve and Robin help Dustin and Max locate Eddie. They reveal the existence
506:
referred to Steve as the emotional anchor of the show, stating that the series "could not survive" without his presence as the "heart and soul" of the series and the viewers' emotional connection to it. Prior to the release of the final two episodes of the fourth season, Netflix seemingly responded
386:
The group finds another gate at the site of
Chrissy's murder and escapes the Upside Down, but Nancy is briefly possessed by Vecna and shown a vision of Hawkins being torn apart. The group plans to kill Vecna that night; Max volunteers to bait Vecna into possessing her as the others attack him while
382:
Dustin later notices his compass malfunctioning and realizes that a gate to the Upside Down must be nearby. The gang traces the source to Lover's Lake; Steve dives down to investigate, but is dragged into the Upside Down by a tendril and swarmed by bat-like creatures. Nancy, Robin and Eddie arrive
311:
to have the Mind Flayer exorcised from his body. He also defends the kids against Billy, and is knocked unconscious before Max is able to disable her brother. Later, during the night of the Snow Ball, a school dance, Steve gives Dustin advice while driving him to the dance, finally acknowledging a
394:
while Nancy shoots him, apparently killing him. However, Vecna manages to briefly kill Max, allowing a fourth gate to open and unleash faults that tear through
Hawkins. Two days later, the town recovers from an "earthquake". Steve, Dustin and Robin volunteer to help affected victims, where Steve
220:
The Duffer
Brothers originally intended to make Steve's character even more antagonistic, with his death slated to take place in season 1. Upon casting Keery, the Duffer Brothers "fell in love" with his portrayal and decided to keep Steve alive and give him a small redemption arc in season 1.
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partially attributed the character's ongoing appeal to his platonic relationship with Robin, stating that his role as "an unflappable gay ally" even in the small town 1980s setting is a testament to him being one of the most "enduringly popular characters" in the series.
428:
Daniela Gama noted that although Steve was originally was meant to be despised by viewers in Season 1, he has since become "one of the most beloved characters in the series" due to his courage, kindness, acceptance, and evolving hairstyle. Rachel
Leishman of
452:
also praised Steve's evolving role, particularly his friendship with the younger children and his transition from "popular kid" to "reluctant but outstanding surrogate babysitter." His popularity also resulted in Steve becoming the subject of an internet
281:
Steve's relationship with Nancy is stressed, and he breaks up with her after she will not say she loves him. He calls her out after her drunken tirade at a party, during which she called their relationship fake. Steve also finds himself at odds with
264:, which they successfully banish. At the conclusion of the season, Nancy buys Jonathan a new camera and Steve continues his relationship with Nancy, while becoming more friendly towards Jonathan after their shared experience.
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asks him to help find his "pet" D'Artagnan, unaware it is a creature from the Upside Down that his friends call a “Demodog”. Steve and Dustin bond over how to talk to girls, and soon Steve also takes him, Mike, Lucas, and
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tower to talk with his new girlfriend Suzie in Utah, gets Steve's help to translate a
Russian radio message he overhears. Robin helps with the translation, indicating a site at the mall, and Lucas' sister Erica
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he is distracted. Steve, Nancy and Robin go to the Creel house in the Upside Down; on the way, Steve admits to Nancy that he is still in love with her, and thanks her for making him a better person.
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Steve is initially portrayed as a stereotypical 1980s popular “jock”; he has an antagonistic personality, yet attracts the attention and admiration of many students. Steve is shown to be dating
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encourages Robin to talk to her crush, Vickie. However, the Upside Down begins to infiltrate
Hawkins, ripping ravines throughout its streets, unleashing complete and utter chaos.
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said that Steve's evolving role in season 2 was initially unplanned, with the Duffer
Brothers deciding in the middle of writing the season to pair Steve's character with
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described his redemption arc as a "masterclass in how to treat your characters," noting how Steve continually strives to change himself for the better.
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and protect him. While traveling the Upside Down, Eddie notices that Steve is still in love with Nancy and encourages him to act on his feelings.
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describing Steve as the "breakout hero" of Season 2 and citing his emergence as a fan favorite due to his budding friendship with
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299:, Billy's step-sister, under his wing. Steve protects the children as Demodogs start ravaging across Hawkins, giving time for
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603:"'Outer Banks' Star Chase Stokes Could Have Been Steve Harrington In 'Stranger Things' But Says He "Effed Up" His Audition"
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The response to Steve's character in Season 3 continued to be positive, with critics highlighting his relationship with
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focused on his protective nature, with fans creating compilation videos and referring to Steve as a "mom" or "dad."
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When Vecna possesses Max, Steve alongside Dustin and Lucas frees her from his curse by playing her favorite song, "
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to fans' concern for Steve's fate by debuting several billboards emblazoned with the words "Protect Steve."
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Initially a part of the first season's recurring cast, Steve was promoted to series regular in season 2.
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Steve's relationship with the series' younger characters has earned much attention, with Josh Wigler of
337:), a former classmate who teases him frequently. Dustin, having returned from science camp and set up a
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Now graduated from high school, Steve works at the Scoops Ahoy! ice cream parlor at
Starcourt Mall with
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as his best moment in the season, describing the interaction as "sweet and heartfelt." Philip Ellis of
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Steve's character development and redemption arc has been positively received by critics. Writing for
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Many critics consider Steve to be among the best characters of the show, with Laura Bradley of
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930:"'Stranger Things' star Joe Keery addresses reaction to Netflix's 'Protect Steve' billboards"
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calling Steve a "lovable mascot" as well as the show's "greatest triumph." Kaitlin Thomas of
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8:
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576:"Stranger Things' Joe Keery on the Show's Second Season and His Now-Famous Head of Hair"
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629:"Steve Harrington's Fate in 'Stranger Things' Was Supposed to Be Totally Different"
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in the series, referenced the meme in 2019 when he posted a screenshot of Steve to
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The group finds Vecna inside the Creel house; Steve and Robin set him ablaze using
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as a fellow survivor being hunted by the Demogorgon throughout the Hawkins Lab.
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551:"'Stranger Things' Adds Pair to Cast, Promotes Duo to Regular for Season 2"
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744:"'Stranger Things': 7 Ways Steve Harrington Changed So Far From Season 1"
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877:"An Ode to Steve Harrington, the soft hero Stranger Things fans deserve"
683:"'Stranger Things' How Steve Harrington Became Season 2's Breakout Hero"
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904:"All About Steve: Stranger Things' Redeemed Hero Is Its Saving Grace"
852:"The Steve Harrington Memes Are the Best Part of 'Stranger Things 4'"
525:"All About Steve: Stranger Things' Redeemed Hero Is Its Saving Grace"
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of the Upside Down to him, and name the entity that killed Chrissy:
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due to both characters being "alone" and experiencing heartbreak.
826:"Stranger Things: Steve Harrington's 10 Best Moments In Season 3"
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becomes involved in Nancy and Jonathan's fight against the
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Fictional character from the Netflix series Stranger Things
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Lifeguard at Hawkins pool and also school swimming captain
795:"Stranger Things knew Steve Harrington was it's [
655:"What's Next for Steve Harrington on 'Stranger Things'?"
19:
For the Welsh pop singer named Steve Harrington, see
799:] best character, then it made him even better"
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482:, Damien Lykins lists Steve's reaction to Robin's
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476:as a sign of his character growth. Writing for
307:to close the gate to the Upside Down, and for
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209:prior to landing the role of Steve. Actor
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1018:Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers
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205:Joe Keery originally auditioned to play
73:Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers
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469:and captioned it "Happy Father's Day."
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1213:Music from the Netflix Original Series
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627:Weatherhead, Shaina (April 11, 2023).
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1222:Halloween Sounds from the Upside Down
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601:Tinoco, Armando (February 22, 2023).
549:Goldberg, Lesley (October 14, 2016).
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180:is a fictional character from the
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1383:Fictional characters from Indiana
928:Starkey, Adam (August 15, 2022).
768:Leishman, Rachel (June 2, 2022).
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201:Development and characterization
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1050:Chapter One: The Hellfire Club
850:Ellis, Philip (June 1, 2022).
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1329:The Vanishing (Far Cry)
1322:Treehouse of Horror XXX
100:In-universe information
993:Awards and nominations
555:The Hollywood Reporter
439:The Hollywood Reporter
290:and his friends after
143:Family Video employee
120:Pretty Boy (by Billy)
58:as Steve Harrington (
1274:Lego Stranger Things
377:Running Up That Hill
233:Fictional biography
221:Executive producer
84:The Duffer Brothers
28:Fictional character
689:. November 1, 2017
687:Hollywood Reporter
582:. October 30, 2017
399:In popular culture
123:Big Boy (by Eddie)
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859:. Retrieved
856:Men's Health
855:
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835:November 20,
833:. Retrieved
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560:November 20,
558:. Retrieved
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534:November 20,
532:. Retrieved
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488:Men's Health
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461:, who plays
449:Men's Health
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431:The Mary Sue
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288:Mike Wheeler
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154:Significant
90:Portrayed by
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1312:Missing You
1255:Other media
1157:Soundtracks
1103:Joyce Byers
939:November 3,
913:November 3,
881:Vanity Fair
861:November 3,
779:November 4,
753:November 3,
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1367:Categories
1110:Will Byers
1096:Jim Hopper
1080:Characters
830:ScreenRant
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463:Jim Hopper
358:See also:
335:Maya Hawke
320:See also:
309:Will Byers
305:Jim Hopper
272:See also:
262:Demogorgon
242:See also:
223:Shawn Levy
131:Occupation
111:King Steve
80:Created by
467:Instagram
417:Reception
339:ham radio
192:Joe Keery
105:Nicknames
94:Joe Keery
56:Joe Keery
44:character
1350:Category
1240:Season 4
1231:Season 3
1010:Season 1
1001:Episodes
887:July 19,
809:July 20,
748:Collider
693:July 20,
633:Collider
607:Deadline
424:Collider
363:season 4
354:Season 4
325:season 3
316:Season 3
277:season 2
268:Season 2
247:season 1
238:Season 1
75:" (2016)
60:Season 3
1296:Related
1287:(stage)
721:Polygon
182:Netflix
1277:(sets)
1089:Eleven
301:Eleven
292:Dustin
1149:Music
1138:Vecna
503:Paste
370:Vecna
156:other
941:2023
915:2023
889:2019
863:2023
837:2023
811:2019
781:2023
755:2023
729:2019
695:2019
666:2023
640:2023
614:2023
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536:2023
455:meme
303:and
168:Home
934:NME
797:sic
297:Max
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