SomeWiseOutThere

Personally, I don't follow along with a lot of what the actors have to say about the story or the characters - that doesn't mean I disregard everything actor's say, but I take it with a grain of salt. What matters at the end of the day is this - what story do the Duffers, the directors, and writers want to tell?

We've heard numerous times and from numerous sources that the Duffers are trying to tell a story about the weirdos and 'freaks'. The outcasts and the underdogs, and overall, Mileven's story doesn't align with those ideals.

For the sake of time, I'm going to assume you know what I mean when I say that, but stay tuned on my blog as I will be doing a lot of analysis posts about Byler, Mileven, foreshadowing, themes, parallels, and more.

What I'll say now is this. This show has been in production for almost 10 years. Finn was apart of this show since he was a little kid. i think seeing posts about not just Mileven, but the show in general, stir up warm feelings for him. I remember the early era of stranger things Mileven was all over the place, and it's highly likely that while Byler wasn't a new development in the history of writing and producing the show, Finn wouldn't have known about it being endgame until Season 4 at the earliest.

It's also more than likely that plot-wise El and Mike end on good terms - they do really love each other, and Mike as a characters would still really value his relationship with El, even if it isn't endgame.

And finally - Finn has to be careful. Byler endgame is going to be the biggest queer relationship/plot twist/reveal, like... ever. This is very hush hush, it's under lockdown. They can't have this getting out before it's time.

In short - Finn isn't writing the show, and at the end of the day what he likes on his personal Instagram don't have an impact on how the actual show will turn out - but Mileven is nostalgic, it's rose-tinted glasses. It's memories of the early days, of how far the show has come, of his childhood. Mike and El's relationship is still very important to Mike as a character even if they aren't meant to be a couple, and all in all, all clues and info on Byler are on lockdown - we can't expect the cast or producers to give us any clear idea on how things are going to play out.

Agreed! Also Finn has said before that he’s not into shipping, so I wouldn't take him liking any posts (Byler or Milkvan) as any proof one way or another. He’s not a writer on the show. And from what I’ve seen he seems to appreciate both relationships. He even said at Paris Con that he likes Milkvan because “of the beginning.” And looking back I’m sure it's connected to a lot of nostalgia for him when he first started the show. Not to mention Milkvan in the beginning was platonic, spare for the kiss in the finale episode. So Finn seems to have a soft spot for Milkvan in Season 1/2, not in the later seasons where they're actually dating.

Also I want to add here some things Finn has said or done that could be seen as in favor of Byler/against Milkvan:

And as you said above, a Byler endgame is a massive spoiler. One only Noah Schnapp is allowed to somewhat discuss the possibility of given that his character is canonically in love with Mike. And I’m hard-pressed to believe Noah as an openly gay man would continue to prop up Byler as a possibility if he already knew it wasn't going to happen. Remember just last October (when the cast already knew the ending) Noah said in a Q&A that Byler was always supposed to be something that you’re not sure if it’s romantic or a very special friendship. Where he and Cara (who plays Karen Wheeler) started floundering on a question to do with Mike and Will’s relationship.

Tbh I think the Duffers have probably since talked to Noah and Finn to tell them to minimize the Byler talk. Even Millie said something about how the writers have told her not to talk about it. What's with all the secrecy here?

If Byler is happening (which I believe it is) it would be the culminating plot twist of the whole show. And yes it is a plot twist, because we all know the GA won’t see it coming, and even Bylers continue to have doubt on if it'll be canon.

And again I want to reiterate that Finn isn’t the writer of the show. Even so lets say what if Finn wanted a Milkvan endgame? It wouldn't change anything. If the Duffers want Byler to be endgame they will be. The Duffers said they determined the ending around S1/S2 and knew the show would only be 4 or 5 seasons. Nothing the actors prefer will affect that ending.

Millie has even talked about her mixed thoughts on the show when filming Season 5. She's kinda indicated she's not the happiest with El's ending (compare this to Noah who seems really happy about Will's ending). So regardless of what the actors think, the Duffers clearly already have the characters endings figured out. Also remember -- El was supposed to originally die end of Season 1, which the Duffers changed. That doesn't quite indicate that they had a Milkvan ending in mind, does it?

Love how you worded it omg, Mike bi icon