Five minutes.
That’s all it took.
Five minutes of a kid quietly, nervously, bravely saying who he is… and suddenly the internet’s acting like Netflix personally kicked down their door with a rainbow megaphone.
Yep. Episode 7 is now the lowest-rated episode in Stranger Things history.
Not because of dodgy writing.
Not because of bad acting.
Not because Vecna turned into a CGI loaf of bread.
Nope.
It’s because Will Byers came out.
And apparently, that’s just too much for some people to handle. 🙄
Let’s Talk Receipts 📺🧾
For YEARS, Stranger Things has been absolutely drenched in straight romance:
- Mike spending entire seasons orbiting Eleven like a lovesick satellite 💔
- Nancy caught in a full-blown love triangle that could power a small town
- Steve Harrington turning dating drama into a personality trait
- Dustin and Suzie singing NeverEnding Story at the worst possible moment
- Lucas risking everything for Max, because love, innit ❤️
Did anyone scream “AGENDA!” then?
Did review bombs rain from the sky when Mike cried about Eleven for the 400th time?
Nope.
That was called character development.
That was called storytelling.
That was called normal.
Will Byers Was Never a Shock 🌧️🎨
Let’s be honest here, butt.
Will has been queer-coded since Season 1.
His own dad used slurs about him.
He was always the outsider.
The sensitive one.
The kid who didn’t quite fit the mould of Hawkins, Indiana.
This wasn’t some last-minute “shock twist”.
This was years of quiet storytelling finally allowed to breathe.
And what did we get?
A soft, emotional scene.
A scared kid telling the truth.
Friends hugging him instead of rejecting him.
That’s it.
No speeches.
No preaching.
No rainbow laser beams shooting out of the Upside Down.
Just… humanity.
Cue the Review-Bomb Brigade 💣⭐
And yet, the moment Will says “I don’t like girls”, the keyboards come out.
Suddenly it’s:
- “Woke propaganda”
- “Ruined the show”
- “Netflix pushing an agenda”
Funny how straight romance never has an agenda, but queer existence apparently does.
Straight couples can flirt, kiss, cry, sing duets, and derail entire plotlines for love… and that’s fine.
But five minutes of a gay kid being honest in a finale?
PANIC STATIONS 🚨🌈
Let’s Be Clear 🔥
If:
- You watched multiple seasons of straight romance without complaint
- You accepted hours of teenage angst, longing looks, and love triangles
- But ONE queer coming-out scene made you furious
Then the problem isn’t Netflix.
It isn’t the writers.
It isn’t Stranger Things.
It’s you.
And honestly?
That says more than any 1-star review ever could.
Five Minutes That Mattered ❤️
Will’s coming out wasn’t loud.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t forced.
It was gentle.
It was earned.
And for a lot of people watching, it meant everything.
So yeah, the internet can scream itself hoarse.
The scene still stands.
The moment still matters.
And Stranger Things didn’t break.
It just held up a mirror.
And some folks really didn’t like what they saw.
🤘🌈
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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