She's Just Real And I Adore That - Tumblr Posts
Stranger Things, season 3, episode 7 (2019)
Rewatching and need to vent
Robin Buckley gave me and so many other people, I'm sure, a scene that was so completely unexpected and amazing to watch.
As a fan of the show since it first released, I grew up with these characters, since age 10/11. I always loved their dynamics, the show itself, and god do I love a found family trope.
But Season 3, through Robin, I thought she was a lot like me in certain aspects. Different, alternative, a nerd, sarcastic and queer coded as soon as she was placed on screen. Of course I thought so, I'm queer, I grasp at what I can get. And, as an "advocate" for the lgbtqia+ community (I did not know and accept my bisexuality until months later, a good while after turning 13), I was rooting for it to be true.
As soon as her and Steve's bathroom scene happened, as soon as she came out to him, I was amazed. The Duffers put it together so wonderfully and carefully, it's a relatable story of hers - being envious of a popular guy, liking a girl she can't have and... Hiding.
Even today we have to admit, we often hide, at least for a short while. Many of us aren't accepted by families, colleagues, acquaintances or society all together. In her society, in the 1980's where the f slur is frequently thrown around and the derogatory terms many of us have reclaimed is used wildly, that must be absolutely terrifying. She is visibly struggling to tell Steve and is clearly, and understandably, afraid but he accepts her without thought and mocks her taste.
I'm so glad they have their platonic opposite sex friendship and that, despite his crush, he instantaneously accepted her not only as his colleague still but a true and genuine friend.
This representation was amazing to me, unexpected and brought a tear to my eye. Still does sometimes. I think it was handled delicately and with understanding from the directors and Maya Hawke. She is a lesbian in the 1980's USA, she has walls built up, she's a person first and foremost. Her sexuality was never her main attribute, it wasn't a case of needing the diversity. She was already a character, strong and intelligent. She is also gay. There are no poor, distasteful jokes that she is at the end of and, while this is admittedly the bare minimum, I think we can all say it was slightly unexpected, comforting and touching to see someone queer portrayed well in such a popular piece of media in a time when so many are being bashed for similar things. The Duffers did not cower in fear and I sincerely hope they continue not to even in the midst of what is currently happening in the States.