New behind-the-scenes images of Stranger Things’ returning characters in season 5 suggest one underlying Steve Harrington subplot won’t end in his favor. The ending of Stranger Things season 4 left plenty of loose ends for the surviving Hawkins crew, including a long-standing romantic subplot for Joe Keery’s Steve Harrington. Much of season 4 dealt with Steve addressing his lingering romantic feelings for Nancy Wheeler, whose distance from Jonathan made it seem as if the two had a chance to potentially get back together.

Two major questions remain for Steve’s character ahead of Stranger Things season 5’s story: will Steve get back with Nancy, and will Steve survive the upcoming battle with Vecna and the Upside Down? The queries will certainly be answered ahead of the show’s ending, with plenty of debate around what the outcomes can or should be for each one. However, recent images released by the show’s co-creators, the Duffer brothers, already hint at the conclusion to one of these unanswered questions, and it doesn’t look like it’ll end up well for Steve.

Stranger Things Season 5’s Set & BTS Photos Increasingly Suggest Nancy Chooses Jonathan Over Steve

Stranger Things’ BTS imagines continue to pair Nancy & Jonathan together

Recent behind-the-scenes images of Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers suggest that the two will remain a couple in Stranger Things season 5. The end of season 4 left it ambiguous as to how the Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve love triangle would progress, as it was unclear whether she would choose one of the two or opt to choose neither of them. But, new behind-the-scenes teases from season 5 continue to place Jonathan and Nancy together, which seems to confirm that she chooses Jonathan over Steve in Stranger Things’ final season.

The latest image of Nancy and Jonathan happens to depict them in the backseat of Steve Harrington’s car, however, suggesting her choice is met amicably by all three. Steve and Jonathan have rarely been put together in scenes since Stranger Things season 1, but several production teases have now hinted at the two as an unexpected new duo in season 5. Steve and Jonathan being paired up could mean that Nancy chooses neither of them and the group works together against the Upside Down as friends, or that Jonathan and Nancy stay together while Steve decides to move forward and simply put their friendships first.

Steve and Jonathan being paired up could mean that Nancy chooses neither of them and the group works together against the Upside Down as friends, or that Jonathan and Nancy stay together while Steve decides to move forward and simply put their friendships first.

After all, a love triangle at what could be the end of the world as they know it seems to be quite inconsequential when Vecna threatens to destroy everything they hold dear. If the Hawkins crew is successful in defeating Vecna in Stranger Things season 5, then Nancy’s official decision on the love triangle could likely be delayed until after that point. Of course, the teases so far point to the notion that Steve won’t get the reconciliation with Nancy that he was seemingly hoping for after Stranger Things season 4.

Nancy & Steve’s Season 4 Storyline Seems Pointless After New Stranger Things Teases

Nancy & Steve’s pairing could have better established their friendship

If Nancy ends up choosing Jonathan over Steve in Stranger Things season 5, then the rehashing of the love triangle in season 4 makes less sense. Steve had already started working past his romantic connection to Nancy in season 3 when he confessed his feelings to Robin in the bathroom of the movie theater, so bringing back an unrequited love for the former only for it to amount to nothing seems pointless. Rather, it just seems to put another obstacle in the way of Nancy and Jonathan trying to work through their long-distance relationship problems and different views on their futures.

While it was exciting to see Nancy and Steve paired up again in Stranger Things season 4, considering the two had hardly shared the screen after their season 2 breakup, it may have been more beneficial to use this reunion to simply foster a better friendship. Nancy became closer friends with Robin while Steve became friends with the now-deceased Eddie Munson, but Nancy and Steve’s dynamic was always underscored by lingering romantic feelings for the other. If Nancy and Steve don’t have a proper confrontation about a potential reconciliation in Stranger Things season 5, then their season 4 grouping was a missed opportunity to further establish their friendship.

Stranger Things Season 5 Already Has A Better Steve Dynamic To Replace Nancy Before The Show’s Ending

Stranger Things season 5 needs to revive a fan-favorite Steve duo

It seems that Stranger Things season 5 will maintain Steve and Robin’s dynamic after seasons 3 and 4, but there’s another Steve pairing that needs to return before the show ends. Rather than focus on Steve’s feelings for Nancy, Stranger Things season 5 should emphasize Steve and Dustin’s friendship, which was a huge highlight of season 2’s various subplots. Following Eddie’s death, it seems likely that Dustin will prioritize his friendship with Steve, especially if the latter isn’t focused on reconciling with Nancy. With Dustin and Steve being among the show’s greatest team-ups, their dynamic needs to be explored further before Stranger Things season 5 officially ends the series.

Season
Character Frequently Paired With Steve

1
Nancy, Tommy H.

2
Nancy, Dustin

3
Robin, Dustin, Erica

4
Nancy, Robin, Eddie