10 times Stranger Things dropped advice you didn’t know you needed

Deeya
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Stranger Things is one of the most popular shows of modern times. Created by The Duffer Brothers, the Netflix series has had four seasons, and each season not only pays homage to 1980s America, but it also delivers memorable lines and scenes that quickly become viral in the pop culture world. The show’s premise about a group of children and adults fighting against other-dimensional creatures and government conspiracies has left an impact on the viewers. However, apart from all the action and gore, the show also has many insightful dialogues. Here are 10 of them.


"Friends don't lie", "Once you open up that curiosity door, anything is possible", and other best quotes in Stranger Things

1. “Mornings are for coffee and contemplation”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

This absolute gem of advice is given by the Chief of Police, Jim Hopper in the first season’s first episode itself. Played brilliantly by David Harbour, Hopper is introduced to the viewers in a state of disarray. He is someone who has tragically lost his daughter and has also failed in his marriage. Therefore, when the audiences first see him in season 1 of Stranger Things, he is always found drowning in alcohol. Apart from that, the small town of Hawkins has never been riddled with crime, and therefore, the police have a laid-back approach to their job. Even though Hopper has many issues, he has set principles about how he wants to go about his job. Therefore, when things begin to turn strange in the town of Hawkins one morning and he is bombarded with requests, he spouts these golden words above. The lines above are not just a quote but also sage advice for anyone who needs to incorporate a set pattern in their lives. Caffeine is often important for many people to reenergize themselves, and therefore, Hopper’s quote is great advice for all those people.


2. “You just try things on, until you find something that feels like you.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink, is one of the most confident and strong characters in Stranger Things. She entered the show in season 2 and offered an alternative to the all-boys gang in the series. The above lines are spoken by her in season three’s second episode when Max and Eleven decide to go shopping at the mall and have a fun day out. But the lines above are not superficial and only related to clothes; they also have a deeper meaning. It all starts with Eleven being upset that her boyfriend, Mike, has lied to her, even though the two had decided not to ever lie to each other. When Eleven shares this with Max, the latter decides to take Eleven for a girls' day out and take her mind off “stupid boys,” as she says it. Max knows that Eleven has never lived a normal life like girls of her age. Eleven first grew up in a restrictive facility, she was then further restricted by Hopper for her safety. Therefore, Eleven needs a girlfriend of her age to show her that life is about living and having fun. The two girls have a fun and empowering time together at the mall, and when Eleven is confused about what to wear, Max says the above lines, which can be applied to anything in life where one needs to find their true self and what their likings are.


3. “Friends don’t lie”

Still from the show (Image via Stranger Things)
Still from the show (Image via Stranger Things)

This is a quote that is synonymous with the show, Stranger Things. The line is short but significant and encapsulates the strong sentiment of friendship that runs throughout the series. This line is spoken throughout the show, but it is originally said by Mike (Finn Wolfhard) to Eleven. Mike says this to Eleven to make her understand the concept of friendship. Eleven had grown up in a lab with no knowledge of the customs of the outside world. Therefore, Mike gives her this sage advice, which highlights that friends are someone from whom you don’t lie and that once you make a promise of being truthful, you stand by it. Eleven begins to grasp the meaning of this powerful phrase, and even though she has been lied to and manipulated her whole life, she feels grateful to have friends who can teach her about loyalty and honesty. The quote has an important place in the series because it focuses on a small and tight-knit group of friends who make sure that their friends are not in danger and who value honesty. Even though the cast of the show goes through unimaginable challenges, all of them stay true to each other.


4. “If you believe in this story…Finish it.”

Still from the show (Image via Stranger Things)
Still from the show (Image via Stranger Things)

An uplifting talk by your parent is sometimes all you need to figure out things in life. The above lines are spoken by Mrs. Wheeler, mother of Nancy and Mike, in season 3. During the third season, Nancy has begun working as a journalistic intern at her local newspaper, and she is ambitious and optimistic about her work. However, she quickly becomes discouraged when people at work take her lightly and even make sexist remarks. Amidst all this, she begins to track a story where people are going missing, and Nancy believes that the story has huge potential, and she needs to get to the bottom of this. This is also the season where the Mind Flayer has taken control of Billy, Max’s brother, and has started using him as a pawn to control and kill people. Therefore, Nancy is very close to solving the riddle of Billy’s rampage. However, there comes a time when she is unsure of her abilities and feels lost. During these moments, her mother, Mrs. Wheeler, decides to give her a pep talk and reminds her that the path will always be full of challenges, especially because she is a girl. However, she should never stop believing in herself and always fight for what is right. The above lines are a great piece of advice for all those who are doubting themselves.


5. “Make mistakes, learn from them, and when life hurts you (because it will), remember the hurt. The hurt is good, It means you’re out of that cave.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

The third season of Stranger Things took the viewers on a whirlwind adventure. The season was packed with heavy nostalgic ode to the 1980s and had action-packed moments as Eleven fought against the mind flayer along with her companions, Erika, Steve, Nancy, Dustin, and others. However, the season also ended on a bittersweet note, as while Eleven is able to destroy the Mind Flayer, she also loses her father figure, Hopper, in the battle. The season ends with Hopper vanishing and seemingly being dead. As everyone is in a somber mood during the last moments of the show and Eleven is taken in by Joyce and her family, Eleven decides to read a letter that Hopper had left for her. The letter is highly emotional and revolves around a father penning down his thoughts for his daughter. Hopper’s letter is filled with wise life advice, but the above lines are one of the most important lessons for anyone. Hopper’s lines highlight that one needs to make mistakes and experience the hurt to understand what is right. Staying away from challenging experiences will not lead to growth, as life is full of challenges, and one has to face them ultimately. Hopper’s fatherly advice is a great lesson on life.


6. “Nobody normal ever accomplished anything meaningful in this world.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

A quote that everyone should live by. These important lines are spoken by Jonathan to his younger brother, Will. In Stranger Things, both brothers, Jonathan and Will, are not popular in high school. While Will and his friends are bullied for being shy and are considered weak, Jonathan has also gone through his fair share of problems at school. Jonathan is an introvert, therefore, people are curious about him but also label him as being different. He is a social outcast who is bullied for his style, music taste, and personality. Even Nancy is unsure of him in the beginning. However, she and the viewers slowly see that Jonathan has a mature and understanding heart. The above quote speaks volumes about Jonathan’s intelligence and confidence. He knows what it feels like to be singled out and criticized. However, he does not want his younger brother Will to ever feel unsure about himself. Jonathan, therefore, says the above lines, which are absolutely true. No one is able to find success by staying inside the lines. It is only when one dares to stand out and be different that he or she is able to make a mark in this world.


7. “Once you open up that curiosity door, anything is possible.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Science is one of the most fascinating things in this world. It has guided humans towards knowledge about things that were previously hidden from them. And the best part about science is that there are no limits to it. Therefore, these meaningful lines are said by Mr. Clarke, the science teacher at Hawkins, in Stranger Things. He says this to Joyce in season 3, episode 2. Even though Mr. Clarke has had a short role in the series, his appearance has been important. Previously, he was the one who told Mike and his gang about the concept of the upside-down and other dimensions. In this instance, he once again serves an important purpose as he reiterates the importance of exploration in science. The teacher has been a patient and understanding guide to Dustin and the others and has always solved their scientific problems. As a teacher of science, Mr. Clarke has proven that staying curious is extremely important in life, and once people begin to have an open mindset, there is nothing that they can’t achieve.


8. “Yeah, the real world sucks, deal with it like the rest of us.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Sometimes advice can be harsh, but people need to hear. The above lines are an example of this. Spoken by Jonathan to Nancy in season 3, the lines are a brutal but truthful representation of how things are in the world. During an argument where Nancy is disturbed by the sexism at her workplace, Jonathan becomes annoyed and reminds her that at least she has a job. While Jonathan sidestepping Nancy’s complaints about sexism is not correct, he does have a point about being grateful for what you have and accepting the reality. Jonathan reminds Nancy that he has had a difficult life, as he had to start without any money or family connections. Therefore, he means to tell Nancy that she should acknowledge the positive aspects of her life and accept that sometimes people and situations are not in our hands, and dealing with them like an adult can be stressful. However, everyone has to do it and get on with their life.


9. “I don’t want you to forget that I’m here…and I’ll always be here.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Another brilliant quote by Jonathan proves that he is not just a wonderful boyfriend and friend, but he is also a responsible older brother to Will. The above lines are spoken by Jonathan to Will in Stranger Things season 4. The fourth season is a turbulent phase for both Will and Jonathan. Will is struggling with losing his friends to relationships and feeling confused about his own identity. On the other hand, Jonathan is lost about taking the next step in life and is worried about college and Nancy. While Jonathan spends most of the season being high on drugs, he does realize that his younger brother, Will, is also feeling lost and is concerned for him. During a scene, Jonathan therefore tells Will that when he was younger, he would come and talk to Jonathan and even ask for his help. However, he is not doing that now. Jonathan assures Will that both of them should be closer to each other, now than ever, and says the above lines to him as a reminder that his older brother is always there for him.


10. “Joyce says time is funny like that. Emotions can make it speed up or slow down. We are all time travelers if you think about it.”

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

These wistful lines are spoken by Eleven in season four’s first episode of Stranger Things. Eleven is still reeling from the loss of Hopper, who was a father figure to her, and is trying to get used to Joyce’s family in California. While Mike is still in Hawkins, Eleven decides to send him letters, and she says these words during the season’s opening. Eleven is someone who has had an unusual and restricted life. Therefore, she is still trying to understand the ways of the world and decides to share Joyce’s perspective on time with Mike in a letter. While Eleven is still amused by Joyce’s views on time, she does come to believe it. Eleven is eagerly waiting for Mike’s visit, and she does feel that the time is going by more slowly. However, when Mike does visit her, the time begins to move faster. The lines above are full of wisdom as they highlight the importance of time and the role it plays in affecting our lives.

Edited by Deeya