The central romantic relationship of the show hits a wall of immaturity. Mike and Eleven spend the first episodes bickering over lies and make-outs while Hopper fumes in the background. It’s annoying by design. The Duffer Brothers wanted to show that young love, when not built on honesty, is a distraction. Their breakup drives Eleven into the arms of Max Mayfield, leading to one of the season’s best subplots: .
Unlike the autumnal gloom of Season 1 or the wintry isolation of Season 2, Season 3 utilizes a bright, saturated color palette. The opening of the Starcourt Mall serves as the central hub, symbolizing the modernization of Hawkins and the commercialism of the late 80s. This "Summer of 1985" setting allows for a distinct visual identity that separates it from previous iterations.