The final moments of the epic battle against Vecna left fans with lingering questions, but perhaps none burned brighter than the fate of Robin and Vickie – the series’ only prominent queer couple.
The season finale offered a glimpse into the future, showing characters navigating life after the Upside Down’s closure. Yet, Vickie’s absence in this epilogue was immediately noticeable, sparking intense speculation among devoted viewers.
Robin’s mention of attending Smith College was coupled with a seemingly casual remark about “overbearing significant others” when discussing plans to meet with friends. This single line ignited a firestorm of debate: did it hint at a heartbreaking split?
The creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, have since addressed the question in numerous interviews, offering a pragmatic, if disheartening, perspective. They suggested that long-distance relationships rarely survive the transition from high school to college.
While acknowledging the rarity of lasting high school romances, they conceded that exceptions exist, referencing Max and Lucas as a statistical anomaly. The Duffers’ responses, however, did little to soothe the disappointment of many fans.
Online, the reaction was swift and critical. Fans expressed frustration with what they perceived as lazy writing and a lack of closure for a relationship that resonated deeply with the LGBTQ+ community.
The lack of a concrete explanation left viewers feeling shortchanged, arguing that a significant relationship deserved a more thoughtful and definitive conclusion. The outcry highlighted the emotional investment fans had in Robin and Vickie’s story.
Interestingly, Matt Duffer himself later admitted to regretting the post-finale interview circuit, citing illness and exhaustion as contributing factors to potentially unsatisfying answers. He expressed a desire to have avoided the scrutiny altogether.
The fate of Robin and Vickie, therefore, remains shrouded in ambiguity, a poignant reminder that even in a world saved from monstrous forces, real-life relationships can face more subtle, yet equally devastating, challenges.
