Fast forward to the end of Season 4. Hopper is back from the Russian gulag, looking like a scruffy, traumatized bear. Joyce literally flew across the world, battled demogorgons, and blew up a helicopter to save him.
And what does she do? She grabs him by the collar and locks lips. In the middle of a snowy field. With Murray Bauman cheering them on like a deranged wedding officiant. It was perfect.
But let’s be real for a second: did they actually get together? Or was that just a “thank you for not dying” kiss? We’ve all been there, right? (Okay, maybe not with the Russian gulag part.)
The Great Debate: Ship or Sink?
Some fans argue they’re just trauma-bonded friends. They say Joyce is too chaotic for Hopper’s grumpy dad energy. I say those people need to re-watch Season 1, specifically the scene where Hopper brings her three whole eggos.
The tension has been there since the beginning. Remember when he lied to her about Will’s “body”? He did it to protect her. Remember when she slapped him? He took it like a champ. That’s not friendship, folks. That’s a prelude.
Plus, look at the subtle stuff. Hopper always touches her elbow. Joyce always seeks him out when the world goes sideways. They share a magnet wall and a trauma about missing kids. If that’s not relationship fuel, I don’t know what is.
11 'Stranger Things' Moments That Prove Joyce and Hopper Need to End Up
