Stranger Things features several interesting characters, and, sure, it's mostly centered on the Hawkins kids, but some adults still play crucial roles in the story. We have Hopper and Joyce, who have been with the kids from the very beginning. And of course, there's Murray as well, who is roped into this by the others.
Overall, almost every character, whether on frontlines or on the sidelines, has played a crucial role in the story at least once. But then there are Ted and Karen Wheeler, Mike and Nancy's parents, whom we have seen from the very first season. However, unlike other characters in S tranger Things, they have been the most clueless ones about what's happening around them.
It's Pretty Obvious Why Vecna Doesn't Kill [SPOILER] In Stranger Things Season 5
Honestly, the answer is quite simple!
Stranger Things Has Ignored Ted and Karen Wheeler For Way Too Long
But They Finally Get To Have Some Fun In Season 5
Fans were introduced to Ted and Karen in the very first episode of Stranger Things. Karen is a loving mother, and Ted, well, despite being completely oblivious most of the time, does care about his family. However, for characters who've been with us from the very beginning, they haven't done much in the story so far. Almost everyone around them, including their children, has been fighting these interdimensional monsters, and despite living under the same roof as Mike and Nancy, they absolutely have no clue about what is going on.
Of course, there was a moment in Season 3 when Karen almost cheats on Ted with Billy Hargrove. Fortunately, she chooses her family and decides not to meet Billy. At that moment, we sort of connected with the character and saw some depth in Karen. We even felt something for Ted, who basically does nothing except for reading the newspaper. But after that, the show went on to ignore these two characters again. So, it's not surprising that fans don't care about these characters much. Funny how characters like Alexei and Bob, who only stayed with us for a single season, had a bigger impact than Ted and Karen.
All being said , Season 5 of Stranger Things tried to make things right for Ted and Karen by giving them some spotlight. They are finally introduced to the h orrors of the Upside Down when a Demogorgon arrives to take Holly. Honestly, it was refreshing seeing them fighting the monsters, but sadly, it didn't last long. They are badly injured, admitted to the hospital, and it's safe to say that for the rest of the season, it'll stay that way for Ted and Karen. Sure, it's good that the fifth season utilized Ted and Karen, but it's likely that they'll be completely out of the picture for the rest of the story.
It goes without saying that Joe Chrest (Ted Wheeler) and Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler) are amazing actors, and they absolutely kill it every time they come on screen. And that is why it's all the more disappointing that the show didn't give these characters more depth. Volume 1 of Season 5 features an emotional scene in which Nancy finds an injured Karen. The scene is meant to tear up our eyes for Karen and Ted, but honestly, we felt way worse when Alexei and Bob were killed off.
Of course, we understand that they are not the main characters, but they don't have to be to leave some impact on the story. The show could at least have given us more insight into these characters. The relationship dynamic between Ted and Karen, the relationship between them and the kids; there were so many angles to play, and the show ignored all of them. So, yes, it was good to see them finally become part of this fight against Vecna, even though the whole thing didn't last very long. In fact, maybe, just maybe, it was a subtle way for the show to sideline these characters once and for all.
Of course, that might not be the case, and we might actually see more of Karen and Ted in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2. But we'll have to wait until Christmas to find that out.
- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Cast
-
Millie Bobby BrownJane 'Eleven' Hopper -
Finn WolfhardMike Wheeler
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
- Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 5
- Franchise
- Stranger Things
- Producers
- Rand Geiger, Justin Doble, Lampton Enochs
- Story By
- The Duffer Brothers
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Creator(s)
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Executive Producer(s)
- Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Curtis Gwinn, Cindy Holland, Karl Gajdusek, Iain Paterson, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
