Hopper and Byers are two beloved characters from the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. Fans have long speculated about a possible romantic relationship between the two, given their close bond and chemistry on screen. In this article, we’ll examine the evidence and arguments both for and against “Jopper” (the ship name fans have given Hopper/Byers) becoming canon.
Background on Hopper and Byers
Jim Hopper is the Chief of Police in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana where Stranger Things is set. Once a big city cop in New York, Hopper moved to Hawkins for a more low-key life after the death of his young daughter. However, he soon found himself caught up in supernatural mysteries and shadowy government conspiracies. Under his gruff exterior, Hopper has a heart of gold and becomes a father figure to the show’s group of kids.
Joyce Byers is the hardworking single mother of Will Byers and Jonathan Byers. She works as a clerk at a local general store. Joyce is known for being fiercely protective of her family and willing to fight tirelessly against terrifying threats to keep them safe. She has a close relationship with Hopper and often relies on him for help dealing with the dangerous events that plague Hawkins.
Evidence suggesting romantic feelings
There are several moments throughout the show that suggest a budding romance between Hopper and Joyce:
– Hopper makes it a priority to help Joyce find Will when he goes missing in Season 1, supporting her through the trauma of losing a child. This connects them through shared grief over their deceased daughters (Hopper’s Sarah and Joyce’s Will, presumed dead at this point).
– When the shadow monster targets Will in Season 2, Hopper again vows to help Joyce rescue her son, despite the danger.
– Joyce nurses Hopper back to health after he is attacked by demodogs. Their tender goodbye scene before Hopper leaves to find the gate to the Upside Down hints at deeper feelings.
– In Season 3, it’s revealed Hopper and Joyce have been secretly spending time together, like having private dinners. This suggests they are dating.
– Throughout the show, Joyce often relies on and confides in Hopper during difficult times, indicating a growing emotional intimacy.
– The duo bicker like an old married couple, showing their comfortability with each other.
Key romantic moments
Some of the most significant romantic hints between Hopper and Joyce include:
– Hopper giving Joyce his grandmother’s hair tie at the Snow Ball dance – a touching gesture.
– Joyce helping clean and bandage wounds on Hopper’s chest, taking the chance to get physically close.
– Their reminiscing about high school and Hopper calling Joyce “pretty”, revealing his attraction.
– Joyce’s extreme distress when Hopper appears to die at the end of Season 3, confirming how much he means to her.
Reasons they may stay platonic
However, there are also a few compelling reasons Hopper and Joyce may not end up as a couple:
– After losing her boyfriend Bob in Season 2, Joyce may not want to jump into another romance.
– likewise, still grieving for his daughter Sarah, Hopper may not be ready for a serious relationship.
– Joyce’s focus is on raising her family – she may be too busy for romance.
– As police chief and a mom, Hopper and Joyce have demanding jobs that make dating difficult.
– They have a great dynamic as friends/co-parents to the kids, so they may not want to mess with this by becoming romantic.
– Creators the Duffer Brothers have been ambiguous about “Jopper” in interviews, neither confirming nor denying it will happen.
Roadblocks to romance
Some of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of Hopper and Joyce becoming a couple include:
– Their timing has always been off, with them grieving lost loved ones at different points.
– Living in a small town like Hawkins means everyone talks, so they may hesitate to date openly.
– Impending supernatural dangers require them to focus on survival, not romance.
– As police chief, Hopper has to balance his duty to the town with his personal life.
– With Hopper thought dead in Season 3, Joyce may learn to cope on her own going forward.
Fan speculation and theories
Despite the barriers, “Jopper” remains a hugely popular fan theory in the Stranger Things fandom. Supporters of the pairing have some creative ideas about how it could happen:
| Jopper Theories |
|---|
| Hopper secretly survived the Season 3 explosion and returns to Hawkins, reuniting with Joyce. |
| Flashbacks show young Hopper and Joyce had a high school romance that can finally be rekindled as adults. |
| Hopper’s letter to Eleven is revealed to actually be a romantic confession to Joyce. |
| Joyce keeps Hopper’s memory alive by visiting special places from their friendship. |
Many fans hope Season 4 will finally make Jopper canon after years of an emotional slow burn relationship. Possible evidence fueling this theory includes:
– Cryptic teasers hinting at Hopper’s return.
– Photos leaking of Joyce and Hopper together in the upcoming season.
– The Duffers saying Season 4 will focus on character pairings.
Whether through flashbacks or Hopper coming back, fans remain eager to see Joyce and Hopper’s connection evolve into romance. Their bittersweet friendship provides strong foundations for a lovers storyline. After all they’ve endured, Jopper shippers feel the pair deserves a triumphant reunion and happy ending.
Conclusion
The heartwarming bond between Hopper and Joyce is undeniable, leading many viewers to root for them to become the show’s central romance. However, the path to love is complicated by grief, responsibilities, and mismatched timing. While the evidence suggests mutual attraction and care, several roadblocks might keep Jopper platonic. Still, their chemistry and shared history fuels speculation that by the end of Stranger Things, Hopper and Joyce will find their way together at last. Fans will have to wait eagerly for future seasons to see if this beloved friendship becomes an epic Stranger Things love story for the ages.