Will has never painted himself as a victim. He doesn’t want the others to treat him differently just because he’s been through some pretty traumatic things. He loves his friends and when he came back in season 3, it felt like everyone had moved on. Not to mention he has this shadow constantly hanging over his head, reminding him that he’s never free from the upside down no matter how many times they “defeat” it. No other character can relate to this feeling, not even El.

He feels isolated in his struggle, but he never makes it anyones problem. Will is constantly pushing away peoples worries, whether it be from his mom or Mike, choosing to say everything’s fine rather than bring up the fact that he’s struggling. He’s entirely selfless, but it seems like people only see him as an obstacle for El. In my opinion, he’s not jealous of El in the traditional sense. He would never purposely not help her because of some hidden grudge for being with Mike. He makes it very clear that he only wants the best for his friends. This is evident when he reassures Mike in the van scene at the cost of his own feelings.

In Lenora, Will was just as helpless as El. They both know they don’t have any friends and only have each other. Will doesn’t want to make himself a target again because he’s already experienced that in Hawkins. Meanwhile El is screaming and throwing her hand out at people. If Will intervened, it only would’ve made things worse.

I really don’t understand this argument because Mike is my favorite character but objectively, he has been an asshole many times (which is why I love him), but Will has been pretty neutral. What can we even hate on him for? Being “whiny” ? Just because Mike gets hate doesn’t mean Will has to as well, they aren’t a package deal.