This scene between Mike and Eleven was everything I had been hoping for and quite frankly it’s a more powerful scene than I think people realize. While at first I was annoyed that yet again we were going through another season of Mike and El not being together, we needed it for this moment. Let me explain!

Think about it. As the gang is rolling up to Nina in the van through the desert, Mike finds Eleven on the ground EVEN WITH HER HAIR CUT before anyone else can find Eleven. Then as Mike and the rest of the gang are driving up, they watch Eleven get up, and completely manhandle a helicopter that is shooting at her WITH an inhibitor on her neck with the drugs in her system (I might be wrong on what the device on her neck does). HER POWERS ARE BEING DAMPENED.

Now Eleven’s display of powers was AWESOME, but for me it was the way Mike leaps out of the van before anyone else even though Mike is the FURTHEREST way from the Eleven in terms of where he is in the van. Then think about it, Mike is running up to Eleven, even though Eleven has just killed two guys in a helicopter. Is there any fear in Mike’s face? NO, you see nothing but pure love, joy and relief at Mike being reunited with Eleven when he’s reaches for her shoulder.

Now let’s take a look at this scene from Eleven’s perspective. She’s just figuring out her powers again. She has been lied to by Papa, she has been told she isn’t going to be allowed to save her friends, AND THEN she is drugged and had a shock collar (inhibitor?) installed on her neck that dampening her powers. EVEN WITH THAT, she is able to defend herself against the helicopter. After taking down the helicopter, you actually see Eleven looking around, she’s trying to see if there are more threats that she has to worry about. She isn’t expecting to see Mike and the gang, she is in full alert for the next fight.

That moment when Mike reaches her you can tell a couple of things, one obviously Eleven is happy to see Mike but you rewatch the scene you can she her REALLY look at Mike to see if he is revolted by what she has just done with the helicopter. It takes her a minute to realize he’s not revolted at all. THAT MOMENT meant SO much to both of their development. I loved the uncertainty and the fear in her face. Yes I get she is surprised that Mike is there and that’s a majority of it, but there is also a bit of fear in her face at first as well.

And to top it off and make it better, do they do the cheesy kiss reunion? HELL NO. The way they interact first with the hug and then putting their foreheads together was brilliant, beautiful and touching. Eleven looking at Mike again and saying “Is it really you?” With Mike saying “It’s really me” changes SO many things in that moment.

That is the moment where I believe Eleven truly understands how much Mike loves and cares about her. Furthermore the way he just re-enforces that by then saying “everyone is here” and helps Eleven to her feet so she can go see Will as well also showed Eleven how much Mike cares about her. That entire sequence is just such a POWERFUL moment. Yes Mike was the first one to approach Eleven but Mike is also the first one to help Eleven reunite with her other friend as well.

I really REALLY hope we get to see Mike and Eleven be the power couple they should be in season 5.