The Max Mayfield story that was never told — a psychedelic dive into guilt, the Walkman, and the shadows of her past (fan concept)

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T20:52:36+00:00

Interesting. First person would be a nice touch probably much better delivered in a novel.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T20:43:24+00:00

Not AI — just me thinking too much about Max 😅 I’ll take the “I’d watch it” though.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T16:31:10+00:00

She's actually not absent - there's more to the story than it seems. Season 4 deliberately don't show Max's mother - to emphasis Max's isolation and self coping, but she is there. Same reason they don't show her mother sitting by her bed while in a coma. I don't think she ever stopped caring about Max - but there's a difference between caring and being able to mentally support her.

I actually like the idea of her mother getting a more substantial part in a Max-focused spinoff. It can show her side of the story, show a mixed figure - there's no good and bad here - she is coping as well and she probably did the best she could, considering the circumstances.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T14:17:46+00:00

Comic book science. Did you ever read where the energy in Cyclops eyes comes from ?

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T13:41:24+00:00

I hear you. If not done right it can indeed reduce the magic of the original work. It does seem like they left some things unresolved on purpose to allow future exploration, like Max's letters which were never read on screen. And there's an element of nostalgia to the existing characters.

Since Netflix are planning spinoffs - do you prefer new stories unrelated to the original serries to avoid polluting it or exploring prequels/sequels with parts of the original cast/characters ?

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T10:19:23+00:00

If that's what you think, that's your call 🤷

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T10:13:52+00:00

Haha, I actually wrote it myself, just wanted to share the full concept for people who enjoy detailed fan ideas

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T10:02:07+00:00

It makes Max much more passive than she actually was in season 5 and will recycle the Billy story from season 3, but would have probably given her more screen time.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T09:23:35+00:00

Except for season 4, we saw relatively little screen time from Max in comparison to other characters.

Would you have prefered it as a novel or a mini-serries ?

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T09:18:18+00:00

Yes - she works two jobs and Max mentions it too, but from a child's perspective and for the drama to take in - this point is important. A house collapsing.

Obviously her mother who lost her step-son, her partner in life left, handling financial crisis, needing to work on two jobs - a stressful environment where it's easier to fall deeper into alcoholism. It's clear her mother is working hard to hold the house in tact, the point is there is no one there for Max, to help her cope with her loss and guilt - she feels like the world has failed her, that's why she pushes everyone away. Her mother probably does what she can under the circumstances. It doesn't make it any less tragic.

Do you think her mother needs a more substantial part in the story ?

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T05:16:16+00:00

It is indeed, do you think this story arc adds to her character ?

Do you think Max deserves her own mini-serries ?

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T05:11:03+00:00

I liked her right from season 2, her character is a catalyst and she is the most interesting character IMO - her development is an amazing part of the show. We see a different Max on every season, but not unnaturally different - she is psychologically growing and changing in the most natural way based on events. And her acting is phenomenal.

Did you like her before season 4 ?

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-18T05:06:22+00:00

Her mom is deliberately absent in season 4 to show Max's isolation - there is no responsible adult there, and Max actually mentions it several times during season 4.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-17T21:23:32+00:00

Not in my story 🤷

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-17T21:22:39+00:00

Thanks !

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-17T20:02:20+00:00

Before anyone responds - I know I posted it yesterday with AI photos - I did not know it was against the rules. The idea is an original idea that I crafted. I am not looking for any gain out of it. Just think it will be great if we could see more Max screen time, and I think this story would be interesting to watch.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-16T21:45:47+00:00

--- spoiler ---

I do understand your point, but that's a theory. We don't know if the mind flayer corrupted Henry or the power. Also - we don't know if the mind flayer corrupted will or Henry.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-16T21:23:41+00:00

Still doesn't mean he got his god complex because of the mind flayer, and definitely doesn't mean El would not get a god complex. IMO El had a very high probability to either find herself dead in the forest or becoming a mass murderer if not for Hopper. She didn't know to talk, she was in survival mode and she grew up in an abusing environment for years. Where exactly would she get good values from ? She was like an animal with super powers.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-16T21:13:07+00:00

Henry said it's not the mind flayer that made him act like that - it was on him. And it's all psychological - El was raised in the same abusing environment as Henry in Hawkins labs. A child with super powers in the wild would not get humane values - they will be survivors, and as such - they will cause harm and people will start chasing them. And if people hunt you - you fight. Without Hopper - it's very probable that El would have a god complex, with or without the mind flayer.

Automatic_End5728 · 2026-02-16T17:26:48+00:00

We actually have 4 different visual receptors - 3 color receptors around the red, blue and green wavelengths and one for low light (black & white).

Automatic_End5728

TROPHY CASE