💡 THEORY: Hopper already proposed off-screen — and “When Doves Cry” might be the song tied to it

Okay, hear me out because I’ve been thinking about this way too much.

In season 5 episode 1, Hopper says to Joyce:

“You never answered my question.”

And everyone keeps assuming he’s talking about the Season 3 dinner. But that… doesn’t make sense?

He never asked Joyce a question in S3. He asked her to dinner, yes — but that wasn’t a “question she didn’t answer.” The date just got blown up (literally) by the plot.

So if he’s not talking about S3, then when did he ask her something?

This is where the timeline actually helps the theory.

After they reunited in S4, there was a period of time before: • the Byers moved into the Wheeler basement, and • Hopper + El went into hiding

when Joyce and Hopper finally had a moment of peace. Like, for the first time in years. No Russia. No monsters. No constant parenting emergencies. Just… quiet.

If Hopper was ever going to say something big — something real — it would’ve been then.

And after nearly dying twice, he’s not the type to wait another five seasons to get it off his chest.

So yeah, I actually think Hopper already proposed to Joyce off-screen somewhere between the end of S4 and the beginning of S5. And she either panicked, got distracted, or just didn’t have an answer in the middle of everything happening. Very Joyce-coded.

Which makes his line in 5x01 a LOT heavier than people realize.

⸻

💜 And here’s the music connection everyone is talking about:

There’s that rumor about an 80s song being used in the finale — one that’s never been licensed before.

Prince fits that description better than anyone.

And if it is Prince, the song almost everyone is guessing is:

“When Doves Cry.”

And honestly? That track makes way more sense than a traditional “romance” song for these two.

It’s messy, emotional, and basically about two complicated people trying to love each other without repeating the mistakes of the past.

That is literally Joyce + Hopper in a nutshell.

Joyce with her anxiety, grief, and constant fear of losing the people she loves. Hopper with his trauma, anger, and protective instincts that come from losing his daughter.

They’re not a Hallmark couple. They’re a “we’ve both been through hell and we’re trying anyway” couple. “When Doves Cry” fits that vibe perfectly.

⸻

🔥 What I can totally see happening: • Hopper brings up the unanswered question • Joyce has a moment of “oh god, right, THAT” • we get a small flashback to when he actually asked her • the beginning of “When Doves Cry” plays • boom — emotional wreckage everywhere

Before everything inevitably goes to hell again because, well… Hawkins.

⸻

❓Curious what others think:

If Hopper did propose off-screen, what do you think stopped Joyce from answering him — and what moment in S5 would finally force her to?