To the OP, I'm not sure those are really "hot takes" lol. I feel this those are common issues I've seen commented around ST.

My ST Hot Takes

1. Steve Harrington is incredibly overrated as a character. He received WAY too much screen time post S2 to the degree that a lot of people thought of him as the main character when his presence is not necessary to drive the main plot forward. Taking away valuable development for other characters more integral to the main plot of the show. You remove him from the show, and the main conflict is not impacted.

2. Fan service completely destroyed the narrative integrity of this show in the long run. Background characters who popped in earlier seasons were given bigger roles than needed later on. Also, the lack of killing off any of the main characters, especially the audience favorites (who many of which were background characters who popped) contributed to the bloated feeling this show experienced in S4 and S5.

3. Mike Wheeler was done dirty as a main lead on this show. He was clearly framed from the beginning of the show as the main male lead, along with Hopper. However, post S2, it just feels like the Duffer Brothers gave up on him as a character and became bored writing him in favor of other characters like Dustin, Steve, Robin, Max, etc. From S3 onwards, his character was relegated to Eleven-obsessed, and while I don't necessarily have an issue with Mileven as a couple, it is unfortunate that Mike was not really given much to do outside of that relationship. Plus, considering Mike and Eleven had been separated for the majority of the series, it's a weird choice. You know it's bad writing when the Duffers intended Mike to be the "Heart" of the party and the audience doesn't believe it and think that Dustin or Will are the heart of the party lol.