Jonathan Or Steve: Did Nancy Just Make Her Choice In Stranger Things 4?

After getting caught in a years-long love triangle with Steve and Jonathan, Nancy Wheeler seemingly made her choice in Stranger Things season 4.

Caution: Spoilers Ahead for Stranger Things season 4, part 2.

At the end of Stranger Things season 4, Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) has seemingly made her choice between Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton). Amid the life-threatening battle against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), the Stranger Things season 4 cast also has to deal with personal relationship issues. Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) reunite after months apart, Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) struggle to navigate their breakup, and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) risks her life traveling to the Soviet Union to save Hopper (David Harbour).

Another relationship given the spotlight in season 4 is the one between Nancy and Jonathan, which has become strained by distance and the changes of approaching adulthood. At the same time, Stranger Things season 4 overtly teases that there may still be feelings swirling between Nancy and Steve, with other characters outright encouraging them to get back together. Stranger Things season 1 began with Nancy and Steve dating, but as Hawkins began to experience mysterious deaths—including Nancy’s best friend Barb (Shannon Purser)—the misfit couple drifted apart. Because of their shared interests and characteristics, Nancy and Jonathan got together at the end of Stranger Things season 2. However, with Jonathan and his family moving to California between seasons 3 and 4, it has been heavily teased that Stranger Things’ original couple may reconcile.

Throughout season 4, the former couple shared moments implying their unresolved yet reciprocated feelings. As mentioned towards the end of Stranger Things season 4, Steve’s breakup with Nancy definitely pushed him to change for the better. Gone were his toxic traits from the beginning of the show, and he has since matured emotionally, proving himself to be a more suitable partner for Nancy; possibly more than Jonathan. Meanwhile, her actions—mainly when she followed him to the Upside Down without so much as a second thought—also showed her lingering feelings towards Steve. But despite these confusions, Nancy has seemingly decided on her romantic prospects by the end of Stranger Things season 4.

Did Nancy Choose Jonathan Over Steve In Stranger Things 4’s Finale?

After their supposed victory over Vecna, the Stranger Things heroes reassembled in Hawkins. Parents were relieved to see their children again; friends and siblings shared tight hugs. Nancy and Jonathan finally reunited after being physically and emotionally disconnected for a while, and a scene played out as Steve sadly looked on. This scene subtly hints that Nancy chose Jonathan, at least for the time being. While there was a noticeable awkwardness between the two, they were seen together at the end of the episode, indicating that they will probably be in a relationship at the start of Stranger Things season 5. However, Nancy and Jonathan still have unsettled issues to face.

Jonathan’s decision to deviate from their plan to attend the same college together will certainly leave Nancy feeling betrayed and blindsided. His action comes from a well-intended place, with him wanting Nancy to pursue her dreams, but the fact that he chose to leave her out of this important conversation will likely be enough to leave a dent in their relationship. Her feelings for Steve might also complicate things in the long run. In the final moments of Stranger Things season 4, Nancy even admits to Jonathan that Steve has “actually grown up quite a bit”, drawing an uncomfortable reaction from her boyfriend. Whether they can still resolve their problems successfully remains unknown; after all, they have started to grow apart, and their similarities might no longer be sufficient to maintain their connection.

While they are together in Hawkins during the Stranger Things season 4 ending, Nancy leaving for college would likely resume their long-distance relationship regardless. However, when discussing Jonathan’s college letter she prefaces her question with an interesting line, stating, “not that it matters at all anymore”. This may indicate that Nancy realizes she’ll have to put off college, at least temporarily, given that Hawkins has become a gateway to the Upside Down and the planet may be on the brink of an apocalypse. This may keep Nancy, Jonathan, and Steve all in the same place for Stranger Things season 5, allowing the Netflix series to properly explore this awkward love triangle before it comes to an end.

Who Should Nancy Be With: Jonathan, Steve, Or Nobody?

While Stranger Things season 1 introduced Nancy as Mike’s older sister, she was also positioned as the stereotypical jock’s girlfriend. But due to her intellect and character, she deviated from what was expected from women at the time. Her investigative genius allowed her to uncover the truths behind Hawkin’s apparent curse and mysterious deaths, especially in Stranger Things season 4, while her undeniable courage urged her to face actual monsters. She stopped at nothing until she brought justice to Vecna’s victims.

As such, it would be disrespectful to limit Nancy’s future within a particular romantic relationship, despite the show spending a substantial amount of time discussing her involvement in their love triangle. Unless she genuinely wanted to, she should not simply settle for Jonathan out of familiarity nor should she reconcile with Steve just because of their history and shared plans. After all, Nancy’s inquisitive nature, active social involvement, and work ethic could guarantee her a promising life even beyond college. She is already complete on her own—and there’s no telling which characters will make it out of Stranger Things season 5’s story alive—so the best ending for her story does not necessarily depend on who she ends up with in the end.