Stranger Things season 5 is almost here—or so the latest reports would have us believe. While fans are definitely hyped for the showdown between Vecna and the Hawkins crew, particularly Eleven, they are just as eager for those all-important character moments. For the past few hours, fans have been busy spinning all sorts of scenarios involving their favorite characters. One of the most talked-about ideas is the potential meetups, which fans are hoping to see in the new season over on Reddit.

A thread asked fans to share their Jim Hopper meet-up wishlists for season 5. The responses came flooding in, and fans debated over which characters would have the most interesting dynamic with the now-escaped Russian prisoner. Surprisingly, the top choice was not Joyce, even though she and Hopper still have that Enzo’s dinner date to look forward to. Instead, fans have supported the idea of Hopper bonding with Mike— Eleven’s boyfriend. And some behind-the-scenes photos from December seem to tease that this meeting might actually happen.

These pictures from the sets teased a touching moment between Mike and Hopper, which further sparked excitement for the two characters finally getting a proper heart-to-heart after three banter-filled seasons. Their relationship has been a bit of a rollercoaster over the seasons, so fans are eager to see where this could actually go. Of course, there were plenty of other suggestions for potential Hopper pairings, too.

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The thread turned into a full-blown discourse, with several picks about who should share the spotlight with Hawkins’ gruff but lovable sheriff.

Some fans suggested that Hopper should reconnect with Jonathan and Will Byers, despite David Harbour's exhaustion with the kids. After all, Hopper was the one who saved Will way back in season one. But others were quick to shut that down, pointing out, "They had literally never interacted” and "neither of those boys is looking for a father”. Mike, however, felt like the obvious choice for many fans.

One commenter noted that the "hug at the end of ST4 was a nice restart for them”. Others added that a Hopper-Mike meet-up could help the two characters “gain respect for the role the other has played in El’s life.” If this meet-up does happen and Hopper and Mike get a chance to bond, it could be a great example of how Stranger Things balances its supernatural thrills with heartfelt relationships. Moments like this remind viewers that while the show is packed with monsters and mysteries, its real strength lies in its characters and their connections.

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What do you think about this Mike and Hopper meet-up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!