MovieChat Forums > Stranger Things (2016) Discussion > Max (new character) - why? (spoilers?)

Max (new character) - why? (spoilers?)

posted 6 years ago by JohnnyCastle (393)
17 replies | jump to latest

I've seen people question Max being added. Saying it wasn't needed, etc. I loved it myself. Without her addition, we don't get that incredible end to Season 2.

I think it was like these kids were nerdy but coming into the age where they'd start to have more interest in girls. Still, girls weren't paying any attention to them or giving them the time of day.

Max was different than other girls and connected with the boys. Kinda good to have that added in there as the boys are getting older.

[–] chrisjdel (2714) 6 years ago

I agree, she was a good character to add to the mix at this point. Loved that scene where she tranquilized her obnoxious stepbrother and menaced him with Steve's monster basher, then stole his car! I wonder if Max and Eleven will become good friends after El gets over the jealousy thing?

[–] Bowilly (171) 6 years ago

Since they announced that Max would be joining the group I always felt that we would see Eleven’s jealous side. My only concern was that Eleven might take things a little too far and damage her relationship with Mike. Maybe they will eventually become friends, but we may see more of the jealousy before that happens.

[–] Master (1494) 6 years ago

Max main purpose [spoiler] was a cliche scene to make Eleven Jealous to keep Eleven and Mike reuniting earlier in the season and to have a new human protagonist since Steve became More like (Josh from Goonies to them and they could have an Adventure in Babysitting) [/spoiler]

[–] AP (5258) 6 years ago

I didn't mind her so much. Her inclusion gave Lucas and Dustin a subplot for the first handful of episodes as they didn't have much to do until Dart came along. It also allowed us to see how much Mike missed Eleven as he was initially apprehensive of her joining the party.

[–] TexasJack (12515) 6 years ago

She was an unnecessary addition to an already large cast.

[–] papamihel (1574) 6 years ago

A total waste of Max. Basically she was a token female character - a Yoko Ono to the Nerd Quartet. But she could have really changed the dynamics there and the way the do things. Skate into danger "Zoomer" - that kind of thing. She should have been the one who came up with the plan in the finale.

[–] JohnnyCastle (393) 6 years ago

duh it was all completely new to her. Why would she be the one to come up with the idea in the finale. Get real.

[–] papamihel (1574) 6 years ago

Then what's the point of her? She's just there to tag along.

[–] ManToTrust (1648) 6 years ago

The point is this is how organic friendships are formed. People rarely just march into a group and become the new ringleader! She's a new addition, that's the point. That's it.

[–] xfool (923) 5 years ago

Shes becoming the love interest for Lucas, next season expect either Dustin or Will to get one as well.

[–] nauru-1 (160) 5 years ago

Pretty sure Will likes boys, and Dustin will still have his work cut out for him trying to impress girls.

[–] chrisjdel (2714) 6 years ago

Nobody came up with the plan by themselves. They brainstormed it as a group. And I think Max did a pretty good job "zooming" in that muscle car, after naptime for Billy the bullying stepbrother. She'll be part of the group dynamic in season 3 and even Mike won't have a problem with it - I think the idea that somehow she was replacing Eleven is what made him resistant to including her.

[–] Batty67 (358) 6 years ago

I liked the character and thought she was well acted...but, she did not provide much value added, and her sociopathic brother even less.

[–] Xenopharb (617) 6 years ago

I agree ... the outcast newbie girl gets with the geeky gang of boys. It makes sense.

The show also needed another female character for the young group.

Did people just want to see the same stuff as last season?

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I personally love Max! She seems to fit in well with the original gang since they have a lot in common. She's very tomboyish and kind of has a rough life with her brother (or whoever) being a jackass and threatening to hurt the boys for talking to her.

[–] Xenopharb (617) 6 years ago

Max is also a link to adolescent plotlines for the group, but I think there is more to this family than we know.

[–] ridah (273) 6 years ago

This! At that awkward age boys starting paying more attention to girls and challenges friendship bonds, I distinctly remember this. By adding her to the group that helps bring that home while making us care about her as a character as well. All while briefly touching on issues like interracial dating and sibling abuse.