It wasn't CG though, or at least, it was real and only slightly enhanced via CG.

Bwahahahaha

The reason I hated and still hate Lucas (not necessarily as a character, but I hate Lucas-the-character, if that makes sense), is that he's a bully. He doesn't just turn on El and leave the group, which is at least a somewhat defensible move. He treats her like complete shit from the moment he meets her right up until…

Nancy told the truth.

Like, they go into a bit that it wasn't because he was just a pervert, but it's a pretty hard sell when you have a topless photo.

But even then, by the time the monster gets to the school it apparently isn't even weak enough for the guys armed with machine guns to mow down. Apparently the monster is weakened by nothing but psychic little girls.

The scene with Will was naked, blatant emotional manipulation and I fell for it fucking hook, line, and sinker. If I'm that invested in it that I'm actually getting choked up, manipulate away.

I never got that she and Johnathan fell in love.

First off:

Agreed. He wasn't slut-shaming there, at least, he was just saying what Nancy was thinking - and let's face it, it's a pretty realistic way to think.

Basically my issue is that for a bullied kid, he was a pretty shitty bully too.

Exactly.

I said he had a point. He obviously didn't do the right thing.

"Wrath of Khan" was pretty freaking brilliant, though.

Well, he's admittedly peripheral to the main cast. They don't give him a lot of time to show side interests except that he hangs out with those other horrible people.

I feel like Dustin was the much bigger, more level-headed voice of reason.

Pretty sure Khan quotes Shakespeare, actually.

Also, I love Steve's character arc. One thing that redeems him is that throughout the series, in his most douchey moments Steve has a pretty fucking good point.

Dustin knew they'd actually cut his teeth out. He still begged Mike not to jump. Mike still jumped.

(This coming from the guy who thinks "The Hounds of Baskerville" is one of the show's best episodes.)