Joyce Byers is easily one of the most underrated characters on Stranger Things. Her unsung strength and resilience, combined with Winona Ryder's compelling performance, get more emphasized with every passing season, which means that this character definitely deserves more appreciation than she gets.
Joyce is probably one of the strongest characters out of everyone on the series. She is unafraid to speak her mind, will fight endlessly for the people she loves, and never fails to be heroic. Let's take a look at some of Joyce Byers' most badass, unforgettable quotes.
"I DON'T CARE IF ANYONE BELIEVES ME."
"I don't care if anyone believes me. I am not gonna stop looking for him until I find him and bring him home!" From the very beginning, Joyce was portrayed as being unapologetic in her theories and beliefs regarding what happened to her son.
This is a very unique aspect of Stranger Things. Joyce was actually the first adult on the show to believe - and investigate - in what was actually happening to Will. This sets Joyce apart from just about every other grown-up in the series, who are normally portrayed as typical parents in 80s films always were. Additionally, Joyce is the reason that Hopper is the only other adult on the show who became involved in fighting the monsters from the Upside Down.
"THIS IS NOT YOURS TO FIX ALONE."
"This is not yours to fix alone. You act like you're all alone out there in the world, but you're not. You're not alone." Joyce's relationship with her eldest son, Jonathan, is one that undoubtedly deserves more screentime and development. It was a major focal point in season 1, but was not touched on nearly enough in seasons 2 and 3.
In the seventh episode of season 1, Joyce gives Jonathan the above speech. It was a moving and beautiful moment, and really highlights just how underutilized their bond is.
"I NEED THIS PHONE, AND TWO WEEKS ADVANCE. AND A PACK OF CAMELS."
"I’ve been here ten years, right? Have I ever called in sick or missed a shift once? I’ve worked Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving. I don’t know where my boy is. He’s gone. I don’t know if I’m gonna ever see him again, if he’s hurt…" Throughout Stranger Things' three seasons, Joyce was shown to be a hard worker at Melvald's General Store.
Her aforementioned line emphasizes just how much she does for the store and to support her family, single-handedly. Joyce really is an empowering, inspiring character.
"BECAUSE SOMEHOW, YOU'RE THE CLOSEST PERSON WHO SPEAKS RUSSIAN, WHICH I CAN'T BELIEVE."
"We have had a very long day. We have been shot at, nearly blown up, walked God knows how many miles in hundred-degree heat, stole a car, all while being chased by this gigantic psychopath, all so we could bring him to you. Because somehow, you’re the closest person who speaks Russian, which I can’t believe. But that doesn’t matter because, unfortunately, we’re here. So, if you don’t mind, put that thing away, stop behaving like a jackass, and ask him what he’s doing that’s making my magnets fall off my damn fridge! Please."
Joyce coins some of the best storylines and quotes in the third season of Stranger Things. Her arc primarily revolves around her adventures with Hopper, Murray, and Alexei, leading Joyce to be the voice of reason - and motivation - in her little group.
"MAYBE I'M CRAZY, MAYBE I'M OUT OF MY MIND!"
"Maybe I am a mess. Maybe I’m crazy, maybe I’m out of my mind! But God help me, I will keep these lights up until the day I die if I think there’s a chance that Will’s still out there!" Part of what makes Joyce such an iconic, groundbreaking character, is her sheer, unbridled determination. This trait was notably put in the limelight in season 1, when Joyce had to advocate for her son in a time when everyone believed he was dead.
"THIS THING HAS HAD WILL LONG ENOUGH."
"This thing has had Will long enough. Let's kill the son of a b**ch." Joyce is probably one of the most underrated characters from Stranger Things. Because the kids are usually portrayed as being the heart of the show, it's easy to forget just how amazing of a character Joyce actually is.
If it weren't for Joyce, Will probably wouldn't be alive, and the Mind Flayer probably would have never even been (at least temporarily) defeated.
"GO TO HELL."
"I know who you are. I know what you’ve done. You took my boy away from me! You left him in that place to die! You faked his death! We had a funeral. We buried him. And now you’re asking for my help? Go to hell." Due to how quickly Joyce almost always is at jumping into action and taking matters into her own hands, many characters and viewers alike sometimes perceive her as "crazy".
The truth of the matter really is that Joyce is passionate, unafraid, bold, and a fighter. She knows when it's time to act, so really, she's one of the most quick-witted, sensible characters on the show.
"AND HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR FACE EVERY DAY? I DON'T THINK SO."
Joyce's relationship with Hopper was definitely one of the biggest highlights of Stranger Things 3. Their dynamic has been an endearing one since the beginning when Joyce convinced Hopper to help her search for Will. Since then, the two have grown closer, and the fact that they have been friends since high school certainly works to make their bond all the more swoon-worthy.
In season 3, Hopper told Joyce that she is worthy of becoming a detective for the Hawkins PD, to which Joyce replied, "and have to look at your face every day? I don't think so".
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING? THE POLICE?"
One of the most memorable moments to come out of Stranger Things 3, was the scene in which Joyce and Hopper infiltrate the mayor's office. Hopper begins threatening the mayor, while Joyce handles his secretary. When the secretary picks up the phone, Joyce deftly rips the cord out of the wall, saying, "who are you calling? The police?"
"DON'T YOU DARE PATRONIZE ME!"
This speech is probably going to go down in history as one of the best moments on Stranger Things, and one of Joyce Byers' most memorable lines. Taking matters into her own hands as she does so well, Joyce phones up some very important people and delivers this unforgettable threat:
"Uh, this is Antique Chariot's partner... Wheelbarrow. I don't think Antique Chariot properly conveyed the urgency of our situation... Don't you dare patronize me! I don't know who you are, if you're some glorified secretary or what, but if you don't wanna lose your job, here's what's gonna happen. When I hang up, you're gonna get up off your ass, and you're gonna go find Owens and tell him what's going on... He's gotta get to Hawkins and he's gotta bring his men right now!"