Netflix's Stranger Things season 1 introduced the audience to a whole new upside-down world of possibilities. But of course, a brilliant plot requires smart, funny and vibrant characters. One of those characters is Lucas Sinclair. Alongside Mike, Dustin, and Will, Lucas is a member of the Party, a group of four bike riding, campaign playing boys.
As they go through the trials and tribulations associated with adolescence, they must now face a bigger challenge. How to survive in a world connected to the Upside Down. So far they're doing okay. They've each played their roles and passed their turns. How has Lucas played his turn? Here's a summary of his worst mistakes and greatest triumphs.
Shining Moment: Finding The Gate To The Upside Down
Lucas was one of the most determined of the Party to find Will. He was frustrated at Mike and Dustin for getting distracted by Eleven. So when he goes off with his compass, it's his initiative that leads to the discovery of Hawkins Lab.
Lucas was also the one to warn the others that the bad men were coming to get Eleven. For a character who is disliked for his initial treatment towards Eleven, it's also forgotten that he was an important ally in her protection. Even if it did take him a little while to warm up to her.
Biggest Mistake: Banter With Erica
Lucas should know by now not to answer back to Erica. Her comebacks burn him each and every time but he still attempts to banter with her, as all siblings do. But Erica is feisty and has some serious sass, taking attitude from no one and serving looks to those who try.
One of her favorite names to call Lucas is "nerd." In season 3, Erica becomes one of the main members on a team with Steve, Dustin, and Robin. Now that she knows everything her brother has been going through the past few years, she might cut him some slack. But then again...
Shining Moment: His Trusty Slingshot
Lucas and his slingshot are a crimefighting team. When Billy is trying to persuade Max to open the door of the sauna in episode 4 of season 3, Will feels the presence of the Upside Down and Mike warns Max to get away from the door. Billy smashes the glass and screams abuse at a petrified and clearly distressed Max.
Without a second thought, Lucas brings out his slingshot and shoots Billy in the head, yelling for Max to run. Lucas also uses his slingshot in the mall, this time targeted at a Balloon to save the whole gang from the Mind Flayer in episode 8, season 3.
Biggest Mistake: Sabotaging Dungeons and Dragons
It's clear to see that Will is still trying to recover from the events of the past 2 seasons. After all, he was the one who was taken into the Upside Down and forcibly connected to the mind of the monster. So it wouldn't hurt Mike and Lucas to spend a little time with their friend who they've been distant with. Especially now they are both in relationships.
However, the two of them proceed to show a lack of enthusiasm and sabotage the Dungeons & Dragons campaign so they don't have to play. They realize they hurt Will's feelings and try to make it up to him, but Will isn't having it.
Shining Moment: Lucas And His Axe
Sorry slingshot, you're just not gonna cut it this time. When The Mind Flayer attacks Eleven in Hopper's Cabin, it's a battle between the gang and a massive towering meat monster. So when Lucas sees his entrance, he grabs an axe, jumps on the box to get some height and starts whacking that sucker with all his might.
With everyone focused on keeping Eleven from being dragged out through the hole in the roof and Nancy busy firing the shotgun, Lucas is the one to sever it from the main point of connection, freeing Eleven.
Biggest Mistake: His Treatment Of Max
Lucas underestimates Max big time. He also doesn't know what he's doing half the time. In season 2, Lucas asks his dad what he does when his mom gets mad at him, in which he responds, "First, I apologize. Then I get your mother whatever she wants." Season 3 reveals that Lucas has taken this advice seriously, with the boys going shopping to buy gifts to save their rocky relationships.
Mike is new to this, but Lucas has broken up with Max five times. Something to brag about? Maybe not. But his heart is in the right place, telling Max in season 2 that she's nothing like her brother and totally tubular.
Shining Moment: Satan's Baby
After Max instructs Will and Lucas to go find a bowl to help clean Eleven's wound, Lucas becomes just a little bit distracted. What could stop him from this oh so important task? Satan's Baby. When Will asks if it's "sweet" Lucas says in awe 'that's an understatement" and proceeds to set the facts straight with his extensive and fanboy knowledge.
Without his obsessive amount of information on this particular firework and his plan to turn Satan's Baby into explosive dynamite, the gang wouldn't have back up for Eleven and the final battle would have looked very different.
Biggest Mistake: Telling Max Without Party Approval
The Party went through a lot in the first season of Stranger Things, especially Will. So naturally, they wouldn't be happy with a stranger knowing about everything they've been doing together.
Mike is still sensitive about losing Eleven and isn't the usual welcoming person he is. Instead, he's rude and mean, not wanting a new addition as a replacement to Eleven. This treatment to a new member is almost parallel to Lucas's behavior towards Eleven in the first season. Even Dustin is wary of his choice to tell Max everything.
Shining Moment: Singing The Neverending Story
Not every shining moment has to be serious and death defyingly heroic. When everyone is packing away the Byers' things in the last episode of season 3, Max and Lucas decide it's time to address the Falkor in the room.
The two break into song for their own amusement and proceed to tease "Dusty Buns." Dustin's reaction is less than impressed, telling them that they're butchering it. "Shut up you guys. Please shut up," and honestly who can blame him? It's his and Suzie's song after all.
Biggest Mistake: Accusing Eleven Of Working Against Them
When Eleven turned up from nowhere, Lucas was the only one in the group that didn't accept her straight away. He was skeptical. They were out looking for their friend and found her instead. He wanted to find Will and Eleven was a distraction, which is fair enough.
However, Lucas crossed the line when he outwardly accused Eleven of working against the gang, comparing her to a stray dog and saying that "she's the monster." He then went on to get into a brawl with one of his best friends. Not one of his best moments.