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Steve Harrington continued to establish himself as one of the best and most loved characters on TV with his outing in Stranger Things (which, despite the questionable love triangle, saw some all-time great Steve moments). He has some amazing quotes throughout the season, some of which join a select group that truly sums up the character.
From looking at his relationships with other characters to perfectly encapsulating his arc across the show, Steve has said many great things that really sum up who he is and what his story has been so far in Stranger Things.
"Always The Babysitter, Always The Goddamn Babysitter!"
Season 4 Episode 4 - 'Chapter Four: Dear, Billy'
Even if he does secretly love it, there is no doubt that Steve gets stuck with the kids more often than not, frustrating the former King of Hawkins High, who shows his frustration when he is, again, left to 'babysit' because Robin cannot drive.
Steve's frustration in this scene is one of his funniest moments in season 4, but it is not even anger; he loves the kids and protects them better than anyone else probably could - save for Nancy with her guns. This quote is a great example of a typical Steve-esque outburst that fans loved mixed with his babysitting role, two crucial elements of his character.
"I Like Boobies. You Like Boobies!"
Season 4 Episode 1 - 'Chapter One: The Hellfire Club'
Steve and Robin, in the minds of many fans, are one of the best duos on Stranger Things, challenging Steve and Dustin for that title, and it is their scenes that are simultaneously hilarious and sweet that make them so good.
This quote and the entire exchange regarding "boobies" is indicative of not only Steve's hilarity but how that humor can help comfort Robin, who is, throughout season 4, conscious about her massive crush on Vickie. It is one of many examples of the two being comfortable as platonic soulmates and Steve being there for Robin.
"It's Fabergé Organics. The Shampoo And The Conditioner, Then When It's Damp, Not Wet, Damp, Do Four Puffs Of The Farah Fawcett Spray."
Season 2 Episode 6 - 'Chapter Six: The Spy'
It is in season 2 when Steve Harrington becomes the iconic mother that fans know him as, and that is down to him getting paired up with Dustin, with the two bonding throughout the latter part of the season especially.
This is one of the first instances of Steve's watching out for/showing genuine care for one of the kids and is him talking about two things he is an expert at; hair and women. Steve 'the Hair' Harrington was always going to have a particular routine for his iconic locks, and this is that routine, passed down like crucial wisdom to Dustin in one of their best moments.
"Yeah, It's Me, Don't Cream Your Pants."
Season 2 Episode 9 - 'Chapter 9: The Gate'
Billy Hargroves' arrival on the scene challenged Steve's status as the King of Hawkins High. However, Steve did not veer away from who he was, as shown perfectly in this scene where Billy is on the search for Max.
This scene has everything a fan would expect from an iconic Steve Harrington moment. This first line when Billy asks if it is really Steve, the grunt of frustration when the kids blow their cover by looking out the window, and Steve defending said kids right to the end - to the point where he physically fights Billy - all of it makes for a scene (and not just a quote that sums up who Steve is at this point).
"Oh, Eddie, Your New Best Friend Eddie Who You Think Is Cooler Than Me Because He Plays Your Nerdy Game?"
Season 4 Episode 2 - 'Chapter 2: Vecna's Curse'
Steve is nowhere near as nerdy as the kids and was always of a higher social status than them, so despite their incredible chemistry and dynamics, there is a slight cultural divide. This does not hurt their relationships, but it does mean that Steve gets jealous of Eddie.
This is one of the underlying plotlines of season 4's first volume and ends up being a joy to watch when Eddie reveals that Dustin worships Steve, despite Steve's insecurities shown here. This quote shows that while he will poke fun at and show frustration towards Dustin and the kids, he adores them and cares what they think about him.
"Ahoy, Ladies! Didn't See You There. Would You Like To Set Sail On An Ocean Of Flavor With Me? I'll Be Your Captain. I'm Steve Harrington."
Season 3 Episode 1 - 'Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy?'
From the iconic uniform of Steve and Robin's Scoops Ahoy job to his charming attitude, this quote is Steve Harrington at his very best. Steve's quest for love and dates has been prominent in the show right from the start, and this is one of the many steps on that arc.
What makes this all the more typical of Steve is that not only does his hilarious and charismatic charm not work, but deep down, he probably did not want more meaningless dates, which is something Dustin points out to him.
"Everything People Tell You Is Important, Everything That People Say You Should Care About, It's All Bulls**t."
Season 3 Episode 6 - 'Chapter 6: E Pluribus Unum'
In season 1 of the show, particularly the first six odd episodes, it would have been hard for fans to imagine Steve Harrington, a stereotypical douchey character, to turn into one of the sweetest and most loved characters in the show. However, this is what happens.
A lot of that is down to his realization of these facts that he states to Robin, that the things he valued in high school did not really matter, not as much as the love and care he grows for his platonic soulmate and friends like Dustin. A large part of Steve's character is how others help him grow and realize what he should and does care about in life, and this quote is an example of how the likes of Nancy, Dustin, Robin, etc., helped him do just that.
"I Just... I Wanna Help."
Season 1 Episode 7 - 'Chapter Seven: The Bathtub'
Even back when Steve was not the most likable character, there was still a sweet guy in there deep down, something that comes through in the show following his fight with Jonathan when he pretty much completely redeems himself.
Even after being a part of the vandalism of the theatre, which was utterly cruel to Nancy, Steve abandons his 'friends' to go help clean it up. "I wanna help" is not just a sentiment Steve shows at this moment, but that he continuously displays in all four seasons of the show, in situations both personal and life and death.
"I Mean… Yeah, Tammy Thompson's Cute And All, But, I Mean, She's A Total Dud."
Season 3 Episode 7 - 'Chapter Seven: The Bite'
One of the most important moments in Stranger Things for the characters of Steve and Robin is when the latter confides in Steve about her sexuality, something she has yet to reveal to others openly.
Steve's response to this reveal from Robin is one of his most memorable moments, and had it not been as supportive and comforting as this, many would have rightfully turned on Steve for not accepting Robin. Robin's sexuality should not be shown solely through the lens of how good and supportive it makes Steve look. But, quotes and moments like this perfectly sum up his care for those he loves while showing the typical humor that makes so many like him in these moments.
"Turns Out I'm A Pretty Damn Good Babysitter."
Season 2 Episode 9 - 'Chapter 9: The Gate'
At the start of this exchange with Nancy in season 2, Steve proclaims himself a bad boyfriend, and while that may be inaccurate - especially after a lot of character growth - what is undoubtedly true is this part of his quote.
Babysitter, mom, big brother, no matter the term placed on Steve concerning his love of the kids, he is the absolute best at it, surpassing some of the parents in the show with his maternal instincts. He fights to the end for those kids not just because he feels he has to, but because he wants to because he loves them all no matter how much they get on his nerves.