Jonathan Byers, Will's sensitive and troubled older brother in the Netflix hit Stranger Things, has definitely been forced to grow up too quickly, both from his lower-middle class upbringing and broken home to the terrible events that ultimately forced his family to move away from Hawkins in the third season of the show.
Even so, that doesn't excuse some of the weird and downright insensitive things Jonathan has done. As an artist, he ought to have known better in many circumstances, and given his temperament and personality, many of his actions simply don't make a whole lot of sense.
He Doesn't Listen To Nancy In Season 3
Many viewers of the third season of Stranger Things felt like its problems could have been summed up in a single sentence: This is what happens when men don't listen to women. Both Jonathan and Hopper made big mistakes by discounting what Nancy and Joyce had to tell them, and it really makes not sense for them to just shrug off their love interests' concerns after the events of the previous two seasons.
While it does make sense that Jonathan feared losing his job, that didn't mean he had to scoff at Nancy's theories. It also, however, makes no sense that they would just drop everything while in the middle of a work day to investigate and not go after work hours instead.
He Took A Photo Of The Demogorgon And Didn't Even Know
For an observant artist who feels like he has to capture the moment, Jonathan sure doesn't notice what he's actually photographing. Could he really not sense, smell or hear the creature as it hovered near Barb? Had he really paid attention, perhaps he could have saved himself from fighting over the issue so hard with his mother.
Speaking of Joyce, instead of going straight to his mom after practically calling her crazy once he realized there really was a creature, he simply decided to take it down with Nancy instead, claiming Joyce already had too much on her mind. Too much on her mind to hear some validation for what she'd experienced? This makes zero sense.
He Let Will Trick-Or-Treat On His Own
Allowing Will out of her sight was incredibly hard on Joyce Byers after the events of the first season, so it's no wonder she sent Jonathan with him to trick-or-treat during season two's Halloween night. That's why when he totally left Will to fend for himself it was so outrageous. Did the first season disconnect him so far from his brother that he lost his common sense, too? Will was in danger, which Jonathan didn't know about, but he was obviously also having some terrible PTSD and Jonathan shouldn't have left him, with or without his friends.
His disconnect from Will doesn't stop there, either. He also didn't notice the kind of trouble that Will had with this friends during the third season. Even with a job and a girlfriend, Jonathan still should have noticed the kind of agony his brother was
He Thinks He Can Talk Sense Into His Dad
When Jonathan argues with Hopper about contacting Lonnie regarding Will's whereabouts, it almost seems like Jonathan doesn't even know his own father. Obviously this makes no sense, since he's well aware of his deadbeat dad's attitude and lack of concern for his children and ex-wife.
Jonathan thinking he can go talk to his dad is just stupid. Not only does he have the experience to know his dad won't be of any help, but Hopper's power as the chief of police would be much more compelling to get a man like Lonnie to talk. For a moment, it even appeared that Jonathan wanted to protect his father, which also makes no sense.
He Didn't Notice Will Was Possessed By The Mindflayer
Jonathan's closeness to his brother, Will, is a key point of the show. We are privy to several moments they share together, indicating their brotherly bond. That's why it makes no sense that Jonathan, who is supposed to be a sensitive photographer who sees everything, would completely miss Will's possession by the Mindflayer.
It's obvious to most people that Will has something wrong with him now that he's returned from the Upside Down. He is even bestowed with the unfortunate "Zombie Boy" nickname as a result. But the fact that Jonathan doesn't pry further after everything that's already happened is surprising. Once he did know, his insistence that his mother stop roasting the Mindflayer out of his brother also made no sense.
He Attacks Steve
Not only is Jonathan a loner, but he's used to people making comments about his family. We can only guess at what was said after his father left, but we already know the rumors about his brother and himself. Coupled with the fact that he's not a violent person, it makes no sense that he would attack Steve Harrington when the teen has some choice words about his involvement in his brother's disappearance.
It also makes no sense for everyone to chalk this up to him fighting over Nancy, since he didn't even sock Steve over his spray paint or comments about Nancy, but over his comments about Jonathan's family.
He Didn't Notice Will Was Missing
Jonathan is up bright and early making breakfast for his family after working the previous evening, which takes us back to why we love him. He's a responsible son and brother... most of the time. So why didn't he even notice that Will wasn't up and getting ready for school?
The brothers are very close, and you would think that they would have some sort of routine in the morning. As parental as Jonathan seems to be, it would also make sense for him (not to mention his mom) to check on Will before going to bed at night. Sure, he's old enough to get himself to bed, but after not seeing him all evening it would make much more sense just to peek in on the kid.
He's Kind Of The Worst
Steve has made such a transformation into the unofficial mom of the group (particularly since most of the Hawkins moms and dads are absent from the action) that it only makes Jonathan's impotence as a character so much more glaring. Not only does he repeatedly not believe his mother and Nancy, but he is completely obtuse as to why Nancy's job is harder for her than it is for him.
Jonathan is rather useless, especially next to Nancy and Steve who are able to take care of the kids and at least give them a fighting chance while Eleven fights the big baddies. Whether Charlie Heaton is dreamy or not, his character doesn't really deserve the kind of love fans throw at him, and it doesn't make sense to make him and Nancy #relationshipgoals at all.
He Took Pictures Of Some Random Party
Jonathan was supposed to be out looking for Will when he stumbled upon Steve's party and just randomly started taking pictures of his peers enjoying themselves. Some have argued that Jonathan took the photos out of either envy of the normal night the teens were having when his own was a nightmare, or that taking the photos themselves helped to ease some of the photographer's stress.
We're never given a good explanation, though, which leaves the most obvious explanation: the Jonathan was being a creepo and should feel quite ashamed of intruding on a private party, even if it did lead to a clue.
He Took Inappropriate Photos Of Nancy
Rule number one of being good boyfriend material: respect the girl you like. Taking creepy stalker pics while she's making out with the guy she actually likes certainly does not qualify here. This was our first red flag about Jonathan Byers, and despite the way he's made out to be this brooding, quiet artist who is misunderstood and cute, we can't ignore that he's really terrible at respecting people's privacy.
Jonathan may not have deserved to have his camera destroyed but he certainly deserved to have those pictures torn to shreds for violating the subjects' privacy. As a reporter, he'll have to take pics of people on their worst days, so maintaining boundaries and striking a respectful balance will be crucial in his life.