When we first met Billy Hargrove in season 2 of Stranger Things, he was the new bad boy on the scene at Hawkins High. He also was not a guy many were fans of. He did several things throughout that season alone that made us look at him as a villain in his own right. Little did we know, he would be the big bad in season 3 of the hit Netflix series.
The thing about Billy is he ended up being a far more complex character than we originally gave him credit for. You went from loving to hating him, then again from hating to loving him, until finally you just accepted that love for what it was. Let's break down the 5 Times You Hated Billy (And 5 Times You Loved Him) on Stranger Things.
Hated Him: His Hateful Relationship With Max
Billy wasn't the only new kid on the block when season 2 rolled around. His step-sister Max was new in town as well, and from the beginning, the tension between the two step-siblings was palpable.
It was very apparent that Billy had an incredibly difficult time with the move and the fact that his father and Max's mother were now together, leaving his own mother behind in California. But he took a lot of his frustrations about it out on his little sister, Max, who had done nothing wrong. Watching him scream at her and scare her in his car was the first time we truly understood the depth of Billy's darkness.
Loved Him: When We Witnessed His Father Yell At Him
Okay, so maybe we didn't fully love Billy at this point. But we definitely felt sorry for him and started to understand why he is the way he is. Much like Billy is with Max, Billy's father is a domineering, angry, hateful man. He takes a lot of his aggression out on his son and doesn't hesitate to let him know who is the boss in their household.
That was perfectly shown at the end of season 2 when Max went missing on Billy's watch and Billy's father was furious. You could see the fear play out on Billy's face and just knew his upbringing had to have been less than ideal.
Hated Him: When He Beat Up Steve
There is a saying that goes around the Stranger Things fandom: "It's not a season of Stranger Things if someone doesn't beat up Steve." Well, in season 2 of the show, the culprit of Steve being beaten up was none other than Billy. They had begun a rivalry once Billy set foot on the grounds of Hawkins High, but when Steve had to stand up for his new friends - the kids of Stranger Things - all bets were off.
Sadly, it was Billy who was the victor in their showdown. That is, until Max saved the day. But we can all agree that was one of the main moments in Billy's journey that we well and truly hated him.
Loved Him: His Slow-Motion Strut As A Lifeguard
While Billy has plenty of flaws that are shown throughout the series, there is one thing most can agree on - he's a total babe. He may be a complete jerk most of the time we see him, but it is hard to deny that he is incredibly good looking.
So at the beginning of the third season, we learn that Billy has a new summer job as a lifeguard at the local pool. The first time we see him at the pool, he struts his stuff in nothing but his lifeguard swim trunks and a whistle. It was a moment we all shamelessly loved because if nothing else, Billy knows how to work it.
Hated Him: He Threatened Lucas Over His Budding Relationship With Max
Lucas was infatuated with new cool-girl Max the moment she arrived in Hawkins. They started a tentative friendship that seemed to be quickly evolving into the two having genuine feelings for each other. It was very evident from the beginning that Billy did not approve of her friendship with Lucas, let alone anything more between the two. Because of his disapproval of their relationship, he threatened Lucas for even being near his sister.
He took this to the next level when he saw Lucas at the Byers' residence and started attacking him in rage. Luckily, Steve stepped in, though he didn't win the fight in the end.
Loved Him: His Childhood Flashbacks
Before any villain's story begins, there is usually a point in their journey that caused them to become the villain in the first place. We finally got to see what this turning point was for Billy in season 3. When the gang realized Billy was the one behind the latest monster troubles in Hawkins, Eleven decided she would go into the upside-down to try to connect with Billy and get into his psyche to figure out how to combat his nefarious plans.
While there, she saw vivid flashbacks of Billy's childhood. Seeing how happy he once was with his mother and how tragic his life became once she left was hard enough, but when we saw he was forced to stay with his abusive father, it all became clear how he ended up where he did. We finally got see a different side to Billy, a side we can definitely get on board with.
Hated Him: He Was Going To Have An Affair With Mrs. Wheeler
Being the person to break up a marriage is never a good look for anyone, but that didn't even seem to cross Billy's mind when he made plans with Mike and Nancy's mom, Karen Wheeler. He had every intention of carrying on an affair with the married mother, and she almost went along with it.
Luckily, she came to her senses and didn't show up to the motel. But before Billy was attacked by the monster in Hawkins, he had no qualms about having an affair with her and potentially ending her marriage. That, quite honestly, made him an even more terrible person than we already thought he was.
Loved Him: He Saved Eleven
The Mind Flayer was after Eleven in season 3 of Stranger Things, as well as all of Hawkins’ residents. Since Billy was a part of the "Hive Mind" of the flayed, he gained inhuman abilities and was assisting the Mind Flayer in the demise of Eleven.
But then, Eleven reminded him of his last happy memories - the ones from his childhood with his mother. This helped bring his humanity back and he decided to do the unthinkable: he sacrificed himself to save Eleven. It was hands down the most selfless thing Billy had ever done and finally helped us see there was good in him all along.
Hated Him: He Tried To Kill Eleven
Before Billy sacrificed himself to save Eleven, he did try on numerous occasions to capture her and bring her to the Mind Flayer so she could meet her end. Granted, Billy was not really himself in this instance, but it still gave us a lot of moments where we couldn't help but hate him.
He did everything he could to end El's life, including attacking her friends when he felt they were in the way of his grand plan. While he was not successful in the end and was strong enough to fight off the Mind Flayer to save her life, there were still a lot of moments he nearly succeeded in ending her once and for all.
Loved Him: He Saved The Day (And Apologized To Max)
If they had told us that by the end of season 3, Billy Hargrove would be a hero, we all likely would have laughed. But for as much grief as he caused, he righted his wrongs in one final heroic moment when he sacrificed himself to save Eleven - and all of Hawkins - from the Mind Flayer.
While it was a tragedy to lose Billy when he finally was becoming the best version of himself, it was still a great redemption for a character who was previously universally hated. The most touching part of it all? When he said, "I'm sorry," to his sister, Max, as he died in her arms. At least their relationship finally mended in his final moments.