I’m sure I know what you’re all thinking. “Steve’s character development from Season One is emaculate!” I assure you, dear readers, you are correct. Remembering the Steve Harrington from one and meeting the Steve of two, I bet we’re all feeling a little bit star struck by this new and improved Steve. Who would’ve thought?!

Steve Harrington, the jerk jock with beautiful iconic hair that Nancy fell for in season one of Stranger Things seems to have had a change of heart.. and so has everyone else. Steve Harrington, who was your typical cocky high school slimeball, has now captured the affections of the audience with his wonderful character development that progressed in season 2. Here’s my list of the best parts of this development, in eleven points of course!

*WARNING- some spoilers ahead, but seriously if you haven’t watched season two of Stranger Things yet, get with it and come back to read this*

1. His hair is still beautiful.

This is beside the point, but is good to mention as his hair is gorgeous and ends up being pretty important in the plot line later.

2. AWKWARD DINNER WITH BARB’S PARENTS JUST TO APPEASE NANCY I MEAN COME ON.

This was precious. Nancy was freaking out (rightfully so) about Barb and her poor parents who believed she was still alive out there and here’s good ole Steve, going with Nancy to have dinner at Barb’s, continuing casual conversation when Nancy left the room rather upset. Steve is just a light-hearted guy who definitely provides comedic relief this season and it’s wonderful.

3. Steve handled all situations with so much grace and strength, it’s ridiculous.

Between Nancy calling out their relationship and running off with Jonathan, this new jerk Billy taking his place as “the better Steve”, and being left out of the loop until he teamed up with Dustin; we would’ve expected old Steve to flip his lid by now- maybe would’ve gotten drunk and vandalized something with his old friends- but no, Steve Harrington is a changed man and takes his new-found role as a dad in stride. Which leads to my next point.

4. Reformed jerk becomes dad to all of our middle school darlings.

It warms my heart to see that Steve no longer is identified as being a player or jerk of the year, but as a dad to our favorite crime-fighting kiddos. Some could even argue he’s more of a mom than anything else with the whole dish-towel-thrown-over-the-shoulder thing and “do what I say or so help me” attitude.

5. He realizes that what he’s getting himself into with Dustin is crazy, but as we see at the end of season 1, Steve doesn’t just go with the flow, he THRIVES in it.

Grab this bat covered in nails and go searching for these flesh-eating demogorgons with this middle school kid luring it with bologna to a secluded abandoned junk yard? Sounds like a solid plan, count Steve Harrington in!

6. Giving Dustin hair and girl advice and helping him when his friends were dealing with other matters.

He took our beloved Dustin under his wing and cared for the little guy. He treated Dustin like a brother and gave the most Steve Harrington advice he could give, including his hair care secrets!! He must really care for the kid if he shared that with him.

7. He fought Billy only after Billy went after the kids.

Steve had plenty of chances to attack Billy (the jerk) and yet he never saw the need until Billy went nuts on Lucas. No matter how much Steve liked to pick on them or question their motives, it is evident he truly Wants the best for these kids.

8. Protecting our cinnamon rolls from the demo-dogs and literally shielding them with his life.

All of this after he woke up to Max driving a car and freaking out (which is a great scene by the way) and after they went against his commands and put their lives in imediate danger, Steve still protects those kids with every fiber of his being.

9. He told Nancy that her being with Jonathan was okay.

It was obvious Nance felt bad about the way she left things with Steve and came back with Jonathan, but Steve knew she was happy. He spared his feelings for her, the girl he was ready to spend the rest of his life with, so he could see her being really happy.

10. HE PICKED DUSTIN UP AND DROVE HIM TO THE SNOW BALL.

Need I really say more? This was precious and completed what I like to think is the redemption of Steve Harrington.

11. But not only did he drop off Dustin for the ball, he saw Nancy and didn’t want to cause drama and mess up her and Jonathan.

Honestly I think this is very thoughtful of Steve, old Steve would have gone in there to try and win her back, but new Steve knows she’s happy, and honestly he’s beginning to enjoy his new position as a parental figure/babysitter/friend to the youngsters.

It is clear Steve Harrington has become more of a hearthrob, fanfavorite this season and I can hardly wait for what season 3 has in store for him!

(Maybe instead of the moms taking polaroids of the kids in their costumes on Halloween it’s Steve, and maybe Steve treats them to pizza or ice cream every now and again... who knows, there are stranger things that could happen!)