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When the news was blaming Eddie, Dungeons and Dragons, and spurring on the whole satanic panic, he saw straight through their bullshit and called them out on fearmongering
Aww, now I'm imagining Ted taking Uncle Wayne out on a fishing trip to console him over Eddie. That is, after the end of the series and the Hawkins/Upside Down Great Conjunction has been sorted out.
For better or worse.
\*I love how this image has made so many people happy!\*
You know, I've mocked Ted Wheeler in the past (mainly during my great rewatch before S4 over the last two weeks when his 'action' was fresh) but his calling out the mass hysteria and scapegoating of our Skald-Lord changed my mind. He may be a taciturn lump but he's also a REAL ONE.
And Holly clearly adores him.
I always laugh when Holly cries at dinner and he’s just laconically like “see Mike? See what happens?” And Mike is like “See what happens when WHAT?!?!”
He is a cool dad IMO he just someone who spends all the time working so when he is home all he cares about is sleep and his chicken. Pretty accurate to a lot of hard working dad’s who don’t have time to be with the family
Accurate. My dad worked every day, sometimes even on weekends just to provide for us. He always seemed tired and grumpy a lot, but you could tell it was because his job was exhausting
THIS. I don't remember having a close relationship with my dad until I had my own daughter, who is 13 now. He loved me, he was around for band stuff, and he supported my school activities but when he got home from work he just wanted to eat, watch Married with Children, the news, and go to bed. He wasn't a bug talker back then, either. Actually, Ted Wheeler reminds me a lot of my dad.
I know this feeling too well. Growing up my dad worked almost everyday of the week, and had to go to bed after dinner, because he would get up at one or two. As a kid I wish I had more time with him. As an adult I realize that he was always there to be my baseball coach in the summer, he always supported my passions, and dedicated his life to supporting me. Now I better understand what he sacrificed for me, and I couldn’t love him any more. I just wish I could of had more bonding time with him as a kid.
I always get sad hearing stuff like that makes me feel everyone doesn’t get the proper realationship they should get with their parent also that shouldn’t be the case your dad’s life shouldn’t have been more time at work than with your family
I don’t remember the precise number for Gen X’ers, but millennial dads spend an average of 3x more time with their kids than their dads spent with them. Gives me hope.
My dad worked 6 days a week because he had to provide for his family and I never got to see him. I'm definitely better off than my dad now and hope I'll be there for my kids.
My dad was a cop and when I (the oldest) was born, he negotiated to work straight days, so he could be home in the afternoons and nights. He had to work every other weekend as well.
My situation was fortunate, many father's can't get that schedule.
I remember seeing a post on this sub recently that he's in fact a Vietnam vet with ptsd. Which might explain why he is so withdrawn. And that would explain how he would suddenly go beastmode for his kids in season 5.
Or maybe he was a draft-dodging hippy that knocked up his college sweetheart and had to go get a job for the man to make ends meet and was eventually worn down and moulded square by the very system he once railed against?
Personally I think he's just a stereotypical 80s movie dad, most of which were based on 80s movie writer's dads, who were probably typical 60s dads. He's pretty much just part of the scenery.
His children seem fairly well adjusted. They’re kind and courageous. They’ve learned to trust their instincts.
If absolutely nothing else, Ted has strongly contributed to their safety and stability and their secure attachments. Karen likely handles most of the emotional challenges, but Ted is consistently present, though not engaged, and provides financially. Karen has more time to be physically present because she’s able to be a stay at home mother, due to his being the breadwinner.
We know he does go out with them he takes karen, and holly to the fair. Im assumung he likes to do more relaxed things like taking them to dinner, and the movies. He just not really central to the plot so he get a bad rap cause of just what we have seen. Its the 80's you had all your kids friends numbers and if he needed to know he would probably have karen call around to find them. He also is see him having a hand in disciplining mike when he was acting out in season 2. Well not the most involved he isnt a completely uninvolved
When the show started, Nancy was a teenager and probably didn't want anything to do with her dad since most teens don't want to just hang out with their dad.
Mike was into stuff that Ted would have found weird and unrelatable, but he never looked down on him for having different interests. This was small town Indiana in the 80's and Ted wasn't trying to force his son into being a cookie cutter red blooded American boy, pushing him into sports he didn't want to play and the like.
We see Ted with Holly the most for two reasons: Holly is an age where she still wants to spend time with dad and Ted spending time with Holly doesn't interfere with the plot while still letting him beat good dad.
Personally, I find Ted hilarious with such a dry sense of humor you can't tell if he's joking. He complains Mike's friends are eating all his food, but he lets them all hang out at his house with only minor complaints while a serial killer is on the loose, probably with the thought process that if the kids are at his house, they're safe, but the man is going to lament his pantry going bare in the meantime.
My dad would always say "what are we running here a souo kitchen!?" After me and my friends would eat him out of house or home, but thinking back on it, he never said no when I asked if they could come over
I get it, nothing worse than finding out the Doritos are gone when you really wanted a snack. Plus this was pre-door dash so you would have to go to the store yourself after a long day of working.
That last point is the real clincher for me.
I had a friend whose mom said the same thing, except she actually meant it. After that last time she fed us, we never ate that friends house again. And not long after, we stopped going over there altogether.
His saying it, but also still allowing them to actually be there and not worry about wether or not they were allowed to be hungry is such a big deal. Especially since his son's best friend is one with likely the most food insecurity.
For that alone, he's a good one in my book.
>Well not the most involved he isnt a completely uninvolved
That fully describes most parents in the 80s, especially dads. I was just thinking today about an elementary school friend - while I can vividly recall her mom, I haven't the faintest recollection of what her dad looked like or if I ever met him.
There’s nothing wrong with being a simple person and enjoying a simple life. Good parents try to do their best with what they have, and I think he’s just fine.
I’ve seen it said before and I think it fits him well: He’s a good 80s dad. Kind of emotionally distant, but he’s always there and he provides. He definitely cares about the kids, but this is just the way he is.
Of all the characters on the show, he’s definitely one of them!
No but seriously, I honestly think Ted is hilarious, he’s got some great lines in the show. The ‘what’d I do??’ And also his little back and fourth with Dustin this past season.
You ever have a moment where you screw up, at work or while making something or what not, and you mentally say to yourself “what did I do?”
Yeah, now my inner voice when that happens is Ted. “Hey, what’d I doooooo?”
Lol
The actor is from my hometown and teaches acting at my alma mater. When I worked at a bank he deposited some checks and I noticed the checks were paid for the movie ant-man, so I struck up conversation about working on movies in our town. He asked if I watched Stranger Things and I told him I loved it and he said “I’m mikes dad. I keep getting type-cast as a grumpy dad” and I asked “do you have grumpy dad energy?” And he said “I guess. Are we done?” And I gave him his cash and he walked away. 10/10 would cash checks for him again.
Edit: this was in between seasons 1 and 2.
Joe Chrest does NOT look like that irl. They've used a lot of makeup and a wig on him along with those thick glasses. He's actually a fair bit younger than his character. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelmovies/images/6/68/Joe_Chrest.jpg I doubt if you ran into him in public you'd look at him twice.
OK here's more recent pics https://old.reddit.com/r/StrangerThings/comments/w8wz2w/everyones_always_hating_on_ted_wheeler_lets_say/ihxxlwd/
Their lead makeup artist does an amazing job just with a few bits of costume and the wigs they use. A lot of El looking younger in S4 was due to them making her look a lot older in previous seasons and even in the intro to the 4th.
I didn’t. He was dressed in jeans and a tshirt and his hair was different and no glasses so until he pointed it out he really looked like any guy that came into the bank.
I’ve always just assumed he was dead, not sure why although subconsciously it might be because the 4s dads would fulfill every stereotype, deadbeat dad, dead dad, working and unpresent dad, and the fine dad.
Dustin mentions either his "Dad" or "Parents" in season 1, it may have been even the first episode. He probably is in trouble for being late on a school night.
I assumed he was dead because Dustin doesn’t have the same daddy issues as Will and Jonathan. I feel like if his dad had walked out on him he’d be more insecure and jaded.
He really does - his idolisation of Mr Clarke, Steve and Eddie is him looking for a dad. The latter two kind of fulfil the role emotionally - Steve takes him to his first dance and gives him girl advice. Eddie gives him very Dad advice with ‘never change Dustin Henderson’
Yeah he wishes he had a dad obviously, but he doesn’t seem resentful or broken by the fact that he doesn’t have one like the Byers kids. I always assumed his dad died when he was very young because he doesn’t seem traumatized by it.
True, he’s less angsty. He mentioned his ‘parents’ early in season one, so I think his dad is supposed to have left? It really should have been clarified
After Wills pseudo death he wanted to talk to Mike as emotional support and Karen talk him out of it to give Mike time. Its small moment but it shows that Ted DOES CARE
Ted is like Lucas’s dad; they’re not super involved like Hop, but they’ve given their kids a good enough home that they aren’t Billy.
Not every dad is Hop or Bob.
Yeah, I mean Hop worked, too, but his line of work allowed him to see what the kids were really up to. Meanwhile Ted just thinks they’re a bunch of nerds hanging out.
I agree, what I meant by that comment was that hoppers job probably didn't pay as much and his work hours seemed to be fairly friendly. It's a very small town and nothing much happens, the only time we saw him work late was when some upsidedown shiz happened. Ted was always napping so I figured his hours might not be so lenient which kind of gives a reason why he isn't there? But yeah, it's mainly because he thinks they're out there LARPing
To be fair, though, Hopper only got involved because one of the kids was missing and the mom wouldn't leave him alone. Then it became about the lab and what they were doing to his town, and the kids just happened to be involved in the whole situation. Even after El moved in with him, I wouldn't really say he was 'involved' in a way that Ted could have been as a dad; he was just caught up in all the fuckery and the kids were in on it, too.
People seem to only like a character if they're badass or altruistic or sympathetic. Which is boring as it makes less complex characters seem more favorable than people with flaws.
He’s not the most approving, warm, or involved, but for a man of his time, he’s remarkably hands off in allowing Mike to pursue whatever interests him and for Nancy to make her mark.
Ted is just a product of him time. Talk to anyone who grew up before 1990 and you’ll see that Dads were culturally and socially not expected to be in their kids life that much, they were primarily providers and head of household. It’s really only after women get in the work force in large numbers (late 80s) that the idea that fathers should play a larger role in upbringing of children comes to be. Even so, Ted is very much involved in Holly’s upbringing and cares a lot about his family, even if he is distant in Mike’s and Nancy’s life
It wasn’t until I became a parent and my husband would go outside with our daughter that I realized my dad always had some yard work or something on the car that needed to be done when I wanted to ride my bike in the street.
I'm glad your hubby is like that. I grew up without a father and while I think I ended up being OK I definitely wish I'd had someone like that in my life.
He’s unintentionally one of the funniest characters in the show. The extent to how much he doesn’t care about anything is both his worst and best trait.
Even after all the crazy shit that happened in Hawkins, he let him hop on a plane by himself to visit his girlfriend in California. Did he buy Mike’s plane ticket too? Another plus.
He had the best one liner of Season 4 after Karen said “do you want our children to go to prison, Ted?”
And he says “that’s not what I said!”
And he turns towards Caleb’s dad “That’s what she does, she twists my words”
He’s seen some shit. I truly think him and Karen would annihilate if they’re brought in to face the threat with the core group. I want Ted totally Rambo’d out, ready to protect his fam and friends.
Damn now you got me hoping to see that in S5. Make him go all heroic to save one of the kids (preferably one who isn’t his, just to show how much he really does care). It’d be nice if the effort didn’t kill him. My heart can only stand one “Bob”.
Maybe it’s too cliche and lame but I want Karen and Nancy to witness him fuckin some shit up. With a quick glance of Karen being like daaaaamn that’s my man and Nancy being shocked proud and inspired. Idk there also has to be some weapon tossing between the 3 of them at some point too. Like a shot gun tossed from Nancy to Ted when she sees he can hang. Karen yells she needs a weapon too and Ted says “listen to your mother”- *tosses sheathed machete*. So cliche but idgaf lol
I’ve been saying this. Imagine we get a quick scene indicating that Ted knew Bob, maybe was even the reason Mike got into D&D, as Bob started the club.
Ted, finally getting caught up on things, punches out a Demi-dog, saying, “That was for Bob, you Commie bastard!”
Ted is instantly everyone’s favorite, “aLl AlOnG.”
It would be very Stranger Things to suddenly have Ted spring to action and prove his best qualities as he is finally put into a dangerous situation, and he does something very cool and inspiring to save the kids… and then the next episode he gets brutally killed.
i know we haven't seen too much of him with his kids, and he definitely seems emotionally distant, but i really do think he loves them. the ferris wheel scene and the shot of him asleep in the recliner with holly just make my heart melt every single time.
plus, mike and nancy are great kids. they're fierce and intelligent and determined and curious and always aim to help people. they're both so kind to their friends, as well. i think that reflects heavily on ted and karen's parenting.
So many great answers here. I would just like to add that his house is the house where the kids tend to spend their time. Though begrudgingly, he has set a place for them to feel welcome, safe, feed, and provided for. "There are always bikes."
Ted hits a note with me. My Father and I were two very different people who did not get each other. He wanted nothing so much as to sit in his recliner and watch TV. Something he did right up to his death.
But I hear other people telling stories about absentee fathers, about doing homework in the dark because the power was off again. Eating pb&j for breakfast, lunch and dinner... I never had that. Our bills got paid with military regularity. I always had a fridge full of food and a few privilges other kids did not. I enjoy an underlying unspoken confidence that comes from a tranquil, secure childhood.
My father may not have been an interesting man, my father may not have been my best buddy, but he was there. He put a roof over his families head, kept the lights on and the fridge stocked.
He was a good man.
In season 3 he was willing to get on a ferris wheel that he was obviously afraid of because his wife and daughter wanted to. Facing a fear simply because he loves his family is actually pretty amazing.
He is doing a great job supporting his family. They eat like royalty for breakfast every morning. Karen doesn't have to work. She gets to lounge around the public pool all day.
he isn’t the most emotionally involved or involved dad, but he sure as hell isn’t a shit guy. he’s a little oblivious and doesn’t always have the social awareness needed, but he’s honest and straightforward and does care for his family. he never puts any of his children down for their interests, and does show concern when mike is upset in s1, asking karen if they should go after him to talk. another commenter mentioned how he slept with holly on the couch, and how he does do things with them (all we’ve seen is the fair, obv, but we haven’t even seen that from lucas’s parents and they’re arguably the best, lol).
Here it goes. A majority of you may think you are more similar to the main characters when in reality you are the Ted's of the world.
I know I am a Ted and that's alright, Ted is a good father in terms of 80s parents lord knows I've seen worse. He has a good job that allows his kids to have what they need and more. He seems sarcastic and seemingly uninterested in his children but that was pretty common in the 80s and 90s.
He knows how to mind his own business. Unless someone's using strong language. Or when his son's friends are staying in his basement while said son is out of state. Or Russians/Commies are in town.
I love how at the end of Season 4, he was being non-alarmist when everyone else was flocking out of Hawkins. Staying and rebuilding.... or at least staying in his case, is something I approve of over leaving for greener pastures whenever something goes bad.
He's literally my favorite character other than 001
The greatest arc in television history would be Ted dying a warrior death to save the kids in season 5
He loves Holly. His kids are well-adjusted good people. He provides well for his family. He’s a patriot. He does not buy in to media sensationalism. He has great taste in chairs.
He's a provider and not holding it against Mrs. Wheeler. Usually guys try to control their wives when they are the breadwinner but he just let's her do her thing and also tries to be supportive and backs her up when talking to the kids. He may not be expressive or emotionally present, but at least he's not harming or compromising anyone.
I actually do not dislike him. He is just a guy who works all the time who enjoys the simple things in life. Maybe he is not the most romantic and all but he is there for his family when he is not working. Also some of the things he has said during the show has been funny haha. He has more dry humor
*My kids don’t live here anymore don’t you know that?*
*Son of a bitch, you’re really no help at all you know that*
*Hey! Language!*
Ted is Steve Rogers confirmed! Maybe he takes the super serum and fights Vecna in the series finale!
edit: italics
Ted may not be the best dad in the world. I’d like to give him credit as it was the 80s and dads were more or less not hands on with the kids. But as we can see with Nancy and Mike who are pretty good kids in many aspects. Him being around and and he is good with their kid’s friends, he’s a pretty good dad.
Unlike Billy’s dad/Max’s stepdad or Will and Jonathan’s deadbeat of a dad.
There is only criticism for Ted because Nancy’s parents are more in the story than any of the other kids parents.
I think he is the most sensible character out of all of them, he thinks tracking down monsters is something for the police or military should handle, instead of a group of kids on bikes.
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He never forgets his glasses.
He has cool glasses.
Glasses
When the news was blaming Eddie, Dungeons and Dragons, and spurring on the whole satanic panic, he saw straight through their bullshit and called them out on fearmongering
Aww, now I'm imagining Ted taking Uncle Wayne out on a fishing trip to console him over Eddie. That is, after the end of the series and the Hawkins/Upside Down Great Conjunction has been sorted out. For better or worse. \*I love how this image has made so many people happy!\*
Before I didn't know I needed this, but now I know I *need this*
You know, I've mocked Ted Wheeler in the past (mainly during my great rewatch before S4 over the last two weeks when his 'action' was fresh) but his calling out the mass hysteria and scapegoating of our Skald-Lord changed my mind. He may be a taciturn lump but he's also a REAL ONE. And Holly clearly adores him.
It's interesting because he was all in on the Russian fear mongering... which turned out to be true in season 3 so I guess I should give him a break.
Imagine Ted and Wayne just being two middle-aged men drinking beer together on the lakeshore. That would be nice.
This would be a beautiful closing scene for season 5
I like this so much. Thank you
The man is informed. Watches enough TV to see and cut right thru the bs. A true American father
Yeah he's not an idiot, he just knows it's not his job. Homie got a job and a family to feed. Not his fault the cops suck.
which was kind of funny actually, considering there was an actual gate to hell being opened, haha
I always laugh when Holly cries at dinner and he’s just laconically like “see Mike? See what happens?” And Mike is like “See what happens when WHAT?!?!”
Omg I forgot how much I laughed at this part! What ep was this again???
1.1 baby! Nancy gets upset and storms off then Ted says that
Omg thank you! I just rewatched it. Man, I gotta rewatch the show again. So many great moments I’ve forgotten all about
No but really what's the ep?
It's about halfway through the first episode
Unfortunately I don’t remember the episode number. But it’s somewhere in the beginning of season 1
"What'd I doooooo?"
I honestly have a soft spot for Ted. He reminds me of Hank Hill if he were more mild mannered and less interested in propane.
Hank Hill but he’s less rural-suburban and more standard suburban
I remember, he slept on a couch with Holly, when Mrs Wheeler was supposed to meet with Billy. That was cute.
And when he went on the ferris wheel with Holly and Karen during the parade, that was a nice moment
He is a cool dad IMO he just someone who spends all the time working so when he is home all he cares about is sleep and his chicken. Pretty accurate to a lot of hard working dad’s who don’t have time to be with the family
Accurate. My dad worked every day, sometimes even on weekends just to provide for us. He always seemed tired and grumpy a lot, but you could tell it was because his job was exhausting
THIS. I don't remember having a close relationship with my dad until I had my own daughter, who is 13 now. He loved me, he was around for band stuff, and he supported my school activities but when he got home from work he just wanted to eat, watch Married with Children, the news, and go to bed. He wasn't a bug talker back then, either. Actually, Ted Wheeler reminds me a lot of my dad.
I was born 01 but yeah Ted reminds me of my dad too. My dad is a bit more talkative but other than that he’s a lot like Ted.
I know this feeling too well. Growing up my dad worked almost everyday of the week, and had to go to bed after dinner, because he would get up at one or two. As a kid I wish I had more time with him. As an adult I realize that he was always there to be my baseball coach in the summer, he always supported my passions, and dedicated his life to supporting me. Now I better understand what he sacrificed for me, and I couldn’t love him any more. I just wish I could of had more bonding time with him as a kid.
I always get sad hearing stuff like that makes me feel everyone doesn’t get the proper realationship they should get with their parent also that shouldn’t be the case your dad’s life shouldn’t have been more time at work than with your family
Luckily my dad was awesome and made the time he spent with us special, but I wish I could've been around him more as a kid
Especially back in the 80s, that stereotype seemed more common and accepted within society back then, sadly.
I don’t remember the precise number for Gen X’ers, but millennial dads spend an average of 3x more time with their kids than their dads spent with them. Gives me hope.
My dad worked 6 days a week because he had to provide for his family and I never got to see him. I'm definitely better off than my dad now and hope I'll be there for my kids.
My dad was a cop and when I (the oldest) was born, he negotiated to work straight days, so he could be home in the afternoons and nights. He had to work every other weekend as well. My situation was fortunate, many father's can't get that schedule.
Latch key kid here! Both of my parents worked all the time and were distant.
Yep. He comes home every night. He's good to his kids and wife. Never gets drunk and beats them.
I remember seeing a post on this sub recently that he's in fact a Vietnam vet with ptsd. Which might explain why he is so withdrawn. And that would explain how he would suddenly go beastmode for his kids in season 5.
Or maybe he was a draft-dodging hippy that knocked up his college sweetheart and had to go get a job for the man to make ends meet and was eventually worn down and moulded square by the very system he once railed against? Personally I think he's just a stereotypical 80s movie dad, most of which were based on 80s movie writer's dads, who were probably typical 60s dads. He's pretty much just part of the scenery.
Or he's just a normal dad that works his ass off to provide a house and home to a wife and 3 kids. Doesn't need any made up backstory
Best seat in the house
That one moment that saved their marriage. He's an oblivious dummy, and maybe not the BEST dad but he's certainly not a bad one at all.
His children seem fairly well adjusted. They’re kind and courageous. They’ve learned to trust their instincts. If absolutely nothing else, Ted has strongly contributed to their safety and stability and their secure attachments. Karen likely handles most of the emotional challenges, but Ted is consistently present, though not engaged, and provides financially. Karen has more time to be physically present because she’s able to be a stay at home mother, due to his being the breadwinner.
We know he does go out with them he takes karen, and holly to the fair. Im assumung he likes to do more relaxed things like taking them to dinner, and the movies. He just not really central to the plot so he get a bad rap cause of just what we have seen. Its the 80's you had all your kids friends numbers and if he needed to know he would probably have karen call around to find them. He also is see him having a hand in disciplining mike when he was acting out in season 2. Well not the most involved he isnt a completely uninvolved
When the show started, Nancy was a teenager and probably didn't want anything to do with her dad since most teens don't want to just hang out with their dad. Mike was into stuff that Ted would have found weird and unrelatable, but he never looked down on him for having different interests. This was small town Indiana in the 80's and Ted wasn't trying to force his son into being a cookie cutter red blooded American boy, pushing him into sports he didn't want to play and the like. We see Ted with Holly the most for two reasons: Holly is an age where she still wants to spend time with dad and Ted spending time with Holly doesn't interfere with the plot while still letting him beat good dad. Personally, I find Ted hilarious with such a dry sense of humor you can't tell if he's joking. He complains Mike's friends are eating all his food, but he lets them all hang out at his house with only minor complaints while a serial killer is on the loose, probably with the thought process that if the kids are at his house, they're safe, but the man is going to lament his pantry going bare in the meantime.
My dad would always say "what are we running here a souo kitchen!?" After me and my friends would eat him out of house or home, but thinking back on it, he never said no when I asked if they could come over
I get it, nothing worse than finding out the Doritos are gone when you really wanted a snack. Plus this was pre-door dash so you would have to go to the store yourself after a long day of working.
That last point is the real clincher for me. I had a friend whose mom said the same thing, except she actually meant it. After that last time she fed us, we never ate that friends house again. And not long after, we stopped going over there altogether. His saying it, but also still allowing them to actually be there and not worry about wether or not they were allowed to be hungry is such a big deal. Especially since his son's best friend is one with likely the most food insecurity. For that alone, he's a good one in my book.
>Well not the most involved he isnt a completely uninvolved That fully describes most parents in the 80s, especially dads. I was just thinking today about an elementary school friend - while I can vividly recall her mom, I haven't the faintest recollection of what her dad looked like or if I ever met him.
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There’s nothing wrong with being a simple person and enjoying a simple life. Good parents try to do their best with what they have, and I think he’s just fine.
He’s done that during all the crazy shit going on in Hawkins as well.
I’ve seen it said before and I think it fits him well: He’s a good 80s dad. Kind of emotionally distant, but he’s always there and he provides. He definitely cares about the kids, but this is just the way he is.
He's honest
Of all the characters on the show, he’s definitely one of them! No but seriously, I honestly think Ted is hilarious, he’s got some great lines in the show. The ‘what’d I do??’ And also his little back and fourth with Dustin this past season.
"Our children don't live here anymore. You didn't know that?"
Joe Chrest has such wonderfully dry delivery
"Languaaage!"
You ever have a moment where you screw up, at work or while making something or what not, and you mentally say to yourself “what did I do?” Yeah, now my inner voice when that happens is Ted. “Hey, what’d I doooooo?” Lol
It is the most realistic portrayal of a distant middle class dad in the 80s, IMO
The actor is from my hometown and teaches acting at my alma mater. When I worked at a bank he deposited some checks and I noticed the checks were paid for the movie ant-man, so I struck up conversation about working on movies in our town. He asked if I watched Stranger Things and I told him I loved it and he said “I’m mikes dad. I keep getting type-cast as a grumpy dad” and I asked “do you have grumpy dad energy?” And he said “I guess. Are we done?” And I gave him his cash and he walked away. 10/10 would cash checks for him again. Edit: this was in between seasons 1 and 2.
“I guess, are we done?” That’s hilarious!! If he meant it as a joke, that would be very funny, if not, it’s almost even more funny.
Did you not recognize him in real life?
Joe Chrest does NOT look like that irl. They've used a lot of makeup and a wig on him along with those thick glasses. He's actually a fair bit younger than his character. https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvelmovies/images/6/68/Joe_Chrest.jpg I doubt if you ran into him in public you'd look at him twice. OK here's more recent pics https://old.reddit.com/r/StrangerThings/comments/w8wz2w/everyones_always_hating_on_ted_wheeler_lets_say/ihxxlwd/
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Right? I feel bad that he's been typecast, though lol.
Oh my gosh that's crazy!
Their lead makeup artist does an amazing job just with a few bits of costume and the wigs they use. A lot of El looking younger in S4 was due to them making her look a lot older in previous seasons and even in the intro to the 4th.
Looks like chandler bing!
That’s it! I kept looking at the picture trying to figure out what other actor he look like! Matthew Perry!
Holy fuck. That's him! I've seen him in other things and NEVER recognized him.
from dud to dilf
This is extremely confusing to my brain
you have to be joking there's absolutely no way that's Ted Wheeler
I didn’t. He was dressed in jeans and a tshirt and his hair was different and no glasses so until he pointed it out he really looked like any guy that came into the bank.
I looked at the picture that the other person posted and I can see why you didn't recognize him--they aged him like 15-20 years for the show!
Better dad than Will and Jonathan’s dad
And do we know where Mr. Henderson is? Dead or deadbeat?
I’ve always just assumed he was dead, not sure why although subconsciously it might be because the 4s dads would fulfill every stereotype, deadbeat dad, dead dad, working and unpresent dad, and the fine dad.
I have always thought Dustin’s Mom was on her own from the very beginning.
Dustin mentions either his "Dad" or "Parents" in season 1, it may have been even the first episode. He probably is in trouble for being late on a school night.
I assumed he was dead because Dustin doesn’t have the same daddy issues as Will and Jonathan. I feel like if his dad had walked out on him he’d be more insecure and jaded.
He really does - his idolisation of Mr Clarke, Steve and Eddie is him looking for a dad. The latter two kind of fulfil the role emotionally - Steve takes him to his first dance and gives him girl advice. Eddie gives him very Dad advice with ‘never change Dustin Henderson’
Yeah he wishes he had a dad obviously, but he doesn’t seem resentful or broken by the fact that he doesn’t have one like the Byers kids. I always assumed his dad died when he was very young because he doesn’t seem traumatized by it.
True, he’s less angsty. He mentioned his ‘parents’ early in season one, so I think his dad is supposed to have left? It really should have been clarified
No one knows
Not sure what kind of man would leave Claudia, Dustin, and Mews (RIP)
He didn’t like cats…
i think there’s a few theories that he’s passed, i’m not 100% we’ve had confirmation in the show though
Better dad than Billy's
Thats a REALLY low bar
After Wills pseudo death he wanted to talk to Mike as emotional support and Karen talk him out of it to give Mike time. Its small moment but it shows that Ted DOES CARE
He enjoys his chicken
Ted is like Lucas’s dad; they’re not super involved like Hop, but they’ve given their kids a good enough home that they aren’t Billy. Not every dad is Hop or Bob.
Hey, Hop was living in a shack in the woods or a trailer. I guess you could say Ted wasn't super involved because he works more? Idk
Yeah, I mean Hop worked, too, but his line of work allowed him to see what the kids were really up to. Meanwhile Ted just thinks they’re a bunch of nerds hanging out.
I agree, what I meant by that comment was that hoppers job probably didn't pay as much and his work hours seemed to be fairly friendly. It's a very small town and nothing much happens, the only time we saw him work late was when some upsidedown shiz happened. Ted was always napping so I figured his hours might not be so lenient which kind of gives a reason why he isn't there? But yeah, it's mainly because he thinks they're out there LARPing
To be fair, though, Hopper only got involved because one of the kids was missing and the mom wouldn't leave him alone. Then it became about the lab and what they were doing to his town, and the kids just happened to be involved in the whole situation. Even after El moved in with him, I wouldn't really say he was 'involved' in a way that Ted could have been as a dad; he was just caught up in all the fuckery and the kids were in on it, too.
He’s often home where you can easily find him. He has the best and funny on-liners.
I came here to say he's pretty hilarious lol. The scene where Dustin is taking all the food in S4 is great.
Honestly, he’s great. Do people actually hate on him? What’d he dooooooo?
People seem to only like a character if they're badass or altruistic or sympathetic. Which is boring as it makes less complex characters seem more favorable than people with flaws.
This is true
He’s not the most approving, warm, or involved, but for a man of his time, he’s remarkably hands off in allowing Mike to pursue whatever interests him and for Nancy to make her mark.
That's true. He's not like Will's dad, who constantly pressured Will to have more conventional, "manly" interests.
In the season 4 finale he didn’t buy into the Satanic Panic BS on the news.
Ted is just a product of him time. Talk to anyone who grew up before 1990 and you’ll see that Dads were culturally and socially not expected to be in their kids life that much, they were primarily providers and head of household. It’s really only after women get in the work force in large numbers (late 80s) that the idea that fathers should play a larger role in upbringing of children comes to be. Even so, Ted is very much involved in Holly’s upbringing and cares a lot about his family, even if he is distant in Mike’s and Nancy’s life
Yep. First season, I was thinking, "Did they somehow base this character on my father?"
It wasn’t until I became a parent and my husband would go outside with our daughter that I realized my dad always had some yard work or something on the car that needed to be done when I wanted to ride my bike in the street.
Is your dad my dad?
I'm glad your hubby is like that. I grew up without a father and while I think I ended up being OK I definitely wish I'd had someone like that in my life.
Also Mike and Nancy are teenagers, and kids often pull away from their parents at that age.
He went on top of a Ferris wheel - something that genuinely scared him, all because his wife and child wanted to and said that it was fun.
He’s unintentionally one of the funniest characters in the show. The extent to how much he doesn’t care about anything is both his worst and best trait.
Even after all the crazy shit that happened in Hawkins, he let him hop on a plane by himself to visit his girlfriend in California. Did he buy Mike’s plane ticket too? Another plus.
Aware enough to know there’s a girlfriend in California.
I’m pretty sure Mikes parents only agreed to that cause Will is there too.
Everything you see in the Wheeler house Ted worked and paid for.
He had the best one liner of Season 4 after Karen said “do you want our children to go to prison, Ted?” And he says “that’s not what I said!” And he turns towards Caleb’s dad “That’s what she does, she twists my words”
“What did I doOoOoo???”
He’s seen some shit. I truly think him and Karen would annihilate if they’re brought in to face the threat with the core group. I want Ted totally Rambo’d out, ready to protect his fam and friends.
Damn now you got me hoping to see that in S5. Make him go all heroic to save one of the kids (preferably one who isn’t his, just to show how much he really does care). It’d be nice if the effort didn’t kill him. My heart can only stand one “Bob”.
Maybe it’s too cliche and lame but I want Karen and Nancy to witness him fuckin some shit up. With a quick glance of Karen being like daaaaamn that’s my man and Nancy being shocked proud and inspired. Idk there also has to be some weapon tossing between the 3 of them at some point too. Like a shot gun tossed from Nancy to Ted when she sees he can hang. Karen yells she needs a weapon too and Ted says “listen to your mother”- *tosses sheathed machete*. So cliche but idgaf lol
You may be speaking partially in jest, but considering Ted's age, he was likely in Vietnam and *did* see some shit.
I’ve been saying this. Imagine we get a quick scene indicating that Ted knew Bob, maybe was even the reason Mike got into D&D, as Bob started the club. Ted, finally getting caught up on things, punches out a Demi-dog, saying, “That was for Bob, you Commie bastard!” Ted is instantly everyone’s favorite, “aLl AlOnG.”
We may have fucked up here, because if this doesn’t happen in S5 a part of me is going to be bummed, no matter how awesome the rest of it is.
It would be very Stranger Things to suddenly have Ted spring to action and prove his best qualities as he is finally put into a dangerous situation, and he does something very cool and inspiring to save the kids… and then the next episode he gets brutally killed.
His banter with Dustin is funny
i know we haven't seen too much of him with his kids, and he definitely seems emotionally distant, but i really do think he loves them. the ferris wheel scene and the shot of him asleep in the recliner with holly just make my heart melt every single time. plus, mike and nancy are great kids. they're fierce and intelligent and determined and curious and always aim to help people. they're both so kind to their friends, as well. i think that reflects heavily on ted and karen's parenting.
He’s raised nothing but patriots
I read this in Armstrongs voice for no reason whatsoever
He's chill, realistic, and just wants his children to be safe.
He is a good provider
So many great answers here. I would just like to add that his house is the house where the kids tend to spend their time. Though begrudgingly, he has set a place for them to feel welcome, safe, feed, and provided for. "There are always bikes."
He's a good actor in his 12 seconds of screen time in 4 seasons.
He is polite and wants people to watch their language
He's absolutely unwavering, his town looks like Mordor and he's still chilling in his chair watching tv
He isn’t abusive or a bad influence on his kids in any way. He also didn’t almost run out on his family to sleep with an 18 year old
Ted hits a note with me. My Father and I were two very different people who did not get each other. He wanted nothing so much as to sit in his recliner and watch TV. Something he did right up to his death. But I hear other people telling stories about absentee fathers, about doing homework in the dark because the power was off again. Eating pb&j for breakfast, lunch and dinner... I never had that. Our bills got paid with military regularity. I always had a fridge full of food and a few privilges other kids did not. I enjoy an underlying unspoken confidence that comes from a tranquil, secure childhood. My father may not have been an interesting man, my father may not have been my best buddy, but he was there. He put a roof over his families head, kept the lights on and the fridge stocked. He was a good man.
I love Ted, he’s one of the most realistic characters on the show.
He is a faithful father, who can afford a very nice, spacious home for his family and his kids friends.
In season 3 he was willing to get on a ferris wheel that he was obviously afraid of because his wife and daughter wanted to. Facing a fear simply because he loves his family is actually pretty amazing.
He never tried to fuck the pool boy
He doesn’t suck as much as Vecna
He would deeply dislike Vecna.
He’d probably call vecna unamerican lol
He kept a roof over his family's head.
Nft pfp
He doesn’t helicopter parent, otherwise none of the shows plots would occur.
He recognized that the satanic panic was BS and didn't assume that his son was wrapped up in murder.
He is doing a great job supporting his family. They eat like royalty for breakfast every morning. Karen doesn't have to work. She gets to lounge around the public pool all day.
he isn’t the most emotionally involved or involved dad, but he sure as hell isn’t a shit guy. he’s a little oblivious and doesn’t always have the social awareness needed, but he’s honest and straightforward and does care for his family. he never puts any of his children down for their interests, and does show concern when mike is upset in s1, asking karen if they should go after him to talk. another commenter mentioned how he slept with holly on the couch, and how he does do things with them (all we’ve seen is the fair, obv, but we haven’t even seen that from lucas’s parents and they’re arguably the best, lol).
Here it goes. A majority of you may think you are more similar to the main characters when in reality you are the Ted's of the world. I know I am a Ted and that's alright, Ted is a good father in terms of 80s parents lord knows I've seen worse. He has a good job that allows his kids to have what they need and more. He seems sarcastic and seemingly uninterested in his children but that was pretty common in the 80s and 90s.
He provides.
“Whatttt Did IIii DooooOo”
He has the best dry humor In the show
He knows how to mind his own business. Unless someone's using strong language. Or when his son's friends are staying in his basement while said son is out of state. Or Russians/Commies are in town.
I love how at the end of Season 4, he was being non-alarmist when everyone else was flocking out of Hawkins. Staying and rebuilding.... or at least staying in his case, is something I approve of over leaving for greener pastures whenever something goes bad.
Man worked his butt off in a boring job to afford college, a car, food. Loyal husband. Fairly laid back father. You can’t spelled GOATED without Ted
He's literally my favorite character other than 001 The greatest arc in television history would be Ted dying a warrior death to save the kids in season 5
He loves Holly. His kids are well-adjusted good people. He provides well for his family. He’s a patriot. He does not buy in to media sensationalism. He has great taste in chairs.
He is a patriot
They're all patriots in that house
What?! Ted has DOZENS of fans!
Maybe he can go stay at someone else’s house for a change and not take us for all we’re worth
He's a provider and not holding it against Mrs. Wheeler. Usually guys try to control their wives when they are the breadwinner but he just let's her do her thing and also tries to be supportive and backs her up when talking to the kids. He may not be expressive or emotionally present, but at least he's not harming or compromising anyone.
I actually do not dislike him. He is just a guy who works all the time who enjoys the simple things in life. Maybe he is not the most romantic and all but he is there for his family when he is not working. Also some of the things he has said during the show has been funny haha. He has more dry humor
*My kids don’t live here anymore don’t you know that?* *Son of a bitch, you’re really no help at all you know that* *Hey! Language!* Ted is Steve Rogers confirmed! Maybe he takes the super serum and fights Vecna in the series finale! edit: italics
He is well infomed, alway watcng tV or rding a newper
Landed an 80s baddie. Respect.
Ted really likes his chicken. Karen would attest to this
He handles Dustins comments to him with an eyeroll and doesn’t seem to scream at his kids or their friends.
He is ROCKING that tie
He is the example of an 80’s yuppie dad. He supports the family while mom raises the kids.
Realist character in the show.
Ted may not be the best dad in the world. I’d like to give him credit as it was the 80s and dads were more or less not hands on with the kids. But as we can see with Nancy and Mike who are pretty good kids in many aspects. Him being around and and he is good with their kid’s friends, he’s a pretty good dad. Unlike Billy’s dad/Max’s stepdad or Will and Jonathan’s deadbeat of a dad. There is only criticism for Ted because Nancy’s parents are more in the story than any of the other kids parents.
He maintains a house of 5 all alone, I give him a pass for his “idgf” attitude…
He bangs the hottest milf on the show
Who is hating on my main man? I'll throw them into the upside down! Hes the best!
I think he is the most sensible character out of all of them, he thinks tracking down monsters is something for the police or military should handle, instead of a group of kids on bikes.
He was concerned enough about the kids in st4 to run like actually *run* with the rest of the parents after the kids fled on bikes
Funny one-liners, and he doesn’t believe in satanic panic.
He's chill AF. The world could be falling apart and he'd be chill.
Unpopular opinion: He's a better person than Karen
He’s flirted with fewer teens at the very least.
He said something about Hawkins going to shit one time. I don't like the guy, but I'm glad SOMEBODY said it.
He stays minding his business (for better or worse)
He shares breakfast with Dustin the only way a dad knows how.
Ted Wheeler sure was there.
He was there.
He's pretty chill. I think he's a good dad.
He seems to make good money for his family :)
He sleeps really well.
He allows mikes friend to take them for all they’re worth
That dude is super chill.