The Epic Love Story of Lucas Sinclair and Max Mayfield in Stranger Things

The Beginning: Season 2

Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) are one of the best couples on Stranger Things, and it all started with a high score on Dig Dug. While the main focus of the Netflix sci-fi thriller may be fighting monsters from other dimensions, many romantic connections form on Stranger Things, and Lucas and Max are no exception. Though they may not share that much screen time as an actual couple themselves, the build-up and fallout of their relationship are just as significant as the time they spend together.

Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) & Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) walking down the school hallways in Stranger Things season 2.

Throughout three seasons, Lucas and Max went from strangers to friends, to crushes, to a couple, to exes (six or seven times over), to friends again. Near the end of season 4, the prospect of Lucas and Max rekindling their relationship was looking good, until Vecna put Max in a comatose state. Max and Lucas could end up together in the long run as long as she recovers in Stranger Things season 5, the upcoming final season of the hit series.

Sadie Sink as Max and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas in Stranger Things season 4

Season 2: First Meeting & First Kiss

Max joins the show in the season 2 premiere as a skateboarding tomboy from California. The boys are shocked when they realize that she must be the mysterious 'MADMAX' who beat Dustin's high score on the video game Dig Dug at the arcade. Lucas makes his first official introduction to Max when he and Dustin invite her to come trick-or-treating with them. She initially declines because she thinks they're 'stalkers,' but ultimately decides to join them.

Max (Sadie Sink) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) sit across from each other on the floor at the Byers' house in Stranger Things season 2.

The boys keep Max in the dark as Will's condition starts getting worse, and they realize Dart is from the Upside Down, which makes her feel excluded from the party. Lucas seeks advice from his dad about how to fix things and apologizes to Max for being so secretive. He explains what really happened to Will and spills everything about the Upside Down. She doesn't believe him at first but is later convinced when she sees the Demodogs. Sparks fly as their bond strengthens during a heart-to-heart about Max's family problems. In the finale, they dance together at the Snow Ball and share their first kiss on the dance floor.

Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) dance together in Stranger Things season 2 finale.

Season 3: On-And-Off Relationship

By the beginning of season 3, Lucas and Max have already been dating for a while, but their relationship isn't the most secure or mature. Max is easily irritated by Lucas' thoughtless behavior, and they tend to let their friends' drama affect their own relationship. When Mike upsets Eleven by lying to her, Max sets out to teach El that 'there's more to life than stupid boys' and takes her on a shopping spree. Meanwhile, Lucas tries to help Mike fix things with El by searching for an apology gift. Empowered by Max's support and insight, however, El dumps Mike.

Max (Sadie Sink) glares at Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) as he holds out a water bottle in Stranger Things season 3.

Given that Lucas has taken Mike's side and Max has taken El's side, it seems that Max might be dumping Lucas as well. This is confirmed when Max tells Eleven that she bets Mike and Lucas 'are totally wallowing in self-pity and misery like, 'Oh, I hope they take us back,'' and Will reminds Lucas and Mike that Max and El 'broke up with [them].' However, Lucas and Max's breakup isn't serious or permanent, since Max had already dumped Lucas five separate times since they started dating.

Season 4: Broken Up & Reconciliation

It's revealed at the beginning of Stranger Things season 4 that Max broke up with Lucas sometime after the season 3 finale, only this time, it was for good. Ever since Billy's sacrifice, Max has been struggling with survivor's guilt along with other life changes, like her stepdad leaving, moving to a trailer park, and her mom's worsening alcoholism. Lucas tries to reach out to her, but she keeps pushing him away, claiming she's a different person now. Lucas has also become more popular since starting high school and joining the basketball team, which has created distance between not only him and Max, but Mike and Dustin, as well.

As they investigate the Vecna murders with the rest of the Hawkins gang, Lucas makes multiple attempts to connect with Max again, but she brushes him off. He also declines to read Max's letter to him because he refuses to accept that Vecna will kill her. However, when Max is possessed by Vecna, Lucas' fear of losing her for good is palpable. This close call brings Lucas and Max closer together, and it becomes clear they still have romantic feelings for each other. When Lucas' teammate Patrick is killed by Vecna, Max consoles him and he apologizes for not being there for her enough.