One of the primary protagonists, Dustin Henderson, is played by Gaten Matarazzo in one of the most famous Netflix original series worldwide, Stranger Things. With four seasons filled with suspense and unknown mystery, witnessing these young characters solve and triumph over numerous obstacles made a prominent impression on fans.
Dustin is the smartest out of his group, with a love for all things science and technology. He is also perhaps the funniest character in the show, providing much-needed comic relief in intense situations. There are tons of Dustin Henderson moments in the series, out of which we are revisiting our top ten fav on the actor’s 22nd birthday. Let’s jump right in!
10. Attempting to lie to the cops
After extensive research, Dustin, Max (Sadie Sink), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Steve (Joe Keery), Eddie (Joseph Quinn), and Robin (Maya Hawke) were able to discover Hawkins’ link to the Upside Down through a gate at the base of Lover’s Lake during the fourth season of the show. Dustin, Max, and Lucas, however, had to deal with the local cops, Officers Calvin Powell (Rob Morgan) and Phil Callahan (John Paul Reynolds).
The officers wanted to know what these kids were doing near the lake at night and how well they were acquainted with Eddie. Max tried to convince them by saying they were just taking a walk, while Dustin unconvincingly lied about the whole situation. However, Dustin wasn’t very skilled at lying, as he couldn’t make the cops believe their “late-night swim” story.
9. Validating concepts that everyone else laughed at
Dustin has developed hypotheses to explain the many events that occurred in Hawkins during the whole course of Stranger Things. Even though he constantly had trouble persuading the others to accept his theories, despite the fact that they turned out to be true most of the time.
In season 4, Dustin was able to validate his theory about Vecna and his notion about other open gates in town when he was successfully able to communicate with Steve, Nancy, Eddie, and Robin while they were stuck in the Upside Down. Dustin at the end rescued them by leading them to Eddie’s trailer while communicating with them via Holly Wheeler’s Lite-Brite toy, proving once again, not only is he the funniest in the group, but also one of the smartest.
8. Dustin meets Steve after summer break
His connection with Steve captured our hearts almost from the start of Stranger Things. Dustin’s bond with Eddie was also very heartfelt to watch in Season 4. Dustin and Steve took care of each other, creating a dynamic that fans loved. After going to summer camp in Season 2, Dustin reunites with Steve in the third season of the show.
In that scene, Dustin visits Steve at the Scoops Ahoy store, and they perform a ridiculously nerdy handshake that prompts Robin (Steve’s colleague) to quip, “How many children are you friends with?” Then, with a wide smile and all teeth showing, Dustin starts discussing his girlfriend with Steve, making the funny comment, “She says kissing is better without teeth.”