Stranger Things Talk
(WHOLE SHOW AND SEASON 5 SPOILERS/ IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS PLEASE SKIP THIS WEEK’S POST)
If you're chronically online or enjoy browsing Netflix for your next binge, you've probably heard about “Stranger Things”. This TV series came out in the summer of 2016 and was and still is such a hit. Today, I'm going to talk about my personal overview of the hit series.
Back in 2016, I fell into the craze. Stranger Things was my obsession. I had t-shirts, watched it on Netflix over and over again, TikTok loved it and had tons of videos on it, and it was great. Then season two came out, season three, season four, and finally season five is halfway released. I have enjoyed all seasons. Stranger Things was released and popular during my most influential phase of life.
If any of my readers are around my age, then you may understand the nostalgia this show brings for the 2016-2019 time frame. It truly brings me back to VSCO, friendship bracelets, painting on our skin for no reason, the beach, messy buns, “turn around, look at what you see”. I think of these things and am transported back to being 15 during the summer time. My biggest worry was what color combo I would make for my next bracelet, which I had my mom sell at her job.
Now for the show itself, can we talk about how genuinely good it is? I've never been one for sci-fi or things that just aren't practical, so I was hesitant to put this show on all those years ago. A show about a girl with powers, portals to another world, and evil monsters did not seem up my alley. However, I am genuinely addicted, especially after the season five episodes were released. I am literally counting down the days till the second half (#bylerisreal). The amount of effort and thought the creators put in is something magical. How do you plan 5 seasons in advance with around 8 episodes each season, nearing an hour long each, like hello, I’m sat.
The first season, off the bat, starts crazy, capturing viewers immediately. Will and his friends are engaging in a fun game, then Will goes missing, meeting a strange girl with powers, the dynamic of Jonathan and Nancy on their own storyline, Joyce and Hopper on their own, and the boys and Eleven on their own, yet all connected and eventually merging at the end of the season. I think that is honestly what gets and keeps viewers hooked. There is so much symbolism, I don’t even know where to start, and I can’t even think of any to point out now. Season one really sets the tone for the series, as every character presents with some kind of struggle. Most times, balancing every character's uniqueness presents as a challenge; however, the Duffer brothers did a wonderful job and presented characters with unique challenges without making it a jumbled, confusing mess.
Season two was equally as engaging and enjoyable; however, I must admit that out of the whole series, I do find myself rather uninterested. I think Season Two has great moments, including Steve’s character development, Dustin’s pet demodog, and Mike and Will’s friendship, which seems stronger in this season as well. However, Eleven's storyline gets a bit boring for me. I do know the importance of season two, with her sister being introduced and her gaining more backbone in things; however, I think the action gets lost for me. While there is still a fight and danger, we see less of it than we did in season one, which is something that I personally enjoy most in regards to shows in this genre. I do think the love for Steve and his character growth is very prominent in this season, especially his love for Dustin and all the kids.
Now I fear season three might be one of my favorite seasons, the kids are growing up, and Max's brother is taken by whatever evil monster controls the upside-down. This whole season is basically one big fight, and Mike’s relationship really shines in this season. And overall, it’s just an entertaining season. This season specifically brings out the 2019 nostalgia, as everyone really loved it during this era and gained a lot of traction for this season. I don't have much to say for this season, as it really was just that good (absolute cinema). I enjoyed Max and Lucas's relationship development, as well as Jonathan and Nancy's blooming relationship. The loss of Billy was devastating as his character had no time to grow, and we only learned the real him in his last few minutes. We also lost Hopper in this season, which rocked my world back in 2019. I remember crying in my kitchen, watching Billy and Hopper die in the episode, and my parents coming out and making fun of me. Now we all know Hopper was still very much alive now, but at that time, I was devastated.
Season four was really good as well. The introduction of Vecna, the horrifying deaths of different kids around Hawkins, and the fight to stop him were so entertaining. Learning Vecna’s backstory and seeing the torment he’s unleashing on the town of Hawkins was crazy. This season felt so action packed and character development continued to develop and get even better. I really enjoyed this season and the conclusion of the season. Hoping they saved the day, and realizing it only got so much worse, their fight was yet to be over. However, they will slander and overlook that this season was terrible but crucial for his character in season five. (also #bylerdevelopment)
SEASON 5 OMG. I am so invested right now. The four episodes released for season five genuinely have me in a chokehold. I’ve always loved Stranger Things, but I’m so hooked and started rewatching the whole series AGAIN. I knew season five would be good, but my expectations have been surpassed. Will, in season five, is the top 10-character development. He was a slow burn, that’s for sure, but we finally got there, and it was worth it. The action, the plot twists, the new characters, everything is a 10/10 for me. I am gay, and so is the actor who plays Will, but OKAY GLOW UP, how did he get so fine in one episode? Started with a bad haircut, ended as a 10. I’m so impressed with his glow-up and delivery. I know Mike wanted him badly. Which brings me to my last thing for this long post. BYLER IS REAL. I am hoping this season ends with them at least confessing their love to each other. Will deserves it for sure. I can’t tell which way the creators will have this series finale go, but I am excited regardless and am preparing for heartbreak.
If you’re still here, thanks for reading. See you next time.
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Goodbye for now, see you in the next one!
