Stranger Things

I came to the latest season of Stranger Things with real reservations. I felt the last season was simply a recycling of what had gone before and wondered, if this wasn't another case of, "rinse and repeat."

Well, thankfully, that's not the case. The latest season adds new material and fleshes out the overall back story. Its suitably creepy too, with yet more 80's style nostalgia and one of my favourite Kate Bush songs.

Everything is well placed, great sets, great acting and thrills that keep you coming back. Its sets things up beautifully for the next season too.

NOTE: The last season was truly anti climatic and rather simplistic. Its a shame, given how well, this started out.

I don't remember Africa being that popular in the 80s... do you? I mean, those of you who are old enough to actually remember the 80s. It was a hit, I remember that. I remember my mom liked it... my MOTHER liked it, which is sort of the population that Toto catered to, but I don't remember Africa having that much play on any station that anyone openly listened to until... what 2014 when Family Guy popularized it again because one of their writers played too much GTA in the early naughts.

Anyway, this show comes with a really important lesson.

It was great, it really was, the first seasons were pretty fantastic, and then it stank. It went woke, the character did things they wouldn't do, things that were completely out of character, all the men became incompetent morons, and then....

... and then it dropped the woke crap because it's fan base started to walk away and... the fan base came back, and the rest of the season was great again... well it was good again, it was better than just about everything else again.

I just sort of wish the 80s nostalgia was more 80s nostalgia and note more what Millennials think is 80s

Intelligent and witty with a perfect seasoning of 80’s references.

Stranger Things is a highly popular science fiction horror series that debuted on Netflix in 2016. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the show is set in the 1980s and has gained a massive fan following due to its nostalgic elements, thrilling storyline, and unique blend of supernatural and sci-fi themes.

Plot Overview
The series takes place in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, where a young boy named Will Byers disappears under mysterious circumstances. As his friends and family search for him, they encounter strange occurrences, including a girl with psychic abilities, who calls herself Eleven. Together, they uncover a secret government experiment and a parallel dimension known as the Upside Down.

As the group of friends, led by Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Dustin Henderson, works to uncover the truth about Will’s disappearance, they face numerous dangers, including government agents and terrifying creatures from the Upside Down.

Key Themes
Nostalgia: Set in the 1980s, the show draws heavily from the pop culture of that era, paying homage to iconic films and books by directors like Steven Spielberg and writers like Stephen King. This gives the show a nostalgic feel that appeals to both older viewers and new generations.

Friendship: A central theme of Stranger Things is the strong bond of friendship among the group of kids. Their loyalty and bravery in the face of extraordinary challenges form the heart of the series.

Supernatural and Science Fiction: The show merges supernatural elements with sci-fi concepts, including government conspiracies, alternate dimensions, and mind-bending powers, creating an intriguing and suspenseful narrative.

Main Characters
Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown): A young girl with psychokinetic abilities, Eleven becomes a central figure in the battle against the forces from the Upside Down. Her mysterious origins are a key part of the story.

Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard): A caring and loyal friend, Mike is one of the first to meet Eleven and plays a crucial role in the group’s efforts to find Will.

Will Byers (Noah Schnapp): The missing boy whose disappearance triggers the events of the series. Will’s experiences in the Upside Down have lasting effects on him and his family.

Jim Hopper (David Harbour): The town’s police chief, Hopper becomes an important ally in the fight against the strange occurrences i

Could have been a Geek's Favorite Movie
I really wanted to like Stranger Things more. As a fan of DND, I had high hopes for what this show would be able to offer. While the plots were well written, I found the pacing to be erratic which made it hard to stay interested. Often times, I found myself confused by th jovial interactions in the midst of deeply traumatic scenes. While these moments offered opportunities for character building, I also found they took away from the serious plots.

Ultimately, I enjoyed seeing these kids save the world time and time again, I don't feel this show left a lasting impression on me. While interesting while watching, I don't imagine I would find myself coming back to this show as I think the mystery and intruige were ultimately weighed down by pacing. While there was a substantial amount of content to cover that might be tough to fit into a film, I think having the limitations of a trilogy of films would've helped focus the story into a more evenly paced final product.

Stranger Things is a thrilling blend of science fiction, horror, and nostalgia that captures viewers from the very first episode. Set in the 1980s, the series follows a group of kids as they uncover dark government secrets and supernatural forces in their small town of Hawkins. The storytelling is engaging, with strong character development, especially for Eleven and the young cast. The eerie atmosphere, suspenseful plot twists, and retro soundtrack add to its charm. Each season raises the stakes while maintaining emotional depth. Overall, Stranger Things is an addictive, well-crafted series that appeals to both teens and adults.