Sci-Fi Stranger Things (Netflix) - Part 1

[KaijuDude1992]

While I really enjoyed this season overall and I loved the cosmic horror aspects it did feel like there was way too much going on as far as all the subplots go and a lot of the Russia stuff could have definitely been cut out.

I mean I'm okay with comedic fluff, but we get enough of that with the kids and while it was amusing at times there were some really goofy moments that went on for far too long with Joyce, Murray and that pilot.

The seven episodes all looked amazing though as far as cinematography and visuals go and my god is Vecna a horrifying villain and just the perfect amalgamation of Freddy Kruger and Pinhead.

Netflix is milking all they can out of this though by not dropping those final two episodes now.

 

[Ninjablade]

Just finished episode 5. No spoilers. I'm liking this season, but I'm starting to feel the padding in some areas. This Joyce/Hopper/Murray stuff could've been cut down a little bit. Murray has been hilarious, and Habour has been giving a heart wrenching performance, but it's just dragging its feet. I also think this whole Jock subplot should've been cut entirely. This guy is so freaking annoying, and the whole show grinds to halt every time this idiot and his cronies are on screen. At this point, I'm just wishing death on so many people because I don't want to have to deal with them anymore.

On the flip side, I wish the Mike/Will/Jonathan stuff got more time, but also more stuff to do. Feels like they gave Mike the short end of the stick again, and the whole thing is kinda superfluous. Where they're at then end episode of this should've happened the previous one episode. Which, as a sidebar, episode 4 has been the best one so far, granted it might've accidentally given too much away regarding the mystery.

All the others and their investigation of Vecna has been stellar. Which isn't surprising, Steve always gets the best stuff. He and Robin continue to be my favorite characters, and their friendship is absolute goals. Her and Nancy has been a fun duo. Sadie Sink has been the shows MVP performance so far. She's been amazing. A particular scene in episode 4 got me super choked up.

Very curious about these last two episodes, but I'll watch them tomorrow.

 

[Man in the Suit]

No wonder it cost $30 million per episode... it has like 100 unnecessary characters! I'm all for long episodes, but this is the definition of Netflix Bloat. I just don't care about the basketball team. And the Russia storyline goes on for way too long and it's boring. Probably my least favorite season, maybe that'll change when Vol. 2 gets released, but I still really enjoyed it.

 

[Michael Frost]

The whole Russia subplot that started in season 3 was a bit of a leap to me and continues to be by far the weakest thing they've done in the series. I get the whole Red Danger/Commie Panic from the 80s but the problem is that you're mixing a more serious real world faction with goofy inept characters and these seldom gel well together.

I already had a hard time buying the kids infiltrating a top secret Russia facility last season but now it's even particularly worse and they're the adults! I mean, Joyce is a disgruntled mom fgs, what is she doing in Russia trying to rescue Hopper :\ Not to mention, their weirdass plan somehow works and they scooby doo their way into saving Hopper... If you cut out this season's Russia subplot the season wouldn't suffer at all. On the contrary, actually.

 

[samsnee]

Murray annoys the crap out of me. The actor is just too hammy and all over the place. I forwarded through all his scenes.

 

[Ninjablade]

Enjoyed the final two episodes for the most part. Episode 7 in particular was really fun. Overall thoughts of the season have remained the same, curious to see if Vol. 2 will change that. Should be interesting.

Spoiler

Really like Vecna as a villain. Hell of a performance by the actor. I saw the whole twist coming, and I really appreciate that the show didn't try and pull any weird crap with the reveal. Everything was decently setup and despite knowing what was coming, the reveal was still awesome as hell.

 

[Drizzle]

I just finished catching up with Season 4: Part 1. While there is obviously way too much going on, there’s really not much I didn’t like here.

Spoiler

The strongest storyline by far is the Vecna/Hawkins mystery. It’s by far the furthest into Stephen King territory the show has gone. Eddie is a great addition to the character roster. I also love Vecna as a villain. It’s cool to see an actual sentient intelligent being as the big bad here, and the look is awesome too. He reminded me of Bernie Wrightson’s old Swamp Thing artwork.

I didn’t mind the Russia subplot too much. David Harbour really nailed that Hopper monologue about him needing the people he loved. The showdown with the demogorgon in Episode 7 was awesome too.

Joyce and Murray rescuing Hopper got more than a little corny and was probably my least favorite of all the storylines but I didn’t dislike it.

The California subplot with the Byers boys + Mike (who for the first time since season one ISN’T a d-bag for a change) and Argyle also got a little cheesy at times, particularly when they meet up with Suzy, but they were pushed to the background so much particularly in the last couple of episodes that it didn’t even dwell into annoying territory. Argyle did genuinely make me laugh a couple of times.

I actually found myself getting a little bored of the Eleven plot after she got to the lab but Episode 7 really turned that around. Her interactions and showdown with One at the end were awesome, and I really dug the twist that he became Vecna.

There’s no point in me ranking it compared to the previous seasons just yet but if it sticks the landing with the last two episodes then it could be second only to the first season IMO. Bring on July 1st, I say.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Just finished it myself. Another great season! Love the elm street vibes this season brought, and how it just embraced horror to the max.

 

[kguillou]

While I really enjoyed this season overall and I loved the cosmic horror aspects it did feel like there was way too much going on as far as all the subplots go and a lot of the Russia stuff could have definitely been cut out.

I mean I'm okay with comedic fluff, but we get enough of that with the kids and while it was amusing at times there were some really goofy moments that went on for far too long with Joyce, Murray and that pilot.

The seven episodes all looked amazing though as far as cinematography and visuals go and my god is Vecna a horrifying villain and just the perfect amalgamation of Freddy Kruger and Pinhead.

Netflix is milking all they can out of this though by not dropping those final two episodes now.

I haven't finished yet (I'm on episode 7, needed a break lol) but I'm glad to hear its not just me who feels this way! I'm not gonna lie, I felt my attention wandering and getting a bit anxious at times during these episodes and I couldn't pinpoint why but yeah I think it because there's so many plot lines and just as one plot starts to get good we jump to something else.

Please, do not get me wrong, this is still good-ass television but I am feeling a pacing issue with this season that I didn't feel in prior seasons.

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

There’s at minimum an A plot (high school kids) & a B plot (other high school kids), C plot (Eleven), D plot (Hopper & Russians), and E plot (Joyce and Murray). At least plots D & E intersect by the end and the kids plots intersect sometimes. It’s not as well paced as a result when the eps are pushing 75 minutes or more like episode 7. I’m enjoying the big horror vibe this season and the characters are getting more time…but at a cost.

 

[Broseph44]

Incredible season. Just finished. I love this show so much and love all of the seasons, but this was easily my favorite. So many horror homages and nods. Absolutely love Vecna as a villain.

Man I cannot wait for the Part 2 in July. I hope they keep these long episode lengths for thst 5th and final season. What a season absolutely loved it. Like I said just absolutely love this show, I am gonna miss it when it ends.

 

[Drizzle]

Incredible season. Just finished. I love this show so much and love all of the seasons, but this was easily my favorite. So many horror homages and nods. Absolutely love Vecna as a villain.

Man I cannot wait for the Part 2 in July. I hope they keep these long episode lengths for thst 5th and final season. What a season absolutely loved it. Like I said just absolutely love this show, I am gonna miss it when it ends.

I think there’s a good chance of that, unless the reason for the extended episodes was because of how long it’s been since the third season and this was both the creators’ and Netflix’s way of making up for lost time, so to speak.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Just finished and I loved it overall. Eddie is a great new character and Vecna is an awesome antagonist. Some of the other new characters were annoying (the girl bullying Eleven and that incel who was following Nancy around) but luckily neither of them lasted long lol.

Also, I’m totally rooting for a Steve/Nancy reunion. Sorry Jonathan but you’ve kinda turned into a deadbeat.

One minor gripe (or maybe it isn’t really) but WOW does almost everyone have bad hair and fashion this season. I know it’s the 80s but everyone looks pretty terrible. Poor Will and Jonathan have it the worst.

Probably already been mentioned but a few little nods I noticed…

Spoiler

I’m guessing “Victor Creel” is a nod to Victor Creed and Crusher Creel, just based on the Duffers’ Marvel fandom.

Joyce and Murray being led into Russia by the backstabbing little snake Yuri gave me real “Gollum leading Frodo and Sam into Mordor” vibes and later on, other characters actually reference Mordor so I figure that was exactly what they were going for.

Loved the Silence of the Lambs homage when they go to see Victor.

Lastly, I know that Jamie Campbell Bower has had quite a time trying to attach himself to a successful series and hasn’t had much luck (Camelot, that canceled GoT prequel with Naomi Watts). I’m glad to see he finally landed a good role because he’s awesome in this. That monologue he gave towards the end was cliched but it works because he’s just so damned good in his delivery. Looking forward to the rematch between One and Eleven!

 

[KevTravels]

I always hate how Lucas gets such ****ty screentime yet he makes the most of it. It'd have been nice to have an additional scene in season 1 that really stressed how the others felt about losing him in addition to Lucas feeling torn being accepted by his teammeates, cool kids, cheerleaders.

 

[KevTravels]

Folks keep mentioning 6 months but the 3rd season was around 4th of July and season 4 is in late March so that's 8, nearly 9 months later.

Also, does Jonathan serve any purpose on this series?
What the heck happend to Mike? It's like they made his character an idiot.

Why did the basketball team look more than a JV baseball team. Like half the team was 5'8 and 150 lbs lol

 

[misjuevos]

I think Eddie Munsen is a great new character. I enjoyed all his scenes.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Max definitely stole the season out from 11. I enjoyed her storyline the most.

 

[kguillou]

Just finished, i had some pacing issues with this season but overall the Duffer Brothers once again showed why theyre one of the best in the biz.

I have so many questions guys! I was so incredibly engaged, thrilled and confused AF by the end!

Ok so for the record, has Eleven

Spoiler: Spoiler

been in that sensory tank this entire time? Everything we've seen with her since she agreed to work with Brenner to get her powers back has been one big flashback?

 

[Steyin]

Kind of meh on the season. Don't find Vecna scary and think the Demogorgons are much more intimidating. Too much time in Russia and Murray is a bit annoying. A lot of the humor is too cheesy for me. Maybe I've grown past enjoying this series since it's been so long since season 3. I'm curious to see how it ends and what season 5 will bring, but I'm not too enthusiastic about it.

 

[misjuevos]

I still want to know

Spoiler

what Hopper did to his foot. I don't understand if he broke it or what. He walks fine and runs fine, can't understand how he smooshed his bones. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Broseph44]

Season 3 was July 4th the night of the Mall fire. This show picks up March 21/22 so yeah it’s about 8-9 months later. Which for me the kids look right and it works for being that much time between. I have zero issue with it cause it realistically works.

 

[samsnee]

Just finished, i had some pacing issues with this season but overall the Duffer Brothers once again showed why theyre one of the best in the biz.

I have so many questions guys! I was so incredibly engaged, thrilled and confused AF by the end!

Ok so for the record, has Eleven

Spoiler: Spoiler

been in that sensory tank this entire time? Everything we've seen with her since she agreed to work with Brenner to get her powers back has been one big flashback?

Yes that’s how I understood it. It was confusing at first since they didn’t de-age her in the flashbacks but assume anything where she’s interacting with other patients is a flashback.

 

[samsnee]

I just hope they are able to do a more creative finale than Eleven showing up last minute and defeating Vecna. They’ve done that every season finale and so it’s very repetitive.

 

[Drizzle]

Max definitely stole the season out from 11. I enjoyed her storyline the most.

Spoiler

Max has always been a great character on the show but she’s really been a standout of season 4. I almost started to tear up when she thought she was going to die and we saw flashbacks of all of her interactions with her friends. I was legitimately concerned when Vecna had her, same with Steve dealing with the bats and getting strangled in the Upside Down later on in the season. If we’re going to see any major character deaths this season it probably won’t be until episode 8 or 9 but I still get a sense that because we’re so close to the end that no one is 100% safe right now except for Eleven and maybe Hopper.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

Someone reminds me how Brenner survived please ?