Sci-Fi Stranger Things (Netflix) - Part 1

[BatsAndNights]

Spoiler

That was his Uncle.

I edited it the moment you sent that lmao

 

[Frodo]

Excellent finale.

 

[TheFuture]

Impressive how they can introduce a character like Eddie into the protagonists this late in and for it to absolutely work.

So many shows try it and utterly fail.

 

[Arachnerd]

Hard hard disagree on that one for me.

I mean,

Spoiler

Dustin is the only one to acknowledge his death and mourn him out of the main cast which came across really weird. Don't think there would have been an issue if they showed just a quick scene of everyone's reactions to him dying.

 

[The Joker]

Roller coaster final two episodes. There was scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. Pacing was much better in these episodes, and it was really nice to see Will, Lucas, Mike etc get some more weighty character material in these episodes at last.

Spoiler

I'm really going to miss Eddie. I was very sad to see him die. He was one of my favorite characters this season. I hope at the very least that his name is eventually cleared and Hawkins doesn't remember him as a wanted killer.

Max's fate. Wow. For a minute there I thought she was dead. When Vecna had her eyes bleeding and bones breaking I thought for sure her fate was sealed. I agree with what someone else said in regards to her most likely being blind in season 5. But I'm glad she lived. After her emotional Kate Bush escape in episode 4, to have her die now would have been too much.

That ending was insane. Can't wait for season 5.

 

[BatsAndNights]

Roller coaster final two episodes. There was scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. Pacing was much better in these episodes, and it was really nice to see Will, Lucas, Mike etc get some more weighty character material in these episodes at last.

Spoiler

I'm really going to miss Eddie. I was very sad to see him die. He was one of my favorite characters this season. I hope at the very least that his name is eventually cleared and Hawkins doesn't remember him as a wanted killer.

Max's fate. Wow. For a minute there I thought she was dead. When Vecna had her eyes bleeding and bones breaking I thought for sure her fate was sealed. I agree with what someone else said in regards to her most likely being blind in season 5. But I'm glad she lived. After her emotional Kate Bush escape in episode 4, to have her die now would have been too much.

That ending was insane. Can't wait for season 5.

To add onto what you talk about in your second paragraph

Spoiler

My theory is that while she's blind, the remnants of Vecna's curse will have side effects. While physically blind, Vecna's curse allows her to "see" in a different way. Whether that's precognition (which would definitely make sense considering Vecna's proved he has that himself), some weird "Upside Down vision" or something else entirely ala Will's Upside Down Detection I'm not sure. But I reckon there'll be something at play there. I'd definitely admire the Duffers if they do just keep it at blindness, but in a show where superpowers are already established and a prior connection to the Upside Down having lingering side effects already being established, it wouldn't surprise me if they use this opportunity to get creative with what exactly happens to Max and her sight

 

[Broseph44]

I personally don’t get these “pacing issues” but that’s just me. I’m just ready for more now haha

 

[Arachnerd]

To add onto what you talk about in your second paragraph

Spoiler

My theory is that while she's blind, the remnants of Vecna's curse will have side effects. While physically blind, Vecna's curse allows her to "see" in a different way. Whether that's precognition (which would definitely make sense considering Vecna's proved he has that himself), some weird "Upside Down vision" or something else entirely ala Will's Upside Down Detection I'm not sure. But I reckon there'll be something at play there. I'd definitely admire the Duffers if they do just keep it at blindness, but in a show where superpowers are already established and a prior connection to the Upside Down having lingering side effects already being established, it wouldn't surprise me if they use this opportunity to get creative with what exactly happens to Max and her sight

Spoiler

Don't know about you, but I would full-on embrace Max's Daredevil arc.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

Lawd that finale was emotional asf which was surprising to me because I've never gotten emotional during this show, but there were definitely like 3 or 4 moments that almost made me tear up.

I also have to say that while I have had complaints/criticisms about the pacing and bloatedness of the first half of this season I honestly thought these last two episodes were paced much better.

Now, I could still do without a lot of the comedic fluff this season which was most of the stuff with Yuri and Murray which could have been cut out IMO, but the emotional weight and stakes totally made up for it.

Eddie Munson ended up being a really great addition to this season too and I loved the big brother relationship he had with Dustin which actually paid off in a really bittersweet way.

I was really enjoying this season from the beginning, but I wasn't expecting to love it nearly as much as I am now after these last two episodes and now that wait for Season 5 is going to brutal asf.

 

[Sawyer]

I liked the episodes well enough, but… that was a whole lot of runtime for just a little character development.

 

[Sawyer]

Also, loathe as I am to join in on a Tumblr/Twitter pile-on, I feel like the Duffers are well into queer-baiting territory at this point.

Like, we’ve already done the “Will is angiushed because he’s different, Will’s the odd man out because he’s the only one in the group not chasing girls” bit. Now we’ve got to go through the whole ordeal of him being head over heels for someone who not only may not return those feelings (although there are a few moments thus far that give me doubts about that), but is completely oblivious to Will’s feelings?

Like, Jesus, can we give the kid even just a taste of happiness? At this point, anything short of Mike reciprocating those feelings when all is said and done is just going to feel like kicking Will when he’s down.

 

[MadVillainy]

@MadVillainy
@Gothamsknight
Where’s all this two year wait coming from…?

Just a guesstimate based on the last 2 seasons. 4 was supposed to come out in 2 years but pandemic delayed things I remembered reading.

 

[MadVillainy]

Also, loathe as I am to join in on a Tumblr/Twitter pile-on, I feel like the Duffers are well into queer-baiting territory at this point.

Like, we’ve already done the “Will is angiushed because he’s different, Will’s the odd man out because he’s the only one in the group not chasing girls” bit. Now we’ve got to go through the whole ordeal of him being head over heels for someone who not only may not return those feelings (although there are a few moments thus far that give me doubts about that), but is completely oblivious to Will’s feelings?

Like, Jesus, can we give the kid even just a taste of happiness? At this point, anything short of Mike reciprocating those feelings when all is said and done is just going to feel like kicking Will when he’s down.

I said it after pt. 1, but they are imo. I thought they'd resolve it in part 2. But they're still doing it.

I wish they gave Will another love interest separate from Mike and that they just gave him more to do other than angst about being gay.

They're handling Robin's sexuality way better than they are with Will (and Nancy and Jonathan). It wasn't drawn out and she has an identity other than who she is attracted to

 

[MadVillainy]

I mean,

Spoiler

Dustin is the only one to acknowledge his death and mourn him out of the main cast which came across really weird. Don't think there would have been an issue if they showed just a quick scene of everyone's reactions to him dying.

Spoiler

He didn't get the full on Barb treatment but I said the same thing. It's weird we didn't see the other characters mourn his death really.
EDIT: Even Mike I don't think had any reaction

 

[MadVillainy]

Impressive how they can introduce a character like Eddie into the protagonists this late in and for it to absolutely work.

So many shows try it and utterly fail.

Duffer Bros and co are really good at that. Max, Dr. Owens, and Bob in season 2. Robin in s3. Chrissy and Eddie in s4. Really make you love a character when they're just introduced.

 

[KevTravels]

Lucas was a MVP this season. About damn time, so often he was lacking in screentime or had very little purpose to the story or lacking in his own arc...better late than never. Caleb has range and this season really showed it.

 

[KevTravels]

Hoping we get season 5 by late 2023 or early 2024. Don't wanna be waiting til summer or fall 2023 for it.

 

[Karelia]

Amazing finale! I freaking loved Eddie's story. Easily one of my favorites on the show. I'm also a metalhead, so the guitar scene was so awesome to me. They really pulled out all the stops with this. Loved it!

 

[kguillou]

Just finished.

I am motherf***ing FLOORED y'all. This was one of the best, most epic episodes of tv ever made. Hands down. End of discussion. I had issues with vol 1 particularly with the pacing but here in vol 2 they stick the landing and episode 9 especially justifies its 150 min runtime. Its essentially an epic movie thats better than most movies we see in theaters. I laughed, I cried, I CHEERED, i was adrenalized, and its so satisfying. Just wow, so much to say but this was the biggest and best season finale of ST yet and the way it sets the stage for season 5 has me HYPED.

Someone get the Duffer Brothers on a Marvel or DC film yesterday!

 

[Another_Fool]

Great finale however the epilogue could've been trimmed a bit. Stranger Things is on another level.

Spoiler

I'm incredibly relieved Max made it out. Steve and her are my faves so I was completely bummed out that she died with so much fear in her "last words". Would've been one of the great/tragic deaths of television but not gonna lie, if there was a time to fake out a death this was the time to do it. And they did. Gotta say too the Max/Eleven connection has been far more effective in generating emotion than anything with Mike and Eleven. I love the Max Eleven friendship. I teared up.

Eddie's death, I gotta say, I don't think that felt necessary. He hasn't become a fan favorite for me the way he's been for many folks but I also thought they could've kept him around. Fun character.

Btw anyone else dissatisfied with Jason's death? After the crap he stirred, I wanted him to have a much more vicious comeuppance. Getting split in two is no joke but dude got off easy.

Finally, this is kind of a big bone to pick. Why the hell didn't Nancy shoot Vecna in the head. I understand if she took one shot and Vecna fell out. But all them shots and she didn't think to oh blast him in the head?

Anyway looking forward to season 5 and really hope Will finally gets to do something without dying. Dude is due.

 

[Kane52630]

This sh** had more endings than Return of the King. jfc.

The two episodes were entertaining on a pure spectacle level, but I really felt it dragged its cliffhanger episode and I say that as someone who didn't have a problem with Vol 1's length at all.

 

[BatsAndNights]

The stuff with Will, to me, is... difficult. I'm gonna hold off on any opinions of it until we see how it wraps up. But if it doesn't justify the sheer amount of build up and dancing around that they're giving it?

Yeah I'm gonna be pissed.

Spoiler

I'm fine with them having a massive buildup over it. It's a great way to reflect what it was like to be gay in those times. Some either accepted it and lived with it despite the social stigma (ala Robin) or they internalised it to the point of it tearing them apart because of that social stigma (ala Will, currently). There's definitely enough to establish that he is and for now that scene with Jonathan in the pizzeria is a damn good start for what should hopefully be Will's character arc next season.

But yeah, the Duffers have gotta bring it next season. Otherwise, it's 100% queer baiting.

 

[MadVillainy]

I think the problem is also that he just doesn't have anything to do other than that.
Other than season 2, Will hasn't had much to do other than hint at his sexuality, cry, and have his little Spidey sense thing. You gotta make people fully formed people beyond their sexuality, race, etc. And to me they haven't really done that with Will other than season 2.

If they want to tackle what it was like being gay in those times/in general? Great. All for it. But they're not really doing that. They're only showing it by having Will give Mike longing looks, dropping hints with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and having him cry.

If they wanna explore it...then actually explore it and make Will a well rounded character outside of his sexuality as well. When I name drop Robin as an example of them doing it well it's not because I say they have to tackle Will's sexuality with the same "accept it and live with it despite the social stigma" angle. I just mean give Will something to do besides his sexuality as well as actually touch on it instead of just a tap.. Robin has great moments like in the psychiatrist's office, hanging out with Steve, jumping into Watergate, and generally being hilarious. And that's on top of really great, heart-wrenching, and heartwarming moments regarding her sexuality. Will isn't getting that imo and I think that's why people are so bothered.

And in addition it's hard to make a reveal compelling when the audience knows something and you're waiting for characters to catch up. Especially when the reveal isn't the focus of the art. And especially in a serialized TV show vs a movie since movies are shorter. It works when it's a secret like "Walter White is a drug dealer" but it's hard with something like Will's stuff when it isn't the premise or focus of the show

 

[Slick]

I’m just started season four and gonna try to finish today but I have to say this season looks and feels more cinematic then the previous seasons and that’s saying something. I’m about to finish episode one.

 

[kguillou]

You’re in for a Hell of a ride. I struggled a bit with the pacing of vol. 1 (although apparently only me and @MadVillainy had that issue lol) but i felt they really utilized their runtime in 8 and 9 well and kept raising the tension and stakes the whole time making it incredibly compelling to watch.