Sci-Fi Stranger Things (Netflix) - Part 1

[jaqua99]

Well, the show was good until Jane joined up with her sister and her group of losers.

Worst episode of the series, a pointless filler. Im halfway into it after Jane spared that guy and I am ready for Jane to kill her sister, who is using and manipulating her. Then she tries to twist her morality like narcissist messing with a vulnerable person with a personality disorder. Jane's story has been *eh* this season, so this episode was so pointless

What a waste of an episode man.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

 

[Deck Rickard]

I’m confused by how many people think that the “X-Men” episode is filler. If you didn’t like it, fine. But how was it filler? [BLACKOUT]We learned more about Eleven’s origins and her time at the lab. We found out that the children who have been experimented on each have different abilities. We learned that Brenner is still alive.[/BLACKOUT]

Just because it took the action away from Hawkins at a pivotal moment doesn’t make it filler.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I only get the complaints looking at it as something that took the audience away from the story in Hawkins. I get wanting to get to the end. I get being annoyed by the seeming disruption of the flow of the story. But it didn't bother me at all. For one there's A LOT of stories told with that kind of flow. Secondly it built up anticipation of the last two chapters. As for the complaint about content... They baffle me as well. I don't think the actors themselves were at all bad by any reasonable standard. If they weren't the cute and cuddly, likable cast we've grown to love back in Hawkins... THAT WAS THE POINT. You weren't supposed to like this group. And if the general vibe of the urban scene seemed to clash with the rural/suburban tone of sweet nostalgia built up over all the previous episodes going back to season one? Once again, that was the point. Hawkins and boys are but a slice of America in 1983/1984. For many the world shown in the scenes with 8 were a hell of a lot closer to what that period felt like. We tend to view the 1980's through the haze of the "optimistic" Reagan presidency but what we really mean is Reagan's SECOND term. From 80-late 84 there was still a sort of 70's hangover happening for much of the country. Let's put it this way... Punk gives way to New Wave for a reason.

Now when it comes to the content of the episode... I STILL DON'T GET THE HUBUB.

The episode expanded the mythology of the show beyond simply the fight against the Upside Down, gave texture and back story to the experiments at Hawkins that led to 11, teased stories for future seasons, gave 11 a taste of what her life could have been away from the good influences of the boys, Hopper and Joyce, and yeah... If you were a fan of X-Men comics, this obviously took influence from that period of the Mutants when Claremont was at the height of his powers. I mean... I thought the nostalgic references were part of the show's appeal?

And more than the "vibe" 11's bittersweet discovery of more young people like her indeed showed the line between her journey of self discovery and 8's need to lash out at the world for wronging her regardless of consequences, moral or practical. This was classic Xavier/Magneto stuff. The clash between someone that wants to be integrated into the world and someone that believes in "by any means necessary".

I am not asking anyone to love the episode, but as with a lot of online "debate" there seems to be no real nuance in criticizing this particular little side story that I dare say will be very consequential going forward, not to mention another showing of internet group think in condemning the target du jour.

 

[Iceman]

I thought jacqua's description of them being a group of losers was pretty appropriate. I like side stories and complex branching narratives so going away from the Hawkins plot is no negative for me. The storyline is fine, they just needed to make the losers a more interesting bunch of characters, in line with how good nearly all the other characters in the show are.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I thought jacqua's description of them being a group of losers was pretty appropriate. I like side stories and complex branching narratives so going away from the Hawkins plot is no negative for me. The storyline is fine, they just needed to make the losers a more interesting bunch of characters, in line with how good nearly all the other characters in the show are.

I think they were supposed to be "losers". Caricatures almost of many of the "dirty punks" we see in lots of early 1980's movies of one stripe or another. Stranger Things loves it's references. And I don't think they were supposed to be compelling or even interesting. They were a group of street toughs that were being led by an 11-12 year old. I repeat... They were a gang being led by a 12 year old. There's probably not a lot going on upstairs if that's your life choice, mutant kid or not. t: The center piece was the action between 11 and 8 as I saw it and that material was very strong, as was the actress that played 8. 11 got an understanding of herself, of lines she won't cross thanks to the nurturing she received from the boys and Hopper. Honestly the rest aren't particularly focused on so I'm surprised at the intense reaction to them. The focus is clearly on 11, her journey to the city and her relationship with 8, not the rest of her crew.

YMMV though Ice.

 

[Iceman]

I think they were supposed to be "losers". Caricatures almost of many of the "dirty punks" we see in lots of early 1980's movies of one stripe or another. Stranger Things loves it's references. And I don't think they were supposed to be compelling or even interesting. They were a group of street toughs that were being led by an 11-12 year old. I repeat... They were a gang being led by a 12 year old. There's probably not a lot going on upstairs if that's your life choice, mutant kid or not. t: The center piece was the action between 11 and 8 as I saw it and that material was very strong, as was the actress that played 8. 11 got an understanding of herself, of lines she won't cross thanks to the nurturing she received from the boys and Hopper. Honestly the rest aren't particularly focused on so I'm surprised at the intense reaction to them. The focus is clearly on 11, her journey to the city and her relationship with 8, not the rest of her crew.

YMMV though Ice.

Haha, yes definitely very little going on upstairs. But deadbeats can still be interesting or positive in some way. We've seen many better deadbeats in our time.

This was like reading a comic storyline which is good throughout and then one issue is illustrated by a guest artist who is so bad that it distracts you from what you are reading and almost takes you out of the story for a bit. Just unnecessary and takes away from the interesting underlying idea. I mean the thought of her having a sister brought up in similar circumstances who has gone down a darker path is a good one. But this wasn't as well executed as the backstory with her mom was, and any of the decent plots could have been lessened in impact by being forced to watch this bunch of losers for any length of time. I would rather this potentially good story for the future was now swept under the carpet rather than having to revisit the losers in season 3 (or 4). For all my complaints about Billy, he added much more than these guys and if he's got a supernatural turn to his story then I'd welcome that and look forward to seeing it.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I don't think we will see the punks again. 8? Yes. For sure in some fashion. My own gut is this isn't the first "crew" she's run with. If anything I suspect that 8 is going to show up with at least 2-3 of the other numbers from the Hawkins facility in tow.

 

[Iceman]

I don't think we will see the punks again. 8? Yes. For sure in some fashion. My own gut is this isn't the first "crew" she's run with. If anything I suspect that 8 is going to show up with at least 2-3 of the other numbers from the Hawkins facility in tow.

That would be better going forward, sure.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Ooh... Just had this pointed out to me... The name the Duffers chose to give to Eleven? Jane?

It's an anagram of Jean. So... There's your further X-Men reference.

 

[Iceman]

I'd never heard of the Black Keys before Sons. Hard row was the first song of the first episode and my eyes just about bugged out. Good thing FX was kind and posted the song lists with each episode.

Yeah that's a good one. I love learning about new music like this.

 

[Iceman]

Ooh... Just had this pointed out to me... The name the Duffers chose to give to Eleven? Jane?

It's an anagram of Jean. So... There's your further X-Men reference.

All X-Men references are very welcome.

 

[chamber-music]

Just finished watching season 2.

Spoiler

Bob's death absolutely destroyed me, though I had a sneaking suspicion that he was headed for a Barb-like end from the first episode. Bob and Barb even sound alike.

Spoiler

The nice diner cook/owner Benny who helped eleven in season one also got killed as well.

The general rule of Stranger things is that nice Hawkins residents with names beginning with B are going to die horrible deaths.

 

[Arachnerd]

Spoiler

The nice diner cook/owner Benny who helped eleven in season one also got killed as well.

The general rule of Stranger things is that nice Hawkins residents with names beginning with B are going to die horrible deaths.

Guess Billy's off the hook then.

 

[RockSP]

I’m confused by how many people think that the “X-Men” episode is filler. If you didn’t like it, fine. But how was it filler? [BLACKOUT]We learned more about Eleven’s origins and her time at the lab. We found out that the children who have been experimented on each have different abilities. We learned that Brenner is still alive.[/BLACKOUT]

Just because it took the action away from Hawkins at a pivotal moment doesn’t make it filler.

Agreed in general. But we learned about the different abilities in the first episode of the season.

I think they were supposed to be "losers". Caricatures almost of many of the "dirty punks" we see in lots of early 1980's movies of one stripe or another. Stranger Things loves it's references. And I don't think they were supposed to be compelling or even interesting. They were a group of street toughs that were being led by an 11-12 year old. I repeat... They were a gang being led by a 12 year old. There's probably not a lot going on upstairs if that's your life choice, mutant kid or not. t: The center piece was the action between 11 and 8 as I saw it and that material was very strong, as was the actress that played 8. 11 got an understanding of herself, of lines she won't cross thanks to the nurturing she received from the boys and Hopper. Honestly the rest aren't particularly focused on so I'm surprised at the intense reaction to them. The focus is clearly on 11, her journey to the city and her relationship with 8, not the rest of her crew.

YMMV though Ice.

What makes you think she was 12? 8 is clearly older than 11, even in the childhood flashback.

 

[BestGirl]

I think they were supposed to be "losers". Caricatures almost of many of the "dirty punks" we see in lots of early 1980's movies of one stripe or another. Stranger Things loves it's references. And I don't think they were supposed to be compelling or even interesting. They were a group of street toughs that were being led by an 11-12 year old. I repeat... They were a gang being led by a 12 year old. There's probably not a lot going on upstairs if that's your life choice, mutant kid or not. t: The center piece was the action between 11 and 8 as I saw it and that material was very strong, as was the actress that played 8. 11 got an understanding of herself, of lines she won't cross thanks to the nurturing she received from the boys and Hopper. Honestly the rest aren't particularly focused on so I'm surprised at the intense reaction to them. The focus is clearly on 11, her journey to the city and her relationship with 8, not the rest of her crew.

YMMV though Ice.

That's the problem. You don't build a whole 45-minute episode around characters who are neither compelling nor interesting, especially when the previous episode ended on a cliffhanger. It shouldn't come as a surprise that fans don't care for episode 7.

 

[MadVillainy]

That's the problem. You don't build a whole 45-minute episode around characters who are neither compelling nor interesting, especially when the previous episode ended on a cliffhanger. It shouldn't come as a surprise that fans don't care for episode 7.

Yeah I really dont understand why people say "I don't get why people hate it so much" Plenty of people have laid it out plain

 

[Thome216]

I'm okay with it. As a 'stand alone,' it was a good episode, but it did mess up the flow of the final three. I would have much preferred Elle had returned in seven, giving us three episodes with the gang all together.

 

[RockSP]

That's the problem. You don't build a whole 45-minute episode around characters who are neither compelling nor interesting, especially when the previous episode ended on a cliffhanger. It shouldn't come as a surprise that fans don't care for episode 7.

The episode wasn't really about them, though. It was about 11 (mainly) and 8.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

That's the problem. You don't build a whole 45-minute episode around characters who are neither compelling nor interesting, especially when the previous episode ended on a cliffhanger. It shouldn't come as a surprise that fans don't care for episode 7.

Except that they weren't the focus of the episode. Point blank. 11 and 8 are. They are background characters, adjuncts to 11 meeting 8. The meat of that episode is focused on 11, and seeds are obviously planted for future stories in some form that will be tied to the origin of the Numbers from Hawkins, all playing into the FIRESTARTER and X-Men influence the show has always displayed and worn on its sleeve. And as I mentioned I understand that some would be frustrated with the episode placement, but even then I got what it accomplished by putting the finale off for a bit and took 11 off the board to raise the stakes in Hawkins.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Yeah I really dont understand why people say "I don't get why people hate it so much" Plenty of people have laid it out plain

And I find the reasons laid out thin to say the least. People are having an intense reaction to what were background characters that you weren't supposed to like, to highlight the differences with the Hawkins crew and how 11 was lucky to fall in with the people she did.

 

[Iceman]

Guess Billy's off the hook then.

With a tache like that he can only go one way.

 

[Iceman]

Except that they weren't the focus of the episode. Point blank. 11 and 8 are. They are background characters, adjuncts to 11 meeting 8. The meat of that episode is focused on 11, and seeds are obviously planted for future stories in some form that will be tied to the origin of the Numbers from Hawkins, all playing into the FIRESTARTER and X-Men influence the show has always displayed and worn on its sleeve. And as I mentioned I understand that some would be frustrated with the episode placement, but even then I got what it accomplished by putting the finale off for a bit and took 11 off the board to raise the stakes in Hawkins.

The thing is mate, they shouldn't have been the focus like you say. But they became the focus because they were far more twattish than your average deadbeat's are. Joe Chill plays his part in Batman Begins and no more than that. If he'd gone over the top then suddenly the conversation would have ben about him rather than Bruce's reaction to trying to deal with meeting his parent's killer. None of us should be talking about these guys when the focus should be on 11 and her sister which is ultra-relevant material. References to punks of the time and whatever else are great but there has been a failure here in keeping the focus on what matters most as is evidenced by many different people independently coming here to complain about something that should be insignificant. There really isn't much to complain about in this series (nothing at all from season 1 which was magical) so things like this probably stand out much more than they do on other shows.

 

[The Shape]

I’m confused by how many people think that the “X-Men” episode is filler. If you didn’t like it, fine. But how was it filler? [BLACKOUT]We learned more about Eleven’s origins and her time at the lab. We found out that the children who have been experimented on each have different abilities. We learned that Brenner is still alive.[/BLACKOUT]

Just because it took the action away from Hawkins at a pivotal moment doesn’t make it filler.

It certainly wasn't filler by definition, but it was an episode which focuses completely on a side-story/back-story. It does bring the action of the main Season 2 storyline to a screeching halt for an entire episode.

I didn't have much of a problem with it. However, if this show wasn't a Netflix binge series and was instead airing on regular television each week, I think this episode would have been much more egregious and annoying overall. It would have been two weeks before the main story picked up again.

 

[Joe Von Zombie]

The biggest issue with that episode is happened late in the show. Had it been episode four or five, it would have been fine.