Sci-Fi Stranger Things (Netflix) - Part 1

[Arachnerd]

There's a leaked promo for Volume 2 online.

Spoiler

Max is going to be confronting Vecna again. No idea how that'll turn out, but Eleven seems to be present. Also really curious about that Will and Jonathan scene.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Holy hell is season 4 of Stranger Things bloated. Every episode is 15--20 mins too long, with the entire Russia/Ryder storyline not only being a total bore, it also completely clashes tonally.

Dear Billy would be an all time story if it just stuck with the two sets of kids. But nope, we have to keep checking in on the Russia bore and the cheesy with Ryder and the second worst Stranger Things character.

I get it, you have a large cast. But the skill comes in knowing when and when not to use them. Throwing in as much as possible is never the answer. Steve, Robin, Max, El, and Nancy are killing it this season, because they aren't being constantly shown for no reason.

 

[Iceman]

The Russia stuff was too long and too boring. A few shorter scenes of that would have been plenty not to take the focus of the other mor engaging stuff. I started a rewatch with a friend but I’ll be encouraging fast forwarding of some sections or they could be good times for me to take a break.

 

[Drizzle]

The most common complaint I see across the board is about the Russian subplot, particularly the Joyce and Murray leg of it, but am I the only one who found Will, Mike, Jonathan and Argyle going to visit Suzie in Utah to be even more out of place? Maybe it's not as scorned because it only lasted for one episode but it was my least favorite part of the season so far. It felt like if Wes Anderson directed Cheaper by the Dozen.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[Broseph44]

So ****ing ready

 

[Prison Mike]

The most common complaint I see across the board is about the Russian subplot, particularly the Joyce and Murray leg of it, but am I the only one who found Will, Mike, Jonathan and Argyle going to visit Suzie in Utah to be even more out of place? Maybe it's not as scorned because it only lasted for one episode but it was my least favorite part of the season so far. It felt like if Wes Anderson directed Cheaper by the Dozen.

I actually loved that whole side plot, especially the Argyle and Eden scenes. It some nice levity set against the other subplots.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Oh hell yes!

 

[Arachnerd]

The intensity and weight in that trailer was palpable. July 1st can't come soon enough.

Also, theory of mine which might just be unfounded but:

Spoiler

that shot of Eleven in the hospital gown overlooking that massive storm cloud forming makes me think Vecna will successfully breach into Hawkins and/or that it might be one of the last shots we see in season 4.

 

[The Joker]

I love how Kate Bush's song has become the mascot song for this season. Its so good.

 

[Still Wynning]

Holy hell is season 4 of Stranger Things bloated. Every episode is 15--20 mins too long, with the entire Russia/Ryder storyline not only being a total bore, it also completely clashes tonally.

Dear Billy would be an all time story if it just stuck with the two sets of kids. But nope, we have to keep checking in on the Russia bore and the cheesy with Ryder and the second worst Stranger Things character.

I get it, you have a large cast. But the skill comes in knowing when and when not to use them. Throwing in as much as possible is never the answer. Steve, Robin, Max, El, and Nancy are killing it this season, because they aren't being constantly shown for no reason.

Objectively, I don’t disagree with your assessment of the Russia subplot. It does go on a little bit longer than I maybe would have liked. However, I think the strength of the rest of the season makes up for that and some of its other possible shortcomings.

Strongly disagree on Episode 4, though. Regardless of my feelings on the entire Russia subplot, I thought the episode did a really good job at gripping us with the tension of putting our different groups characters in situations where we thought we knew exactly how they were going to pan out, playing with our expectations, only to subvert them at the very end. We think Argyle is the first to arrive to pick them up to rescue El. Nope, it’s the US Army coming to ambush the house. We think Joyce and Murray are going to have an easy journey to rescue Hopper, who has just made his escape from the Russian prison on his way to freedom back home. Nope, they end up getting drugged and captured, the friendly guard gets ratted out and Hopper is recaptured. We think Max is going to bite it at the end by Vecna’s hand like everyone thus far, but a solution is found to combat his evil methods to take his victims. Even then, they really play with the expectation of whether or not she will actually make it out alive before the credits roll. Without everything else happening in the rest of the episode feeding into that, it would not work as well as it does.

Understand your complaints, but overall, I am greatly loving this season, even more than season 3. While I really enjoyed the last season, it was definitely more popcorn fare and didn’t have a whole lot in the way of deep character exploration and introspection. It was a blockbuster movie, and I was okay with that. But, I really love this season because it brings back a lot of what I really loved about season one, and in terms of tone and horror, expands on the mythology of the show a lot more, particularly in regards to the Upside Down and the Hawkins Laboratory backstory. It has flaws for sure, but the flaws don’t dampen my engagement and enjoyment for what happens in the ongoings of this current storyline. Even in the lesser plot lines, I am still entertained by the hijinks the characters find themselves in.

Agree to disagree.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Objectively, I don’t disagree with your assessment of the Russia subplot. It does go on a little bit longer than I maybe would have liked. However, I think the strength of the rest of the season makes up for that and some of its other possible shortcomings.

Strongly disagree on Episode 4, though. Regardless of my feelings on the entire Russia subplot, I thought the episode did a really good job at gripping us with the tension of putting our different groups characters in situations where we thought we knew exactly how they were going to pan out, playing with our expectations, only to subvert them at the very end. We think Argyle is the first to arrive to pick them up to rescue El. Nope, it’s the US Army coming to ambush the house. We think Joyce and Murray are going to have an easy journey to rescue Hopper, who has just made his escape from the Russian prison on his way to freedom back home. Nope, they end up getting drugged and captured, the friendly guard gets ratted out and Hopper is recaptured. We think Max is going to bite it at the end by Vecna’s hand like everyone thus far, but a solution is found to combat his evil methods to take his victims. Even then, they really play with the expectation of whether or not she will actually make it out alive before the credits roll. Without everything else happening in the rest of the episode feeding into that, it would not work as well as it does.

Understand your complaints, but overall, I am greatly loving this season, even more than season 3. While I really enjoyed the last season, it was definitely more popcorn fare and didn’t have a whole lot in the way of deep character exploration and introspection. It was a blockbuster movie, and I was okay with that. But, I really love this season because it brings back a lot of what I really loved about season one, and in terms of tone and horror, expands on the mythology of the show a lot more, particularly in regards to the Upside Down and the Hawkins Laboratory backstory. It has flaws for sure, but the flaws don’t dampen my engagement and enjoyment for what happens in the ongoings of this current storyline. Even in the lesser plot lines, I am still entertained by the hijinks the characters find themselves in.

Agree to disagree.

When you are funneling the major plot lines towards one character, leaving them to go on a break of repetitive material and slapstick comedy, it stops an episode stone dead. That character work you mention, loses it's potency.

I'm 5 episodes in, and the biggest problem with Russia is nothing happens in it. You could of told the entire story, far more effectively, it one episode based solely around it. It's what they should of done with Dear Billy as well.

This is why Blackwater, Battle of the Bastards, and Watchers on the Wall stand out in the manner they do from GoT. They understand that pacing of the episode matters as much as the information conveyed.

Do all the stuff with the kids (both sets), and cut all the Russia stuff, and it's a far superior episode.

Give me season 3 easily over this one. There is plenty of character work in it, while understanding that just because you can make feature length television episodes, doesn't mean you should. If anything, this is the season that plays like a "blockbuster". A Michael Bay Transformer flick. Overstuffed, lacking in a lot of the basics of what makes truly great television work.

 

[Man in the Suit]

Looks great.

I've been rewatching the series. On Season 4 now. It clicked for me this time. It's a top season for me now.

 

[Ninjablade]

God, this looks fantastic. Can't wait for this.

 

[kguillou]

Goodness gracious that trailer was epic y'all. I'm ready!

I had pacing issues with season 4, IMO it wasnt as strong and tight as seasons 1-3 (yes even the slightly uneven season 2). The long episode times and uninteresting subplots just made things drag. But dont get me wrong, Stranger Things on its worst day runs rings around 90% of other tv out there so its still GOOD. But I think it was all a massive build up to this epic finale in July.

AND I'm going to do one of my infamous "kguillou promises hype members steaks" bets and proclaim that

Spoiler: Theory

Mike is going to die in the finale which causes Eleven to totally lose it and unleash her full power. As he dies he will finally tell her that he loves her. Its probably going to be Millie Brown's finest acting moment.

 

[SuperBatman]

That Trailer so gave me infinity Game Vibes which in the end means

Spoiler

that his gang could fail and the Upside down will finally break into the Real World setting up Season 5. Then again they said Season 5 will have a time jump so IDK how that would work

 

[Still Wynning]

When you are funneling the major plot lines towards one character, leaving them to go on a break of repetitive material and slapstick comedy, it stops an episode stone dead. That character work you mention, loses it's potency.

I'm 5 episodes in, and the biggest problem with Russia is nothing happens in it. You could of told the entire story, far more effectively, it one episode based solely around it. It's what they should of done with Dear Billy as well.

This is why Blackwater, Battle of the Bastards, and Watchers on the Wall stand out in the manner they do from GoT. They understand that pacing of the episode matters as much as the information conveyed.

Do all the stuff with the kids (both sets), and cut all the Russia stuff, and it's a far superior episode.

Give me season 3 easily over this one. There is plenty of character work in it, while understanding that just because you can make feature length television episodes, doesn't mean you should. If anything, this is the season that plays like a "blockbuster". A Michael Bay Transformer flick. Overstuffed, lacking in a lot of the basics of what makes truly great television work.

In regards to Stranger Things 4, the dozens of reactions I’ve watched online of this season, especially “Dear Billy”, and the reaction to this season overall, say otherwise. You don’t like it as much, fine. And I’m not saying some of your criticisms are wrong, but it doesn’t invalidate those people’s emotional experiences they had to this season and that episode/scene. It certainly worked for them, in spite of the things you mentioned.

Also, I used the term “blockbuster” in regards to how the Duffer Brothers used that term in a video in regards to describing season three as a fun, lighter, entertaining and more colorful romp in comparison to the previous two seasons, which is true. It had nothing to do with length like you suggested.

And Michael Bay’s Transformers, really? That’s the comparison you go to? This season isn’t perfect, but those piles of trash heap wished they had even a modicum of humanity, heart, soul, craft, character development, restraint and coherency this season, and series overall, has.

 

[Arachnerd]

As someone who enjoys the first three Transformers movies (first one I genuinely like while ROTF and DOTM are guilty pleasures)... WiseGuy has a point in that they're nowhere near the great quality of Stranger Things.

It's one thing to not like this season and there are definitely aspects you can criticize, but stating that it's as bad as those movies is mindnumbingly unfounded hyperbole.

 

[Pennywise]

 

[DarkKnight88]

lol

I’d hate to be the fan losing sleep over this.

 

[Pennywise]

lol

I’d hate to be the fan losing sleep over this.

I didn’t even notice when watching S4.

Also forgot to post my rankings of each season:
S1
S4
S3
S2

I loved all of them, though.

 

[Broseph44]

I mean I’m not losing any sleep over this but I think it’s a nice detail that they’d go back and quickly edit that little bit. It’s cool that they’ve actually done this before without us knowing as well. I appreciate if they fix things like that. Like I’ve always wished they’d go back and edit out “8 years later” in Homecoming. That **** annoys me haha

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Arachnerd]

Reminds me of that one poster for Deathly Hallows Part 2.

 

[henzINNIT]

I mean I’m not losing any sleep over this but I think it’s a nice detail that they’d go back and quickly edit that little bit. It’s cool that they’ve actually done this before without us knowing as well. I appreciate if they fix things like that. Like I’ve always wished they’d go back and edit out “8 years later” in Homecoming. That **** annoys me haha

Yeah that could have easily been fixed before home release. Stranger Things might as well make the change. It's pretty inconsequencial so whats the harm?