How Stranger Things 4 Saved the Show

After a couple decent seasons, Stranger Things 4 has returned as consistently great show! Can't wait for Part 2.
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[@zeepsterd]

Made a video discussing Eddie’s fate in Stranger Things 4. Check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIKWZoxppp2CmZI

[@EastStampy]

Rip eddie munsen, the most metal dnd player ever

[@vertex5003]

K

[@awashnut1481]

@@EastStampy true

[@lukestanks1975]

sorry bout eddie season 4 vol 2 episode 9 lol

[@thetexancrus2036]

I saw that scene after having watching the episode and just laughed

[@arid7435]

"eddie will be ok right? RIGHT?" this aged well

[@vertient71]

Like fine wine

[@jaydiemusik]

Like fine milk

[@michealpersaud6718]

Brooo 😭😭

[@xfreja]

didn’t age well*

[@cispatis51]

AHAHAHAHAAHAHA!!! *ugly cries*

[@mysticalia]

"i'm a pretty big eddie fan. if something happens to him in the next two episodes, i'm gonna be very sad." *oh my sweet summer child*

[@facil_onYT]

I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR THIS COMMENT LMAO

[@fallenone4215]

Sorry 😞 Dylan....

[@SneakymanTim]

rest in pisces

[@bellsfantastic]

Dead… Rip Eddie 🪦

[@princessleonardo8917]

Ummm….

[@cocoa1019]

Fun fact: Murray’s joke about ‘the pullout’ was completely improvised. That”s why you can see Nancy cracking up a little.

[@samhnlll]

You sure? Pretty sure that’s when he dropped the eggs by mistake and said Oops

[@facil_onYT]

@@samhnlll No she laughed at the joke, rewatch the clip :)

[@dev1n127]

You sure? Pretty sure that’s when he dropped the eggs by mistake and said Oops

[@cptbalao1810]

you know that one scene from lord of the rings when aragorn kicked blah blah blah?

[@giuk1987]

@@facil_onYT the pull out joke wasn't improvised, Murray (can't remember the actor's name) dropped the eggs by mistake and improvised the line "oops", that's why Nancy was cracking up a little

[@aduckwithayoutubechannel]

I swear that every season starts with Joyce saying something like “Hey, maybe this paranormal activity isn’t, ya know, normal” and everyone around her just goes “lmao category 5 woman alert amirite”

[@lalaoepsi7572]

after all what happened they still think she is mentally ill, it's a bit annoying

[@bigt7706]

Lmfao

[@MrFiremagnet]

Focus on mental health issues was a brilliant move. Every character has so much on their shoulders, and seeing it unfold brings so much heart back.

[@godnotavailable2094]

I didn't even notice that while watching but you're right. Every character has something that's deeply troubling them outside of solving the Vecna problem, and it adds a ton of tension and in some cases, a sort of reluctance to even solve the main issue at hand.

[@444fawn]

right !! it adds much more complexity and depth to the characters

[@starlit4529]

I hope they go more into Will’s mental health bc that kid has been thru a LOT

[@carlee2054]

i absolutely love what they did with max

[@idontknow_idkguineapigs]

yea

[@GARYtheCANNIBAL]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about season 4, it feels like the Duffer Brothers have perfected the show. My only complaint is that I wish Netflix released the episodes in groups of 5 and 4, or even 6 and 3. 7 at once and then the final 2 a month later is definitely a weird move

[@saskiaviking9447]

Episode 7 is a great cliffhanger episode Having it cut off at episode 5 would be weird

[@thatfishguy4991]

I think they should’ve released one episode a week. Imagine the hype surrounding each episode that would build up every week. I can already feel the ST4 hype dying out and I think Netflix would’ve been smarter to do an episode a week. It’s more lucrative too.

[@jimmyb5025]

@@saskiaviking9447 There's no actual cliffhanger in episode seven, though, it's a reveal. The best cliffhanger would have been episode six with Steve getting eaten by the weird flying things. That's where you end it for six weeks.

[@AgentChick]

In all fairness, I've read that the last two episodes are gonna be lengthy, being around 1:30 and 2:30 hours each.

[@moonlightmando7163]

It’s not that weird when you think about it from a business standpoint. During these 2 months, many people are likely to rewatch the show/season in anticipation. It also stretches out the hype for at least another two months. Lets hope the last 2 episodes are amazing.

[@landrysaathoff2418]

Season 4: Max has a powerful scene representing grief and loneliness, and highlights the importance of relationship and music in combating depression and suicidal ideation. Season 3: Robin and Steve, plain civilians, make jokes during a Russian interrogation.

[@mayonnaise3959]

And also why the hell is robin not being tortured but Steve is? He’s been through way worse. Robin IS a ordinary citizen and I know Russians are more brutal then that

[@MrPuzzleCodes]

@@mayonnaise3959 i guess always assumed cause she was a girl. Maybe they would have if it was only Robin, but cause Steve was there too, i guess they just chose the less ughm... bad looking route

[@landrysaathoff2418]

@white section Don’t know - was a cliffhanger

[@CoffeePotGames]

I never understood the hate this show got before season 4 came out. it's like people forgot how excellent it's always been. everytime a season of this show comes out, it makes me love it all over again

[@christhefiend]

Let’s be honest, the Stranger Things hype doesn’t last too long.

[@loozyr]

@@christhefiend but what hype does last long anymore

[@pshindigamingmobilegamer2609]

@@christhefiend because they just dump the show all at once i would like a weekly approach in season 5

[@christhefiend]

@@pshindigamingmobilegamer2609 Even then. Look at Euphoria. Gone.

[@CoffeePotGames]

@@pshindigamingmobilegamer2609 fuck that I hate weekly shows

[@Mohmar2010]

I will say the only weaker side compared to the others in Season 4 atm is Mike's group story, like they're still out of the loop, while the rest are dealing with it directly and indirectly

[@xavgardner5909]

Something tells me they'll play a major part in Pt.2

[@SlashProducts]

I dunno they're more in the loop than Hopper and co. All they've done so far stranger things related is kill a demodog thing. Everything else couldve been easily mistaken as any other franchise

[@Chrischi3TutorialLPs]

Honestly, Team Cali in general deserves a lot more screentime. Especially because i want to see that coming out scene for Will. I was kinda eh on wether or not Will is gay in Season 3, but the talk he has with Mike in episode 5 convinced me once and for all, alongside a bunch of other details that all hint at him being gay that i won't go into here becaus spoilers.

[@hankonokokoro6684]

@@Chrischi3TutorialLPs You weird

[@ashh9666]

Very true I think when you have 4 different groups and at times 5 or 6 different groups having different plot lines across different cities/nations and they keep adding to the cast and not trimming it there will always be a group or two that don’t get the same attention. I expect them to give Mikes group a bit more in Vol 2 I felt very disconnected from his group I felt like In episode 6 and 7 across the almost three hours of run time they barely had a scene

[@Squicx]

We waited 3-4 years for this season and they DELIVERED LIKE CRAZY. We got 1 hour and 15 minute long episodes, the greatest leap back into horror elements, Robert Englund (Freddy Kruger, an 80s horror icon), a huge dive into the lore, amazing acting and new cast, incredible soundtrack, magnificent cinematography, 80s accuracy on another level, and so much more. Especially Episode 4. Max's standoff against Vecna was the shows greatest moment. Everything about it was perfection from soundtrack to the overall cinematography, acting and plot. And that PLOT TWIST... My theory is that Vecna pulls a Thanos "Infinity War" and wins in Volume 2 ultimately giving him the first victory for the antagonist's side and claiming Season 4 for the win. After setting up Eleven getting her powers back, my bet is that it's not gonna be enough and ends the season on a villain win while the group regroups and figures out a way to stop him in Season 5 (The Finale) once and for all. Hands down the greatest season of Stranger Things ever!

[@D1ON1807]

*2-3

[@shutupsebas]

Hmm good theory!

[@seancarterx]

I agree, no way vecna goes down this season, El is too far away and he clearly has a plan with the bodies he’s collecting. I’m sure next season will also involve the mind flayer again too since it’s really the ultimate antagonist in the series with vecna being the general

[@assistalt1829]

@@seancarterx it most likely won't happen because its going to be a big time jump in season 5 and next season is gonna be about the mind flayer 100%

[@444fawn]

good theory !! i hope they do this, it would be a perfect Segway into season 5

[@justbeth6]

The way this season used the 80s in service of the plot with the "Satanic Panic" as a driving factor for the Eddie storyline was absolutely incredible. And it gets me wondering if they'll continue on that path with Will's storyline, which now deals a lot more with him being a gay kid in the 80s and the fear that entails (in the middle of the AIDS crisis, no less).

[@jfinity_362]

I love how the show slowly integrated more adult characters. We started with the kids and now they're older and the themes are more mature. More real. The first seasons of ST relied more on Nostalgia.

[@gracereads2917]

I think the most realistic part they're showing here now is that these events, all this monster madness, it has actually affected our characters on a deeper level. Max has grown reclusive and pulls away from the Hawkins Crew as she feels like she is the cause of Billy's death for joining with them in Season 2. Will isn't just third wheeling anymore, he's watching his sweet adoptive sister being bullied and tormented by horrible kids and he can't help her for fear that he'll become their next target and after his torment, he's not emotionally ready for that. Lucas has decided to push away from the Hawkins Gang in a very different way by instead surrounding himself with more popular, cooler kids who play basketball and have parties and girlfriends but has ultimately pushed Max away in the process. I heard a lot of ppl complain that Robin has gotten annoying but personally I feel that she's just not masking her emotions and feelings anymore which is what people do when they become comfortable with a group of people. We saw a glimpse of the talkative side of her when they all join together at the mall in S3 and most would forget that happened but now we're seeing that nervous way of carrying on talking now that Robin is in higher stakes situations and now she has a core group of friends she's never had before. Everyone has grown and the way these characters have changed has really built them for what's to come and if they'll try to escape the hurt of the past, or if they'll embrace it and take down the evil in Hawkins

[@nash5346]

I’m not reading this but I agree 👍

[@darkwoods1954]

I liked Robin a lot more in season 4 than I did in 3. I often find ''quirky'' annoying in fictional characters but the Robin actress does it in a charming way.

[@vexenss]

@@nash5346 lmao fr

[@richardpitt8177]

I think what people are missing about Robin is she is ADHD. She alludes to this when she talks about missing social clues. People often find ADHD people as “annoyingly quirky”. The reason it’s more apparent is she has formed closer friendships with the group and isn’t masking anymore. As a person with ADHD I have to say they’ve written her pretty accurately. Just another example of the good character development this season!

[@gracereads2917]

@@richardpitt8177 fully agree she is one hundred percent on the spectrum for ADHD or autism or both. And she was defo masking in S3 until the scene where Eleven gets hurt and she goes on that tangent about Beth Wildfire bc I'm borderline ADHD and borderline autistic and I go on those sorts of tangents constantly

[@madelynnchase4231]

I think the "holiday" they went with this season is actually spring break. It's definitely not as important a detail as in other seasons, but it gets Mike to California and the kids out of school.

[@alexneill8338]

It was very considerate of Vecna to wait until the spring break to start murdering so as not to distract the kids from their studies too much.

[@alaynawood1584]

Yeah, but I was definitely thrown off by how early in the year it was though. I went to school in the 90s and early 00s and we didn't have spring break til mid-April (actually closer to Easter). I feel like the March spring break is based on a more current school calendar. Also, when Eddie said that in a month he'll be walking across that stage at graduation, I was just thinking, "June is still 2.5 months away." The timeline was just weird.

[@coalbag2758]

@@alaynawood1584 many schools end in may… although yeah a month was still quite short

[@NobodyC13]

I thought setting the season on "Spring Break" would allow Stranger Things to coincide with that "other" big event of Spring 1986: Chernobyl. With the final episodes out, they didn't comment on Chernobyl, but the series now has its own allegorical Chernobyl event.

[@cyanorion2206]

@@NobodyC13 that's actually a really clever connection to make between the show and an actual historical event given the sheer closeness of the dates for season 4 and Chernobyl

[@aporszatmari2914]

"Dear Duffer brothers, Eddy will be alright, right?" - aged like fine wine lol

[@DajuSar]

What did you expect, wow a new character that is good, has personality and that can be killed so the main characters stay intact

[@lukesguywalker]

:notlikethis:

[@koshmareq]

aged like milk

[@lauramis789]

Came here to comment this 😅

[@sonicadv27]

Stranger Things never stopped being great.

[@danielamaris6367]

It's script stopped being great for a while.

[@MichaelLeroi]

I mean, there was season 3...

[@davidmorgan5581]

it stopped being great after season 1

[@MoreRizzzz]

@@MichaelLeroi Well I loved season 3 and I kinda dont understand why people hate it.

[@MasterMike_]

​@@davidmorgan5581 season 1 is overrated af man😅

[@LilRedRasta]

More shows need to follow the ARCANE method of releasing shows. Give us 3 episodes each week. That way, we can still binge watch, but there's also the suspense of waiting a week to see the new episodes. This way, shows have the ability to stay in the public eye for longer. One thing that's good about weekly releases is the build up. The day it comes out is almost like a holiday.

[@madster4132]

i agree. like they dropped 7 episodes on us only to have us wait over a month for 2 episodes. i feel like giving two or three and then waiting a week to release the next would have kept so much more interest from viewers.

[@xsomili5501]

AGEEE

[@bugcatcherjacky1334]

Game of Thrones did that well! We used to watch one episode every monday and it was like this big family thing where we all came together and watched something, where everyone cancelled dates and whatever. It was great! (Too bad they butchered the show)

[@waleedmuawia8725]

Hell no weekly episodes are so bad u literally forget half the plot during the week's wait and also, waiting for episodes for more than a month becomes draining and honestly boring

[@R0B1NG5]

I think they should just keep releasing it all at once when its ready. Were adults, just let us choose how much to watch. I don't care about free marketing tactics for netflix. Thats not my concern as a viewer. Just give me a better more flexible on demand service to fit into my free time when I have it. I don't have cable tv anymore for a reason.

[@potatohead7579]

i actually just rewatched the whole show after finishing season 4 vol 1 and tbh i didn't really experience any huge quality drop i feel like people really overreact with the "stranger things fell off" stuff i still think season 1 is the best one but 2-4 all had their own highlights edit: watched vol 2 yesterday and all i wanna say is that last scene has me very hyped for season 5

[@jimmyb5025]

Season three is my personal favourite although four is slowly getting there. I'll see if it sticks the landing.

[@comics.9462]

Right. All the seasons are so good and unique in different ways

[@sbingham215]

@@comics.9462 yea 👍

[@potatohead7579]

@@PzDallas yeah i get it the eleven stuff was kinda lame, although i wouldn't describe her as out of character but overall i didn't feel like s2 was a *huge* downgrade, there was a lot of dope stuff too i especially liked the mind flayer/will element, the mind flayer in general is so good

[@justahumanwithamask4089]

It didn't really drop but it it felt like they ran out of ideas. The Russians came out of nowhere, how can the Russians build a whole top secret lab and smuggle hundreds of soldiers in a foreign enemy territory without being caught and they brought back the mind flaya again which wasn't bad but we were kind of lead to believe that they were done with that. Still a solid watch tho. Billy lowkey carried season 3

[@slackstarfish8133]

Season 4 is definitely a good season of a show in general but just all around, stranger things has changed. Season 1 of stranger things felt completely different than anything they’ve done since and they really captured lightning with it. Sometimes I do miss that stranger things but for the new stranger things, this was pretty damn good.

[@matyasregenyi4214]

I agree. S1 was completely different (I liked it more). I also dont like that they talk about the new seasons that they were completely planned. Uhm... NO? At first they said it is gonna be a anthology series. Every season we will have different stories. But S1 was so successful they decided to continue it. Now, as of season 4 I do not like the direction they went. So the Upside down was shaped by this Vecna, who was a human? There goes the mystery of another hostile dimension... Oh and do not tell me this was planned since season 1. The upside down changes every single season. You can re-watch the entire series and do not find one single sign about this Vecna guy. Oh, and he presumably killed all kids in the lab back in 1979? Then is S2 where do those psychic punks come from? Okay, enogh ranting, you got my point.

[@davidjames8331]

@@matyasregenyi4214 Well Vecna didnt shape the upside down he shaped the mindflayer and it obv wasnt planned since s1. I dont really see a problem with the one psychic punk (008) existing even if im glad they never brought her back, she must have escaped before Vecna went on his murder spree

[@CosmicTeapot]

The stranger things cycle: Binge-watch -> gradually lose interest -> new season announced -> not really hyped -> new season comes out -> watch first episode -> get immediately emotionally involved in Steve's well being -> Binge-watch -> repeat

[@mullboll33]

but if they kept the seasons the same people would complain about that. cant please everyone

[@tara-hg1pk]

@@matyasregenyi4214 i agree. the upside down almost got a bit exploited, it lost its magic or horror in a way. also I liked the demogorgon as a villain, his animal-like behaviour made him terrifying. the first season was much more simple, there were a few storylines, but they all made sense and felt real and raw. the new season had so much going on at once, that it almost felt a bit overwhelming. I personally also liked season 2, because it still felt honest and logically, but had a great plot, especially how will drew the map and steve’s character developed.

[@beanmiller5927]

season 1: simple yet engaging season 2:way more stuff going on and the added characters made it interesting. season 3: so pretty to look at, but so much 80s omg. season 4: lots of plots to follow but came together in the end so well. also its so beautiful.

[@mount_fuji_edits]

on the contrary this show was good for how simple it was. It became an outer mess, it doesn’t live to the tittle any more and i could name a thousand things why the show goes downhill after season 3. They marvelized the shit out if it, it’s laughable.

[@Bellstersss]

@@mount_fuji_editsto me , not at all I think it will all come together. It's a beautiful show. You just don't get it.

[@ness3547]

Honestly, i feel like the 1 hour episodes really saved the show, it allowed to develop the characters and the lore, it's very cool how we get to see more of the upside down! We even got an interesting vilain who's backstory covers the entire volume 1, unraveling the mystery episode by episode and that is AMAZING !

[@markbrowning4334]

Well, they have to do one hour shows because that's how long it takes Eleven to have any interaction with anyone else. That finale episode could have been done in an hour rather than 2:20, but Eleven was in so many scenes and she doesn't do anything with any pace.

[@user-vi5vn1gm6p]

We got an interesting villain at home Interesting villain at home: a dude with the same powers as main hero (but STRONGER, but not really) that wants to *kill everyone* because of “I am special” and “I was born to be a predator”. As a nice little bonus he enjoys long sinister monologues to give protagonists more time to beat him and has a skull-like face

[@ness3547]

@@user-vi5vn1gm6p I get your point but for me, Vecna is more interesting than the mindflayer or demogorgons. Discovering 001's backstory was entertaining enough, and since he was born with such powers, his motivations aren't unrealistic at all. I mean he was also exploited and imprisoned by Dr Brenner so it makes sense that he definitely wants vengeance. I just liked the whole atmosphere of his house with the clock, watching his victims get possessed and the fact that he manipulates his victims by using their trauma.

[@ness3547]

@@markbrowning4334 I agree with you, somehow Eleven always feels disconnected from the other characters since s2. I loved s1 as she was the major character of the plot. Then it felt like they just didn't know what to do with her... I don't even recall where she was during s2 and s3, apart from the whole X-men thing at some point. That sucks because nobody knows and share things with her so she doesn't really bond with the others, even her relationship with Mike isn't really appealing anymore... Or the fact that we're supposed to care about her relationship with Max through a one episode shopping montage... In s4 she needed to uncover her whole backstory with 001. I guess it's justified for once because putting her with Argyle or Mike would've ruined her arc as it's supposed to be dramatic.

[@martin4452]

I loved season 3, mainly because of Dustin Robin and Steve they really make an interesting trio.

[@thorough5138]

A psychotic trio to be more accurate.

[@kieranwilcox7739]

You forget Erica

[@hoopz66]

Erica was better than Robin

[@thorough5138]

@@hoopz66 they both suck. (Although, Erica being slightly better)

[@LOL-VBE]

Trio WHERE? Erica literally stole the show

[@TheAdvertisement]

After getting into learning more about repression and dissociation from Game Theory's Control video and more recently Omori, seeing how Eleven had to deal with remembering her massacre at the Hawkin's Lab again, how much it pained her and the steps it took for her to stop repressing those memories in order to regain her powers, was one of the most fascinating things I've seen on a show, and Stranger Things in general. Wonderful season.

[@jeanettesmith765]

The show has been fabulous all along. I don't think it needed saving, but season 4 was out of this world good.

[@samt3412]

My only problem is that it should've been the final season. If Max just survived, or if El healed her before she "died", then this would be a perfectly satisfying ending. Also Vecna would just be dead for real. Seriously, how exactly does he survive that? Like, he's still partially human in biology, and there's no way he should survive getting hit with a shotgun that many times AND set on fire.

[@adonhamor]

@@samt3412 They could've definitely ended it in season 4, but maybe their scope for the series was just bigger, they couldn't do it all in season 4.

[@geraldnt]

season 3 just felt like they wanted people to get hyped up with nostalgia and advertisements, season 4 feels like what it needed to be, horror and focused on the storyline that started since season 1

[@CoolJoshido212]

season 3 felt too MCU-ish

[@bug8357]

season 3 is my favorite season, its what made me fall in love with the show.

[@juanmelo4150]

@@bug8357 filler season

[@binky8843]

@@bug8357 your opinion is bad

[@bug8357]

@@binky8843 no it’s not.

[@Error-zg4po]

The Duffer Brothers took what they learned from Seasons 1-3 to make arguably the best season of Stranger Things

[@KegOfMeat]

As someone who was disappointed with season 3 and especially didn’t like the epilogue of that season, I enjoyed season 4 immensely. It rekindled my love for the series. Just don’t make us wait for three years for season 5 and don’t unnecessarily split it into two volumes.

[@emableirankunda8704]

why did you not like season 3?

[@bradybug6666]

I think the two volumes were great. Amazing for marketing and allowing for theories. It gave everyone time to be very hyped up and not forget about the season so quick.

[@blueberryplums5790]

@@bradybug6666 i thin k the wait was a very good thing, however a month is unnecessarily long, i think they should do a week or two between 2 volumes, if they split it again

[@darkira2129]

@@blueberryplums5790 why they just released once every 1 or 2 week like a normal show?

[@mishiman420]

You sounded a little entitled at the end, the 3 year wait was only cause of covid, The reason why it was split because they weren't sure if all nine episodes would be ready on time with release, so they improvised with giving a huge chunk of the story with vol 1 and then focusing on the last two episodes for vol 2, hence the long runtime of episode 9, Was absolutely not unnecessary at all, They cared more about quality of it.

[@raymondlinares8307]

Season 1 was very tight and very complete. My first reaction was "It's perfect. Don't touch it. Don't expand.... just let it be it's perfect offering".... Season 4 is the first season that's made me glad they expanded.

[@Sunsetsonthehorizon]

Those close ups of Dustin for each season intro... 😂

[@zeepsterd]

I was waiting for someone to comment about this. Can’t believe it took this long.

[@Sunsetsonthehorizon]

​@@zeepsterd haha!! My fave is the Season 3 one 🤣 Scorpions rule!

[@skylardesrosiers382]

And how it becomes fried overtime lmao

[@aidenmb7932]

Honestly I agree with just about all your points, but almost every time I re watch the show, I just feel joy, and I will love this show forever, even though it does have a few glaring flaws

[@zeepsterd]

Thank you!

[@jackdavenport5011]

That's how I feel. The dips in quality are only so noticeable in comparison to season 1 with was genuinely one of the best and most unique TV seasons ever. But the show has been consistently good, just with a fair share of noticeable flaws.

[@liszt646]

My least favorite is season 3 and yet I love this season cause of the vibes and joy it passes.

[@_Wakaz_]

I love this show too, I have a very deep, emotional and fundamental connection to it and it carried me through my childhood... up until this season. Season 4 is honestly abismal and it's embarrassing that people are hailing it as some sort of brilliant piece of television.

[@Im_Nier]

@@_Wakaz_ I’d love for you to elaborate if you don’t mind? This has been my favorite season so far and it’s been having me feel all types of different ways, on the edge of my seat. Episode 4 alone warrants this statement.

[@etazeta674]

*HEAVY SPOILERS IN SECOND PARAGRAPH* Honestly, up til now, the formula for each season has more or less stayed the same: characters are split into groups, each group interacts with the threat/situation and gets a different view on the situation, groups come back together to compare notes, then groups split up to do different part of the save the world plan with El being their ace in the hole, and the big reason they win In season 4, we get as far into the formula as the groups split up before things are definitively different: the groups STAY apart for pretty much the whole season, and El is struggling to get her powers back, and even when she does, she can’t get back in time to actually help, and is forced to play interference against Vecna from inside Max’s mind, and even then, she fails. (And then their’s the entire Vecna storyline, but I’m still not quite sure how I feel about the Stranger Things equivalent to Voldemort) All in all, this season really was a breath of fresh air and I really enjoyed it

[@godnotavailable2094]

This is an interesting observation, and I would add an extra detail: when each group stays apart for the entire season (the three groups being Hawkins, California and Russia), it allows those individual groups to branch off even further into subplots, giving the whole season a very lofty, "more is more" feeling that some have described as the show trying to juggle too much at once. It's like you're watching at least three seasons of television all at once, none of which would stand on their own, but together they make something that feels really grand and justifies a ton of padding with excessive runtime. If anything I said sounded negative, I assure you it wasn't. I love it so much.

[@JacksonGonzalez2003]

I agree. Looking through the comments I was wondering if anyone felt the same as me. The seasons have just gotten repetitive because they all follow the same formula. Still a fun watch but it’s all just more of the same

[@parkerb9262]

one of my favorite ways ssn 4 relates back to ssn 1 is the music, for example when robin nance eddie and steve learn how to manipulate the lights, they play very similar music to the scene where joyce is talking with wills through the lights. there were lots of other times the music did this but this was one of my favorites :)

[@Sofia-hu8km]

I really wish this season's episodes were released weekly. The new Euphoria season sucked ass but it was so fun to watch every episode "live" with the rest of the internet. I think 90% of its success is attributed to its release schedule tbh.

[@rue.eudoxie]

Thisss

[@ha-kh7ef]

yeah…i said to myself i would only watch one episode a week. But the season 4 was legit so good. Honestly it would be nice to have weekly episodes

[@thatnike2604]

3 episodes per week would've been best imo

[@heyitsnoreen]

Yeah I agree. I don't watch, but I saw how excited people were for weeks on end about it. It leaves people talking about your show. Netflix we talk about it for a week and the excitement is over. Plus it's not fun for people who do take their time to watch and don't like to binge because they get so many spoilers.

[@fernandoa589]

Same here. Weekly shows generate more talk and hype. It gives us viewers something to talk about every week. Shows released all at once lose their hype in about a month.

[@crunchgirl6787]

I don’t understand why some ppl keep saying that season 4 feels different from the other seasons. It literally has the exact same quality of seasons 1 and 2 except it has darker elements and a higher budget. Season 3 is the one that was completely different from all the others with its over-the-top comedy and cartoonish characters.

[@stev6963]

Agreed. Season 2 gets so much hate when really just Ep 7 deserves the hate. The rest of that season was fantastic IMO. And I wasn’t a huge S3 fan compared to 1 and 2. It’s good but the plot felt contrived, a little far fetched, and less believable to me.

[@25ciskey25]

for me i think season 4 has taken the story to the next level, exploring 11's past more and the continued development of characters and details about the upside down. I think its just part of it being 4 season into the show. alot of things get explained and really shows the planning by the writers. for example - in S1 (episode 5?), theres a confrontation between the kids, 11 breaks down and exclaims that shes a monster because she opened the gate.. i dont think at my first viewing it was really notable/memerable because I didnt know what a gate was, where it was, what it did, what it meant etc.. well now I know what she meant exactly, after S4E7.

[@godnotavailable2094]

@@stev6963 Dude I've shared this exact sentiment since Season 3 came out. 1, 2 and 4 are all pretty much on the same level for me, but 3 is a considerable step below.

[@rileyc4993]

exactly! what really did s3 in for me was how they butchered hopper's character, and shat on all his growth over the last 2 seasons. that's why i like how much they focused on hopper this season

[@cyber6sapien]

THANK YOU!! Absolute facts!!! Season 3 was HORRIBLE!!!

[@Arimil1234512345]

Episode 4 of the 4th season is easily one of the best episodes of the entire show. They leave you thinking right up until the last second that it's all over for Max and then bam. Kate Bush and her friends bring her back from the edge. It's so intense and so powerful.

[@dashx1103]

The problem with the Kate Bush thing is that it doesn't actually make sense. Robin and Nancy determined that music saved Victor Creel from Vechna back in the day. They gave that information to the gang, who used it to save Max. But we learn later that Vechna/Henry just allowed Victor to live because he wanted Victor to be blamed for the death of his mother and sister. He wasn't saved by Dream a Little Dream of Me, like they thought. He was just spared as part of Vechna/Henry's plan.

[@rubenvalce]

no...it's the massacre at hawkins lab

[@arielgaray302]

Season 3 is my personal favorite. But I have to say that the other seasons, specially season 4 are epic and incredible in their own manner.

[@Baaabman]

I agree, sadly this seems like an unpopular opinion.

[@comealsolito804]

I guess, if you hadn't a problem with the kids dialogues and all that dynamics between Max, El, Myke, Lucas and Will and the way their characters were managed, I get that you could like it. But for me and I guess for others they felt insufferable and they had so much screen time being the protagonists. Hopper's plot wasn't that good either even though his death was emotional, Billy's arc was the most interesting part and the scoop group dynamic was awesome but their plot had too much absurdity and I'm not even commenting about that ending with Suzie singing that shit ruining the climax for comedy. The cast is spectacular and always holds the show, but overall as a mystery/horror is not properly written, compare that to season 4 and especially season 1 and you get the point.

[@frhax]

@@comealsolito804 I agree and disagree I agree on season 1 and many of your points on season 3 I personally like it because of how interesting I find the plot. Billy was the best part I agree. I will say for some reason I didn’t find season 4 scary (probably because I’m a massive horror fan and FNAF Fan but it was very entertaining.and that’s why I like it but, I still can’t find my self ranking all the seasons. My opinion on season 4 has changed a lot though.

[@MasterMike_]

People hate on season 3 alot,i don't get it honestly

[@Kira1Lawliet]

It's also a big deal how they finally have a villain who has a real personality and motivation. Vecna, especially in the last episode, has been easily the most chilling and terrifying villain in this entire series, and he's the only one with a real fitting antagonism against El. Also, even though this hasn't been explicitly confirmed yet, and contrary to Dustin's theory, I am almost positive that Vecna is really the head honcho in the Upside Down, and that the Demogorgons and the Mind Flayer are both extensions of his awesome psychic powers.

[@yeetwchybaban]

o

[@victorleon67]

I'm not entirely sure about that last part, I'd say it's not the case, at least it doesn't seem so from what we've seen so far. Demogorgons are just beasts that can be controlled by more powerful forces like the Mind Flayer, but aren't necessarily part of him or anything. And I'd say the Mind Flayer is far more powerful than Vecna. I wouldn't be that surprised if it was revealed that Vecna is somewhat of a servant of him, since he creates portals when he attacks and portals to our domain is everything the Flayer wanted in the first place (if I'm not mistaken, it's Dustin who even says that Demogorgons are the Flayer's troops and Vecna is his 5-star general). Also I feel like if Will wasn't saved and were dominated and brought to the upside down in S2, he would also have become something like Vecna himself

[@appa1154]

@@victorleon67 Wow! Super smart response. Dustin’s predictions have proven to be right countless times. But, Will was stolen by a demogorgon, not banished to another dimension in the form of a villain vs protag battle. Why would he have become something like Vecna? He was running for his life.

[@TSDTalks22]

@@appa1154 they meant in season 2, when the mind flayer took him over

[@schmeterling]

But...he doesn't have neither personality nor motivation... Well, yeah, he's just a fucked up kid from the very beginning. And he wants to destroy everything. I mean, thanks for giving him a face and a story, but this is not deep or unique. He's just a villain bc he is a villain. Jamie played him amazing though

[@nickcalire1553]

I get if season 2 is your least favorite season, but it literally feels like for a lot of people that's only because of ONE episode. We got an extra episode anyway and while I agree it was the worst episode in the show, it still had some good moments and episodes 8 and 9 make up for it. That episode didn't change my opinion on the whole season, it was a great season.

[@natehouse585]

I know people have their opinions but it really feels like nobody actually watched the show. Season 2 was by far the best season, followed closely by season 1. Season 4 is easily the worst season. It literally took them 9 hours of episodes Jaír to explain where vecna came from but they didn’t even explain how he got his powers. They introduced characters that were just so unnecessary like the pizza delivery guy. Not funny at all and a waste of time. The episodes were so long but they got literally nowhere in each episode. In each episode they’re still trying to rescue hopper. Why does it take 9 hours in episodes just to do that one thing? Now about season 2’s the lost sister episode was literally one of the most important episodes. One huge thing it revealed is that Brenner was still alive. Yes that’s right we learned that wayyy back in season 2 so no surprise he came back in 4. Also it wouldn’t surprise me if they bring 008 back in the future because she was such a strong character. She encouraged Eleven to find her true strength when she was mentally at her worst ( being upset with her friends and hopper). Anyone who disagrees seriously needs to rewatch all the seasons because it really is a no brainer that 2 has the best characters, best storyline, best acting, and simply the best cinematography in general

[@stev6963]

THANK YOU! I seem to be the only one who ever felt like Season 2 was the best in the series before S4 came out. I loved Mmmm muy you yyyy er

[@el_spo0ky199]

@@natehouse585 season 2 is easily the worst season of all time. It’s plot makes no sense, I’ve seen better acting on the hub, the story goes nowhere, there’s only one barely likable character in the show and that’s Erica. The show wouldn’t be where it’s at if it wasn’t for Erica.

[@RbkARI]

@@natehouse585 Argyle was necessary. Mike, Will and Jonathan are too angsty, they needed a foil.

[@chadd980]

@@natehouse585 I don't really remember. When in season 2 did we find out Brenner is alive?

[@thijsjudejong]

The weekly release really works. Euphoria chose to do this and its been the whole talk for the entire first quarter of this year

[@queendivax]

Season 3 was definitely the worst one for me, I just lost interest and almost didn’t watch season 4 because of it. But I’m so glad I gave season 4 a chance, bc this is hands down the BEST season in the whole show. Everything had me on the edge of my seat, wanting more. They definitely kicked it up a notch, and I’m happy they did!

[@AnonymouseWatcher-bf6js]

IMO Season 3 focused way too much on comedy and fanservice, since the show was continuously growing a large fanbase, but it honestly was kind of a let-down. It lacked the element of horror and mystery that we enjoyed from Seasons 1 and 2. I'm glad they brought back the horror in Season 4 and honestly it's even scarier than Season 1.

[@Vitusdex]

Yeah, in Season 3 they didnt focus on the mysterious vibe the other 2 had. Instead of wondering why things happen, in season 3 they explained it immediatly in the same episode. But its still my favorite, since they went all out on the horror aspect. People getting controlled and falling apart into a giant flesh monster was really cool. Also i liked the russian plotline and how the characters dealt with it. Season 1,2 and 4 have the mysterious vibe, meanwhile Season 3 is comedy and straight up horror. Its a nice break, because without it will be always the same approach.

[@godnotavailable2094]

Exact same thing happened to me, word for word.

[@MmaSmarty87]

After Season 3 I was burnt out and wasnt looking forward to a new season. So my hype for Season 4 was very minimal...BUT after watching it I am actually looking forward to Season 5...my only nit pick is the main cast's plot armor. When they are in danger they are never really in danger.

[@thelistener5440]

Same for me! I'm always puzzled why people like season 3 so much. Luckily I gave the show a chance again, and it was a great experience with season 4.

[@el-vm9cr]

I also think they should’ve focused more on how PTSD affected the characters, or other mental health issues. That’s one of the things I really liked about season 1. Nancy felt guilty about loosing her virginity which I think a lot of people can relate to. She also was heavily influenced by barbs death. When we went to the upside down she also couldn’t sleep alone because she was scared. WE NEED MORE STUFF LIKE THIS

[@robbiesmith8055]

I think they really dropped the ball on PSTD with Will as well. He's very clearly struggling in S2, but once he's freed from possession the show never checks back in with his mental state regarding everything; it's like 'oh he didn't actually have PTSD, his episodes were just Upside Down hijinks and he's completely fine now'. Quite aside from his trauma in S1, he went through some Crap in 2. He experienced severe burning more than once, his body was hijacked, and he was forced to set a trap which led to the deaths of dozens of people, including his Mom's boyfriend who he had a personal relationship with. But the show just? Never addresses his feelings about all that? You're telling me he doesn't have an ounce of guilt for what happened to Bob? (It obviously wasn't his fault, but that's not how guilt works after all). He doesn't have PSTD because of his time in the Upside Down anymore? They've just moved right on from him and it really bugs me.

[@ness3547]

Well in season 4 we get to see how PTSD affects Max, it's a major element of the plot !

[@andysmith9243]

Sounds like you know how to make a show.

[@whoasked6696]

Uh what.. literally everyone has been saying how this season perfect mental health issues. I think your missing a few steps..

[@_Ash0099]

@@whoasked6696 Uh what...they're not "missing a few steps" while it's true the show focuses on mental health, there's characters in the show where we didn't get a deep dive on how they're doing mentally. Like Will for example as the first reply mentioned.

[@_black_bird]

That last part is so true tho, I'm so scared they're gonna fuck it up somehow, they built something that feels incredible, a villain that is more threatening than any of the previous ones, but the bigger you are the harder you fall, I really wanna go to the last episode with the least amount of expectativas possible, but it's hard when you're watching something that actually gets you excited to see how it ends

[@doubleyedtitan9644]

"if something happens to Eddie in the next to episodes..." Yeah it killed me too man.

[@anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

As someone who lived through.the 80's, I can say that the first season didn't throw 80's nostalgia in your face, but rather just FELT like something made in the 80's. That's what made it great. The following seasons, it's like they listened to too many focus groups who said they really loved the 80's stuff, so more of that. Suddenly they were throwing 80's in your face, and consequently, it no longer felt like the 80's. It felt like a joke. Like the Wedding Singer(great movie BTW). The 4th season did dial it back and really focused on the characters and the writing, which was cool.

[@MichaelAnthonyPresents]

I honestly think the Lost Sister is more important than people say it is. It was placed really awkwardly and messed with the pacing, but the story was amazing. It wasn’t just a second pilot, it was more to show that Eleven wasn’t someone who used her powers for revenge rather used her powers to save others, something that Kali (Eight) never learned. She became more than just an invention that Dr. Brenner created in a lab and it showed she had compassion and empathy in her heart. Had they placed the scenes where she is with Eight throughout Chapter 5-8, it probably would’ve been a more well received storyline.

[@naruske97]

Agree,and also that her real family are the party,Hopper and Joyce,I like it

[@MichaelAnthonyPresents]

@@naruske97 exactly, but that doesn’t mean Kali is much different. Her crew is her version of the Hawkins crew. She wants to help these people who have been shit on by the public for most of their lives, but her methods are full of anger and hate, while Eleven’s methods are for being a loyal and good friend towards them and to have their back if they’re in trouble. Kali wants the respect she feels she deserves after years of mistreatment, but she never earns it like Eleven has.

[@pilotman463]

I 100% agree, this show is my favorite but the community seems to like what's on its surface than depth which is strange cause season 4 is the most in depth yet more inconsistent season yet atleast for me, like again I love this show with all my heart, but this season was lack luster in its depth for it also being the most in depth season

[@andrew3606]

It's not that people don't acknowledge its importance to the story, we all know it was supposed to be a crucial plot point. We just think it was bad writing. What we got in season 4 is infinitely more interesting. It shows she has empathy and compassion, but is easily manipulated. It developed her backstory, acted as world building, and established the villain's backstory in place of an awkwardly paced, slightly edgy side quest.

[@pilotman463]

@@andrew3606 Yeah true but atleast for me all the plot holes and weak reveals take away from the importance of the plot yet I still love it. But I like seeing more of the world of Stranger Things just I think the lost sister was able to pull it off better by separating from the main plot but also giving you good insight and how others have been affected from the world our main characters have lived in

[@thedogfromraditude5449]

I’m on episode 3 of the season right now, and… wow. That’s all I gotta say. Just, wow. I wasn’t super excited about season 4 and I expected it to be a lame excuse to continue the story after it ended, but I was proven completely wrong. Netflix isn’t holding back any punches this time around. The kills are gory, the horror scenes are much scarier, and it’s like they took everything that worked about seasons 1 and 3 and amped it up to 11 (pun somewhat intended). I cannot wait to watch the rest of this thing, and if the story keeps going this way, it might honestly be my favorite season of the entire show!

[@ChristopherTom]

whoa... it's the dog from Raditude!

[@zeepsterd]

@@ChristopherTom NO WAY.

[@Janeth15]

Really I think everyone had some highest expectations

[@thesnatcher3616]

There is a reason why Ep 7 seems to have the highest rating of the entire series thus far on imdb. Imdb ratings aren't perfect, but they are infamously hard to maintain, so it's quite impressive.

[@addison_deez]

THEY DOG FROM RADITUDE HELLO😍😍😍

[@shatakshi4677]

Sorry about eddie dude

[@zeepsterd]

U_U

[@21sashalee]

Season 4 was a huge hommage to countless Classic Horror movies. I loved the overall vibe so much. However I do miss the original friend group and was already disappointed when in season 3 they only reunited in the very end and barely had scenes together. And most importantly I want my boy Will to have a happy ending, i genuinely feel for him

[@flames.5711]

I agree that the season 4 made it interesting again. Wasn't expecting a lot because I got kinda tired in Season 3, but now I am really waiting for the new episodes.

[@User-jl9xh]

Same! I’m so excited and I can NOT wait for volume 2

[@TheBlackestKnight21]

yeah he said sesson 2 was bad but no season 2 is on par with 1 and 4. 3 was a trainwrekc

[@DCshandle]

@@TheBlackestKnight21 3 was better than 2 imo the best thing 2 did was introduce max and billy

[@AnonymouseWatcher-bf6js]

@@DCshandle The thing that made Season 2 great is that it still has the element of horror and mystery in it. We got reintroduced to the Upside Down and we have a new monster - the Mind Flayer. Will's storyline and how it was written was amazing, and of course, top-tier acting from the entire cast, especially from Noah Schnapp as Will and Winona Ryder as Joyce. Season 3 was absolutely lacking of that horror and mystery that we enjoyed from the past seasons: it felt way too cartoonish, some characters were ruined like Mike and Lucas, there were a lot of awkward and out-of-character scenes, and they just ignored Will and forgot about his storyline. It didn't really feel like Stranger Things. Season 2 just had one bad episode but IMO it's still better than Season 3.

[@thatamericanbritishbloke5672]

@@AnonymouseWatcher-bf6js Yes, I agree. I couldn't exactly place my finger on it when first watching Season 3, but in retrospect, it definitely feels disjointed from the other seasons. The vibe was just so different and I hated all the vibrant colors and the cartoonish atmosphere. Season 2 was really slow for me, but at least, it still felt like Stranger Things.

[@ForeverSunnyy]

I have to disagree with your commentary on season 2 and 3. I found season 2 to be very consistent, with just one bad chapter (and even that chapter had a purpose in the end). But overall it stayed true to its characters while introducing new ones. Then we get season 3 where I think everyone was acting way too cartoonish compared to their other seasons, doing things that were just so out of character, regressing to stereotypes instead of the wonderful personalities they had in previous seasons. That being said, I loved season 4.

[@draw4everyone]

Yes! Finally someone said it. Mrs. Wheeler in particular and the whole pseudo-cheating with Billy subplot was just goofy.

[@cyber6sapien]

THANK YOU!! I thought I was going nuts. Glad to see other people share my similar POV. Season 2 was FAR superior to season 3. Season 3 is what killed people's anticipation for season 4.

[@shilpashivadasan5115]

Exactly 💯

[@t3sc0.]

THIS

[@legzz187]

Agreed

[@g.l.o.w.s.s6900]

SPOILERS: "So, Eddie's gonna be ok, right?"

[@gagamonster1049]

Max, Robin, Eddie are amazing characters introduced each season after S1

[@MariooMarioo-ht5tt]

Honestly the thing I love about stranger things is that there’s so many storylines going on at once and honestly I liked season 2 just I didn’t really like episode 7 much since it was just eleven the whole entire episode instead of all the storylines at once which I really didn’t like and got really bored with that episode.

[@phantomluffy9476]

For me s1 will always be the best. It was so refreshing and Dustin, Mike and Lucas worked together the whe season. They were all together. Later season only used max 2 of the boys at each given moment. S4 was really good tho. Only flaw with s1 Is it didn't have good Steve. He was at his best in s2 and 4. 3 was good but not as good

[@nestlyyyy]

SAME. s2 is my favourite, I just didn’t like episode 7. especially since Will was literally dying💀 like why switch from a sad and terrifying episode, to an underwhelming training arc™️ what was the point

[@TinyCloud90]

@@nestlyyyy i think episode 7 wasn't as bad, because you know El didnt know where she belonged and had a feeling she is rejected by everyone. So she searches for someone like her, just to explore that she belongs with the group. Maybe her sister will come back and help in the upcoming war, would be nice if they implemented her again. Also El thinking of herself as the monster and thinking she did all the killing back in the Lab days, to come that it wasnt her, reflected her not killing the guy at the end. Im invested af :D

[@marknarron3379]

Honestly just the fact that a show like this can make a almost 40 year old song become a #1 is crazy to me

[@bZman]

The best version of Running Up That Hill is by Track & Field

[@markbrowning4334]

What it should tell you is how bad music is today. That was a good song then and its a good song now, but tik tok is going to ruin that thing so quickly. The thing is that Kate Bush and that song, while good, aren't remotely the best examples of music from the 70's and 80's. That's how good music used to be and how bad it is today.

[@DallianOfficial]

@@markbrowning4334 not really that music is bad today but more like the music in the charts is bland, overproduced and all sounds the same. 60s to 80s were a time with a lot of experimentation and charts had a lot of different genres, this started to get lost in the 90s and today is worse than ever. Many good artists still exist but they are in small to medium big labels or independent and they won't be heard on TV or radio

[@CosmicTeapot]

@@markbrowning4334 You do realize that most people 50-60 years old and up back in the 70s/80s also said the very same thing about the music being made then compared to the music they cherished in their youth? Setting aside the notion that the distinction between good and bad music is, more often than not, entirely subjective: music production is simply more accessible/democratized now than it has ever been. The total amount of music being made across all platforms is greater, so necessarily it might seem like there is more bad music than there used to (which is true), but there is also MORE good music in equal proportions. I'd even argue there's more good music than there used to be, thanks to the wide availability of free resources online for aspiring musicians. You simply need to look a bit harder to find stuff you like now because the entire market is saturated with what sells the best. But across all ages and generations, the same darwinian phenomenon takes place: the truly good gold nuggets stand the test of time and get remembered decades later, while the shit nuggets get forgotten, which is what always gives the illusion as time passes that music used to be better than it is now. Don't get fooled by it.

[@markbrowning4334]

@@CosmicTeapot Ok, throw some names out there. Give me some examples of bands making good music today. Songs that people will be holding on to for years to come and bands that we'll remember 20 or 30 years from now. I'm not saying you can't offer up, but I'd like to hear what you can.

[@Evcast123]

Well rip eddy

[@delonking301]

I love everything about the entire show. Nothing is perfect in this world lmao people just need to enjoy things without finding flaws and picking everything apart like they are all Sherlock Holmes!

[@-boredwitch-7295]

agreed. most tv shows and movies are made for entertainment, not to be overanalyzed. stranger things is literally a show about otherworldly monsters set in the 80's. it's all for fun and im getting tired of people complaining and nit picking about everything. if you look for flaws in something, you are bound to find them. yall need to calm down, you dont need to analyze every little detail. there is always some complaint for every season, like season 1 didnt deal with enough character development, season 2 was missing some things, season 3 had too much humor. just sit down and enjoy the show.

[@najahel-amin7754]

Well I disagree with the opinion that season 3 Relies to heavily on nostalgia I think it makes perfect sense for you to see all of these products the 80s was literally the start/height of consumerism so if it wasn’t the way that it was it just would make make sense and also marketing teams of the 80s I think I were amazing

[@drakenfist]

That's exactly it!. Season 3 dealt with the fact that there was a mall in this town and how consumerism affected everything. It was very realistic to the era and what was going on. The series does well with taking real world events and bringing them into the story. Like how season 2 has "Cold War Panic" 3 does "consumerism meets Cold War espionage" and 4 is "Satanic Panic".

[@alexanderwalla9751]

I wish they’d used Will in much more creative ways. He was mostly a vehicle for storytelling, mindflayer, slow developer. It wouldn’t have been a stretch to give him some powers from His s2 endeavours, maybe make him a villain; disappointed by friends and country and mixing up with the Russians - who knows. Other than that love s4, Nice video

[@JustinNathanielAdams]

Also, they really sidelined Jonathan-- I don't really care about him at all this season. BUT, I do care about Max the most I ever have. There are a lot of characters to juggle, so I think it's hard for them to always have something useful to do.

[@sparkyparky9439]

@@JustinNathanielAdams I think sidelining Jonathan might be a response to Steve’s arc from “annoying prick” in season 1 to now one of the most beloved characters. Nancy has always been a great character too, and now that Steve is outshining Jonathan they want to pair Steve and Nancy back up to have a “TV power couple” they can generate hype around

[@JustinNathanielAdams]

@@sparkyparky9439 I agree. I've noticed in TV shows that they like to suddenly make one of the romantic interests (Jonathan in this case) extra boring/ dumb/ annoying to make sure the viewer roots for the other romantic interest (Steve). I don't think Steve has ever stopped loving Nancy, though I don't really remember what their interactions were like in season 3. He seemed to still love her when he saw her at the Snow Ball at the end of Season 2. Anyways, I think Steve and Nancy still seem to be a pretty good match.

[@InktheImpassive]

I guess Will is the most sensitive to the upside down given how long he was in there and also got possessed.

[@arvindhmani06]

This. Thankfully I heard somewhere mention that they're going to make Will a central character in the final season - but I don't have a source for this. I do hope it happens because after season 1, I thought he was the most important character after El considering what had happened to him.

[@climbingturkey]

3:09 Yes he is a well-rounded character lol

[@vibovitold]

A lot of shows feel the need for constantly increasing the pressure, the stakes, and they jump the shark as a result. Totally different shows which have fallen victim to the same syndrom is "Ozark" and "Peaky Blinders", for example. Introducing bigger and bigger villains, and increasingly more absurd "mission impossible" situations they've gotten kind of ridiculous over time and ended up ruining my suspension of disbelief, because they kept on pushing things too far. They're still watchable, but not as enjoyable anymore. You can't raise up pressure all the time and expect things not to fall apart.. To some extent it also applied to "Westworld" (although not the only factor in losing the original quality, it's one of them for sure). "Stranger Things" was certainly under a risk of falling into the same trap, but they sidestepped it quite smartly by nicely tying the plots, allowing the characters to grow psychologically (and face different, rather than just bigger personal challenges) etc., while preserving the core substance so to speak. "ST" is not even my type of show at all, but it's certainly drawn me in, and I've been positively surprised by the latest season.

[@absenteechild8542]

What surprised me most about season 4 is that so far they’ve kept the storylines separate without distracting from anyone. There’s the kids in Hawkins, El reliving her past, and the plot with the Russians. So far these haven’t connected at all, and with that level of separation there’s almost more character development because of it. Each characters motivations are mostly contained where they are, with the exception of El and the half exception of Joyce. You get to see how Robin navigates the whole Nancy and Steve thing without outing herself, you get to see how much Max has been forced to mature since she lost her brother and how she’s learning to open up again, you get to see Mike and Will reconnect. I really hope this isn’t the product of an extended writing period and more indicative of what’s to come. Season 1 may have been an incredible foundation, but Season 4 is easily the king. (Also, holy shit the final revelation of El’s memories was such an insane twist with so many perfect red herrings and misleads. Also, that scene and Max’s escape brought me to tears. I was bawling and I never get like that. Like loud ugly crying)

[@saoirsea4067]

the reason why they focussed so heavily on Back to the Future in season 3 was because they were hinting at an element of time travel in season 4 (the upside down being stuck in November 1983)

[@FakeStrawberry]

9:29 , well that didn´t aged well

[@JustTryingToGetAYTPlayButton]

People being annoyed that it took 3 years are the same people complaining if something gets released too soon and then isn’t good

[@thatguyzorv6650]

I remember when stranger things was supposed to be an anthology.. I wish I could jump into that alternate dimension and check it out.

[@Da_doggo104]

I can disagree I don’t like anthology shows

[@liamquadrozzi]

dude i couldn’t agree more, a whole new story and set of characters each season sounds different but also super cool and interesting. Imagine what the duffer brothers could’ve done if that path was taken.

[@arieggerts2709]

@@liamquadrozzi when season 5 is done they are talking about a spinoff

[@livingminimumwage6359]

I wouldn't mind it if they went went that route after the storyline ends and these characters go away. There's some neat stuff that they could do with this horror/sci-fi thing. Maybe just do different decades or something.

[@patrickthomas8890]

Probably would’ve been so much better, but there’s too much money to be made milking something popular to death. People just want to keep seeing things they’re familiar with instead of quality.

[@eggboi8475]

Season 2 in my opinion is so much better than the 3rd season.

[@Loofwoof]

Agreed. I’m surprised at the amount of people who say ST2 was the worst season. I thought it was really good, and ST3 was easily the worst imo. Everything was so over-the-top and cartoonish suddenly. ST4 toned it back down thankfully.

[@erikgain1294]

I agree I think what makes people like it less is that one episode with el and her sister or whatever. I always just skip that episode but other than that I think it’s pretty great

[@c.b.5487]

Season 3 is so much better than season 2, it's not even comparable but that's my opinion. Plus the guy who played Billy, killed his role. Plus I really like how everybody pitched in at the end of the season to stomp the monster. It wasn't just Eleven using her powers to do it mostly by herself. I really like that aspect of season 3, where it was more about teamwork, than just Eleven doing everything herself.

[@Rcoal]

@@Loofwoof Fr plus it started the habit of the writers adding in too many characters and leaving main/original characters on the side

[@brontebell7748]

@@Loofwoof yeah, season 3 felt like a parody of the 80’s. Also all the hate toward will was a bit much, his whole plot was kind of pushed to the side, like dude had his childhood stolen from him and you guys can’t manage one DnD game? The irony in them joining a DnD club the moment he leaves is quite sad

[@imjustr2d241]

You really put in to words my feelings of season 2 and 3. Great vid

[@adrienned5548]

The lost sister, 008, should show up in season 5. She can warp reality using visions for adversary individuals. She seems to be using the same advice 001 gave El that was to use upsetting, sad and hurtful memories. El defeated 001 by her memory of her mother giving birth. 008 seemed surprised by El's choice.

[@raultelles9896]

Nah. Just keep her written off. Worst-character-ever.

[@naturistfred]

Speaking of her, where was she in the flashbacks in Season 4. Was the younger version of 008 there with the rest of them and Papa?

[@thethreesusketeers8038]

@@raultelles9896 I also disliked her, probably one of the bigger reasons why I dislike season 2. That subplot with the emo kids was just no.

[@andrewcheng2852]

Gave me chappie vibes😅​@@thethreesusketeers8038

[@sharpayevans3818]

this is random but for me at least i heavily associate volume 3 with the summer of 2019 and since it was the last summer before the pandemic, i rlly over romanticize that time. like in my mind, summer 2019 was a beautiful time (best summer ever vibe) and stranger things vol. 3 was a part of that time so it has a special place in my heart

[@johnindigo5477]

I've thought the same thing too. 😅 I was 16 in-between 10th and 11th grade so right in the middle of high school. I would go to the mall almost every weekend and look at clothes I couldn't afford. I remember stranger things merch being all over hot topic. My dad was still alive and I just remember there being this "energy". Season 3 really captured the feeling of summer 2019 and just worrying about where you were gonna have fun. And a lot of the style in the show came back that year like bright colors/patterns, short shorts and loose pants.

[@oliviamccormick3586]

Omg I feel the exact same way! I associate so many memories with season 3

[@rebeccacummings6697]

@@johnindigo5477 Wait, real people go to malls?

[@rebeccacummings6697]

The summers during the pandemic weren't all that different from the others in my experience

[@saulgone2766]

I really like argyle, he's too comedic to die, Jonathan makes really funny

[@ehong671]

Really? I thought they really overplayed the “stoner dude” character with Argyle

[@rileyc4993]

@@ehong671 I think he's an enjoyable character, I personally like him, but there definitely are cringe moments where it's overdone

[@vhix64]

@@rileyc4993 if they can expand on his actual character without making everything around him surrounded w weed he'd be such a good character. i feel like if eddie and him had their characters switched wed be calling eddie the stereotypical crazy druggie, but since eddie has a fleshed out storyline that isn't the case

[@thatnike2604]

I personally don't like Argyle. I think he was introduced just to slowly get rid of Jonathan

[@viljamtheninja]

@@ehong671 Yeah I agree, he is the most one-dimensional character they've ever had. He has no personality outside being funny stoner man.

[@deeluve22]

I legit miss watching ST4. Not just watching it, but being in that universe, at that specific time. There have been a ton of great shows, but to me, the only other show that elicit these kinds of feelings was LOST. At their conclusions, I felt a strong longing to be back in their respected universes.

[@peacefulcreativity444]

The Lost Sister felt like a fever dream and ngl every time I see Eleven in that get up I prefer to pretend it never happened

[@Attomicc076]

I didn’t really like stranger things 3 but Steve and robin being high af was amazing

[@emma_nutella58]

I feel like these should’ve been weekly releases honestly I love Steve he’s my favourite, he deserves to be happy, and honestly I kinda want him to get back with Nancy, he deserves to be happy

[@jojotheswede8444]

Steve is definetly my favourite too, Robin is probably nr 2

[@nanner8584]

RIP my man Eddie :,(

[@brynniefresh9746]

I think this was genuinely the plan the whole time. Like Will being taken, then him being taken over, all the Russian stuff, and now Vecna…the big plot is basically amazing but the smaller plots and stuff in seasons 2 and 3 weren’t the greatest. I’ve rewatched 1 and almost done with 2 and it’s crazy how little happens or how it feels like so little happens coz 4 is so insane

[@jomm_music]

In Stranger Things 3, I dont get why they didnt use Dawn of the Dead as the movie of choice, cos it takes place in a mall, with zombies in it. In Stranger Things 3, the main villain takes control of the people (kinda), plus they already used a movie from that series. It also kinda appeals to the whole idea by the end of the whole group of kids as an ensemble.

[@Dalton_Boardman2000]

That would be a great fit however it's a 1978 movie that probably wouldn't be in current theaters (idk how often they'd re-release it) and it's rated R, meaning the kids would likely get kicked out fairly quickly.

[@jomm_music]

@@Dalton_Boardman2000 True, I didn't think about that

[@colorfulconartist5680]

I thought they played that movie as a cameo in the first episode?

[@jomm_music]

@@colorfulconartist5680 They played a different movie from the series, I think it was Day of the Dead, which was the sequel to Dawn o the Dead.

[@shrimps_clips254]

I actually really like how they reintroduced the concept of eleven's "sibilings" back into the show instead of dedicating it to a whole episode, they sprinkle the story through out the episodes allowing it to develop, this is my opinion however I'm open for discussion in the replies

[@naturistfred]

Season 4 was up there with Season 1. It's a crying shame Netflix doesn't release the series on DVD/Bluray. Yes, I know we can stream them but it's nice to have a physical copy of them.

[@misaeldoesanimation4408]

"If something happens to Eddie I will be very very sad"...... Oh you poor child

[@paperbag466]

I feel like the lost sister is so aggressively shit on that it kinda needs an explanation for why its so shit on. Because honestly, I don't think it's a bad episode. The biggest complaint I have heard about the episode is that it was pointless. This however, isn’t actually correct as this episode teaches Eleven to use anger to amplify her powers. However, the way that the show reminds the audience that this power was learned from Eight is only through flashbacks that last for less than a second each. I feel like explicitly reminding, via dialogue, or thoughts, or anything else that Eleven got her amplified powers from Eight, would’ve lessened the backlash at this episode. Another argument that I see is that it is such a diversion from the normal show that it could’ve practically been a different series entirely. Honestly, I like the idea of a spin off, but clearly most people didn't. One more thing is that I feel like season 2 gets shit on just as much as this episode just for this episode. I also feel like that is the case here but personally season 2 is my second favorite season. When you look past episode seven the other eight episodes are literally amazing.

[@willywitchdoctor]

I think it just ruined the flow of the season and was felt super out of place

[@QueefBurgler89]

Goofy ahhhh

[@esterukesup6850]

It was different from the entire show. The only thing I probably liked about it was the new characters because they were lowkey chaotic and goofy

[@whatthef3756]

ye but didnt 001 already teach El to use anger (S4 spoiler sorry) especially in 1979 so if you think about it that episode not only is pointless but also creates a continuity error

[@XxzhcybXX]

@@whatthef3756 i mean yes he did teach her to use her anger, but after her battle with 001, it was said that she blocked him and that event out of her mind as a cooping mechanism, so for her 008 was the first person to teach her to amp her powers

[@hiDua]

Rewatched the entire show again. I have always enjoyed it. I feel like people over analyze movies and shows. I just like to enjoy it :)

[@helikesu]

Sqme

[@wyldegi]

Exactly me. It’s entertainment and there’s no need to ruin that by nitpicking at everything. Honestly I probably couldn’t even choose a favorite season - they all are so different and have their own best moments

[@EntrEsprit]

i don't think there's any overanalyzing of stranger things, people simply love or don't like some seasons for very plain reasons

[@AmateurArson]

Honestly never thought the show was bad tbh. Season 4 just delivered beyond our expectations, especially since the wait was so long

[@meaningless_pineapples9002]

I could ruin this guy’s entire argument for Season 4 by saying that he confused Yuri with Enzo, but I completely agree with everything else he had to say

[@THATSWASNTVERYCASHMONEYOFYOU]

Stranger Things season 4 may be the darkest season ever, but it is still great!

[@fk4144]

I actually think the last few episodes streched a bit too long. Episode 1-4 was peak Stranger Things (truly worldclass), but after that it just felt a bit boring

[@THATSWASNTVERYCASHMONEYOFYOU]

@@fk4144 I like your opinion.

[@ethan1969]

Season 3 has personally been my favorite season. I really loved everything about it! Season 4 has been an incredible follow up though

[@bigchungus5447]

Spoilers!!! Eddie's death was one of the most hearthbreaking scenes i've ever watched, i was crying for 30 minutes straight! RIP Eddie - the true hero of Hawkins!

[@Kejame]

I thought season 3 was really good, especially the mall fight scene, but damn season 4 just blew it out of the water in my mind. Vecna is epic.

[@mount_fuji_edits]

yeah the more the better right ? Pretty much they marvelized the show, is ridiculous 😂

[@barombolobombolo1501]

Vecna is the quintessential basic bitch of villains but ook lmao

[@deye1994]

this is my order of fave seasons: 1>4>2>3

[@Karmingiry]

Agree!

[@Silvia.Araujo]

1>2>3>4

[@JTCT371]

If you lived through the 80s, especially at the ages the shows actors are, it never gets old. These guys nailed the 80s better then actual shows put out during the 80s

[@viljamtheninja]

What I like about its depiction of the 80s is that it's not JUST Back to the Future, neon colors, milkshakes and roller skates. It also shows the fears of disappearing children and possibly world-ending secret experiments.

[@JTCT371]

@@viljamtheninja i dont get the "Its good again" on the video I clicked on. It was never bad in the slightest. Maybe just misunderstood if you didn't live through the 80s

[@adamrhodes10]

OMFG bang on with so much with your assessments

[@peachulemon]

Pass the duchie being a constant throughout the show was something I didn't realize I would love so much 😂

[@Malkmusianful]

IIRC, right before COVID shut down filming, when they were looking for extras, they had a call for punk-like/urban people. so yeah, i think Kali (could) come back to the show. I know it would piss off a lot of fans, but honestly, I kinda liked the Lost Sister. the idea of an entire episode that acts as the show's main thesis - what separates Eleven from the rest of the Lab? what differentiates her from people like Dr. Brenner? at what point does justice become mere selfish vengeance? should you forgive those who have hurt you and were complicit in hurting you? - is refreshing and helps pace out the show so we're not just bombarded with "Will gets Mind Flayer'd" constant plot points. but at the same time, I can see why a lot of people didn't care for it - especially with how Kali's party feels a bit underdeveloped and unsubtle, plus it tries to shove in the anthology format in the middle of a season - and why it still gets a LOT of hate/disdain. update: she did in flashback form. i mistook a hellfire club extras call for a chicago extras call.

[@TheShapeshifter]

given Vecna's true identity, they could honestly use here help and I'm all for her coming back.

[@blakrar1206]

I wish they took the episode and spread it over multiple episodes, cutting it in with the rest of the plots, similar to how season 4 mixes so many plots. They could have kept the important development and not broken the show’s pacing.

[@TinyCloud90]

yes as she could go into peoples minds just as 01 could. Maybe she is different in that way. the others could use Telekinesis, but for some reason she could't. I would like to know how and when she escaped and i hope she makes a comeback. Maybe 01 helped her escape, like he tried to help El? maybe he talked her into the same, people are bad kind of thing so she kinda was about the same " I kill people because they have done stuff" just like 01 is doing but on a different scale?

[@carla6485]

I actually thought that aside from the eleven plot being bad, I was genuinely scared in s2, but s3 was very bad because the vibe was so different and the antagonist was not scary just gross. I feel like s4 was recovered the warmth of in the aesthetic from s1/2 and the intensity.

[@FreeBird-ws2ye]

The 80s nostalgia part is really something i wanna hear someone talk about. I remember when pre 80s nostalgia movies set in the 80s feels like actually set in that time period by literally being not over the top but simply just happens to take place in that decade. I miss that pre netflix era of movies taking place in the past that isnt catered to nostalgia baited Gen Z. If only the Duffer Brothers watched Green Elephant then they'd get weird ideas for Hopper arc.

[@CampingforCool41]

Gen Z wasn’t even alive in the 80’s who could they have nostalgia for it

[@IndecisiveBoi]

I share your exact sentiment with this season. No one I knew was excited for this season and neither was I. But then me and my friends watched it and it was incredible. I can’t wait for the finale now!

[@charthesmile]

i think it would’ve been better for Season 3 specifically to be released in couples of episodes. episodes 1 and 2 are released a few weeks prior to the 4th of July. episodes 3 and 4 are released the next week, 5 and 6 the following week and then episodes 7 and 8 on the 4th of July, since those episodes take place on Independence Day. it would provide more time for fans to theorize about what would happen next and get excited. i know Netflix is a binge service, but they managed to do it for stranger things 4. a good example of releasing things separately on Netflix is the Fear Street trilogy. the first movie to be released was Fear Street 1994 which released on June 28th 2021. the second movie was Fear Street 2: 1978 which released on July 9th 2021. the final movie, Fear Street 3: 1666, was released on July 16th 2021. considering all the movies are connected, with the final movie closing the trilogy and the time in between the release of the movies, it was a lot more fun for fans to make theories about what was gonna happen next. the suspension and excitement for the next movie was amazing. because there was so much time in between the movies, Fear Street stayed really popular, with its popularity dying out around October, 4 months after the first movie’s release. not only was it popular for its storyline and the way it was released, but also because of the actors in it and the representation in the movies. in all i just think stranger things 3 would’ve been better if it had been released in a weekly format.

[@444fawn]

didn’t they do periodic releases or love is blind ? i think that also kept fans more engaged and allowed them more time to theorize and discuss the events of the current episode without as much spoilers. Netflix should decently release the shows in pairs or 3s

[@charthesmile]

@@444fawn yeah i agree. i’ve never seen love is blind so i just used fear street as an example cause it’s all i know about.

[@beamed7770]

unrelated but i really liked fear street even though a lot of people hated it ( objectively it wasnt great but it was fun to watch )

[@CraigGillies97]

back to the future will become a major plot point in defeating Vecna. It is a massive hint at time travel being used. Nothing in the show is put in for the sake of it

[@voluted1399]

Back to the future is my favorite movie as well, Nice to see you have good taste!