Stranger Things 4x04 'Chapter Four: Dear Billy' | First Time Reaction

[@evilwelshman]

I feel Max's story and feelings around Billy's death is a masterful portrayal of survivor's guilt. Her grief.... It wasn't because they had a strong and close relationship that is causing her to feel sad. Rather, it's precisely because they didn't have one. It was about the road not taken. When Billy died, he had done so whilst selflessly protecting others - a completely different side of him that Max had never seen. Which had left her wondering what else she never knew about him and whether - had life turned out differently - they could have formed a stronger sibling relationship. Unfortunately, this is something she will now never know. As such, it wasn't (mainly) about sadness over what was lost but remorse and regret over what could have been.

[@TheRepublican777]

Yes, well said and Max also knew that Billy was hurting as bad as she was if not more over the divorces and that he mom left him with that abusive Dad and she probably wished they could have been close and a connection because of their similar situations but because Billy was being abused as a kid his pain turned into anger and he didn't want to except her as a little sister he saw her as a problem for him and blamed her she is no someone he has to chauffeur around he wasn't interested in being her friend brother and she was probably thinking it would be cool to have a big brother but because he wasn't they fought all the time and hated each other but deep down she cares and I think he kinda did care about her too but didn't realize it because he was full of too much anger and resentment towards her for just being there.

[@beccazach]

I'm so glad people realize this & it's so well said!! I've seen some strange takes, like some have criticized the show for "making Max like Billy" or acting like Max's feelings about him magically did a 180, when that's not it all.

[@SunlessNick]

We don't really see this, but I get the feeling a lot of the others wouldn't have been that supportive of Max's grief - not in the sense of not caring about her, but in the sense of thinking that Billy isn't worth grieving. And they're not really wrong about that, but it's the last thing Max needs to hear.

[@TheRepublican777]

@@SunlessNick Maybe, it's not that he wasn't worth grieving over but maybe she didn't want to tell them how she felt because she thinks they won't understand or she just doesn't want to seem weak because she always tries to act tough but I think they would even though everyone hated him because he was so mean i think they would still understand hee being sad about him dying and the way he went out because they all saw him save El and all of them so i think they can all respect that about him and what he did for El, and out of all of them El would understand because she never really met Billy she didn't see him act like an asshole she only heard what they might have told her but she knew he got flayed and she got to see his childhood and had sympathy for him and pulled him out of the mindflayer and he saved her life after that so she would understand Max being sad El probably felt bad for him too knowing what he went through as a kid.

[@dogman6687]

no its because Lucas sucks lol

[@farrelfoster-lynam6683]

Sadie Sink absolutely sells the terror and desperation of running through that hell landscape to safety, it's incredible acting for someone her age

[@paulo843]

This episode was so good that we didn't even notice that Eleven wasn't in it.

[@TheMadirishgunner]

technically she was in the montage at the end

[@MattiaConsonni-hb2wu]

And her absence is one of the reasons why this episode is so good😅

[@betteryourlife865]

Even though her powers are cool…she’s one of the least interesting characters when it comes to storyline that doesn’t have her fighting something.

[@user-gp1xo6fq3w]

This ep was the first time i actually realised how connected i was with these charactors. I literally cried 😭

[@Cassxowary]

I* characters* but I bet

[@jerodast]

Max was my favorite since she first dropped the "stop stalking me weirdos" note in the trash in season 2. Also I'm a sucker for the ole "flashbacks through happy memories" trope. This episode was out for blood.

[@Sela100]

I weep every time I watch it… and I’ve watched it a lot!

[@kelly9876]

I think it is because we started watching them when they were so little - so the flashbacks to when they were younger has more of a punch

[@Etticos.]

When Max starts levitating I get real fucked up even after seeing it so many times.

[@Sela100]

Same!

[@killerwalrusftw8510]

And then there's the other thing...

[@ReelPiscesPlays]

Lucas does not suck. He literally did nothing wrong

[@obdiane]

Exactly!!! He's been a great boyfriend and friend. He's been trying to be there for Max, yet she keeps pushing him away. His friends abandoned him, simply because he had different interests. He's definitely NOT the problem in these relationships.

[@yassinemiri3555]

@@obdiane Lucas derangement syndrome (just like Walter)

[@brownsey1]

​@@obdianePlus... they're all teenagers!

[@shniyacarter9496]

Right 💀 people love blaming Lucas for nothing. Just because he doesn’t do every little thing his “best friends” want doesn’t mean he sucks. He literally didn’t even tell the guys where Eddie was so I need her to quickly clarify how he sucks lmao. It’s crazy how the same doesn’t apply to his “friends” who didn’t even want push back a tournament to go see their so-called best friend do something he loves.

[@justuscellz]

@@shniyacarter9496 right ! im starting to find it really off putting and weird it’s starting to make me not want to watch their reactions anymore . lucus has been a great friend this whole show , i feel like each time someone doesn’t do something they want them to then they’ll be like “they suck” like everything isn’t black & white .. its weird

[@richardscanlon4210]

That sequence with Max at the end was brilliantly filmed, acted, and directed.

[@digitaldroo]

The song was brilliantly rearranged as well.

[@abbyo6578]

and sadie sink is an incredible actress she deserves every bit of praise she received for this scene and more 😭❤️

[@magnusbruxo.794]

"Because you suck.." Wow...they keep failing the Lucas test... Lucas does not suck. He's a black teen growing up in the 80's who wanted to finally be liked by everyone. He didn't straight up leave his friends. He made mistakes but he made up for them but they still hate him. Yikes... Feels like they can get to the season finale and still say he sucks.

[@Marcyksubliminals]

His race has nothing to do with it. He was annoying af this season

[@alexx4843]

how​@@Marcyksubliminals

[@julianasimpson3340]

@@Marcyksubliminals no he wasnt lol, his race has quite honestly everything to do with it

[@kieranjlodder7198]

@@Marcyksubliminals annoying how? cause the first 3 eps he was just trying to fit in and be "cool" so that means the rest of the season he was annoying?

[@Marcyksubliminals]

@@julianasimpson3340 i respectfully disagree

[@shiannesteele]

I know many people have said it already but I'm going to say it too because I can, Lucas does not suck.

[@JeffKelly03]

You guys might have already had this noted on your Patreon in the comments, but Victor is played by Robert Englund - the guy who played Freddy Krueger. Which is fitting, given that Vecna and his ability to invade nightmares, etc, was pretty directly inspired by Freddy.

[@JohnnyBNerdy]

The clear "clawed hand" vecna was def Freddy Krueger inspired this whole season was basically a Nightmare on Elm Street story

[@JeffKelly03]

@@JohnnyBNerdy Plus, the first time we meet Victor he's clawing at the table with his fingernails. Seems like a very clear Freddy reference there, as well.

[@LordVolkov]

An Elm Street nod within a Silence of the Lambs reference is kinda next lvl

[@SunlessNick]

Not to mention that he's explaining his view of the plot to a girl named *Nancy.*

[@shainewhite2781]

We were Running UP That Hill with Max and we never stopped!

[@Mrsamj1989]

I can’t wait for their season finale reaction. These girls just gets it. They get the characters they get the emotions.

[@SunlessNick]

The impact of this episode brought the song to no 1 (it hadn't been when it was first released), which made national news in the UK.

[@jammyjimmy666]

I see the completely unwarranted Lucas hate is still happening... the poor boy has done Nothing Wrong

[@user-wr9on9ff4d]

Exactly

[@justuscellz]

i think it’s starting to become weird … he literally didn’t do anything at all

[@Lilt348]

yes he has, he's selfish asf this season

[@shaysworld1609]

@@Lilt348he wasn’t selfish asf. how was he selfish ?

[@unrelatedcoma]

@@shaysworld1609 distancing yourself from your friends and calling them nerds for doing the very thing you used to do is a total d-bag move, Lucas was incredibly insecure and let it get between him and his friends, some people acknowledge that and some people for some reason pretend like it never happened

[@obdiane]

So, Lucas sucks for having different interests(basketball)? Max broke up with him, remember? Yet, he's been running behind her trying his best to get her to open up, and, he abandoned his standing with the "cool" kids to help out the group. Yet, you wanna hate on him... smh.

[@zachnotzack4]

Imma take a guess on this…

[@michaelblake746]

Don’t take it too seriously. They have a thing with men in shows where they automatically take everything in the worst possible light. Just enjoy the reactions.

[@yassinemiri3555]

@@michaelblake746 Just like hating Walt and taking Sky's side in Breaking Bad (or preferring worst more ruthless criminals than he is like Gus and Mike) Doesn't that makes them bigoted and misandrist ? In that case. why should we "not take it seriously" and how are we supposed to "just enjoy the reactions" (We are the customers, they should cater to us not us to them) Specially when there is other more level headed, based and compassionate reactors ?

[@obdiane]

@@michaelblake746 So. the reason is, they are biased toward men? That's sad because Lucus is a pretty good person. Most adults wouldn't have that type of sympathy or compassion for a girl who dumped them, or friends who abandoned them. He's literally been nice to EVERYONE.

[@Seeber420]

remember, maple is an anal slu on OF, not exactly a good judge of character. misandrists gonna misandrist I guess, might be time to leave this channel.

[@MrVimtomelon]

You guys hate lucas for no reason, it's honestly irritating

[@nostoneunturned7641]

It's because he's a male character.

[@MrVimtomelon]

@@nostoneunturned7641 they forgave zuko almost immediately tho

[@VerneditheSnail]

They are racist and misandrist. Emphasis on the latter.

[@chelsealynne07]

Sadie Sink is a PHENOMENAL actress. She just has a certain quality about her that is so natural and she's like a breath of fresh air. She got TONS of Emmy buzz for her performance this season, but was unfortunately snubbed of a nomination. She did gain a lot of recognition for her acting in Taylor Swift's 'All Too Well: The Short Film' with Dylan O'brien, but when this season came out, she became world renowned. Especially since that same year (2022) she had a film called 'The Whale' which is an A24 film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring herself and Brendan Fraser, who won 'Best Actor' for his performance at the Oscars.

[@jerodast]

I like Brendan Fraser and Aronofsky, but I had no idea Sadie Sink was in that. The Whale seemed a little too much like a gimmick so I didn't see it, but maybe I'll check it out, would be interesting to see her outside of this role.

[@derikk3215]

What's with their hate for Lucas? Did I miss something?

[@jayrspence]

Ok so im not the only one on the "tf lucas do!?!" Train 😂😂😂

[@hassansulaiman3848]

Nope ur not 😂

[@kumailshah6058]

Damn these two really hate Lucas for some reason

[@Lilt348]

he's an a-hole this season

[@HighImChatt]

wtf Lucas do to suck??

[@Lilt348]

running with bullies and being annoying

[@blueshell4859]

​@@Lilt348 invalid. He was trying to help his friends the whole time.

[@nostoneunturned7641]

​@@Lilt348 someone hasn't made it highschool yet

[@hassansulaiman3848]

@@Lilt348 did u not watch the last episodes he tricked the jocks clown 😂 wanna hate on Lucas for no goddamn reason

[@fsociety7494]

I would love for you to explain why lucas sucks! That makes zero sense.

[@MapleDivine]

I think after he makes a quick plan to deter the agro basketball kids then he obviously improves but him just no longer participating with his childhood friends because he chooses a different hobby (which is fine to do) but to turn away from them and write them off as if it’s a radical form of “growing up” and then to act like he doesn’t know anyone in the DND group and then basically fold to peer pressure and not stick up for his friends before a couple of the kids were physically assaulted and battered in their garage. It’s just that he was lying and not immediately pulling himself away from the kids who were set on going out to hurt and hunt down others! THATS LAME he could have stood up for himself at least or his real friends. People can make new friends but for how sweet he is they sure wrote his sensible and sensitive essence off in the start of this season and cliffhanger it by having him ditch them off at the cabin. But we are father ahead and maybe you could say he was scared. We never hated Lucas. Dustin was kinda a butt last season too - never hated him either - but it’s all for the plot!

[@bethelberhane]

@@MapleDivine I think we gotta think with a little nuance and realize the main reason why he was passionate about meeting new people was because his friends and him were brutally bullied all throughout middle school and he wanted to find a way where his friends and him can avoid that. He never acted like he didn’t know his friends I don’t know if you are talking about the first ep of the season where Lucas gets to star in the basket ball game but he literally begged his friends to be there for him and support him in that game and they chose to play the game that they’ve literally played every day for years they can skip a day it wouldn’t have hurt. And he ended up making the winning shot and they missed it so he was hurt and went with his basketball friends instead since they couldn’t bother to be there for him . He wanted a out of the bullying so yeah he stuck with them for a little bit but the moment he saw the leader assaulting those boys he knew he needed to distance himself. There were 4 of them and one of him he needed to be smart especially if they are okay with just physically assaulting a couple of people in broad day like let alone the fact that he is black and it would not have been a good look to be fighting a bunch of white men in a suburban neighborhood so he left and found a walki talki to let the gang know. And when he had a chance he steered the basketball group away from Eddie so that he can make a break for it and catch up with the gang and let them know. I feel like the only way you could think what Lucas did was messed up is if you weren’t actually paying attention to his body language and his dialogue throughout the first 4 eps.

[@MapleDivine]

@@bethelberhane yeah I think this is obvious

[@bethelberhane]

@@MapleDivine I mean I get what you were saying I just didnt think he did anything wrong in the first part but it is what it is we both like Lucas anyway🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Lilt348]

running with bullies and being selfish and annoying

[@bernabegarcia1345]

That final scene with max is one of my favorite scenes of all time. it shows the importance of having a community around you but also the necessity for you to have your own agency in your journey with dealing with trauma. i tear up EVERY time.

[@RonHeartsMe]

‘Because you suck’ towards Lucas is….something.

[@Lilt348]

he does this season

[@kevinotah]

​@@Lilt348 explain

[@Lilt348]

@@kevinotah Being selfish, running with bullies, and overall being annoying. His arc was very frustrating

[@JADTO]

Being a concerned friend means you suck apparently

[@Twistedgamer]

@@JADTO he watched 2 kids get beat up and said nothing and pretended like he didn't know them.

[@rromano158]

A lot of reactors miss the fact that EL signed her letter to Mike "From EL," and not "Love EL." The music Max needs is not just any music, it has to be music that has meaning to her. Because of Stranger Things, Kate Bush's 1985 Running Up That Hill song made an overnight successful comeback sensation.

[@nickrubin7312]

22:43 How does Lucas suck exactly?

[@mten10th67]

That's what I want to know.

[@ReelPiscesPlays]

I want to know too cause he literally did nothing

[@katiekratsch1415]

Yeah, their take on that character is very weird

[@Seeber420]

I wouldn't take an OF anal girl's opinion for much.

[@user-wr9on9ff4d]

Glad I'm not the one feeling this way. They been shitting on since s2 I think

[@derikk3215]

"If we cosplay for stranger things we should do 80's" Well.... yeah... it is in the 80's

[@alexx4843]

i dont understand the lucas hate he hasn't even done anything.

[@MyHazey]

They will love him in the end....

[@allisonslocum6948]

Tbf this is the season where Lucas starts showing more interest in the popular guys but there were moments when he pulled through. I just think he needed to be showing his guy friends the loyalty he shows Max but he did towards the end. I do agree though, the hate is unnecessary

[@justuscellz]

@@allisonslocum6948 he been showed them that loyalty tho , his their friends they don’t own him and you can have more than one friend group . they’re all growing up and have different interests . in the beginning he asked to postpone the D&D game so he could still play with them . yet they couldn’t take one game off to go to the championship game to support their friend and tried to down play it by saying “you’ve been on the bench all season “ and then replaced him with his sister .

[@Lilt348]

he's str8 up running with bullies

[@shaysworld1609]

@@Lilt348yeah and those same bullies could’ve easily beat his ass up if they found out he was lying so that’s why lucas smart ass played them. he’ll forever be on top🤞🏾.

[@blueroninstudios]

First time I saw this I was literally like everybody else going "Nononononononoon NOT MAX!!" Then she broke free and started running and we're all like "YES! RUN TO YOUR BOYS! GOOOO!" And then relief once she broke the trance. Sadie Sink needs an Emmy nomination because damn kiddo, you had us fans ALL IN OUR ANXIETY!

[@evilwelshman]

The stress from this episode for us viewers (or at least me) who watched the show as it came out was beyond imaginable. We literally watched the kids grow up on screen over the span of six (five in Max's case, since season 2 came out 2017) years. The flashbacks, while it was Max reminding herself of reasons to live, is also a storytelling technique often used just before a character is killed off ("your life flashing before your eyes" type idea). But not only that, it was also a visual gut punch reminding us, the viewers, of the kid we've grown attached to over the past half decade.

[@robertboyer1086]

Don't feel too bad Maple, LOTR didn't fool you, technically Gandalf did die.

[@jerodast]

I almost forgot to "um, ACTUALLY" after this episode's ending haha, but yeah that got me very protective of the DIVINE POWER by which Gandalf was RESURRECTED after totally dying 😂

[@CrazeeAdam]

I cry every single time. If you haven't picked up on it, Vecna represents depression and mental turmoil itself. Max running away and beating him is do epic and just everything. Sadie Sink deserved an Emmy for this season

[@Hakkar6993]

The one-shot in the house and the Running Up That Hill scenes, two masterpiece scenes in one episode.

[@allisonslocum6948]

Girlies! Why do you not like Lucas? Of course this season is about where he goes wrong with his friend group but he’s stuck by Max and has always been loyal to her he just had to realize that he has to be that way towards his friends too

[@yhctower]

Part of this episode was filmed at the college I graduated from. Was so weird to see the campus for Berry College stand in as the site of an asylum but at the same time cool to see it featured on one of my favorite shows.

[@katiekratsch1415]

Ayyyyy, I went to Berry too! I was like, “Hey, I used to stay in those dorms!” East Mary, to be specific.

[@yhctower]

@@katiekratsch1415 Thomas Berry was my dorm. Always love seeing Berry's beautiful campus being highlighted in a movie or tv show

[@MrBreezeLI516]

Ominous chord swells, inquisitive synths, contemplative Jazz notes, this one had it ALL!! 😂

[@hadassacardoso7025]

i can't understand the Lucas hate for this one

[@proflcr8779]

Lucas does NOT suck -- honestly this is making me want to unsubscribe.

[@85OldsRoyale]

When you look up the meaning behind the song you see how it fit perfectly with Max.

[@finalgirlfriends3753]

the lucas hate and the complete lack of empathy or understanding given to his life as one of the only black kids at his school in the 80s is really getting uncomfortable.

[@arnie019]

@@finalgirlfriends3753 now type that without tears in your eyes

[@pisceanbeauty8360]

This !

[@hassansulaiman3848]

Literally 😂

[@Danstraightedge]

Was on holiday with my wife and daughter. 1am and I'm lying in bed watching this on my phone. Wife woke up to me sobbing. I had to explain it was Stranger Things. 😀

[@TonyPrince-gd3vo]

I thought ya'll loved Lucas, why the hate all of a sudden lol

[@Lilt348]

he's a jerk this season

[@blueshell4859]

​@@Lilt348nah he's not. He's their double agent. Clutch af

[@TonyPrince-gd3vo]

@@Lilt348 But Steve tryna get back with a taken girl is a boss move even when they boyfriend beat his ass?

[@nostoneunturned7641]

​@@Lilt348 highschool is gonna be rough for ya kid.

[@Lilt348]

@@nostoneunturned7641 I'm 19 but ok. It really doesn't matter if he's in high school the point is his arc is annoying to watch and that makes him annoying

[@neonoires]

Freddy Krueger!!! I really think that the girls Max, Robin, Nancy, and of course El were the MVPs of this volume. Max and Robin killed it this episode. And I like Lucas, I think he learned his lesson about trusting people but there's absolutely nothing wrong with him wanting to play sports and get to know different groups of people. He tried to involve his friends and whether people like sports or not, that was an important event for him so it made sense that he wanted to hang out with his teammates after the game. As soon as Jason started unraveling he went to try to warn his friends and then led the jocks on a different path to keep them far away despite knowing very little information about what was going on because he trusted his friends. It's also wild to me how people have more sympathy for Billy despite him being abusive towards Max, racist towards Lucas, beating up Steve, and just being an overall POS but Lucas messes up for like half an episode and he is suddenly the worst character on the show...

[@shaysworld1609]

@@neonoires this! i hate billy sm 😭 i love this show & caleb is the only reason i actually watched it but this fanbase is something

[@neonoires]

@@shaysworld1609 I don't mind him as much as I used to hate him but people overlooking that just because he died is annoying lmao

[@brewdaly1873]

I think this is the best episode in the whole series. Great action, fun twists, and oh my god that final sequence is just incredible.

[@maxducoudray]

If they don’t vibe with this one, they’ll never love the show.

[@Etticos.]

Right. This is literally the second most “feel good” episode of the series.

[@CrazeeAdam]

Tbf I think they do really like this show. It's just they can't handle the scary moments. But I know what you mean. This episode is so good

[@digi759]

@@Etticos.you idiots don’t know what that means

[@ethidian3444]

The best episodes of the show are all in the first season, and that's when everyone connects with it.

[@Jumpman67]

@@ethidian3444incorrect

[@CurtalA]

18:15 laughed so much - "ayo clarice!"

[@archstanton664]

Finally, they get to the happiest, most feel-good episode of the series so far.

[@thefourty-yearoldgamer8289]

Victor Creel, is played by Robert Englund, who is suuuper famous for portraying Freddy in the original nightmare on elm street movies!!! the more ya know ;) :D

[@SunlessNick]

30.20: And *that's* why Steve is the babysitter.

[@zachnotzack4]

Why do they hate Lucas again?? Genuinely curious

[@permearljones2723]

Karenesque vibes.

[@justuscellz]

right it’s starting to have some undertones i don’t like

[@Lilt348]

be he's an selfish annoying a-hole this season

[@unrelatedcoma]

@@justuscellz LMFAO you people are ridiculous

[@LordVolkov]

Stranger Things making a fortune for Kate Bush 🙏

[@yawdaorb]

Nah I can't with this unnecessary Lucas hate

[@Lilt348]

it's not unnecessary. He's being annoying

[@yawdaorb]

@@Lilt348 Mike is way more annoying of a character really since season 2 and doesn't get called out nearly as much by the fan base it's weird

[@Lilt348]

@@yawdaorb Mike isn't running with bullies

[@yawdaorb]

@@Lilt348 Lucas was running with bullies? He went to one house with them, saw that they were assholes and ditched them. Mike was a dick to Max all season 2 and we never saw him apologize to her if so l don't remember the scene. Was a dick to Hopper season 3 and a dick to Will in season 4. But since he's connected to El he'll always get a pass

[@Lilt348]

@@yawdaorb he told them info and then watched them beat up some some guys

[@evilwelshman]

20:33 Wait.... they don't use glass jars for peanut butter in the US?! Maybe it's a Europe / UK thing but I feel every time I buy peanut butter, jam, etc they're always in glass jars. The only time I find plastic is when it's something like honey that's expressly in a "squeezy" bottle. What's everyone else's experience?

[@Diegesis]

In American grocery stores, glassware is often packaging for "premium" items but if you're buying cheap then plastic is everywhere. So a large container of jiffy peanut butter will be plastic but a small higher quality jar of blackberry preserves will be glass.

[@jerodast]

@@Diegesis I was about to say, I find that even generic brand jelly/jam is pretty much always in glass for some reason. Whereas with peanut butter even the theoretically high quality organic stuff is still in plastic. Now I'm wondering why!

[@freeheeler00]

The power of music! This episode has become somewhat iconic in it's short life time.

[@jerodast]

The power of music...but also the power of TV haha. I honestly love when a show (or more rarely a movie) shoots a song back to the top of the charts after 30 years. Even better when I actually like the show and the song!

[@elkins4406]

@@jerodast It was so reassuring somehow when I tracked down Desmond Dekker's "Israelites" after that episode of Watchmen, only to learn that enough other people had done the same thing to send it back onto the charts for the first time since the '70s. I was like, "Oh. Not just me who liked this song enough to hunt it down, then, huh? Good to know!" I rarely have popular tastes, so when I do, it just feels sorta...nice.

[@CrazeeAdam]

Imagine the complex emotions Max has about Billy. He was an a hole, but saved her life in the end. She can't tell people he wasn't an angel either because he's gone. He always looked out for Max, but in a toxic overbearing way.. But at the end of the day he's gone now and she still has a lot of unresolved trauma around him and who he was

[@scottscaleshredder2369]

Great performance from Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund as Victor!

[@Devynbooker10]

Its starting to be annoying how you guys treat Lucas throughout the show.. he’s been nothing but a good boyfriend to max and yes he could’ve been more loyal to his friends but let’s not forget how Mike and Dustin weren’t good friends to him either. They missed one of the most important games of his life and instead of showing up they replaced him with his sister. You guys have to remember that this is the 80s and Lucas just wanted to do something that he actually loved besides playing d&d. he was really the only black kid in his neighborhood. Cut my guy some slack. He’s actually the most loyal friend out of the group because in the end he came through for his friends!

[@Lilt348]

he's running with bullies and is overall being annoying.

[@John_Locke_108]

I came around eventually but for these first couple of episodes I was annoyed by him as well.

[@blueshell4859]

Lucas is putting his life on the line keeping an eye on the bullies and reporting their activities to his friends. He's clutch af.

[@Lilt348]

@@blueshell4859 He changed his mind and decided to at the last minute. He was friends with those bullies and he gave them info and watched them beat innocent guys badly. And his life was not in danger at that point. If people dont want to like him they dont have too

[@blueshell4859]

@@Lilt348 exactly. He still did the right thing even though he knew the bullies would try to hurt or kill him. He's clutch af. Thanks for proving my point.

[@andromidius]

Every episode from this point on is incredible. Stranger Things was already good - but this is the peak. I hope season five will live up to it!

[@ravenmoon8147]

That’s depression, you sometimes have to fight and run towards help. Even when so much is falling on top of you, and it seems no one understands your pain. Her friends were there, at the end of that dark impossible tunnel, joining her not in sunshine, but half way, at dusk. They were all going through it. It’s a beautiful cinematic scene seeing their silhouettes against the days end.

[@krisbrown6692]

"They are subtitling the music like they name crayons..." it's almost as if subtitles are for the hearing impaired and telling them the mood of the music is helpful to them.

[@mho...]

OMG the subtitle 🤣 at 0:02 "hey guys welcome back to *die Jesus* ..." 🥴

[@zbennalley]

This episode alone inspired me to write my own original tv series. God, I love this episode.

[@Cassxowary]

good luck! and if it’s in the same vibe I can help

[@zbennalley]

@Cassxowary it's unfortunately not in the same genre, but an interesting idea for me came from the effect of this particular episode.

[@rickymoranjr9609]

Robin was quite the actress in this episode especially when she lashes out at the guy running the Asylum to convince him to let them see Victor Creel

[@mwalsh47]

Watching this for the first time was legitimately one of the most stressful moments I've had watching television. I really thought Max was going to die and I hated it.

[@bito8202]

"AYO Clarice" took me out hahaha 😂

[@jerodast]

I swear it was a complete coincidence I rewatched _Silence of the Lambs_ last night - I forgot they went to visit Creel in this episode. Just glad they got out of there without any extra bodily fluids.

[@karabinas]

The BEST use of a song in a series…arguably EVER

[@aprilrivas5071]

It’s been so long but that last scene still makes me shake and cry. They absolutely went too hard with this episode. It’s non-stop.

[@quilaviper]

This is hands down THE BEST episode of Stranger Things, that ending hits SO hard 😭 This one and season one's "The Bathtub" are my top fave episodes of Stranger Things lol, they went so hard here. Pleasure to see y'all's reactions, as always!

[@MsSharondenadel]

24:39 Robert Englund playing in an episode where the vilain is inspired by his most iconic character : Freddy Kruegger

[@klussion1335]

The relief cry at the end of this episode 😭

[@BrettHondow]

I think I'll pass. Yep. I'm gonna pass... pass..."Pass the Dutchie on the copyright side..." 😂😂😂

[@dabnailz5805]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this but is FREDDY KRUGGER himself.(the guy without the eyes) Thats why he sounds this way. him playing this roll is himself paying homage to himself. Nightmare on elm Street still remains one of the scariest movies i ever saw. The evil dream catcher himself. 1, 2 Freddie's...... Till this Day FREDDY KRUGER scares the eff out of me. Robert Engle the actor that plays FREDDY still freaks me out. seeing him for the first time in this role scared the hell out of me again 30 years later. This is Entire season is dedicated to nightmare on elm Street. thats my theory. This reminds me of FREDDY. the burnt up skin.. the red atmosphere. the blood. 80's babies yall know!!

[@michaelriddick7116]

When Vecna tell's Max "You belong here ... " my heart fk'ing breaks. I know exactly what he means 😭😭😭

[@A_Qwynide]

Season 4 of "Feel Good Things" is my favorite - glad y'all are enjoying it! 😃

[@donpyro5602]

Y’all say “awww” but I’m gonna always point out how petty that “From El” is in that letter😂😂

[@elkins4406]

It's a funny consistency to Eleven's character that she's remarkably forgiving really...except in the realm of romance, where she's prone to amazing pettiness and jealousy. It's not precisely a nice quality of hers, but it cracks me up somehow.

[@AndrewKendall71]

Freaking Robert Englund. Scary and such gravitas. What a bunch of acting in this show.

[@TrentRidley]

I'll be honest, you ladies handled the end of this episode far better than I had anticipated. I thought there might be full-blown panic attacks. 🤣

[@willmendoza8498]

Sadie Sink's performance in this episode gets me every time

[@Scotty_28]

One of the greatest episodes of Stranger Things … EVER. I watch Stranger Thigs reactions a lot, it’s my favorite show of all time, and I’m really enjoying watching you both go through the show! Keep up the great work!

[@bulletpr00f101]

This goes to show that you guys weren’t paying close attention to the show. Especially when it came to Max. Lol

[@natotater]

That final sequence is some of the most intense viewing ever put to screen. I get so stressed and emotional every single time I see it.

[@f2pgamer828]

This is peak - feel good TV series right there ^_^ Great job surviving that. See you on the next episodes.

[@bencotton9414]

18:10 - WITHOUT A DOUBT this is a reference to The Silence Of The Lambs and to cast Robert Englund as Victor Creel was magic! 👨‍🍳😘 I wasn't sure it was him at first but I was convinced when he said, "I am still very much in Hell..." and I shouted, "THAT'S FREDDY!" 😅😂😂 A VERY CLOSE 2ND TO BEING THE BEST STRANGER THINGS EPISODE! I didn't like Max when I first met her but she quickly won me over...especially as my elder sister grew up with ginger hair and was my best friend growing up... This episode completely took me by surprise! It was a mid-week day and by the end I just sat there, mouth agape, just listening to the haunting piano of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill"...and the silhouettes of the kids in the cemetery as the piano kicked in...CHEF'S KISS! ❤❤❤

[@bencotton9414]

Especially when Steve bowed his head...the greatest babysitter of all time! 💯💯💯🙏

[@jamesbarels469]

3:45 seemed like a tribute to the Martians on Sesame Street. Going to add that a YT short of that with the Martians superimposed over Maple and Arianna would make many people smile.

[@Cassxowary]

y’all missed the part where she wrote From El not Love, El

[@Liesmith424]

Finally, we are all running up that hill.

[@michaelblake746]

For all the people asking why they are hating on Lucas give it a rest. This is Diegiesis. They hated on John Blackthorne in Shogun because he called the Japanese savages after they boiled his friend alive. They don’t typically view men characters with nuance. Yall should know this by now. Just enjoy.😂

[@shesemerald2011]

Lucas and Max is ❤

[@ashleighshaven]

My favorite episode!

[@Neptunewakes]

one of the if not the best episodes of Stranger Things

[@retrogirlnc]

I've been waiting for this one! Favorite episode of the series. 💖

[@geminiblade]

Twice this episode had me holding my breath the suddenness of the assault at the Byers house and then Max.

[@magicbrownie1357]

I saw someone made a Stranger Things yard exhibit at Halloween. They had a Max effigy "levitating" over a graveyard. Great idea. Super Creepy.

[@willspark3242]

Lucas hate is wild when he is one of the most loved stranger things characters smh.

[@leafblade3T9]

theyre so stressed theyre not ready for how this ends

[@jerodast]

*I'M* not ready for how this ends and I already saw it once...I've been stressing since they got to season 4 haha.

[@SunlessNick]

Sadie Sink was tremendous in this episode, the opening, the climax, and reading the letter. It always seems stupid to say a particular actor was robbed of an Emmy nomination, but she was totally robbed.

[@pardox28]

This was by far the best episode of the season. I was SO worried for Max & was so elated when she was saved and saved herself.

[@Pernicion]

S4E7, and S4E9 are both better than this, I mean absolutely no disrespect towards this episode - this is one of the best since the advent of episodic storytelling, just 7 and 9 happen to be better.

[@specialfx6481]

Incredible episode by far the best of all seasons...so emotional and the acting from Sadie was top tier,still hits me after watching it over with reactors many times.

[@nickb5371]

Thank god this was a feel good episode

[@BB13131313]

The ending of this episode always gets me.. Max is definitely my favorite character..

[@bencotton9414]

When I first saw Maya Hawke I thought she looked very familiar but I could not place her...when I learned that her mother is Uma Thurman I saw the likeness straight away! She even sounds bang like her! I don't think Kill Bill needs a sequel but if it is going to happen, MAYA HAWKE NEEDS TO BE IN IT!!! That would be a great opportunity to portray The Bride's daughter...

[@laurakali6522]

Random agent hero man.

[@jerodast]

RIGHT? I totally forgot the abrupt transformation of Agent Harmon from couch potato to Hopper-level badass, taking a bullet or two to get all of those kids out of there without a scratch despite a whole squad of assailants. Kudos to that guy!

[@laurakali6522]

@@jerodast the Duffer Brothers and the writing team always find ways to surprise us. One of the best scenes in the show.

[@SunlessNick]

Salutations to to the unexpected badass!