Stranger Things

[bosk1]

IT'S ALMOST HERE! 

[SoundscapeMN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnHOQ-cHa0

[bosk1]

I am ready.

[The Walrus]

I am so hyped 

[MinistroRaven]

That trailer it's PERFECT!

[MirrorMask]

You don't remember any single thing that happened in the past two seasons? don't worry, the kids from the cast take a break from hitting puberty to explain it to you in 15 minutes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpbWqiUy0YM

[lonestar]

IT'S BACK



And it hasn't skipped a beat man...this show has a firm grasp of it's core feel, and it just doesn't let go.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

I'm a bit behind because I was suppose to be done with my rewatch by now but I have pretty much the whole season two left so i'll start the new season as soon as possible. I'm excited though!

[masterthes]

The ending angered me.

[bosk1]

I am ready.

[gmillerdrake]

Finished it up with the boys today. While I’ll agree with RJ’s sentiment that they have a firm grasp on their ‘core feel’.....they certainly do.....I personally felt like the this season was ‘ok’. It wasn’t bad or a let down per say but it just didn’t floor me. And I suppose I’m still holding it to S1 standards and that isn’t fair.

The story to me was ‘alright’....wasn’t bad but wasn’t overly creative either. All in all I’m satisfied with the season....it was entertaining and all....but I guess the ‘shine’ of the franchise has worn off a bit for me.

And......not to turn this into a P/R thread or go off on a tangent but the inference of lesbianism with the high school chic felt forced to me. There’d have been no issue with those two actually ‘getting together’ and allowing Steve to ‘find’ someone.....but I feel like the show took that storyline to satisfy the obligatory LGBT ‘shout out’ that nearly every show these days seems to need to do.

[lonestar]

The Neverending Story scene....I'm fucking crying I laughed so hard.


Now for the finale...



And finished....damn what an awesome ending, definitely a few manly tears were shed. Overall the season was a very, very slight step down, but the show holds court on top of most others. I think the one thing missing was a certain magical element. In S1 we had the xmas lights, in S2 we had the map all over the house. That item wasn't quite there. Curious to see where they go from here, but damn do I just love what they do all over. The scene of Eleven reading the letter was crushing.

[faizoff]

I powered through it last night, what a ride.

For me the show has always excelled in character interaction and this season was no exception, the story is also simple and straight enough to keep it entertaining throughout. I'm not sure I should be embarrassed or proud that I knew more than 95% of the songs used throughout the season.

I had fun watching the entire way and I think this season was a little stronger than season 2. Even though I would rate all seasons a 9/10 but in the end the ranking would be season 1, then 3 and 2.

 

[Phoenix87x]

5 episodes into season 3

Reminds me how much it sucked having to sneak around trying make out and fool around as a teenager 

Besides that, Season 3 is pretty damn good so far.

[The Walrus]

Just finished episode 1. Nancy's mom has got it going on. YOWZA.

[ErHaO]

The first two episodes kind of felt like a (well executed) sitcom at times. But it was nice, the characters are great and their chemistry is well done. But episode 3 onwards is where the excitement kicked in for me. How all the plotlines escalate into the final act is really well done and suspenseful. Some parts reminded me of Jurassic Park, actually. The ending had a surprising emotional weight to it, it definitely got to me. I think season 3 is quite a bit better than season 2, but season 1 remains my favourite.

The first season offcourse has the advantage because as a viewer you are totally in the unknown and the mystery is more intriguing. But as sequels, they did both seasons 2 and 3 right. The focus on the characters is paying off. Instead of thinking up some new story where the old cast magically is involved in (what happens a lot in sequels), all situations are further escalations as a result of the events before. And how the characters are growing up feels on point as well, these children are really doing a great job and their chemistry is fantastic. Especially the actress of El pulls of some amazing scenes.

[masterthes]

And......not to turn this into a P/R thread or go off on a tangent but the inference of lesbianism with the high school chic felt forced to me. There’d have been no issue with those two actually ‘getting together’ and allowing Steve to ‘find’ someone.....but I feel like the show took that storyline to satisfy the obligatory LGBT ‘shout out’ that nearly every show these days seems to need to do.

I think it's more they're purposefully waiting until the last season to give him some one special. I wonder if this will mean they're NOT making Will gay?

[gmillerdrake]

And......not to turn this into a P/R thread or go off on a tangent but the inference of lesbianism with the high school chic felt forced to me. There’d have been no issue with those two actually ‘getting together’ and allowing Steve to ‘find’ someone.....but I feel like the show took that storyline to satisfy the obligatory LGBT ‘shout out’ that nearly every show these days seems to need to do.

I think it's more they're purposefully waiting until the last season to give him some one special. I wonder if this will mean they're NOT making Will gay?

Maybe they’re waiting for the right person for Steve. My point is I think that any scenario of gay/lesbianism in this show feels forced and like it’s just there as a shout out. Especially with the younger characters. If it were the science teacher or even one of the Dads that’d be more realistic than them forcing it into one of these kids characters. Doesn’t fit at all and it feels like they’re just playing the PC appeasement card honestly.

[The Walrus]

Just finished it. WOW!

Got choked up on that final episode during the last few sentences of the letter. Also, there's a post-credits scene, which I have a question about: The Russian guard says, "No, not the American" before taking the Russian prisoner to the Demogorgon. Clearly that line means something. Which American is it? Is it Murray? I don't remember seeing him after the US military finds him and Joyce.

[ErHaO]

And......not to turn this into a P/R thread or go off on a tangent but the inference of lesbianism with the high school chic felt forced to me. There’d have been no issue with those two actually ‘getting together’ and allowing Steve to ‘find’ someone.....but I feel like the show took that storyline to satisfy the obligatory LGBT ‘shout out’ that nearly every show these days seems to need to do.

_{I think it's more they're purposefully waiting until the last season to give him some one special. I wonder if this will mean they're NOT making Will gay?}

Maybe they’re waiting for the right person for Steve. My point is I think that any scenario of gay/lesbianism in this show feels forced and like it’s just there as a shout out. Especially with the younger characters. If it were the science teacher or even one of the Dads that’d be more realistic than them forcing it into one of these kids characters. Doesn’t fit at all and it feels like they’re just playing the PC appeasement card honestly.

SPOILERS.




I get that in the current climate of politics it feels forced, especially since studios love to advertise with "this character is gay!!!". But honestly, depending on the studies, around 1/20 to even 1/10 people are estimated to have gay feelings. I come from a country where acceptance has been relatively high, thus it is more common to express it, and it is common to meet gay teens. One of my best friends actually came out of the closet around the age these characters are in, and he already knew he was gay well before that. And unlike many stereotypes, my friend was dating women like a madman back in the day. Actually thought he was joking when he came out. So I personally liked seeing a character that wasn't all like "hey, look at me I'm gay!!" but more like "oh, I'm sorry but I am just not into guys as a response to flirting". That is how it happens in real life. As for the situation in this show, I actually know of people who have been in a similar situation as Steve was here in the past. So from my life experience, this did not feel forced.

Furthermore, in terms of writing, it means keeping them as a platonic duo, and their chemistry that way is great I think

[Phoenix87x]

Just finished Season 3 and I loved it 

I was feeling a little bit of franchise fatigue after finishing season 2 and honestly wasn't really all that excited for Season 3, but man did they win me back. This season was deep and powerful, even had me tearing up in parts. Really incredible stuff and now I'm looking forward to more if or when it comes.

[Logain Ablar]

3 episodes in, but I’m really enjoying it so far.

Mrs Wheeler!

[gmillerdrake]

The Russian guard says, "No, not the American" before taking the Russian prisoner to the Demogorgon. Clearly that line means something. Which American is it? Is it Murray? I don't remember seeing him after the US military finds him and Joyce.

I think it’s Hopper. I don’t see any way that they’ve actually killed him off. He’s too popular of a character and integral to the show.  somehow he survived or escaped.....I had initially thought maybe he got thrown back inside the upside down and that’d be a storyline for next season.....they have to enter to save him.....but I don’t see that they’ve actually killed his character off.

[SoundscapeMN]

Chris Stuckmann and a lot of other reviews have said the same thing.

I don't follow why they would kill him off unless David Harbour was requesting to leave the show like Michael McKean in Better Call Saul.

[The Walrus]

I mean he got caught in an explosion that showed the bodies of Russians literally blowing apart. I like Hopper but if he did live through that he better really be messed up otherwise that's some super tv shenanigans

[gmillerdrake]

I mean he got caught in an explosion that showed the bodies of Russians literally blowing apart. I like Hopper but if he did live through that he better really be messed up otherwise that's some super tv shenanigans

They showed the Russians on the control room side of the electro barrier get blown up. It’s not out of the question to think the very thing that kept him from being able to get back to safety also allowed him to live.

How he was ‘lost’ and not found by the Americans but found by the Russians is another story.

[Phoenix87x]

I mean he got caught in an explosion that showed the bodies of Russians literally blowing apart. I like Hopper but if he did live through that he better really be messed up otherwise that's some super tv shenanigans

They showed the Russians on the control room side of the electro barrier get blown up. It’s not out of the question to think the very thing that kept him from being able to get back to safety also allowed him to live.

How he was ‘lost’ and not found by the Americans but found by the Russians is another story.

Oh, is that what they meant by "The American"?

Wow, I didn't even pick up on that. The Russians disappeared out of that base real quick.

[CrimsonSunrise]

I was on ep 3 of the new season the other day. My grandson who's here for the summer from Pittsburgh caught glimpses and now is binge watching from season 1 beggining.  I told him to hurry up and catch up 

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

I mean he got caught in an explosion that showed the bodies of Russians literally blowing apart. I like Hopper but if he did live through that he better really be messed up otherwise that's some super tv shenanigans

They showed the Russians on the control room side of the electro barrier get blown up. It’s not out of the question to think the very thing that kept him from being able to get back to safety also allowed him to live.

How he was ‘lost’ and not found by the Americans but found by the Russians is another story.

Oh, is that what they meant by "The American"?

Wow, I didn't even pick up on that. The Russians disappeared out of that base real quick.

A part of me wonders if he jumped into the portal to "save" himself? 

[Podaar]

We finished watching on Sunday. I was a bit underwhelmed until I really thought back through the season. I think my initial viewing was colored by the fact that I'd just finished with season 2 of Dark on Netflix.

In retrospect:
The Great
- Steve, Robin, Erica, Dustin and when they were together engaging with just each other El and Max.
- Dr. Alexei and Woody Woodpecker
- Suzie the Mormon
- "There's no America, without Erica"
- The Neverending Story bit
- The Hospital attack
- The Sauna test

The Good
- Starcourt Mall
- The Russian wannabe Arnold (The volume of his footsteps was hilarious)
- The "Living in Stereo" music when Billy came strutting out
- Cary Elwes as Mayor Larry Kline
- Nancy's arch
-El reading Hop's speech

The Meh
- The first two episodes
- The Mind Flayer story
- Hopper's parenting
- The ending of the threat

The Annoying
- Any scene with Hop and Joyce constantly sniping and bitching at each other.

[MinistroRaven]

 The Russian at the last scene, the one that says Not the American, it’s the same Russian that Bold Eagle makes a joke with when they (Joyce, Hop and the good Russian) are about to go through the door where the bottles with the green substance is.

Given that he is the same Russian I am inclined to believe that the Russians escaped through the portal, as it was impossible for them to just “disappear “ from that facility. And knowing they have demodogs as pets it wouldn’t be mad to think they walked through the portal to the other side.

[gmillerdrake]

The Meh
- The first two episodes
- The Mind Flayer story
- Hopper's parenting
- The ending of the threat

The Annoying
- Any scene with Hop and Joyce constantly sniping and bitching at each other.

There's nothing that bugs me more than when a series that has limited episodes....like this season being only (8)......spends two of them basically doing nothing, which is what happened in this season. Sure, there were things that happened and 'set up' stuff.....but it was nowhere near done in a way that was compelling. It was 'ho hum'.....and to me the first two episodes were just wasted time and what they accomplished could have been accomplished in one episode.

And the rest of these points I agree with 100%....which put this season in a tough position to battle back so to speak. It made a good effort and the season as a whole was entertaining....but as I said in my initial assessment....for me the shine and 'lore' of the show is gone....and it seems to be getting in its own way now.

I know a ton of people love this season and that is awesome....glad it worked for you guys. But for me it fell short a bit and is now just 'another' show I watch....nothing entirely special.

[The Walrus]

What episodes did 'nothing' happen? That's curious...

[gmillerdrake]

What episodes did 'nothing' happen? That's curious...

First two episodes were pretty boring. Outside of Billy being abducted by the mind flayer thing.....for me....they weren't very interesting. Very predictable and boring. But like I said....I get people have dug this season. My kids, my brother.....all really dug this season. I just thought it was pretty predictable and didn't have that 'spark' that S1 had. It was better than S2 IMO which is a good thing....but it's not in this 'elite' level that it once was in my eyes. It's just another enjoyable show to me now. 

[The Walrus]

Interesting. The first episode or two is supposed to set up the season. I believe in those first two episodes we saw Mike and Eleven's relationship advance, we saw Hopper grow into the overprotective dad role and his chemistry with Joyce developed, we saw the newly constructed Starcourt Mall where Steve's got a new job and we meet Robin. Then we see Billy get dragged into the Upside Down and struggle with that and Dustin and Steve start to uncover the whole secret Russian base and operation within the mall. I didn't see much predictability in there other than your usual 'start of season' stuff to set up the rest. (Not at all saying you're wrong for your opinions, just having fun discussing it.)