Netflix's beloved sci-fi series "Stranger Things" is struggling to find its footing in its fifth and final season. Three years after the last episode of Season 4, which concluded with a cliffhanger that set up the current storyline, the show finally returns to Hawkins, Indiana, in 1987.
The real-life gap between individual seasons has grown perilously close to the entire canonical span of "Stranger Things," an issue that highlights the escalating costs on viewers' patience from a medium once defined by consistent output. With eight episodes divided into three chunks and the first dropping on Thanksgiving Eve, the show is facing a challenge in balancing its nostalgic charm with the natural maturation of its talented young cast.
Millie Bobby Brown, who burst onto the scene as Eleven, has grown up significantly since Season 1, but her character development remains surprisingly shallow. The same can be said for the rest of the series leads, whose time between casting and the finale's premiere will encompass more than half their lives. However, this hasn't translated to greater complexity or depth in the show itself.
"Stranger Things" has become an exercise in nostalgia, relying heavily on its 1980s setting to evoke a sense of simplicity that can't be recaptured. While the production values have increased significantly, the show now seems to pine for a bygone era that can't be brought back, no matter how high the budget.
The first four episodes of Season 5, Volume 1, walk back the Season 4 cliffhanger, with Hawkins, Indiana returning to its former state under military quarantine. The town is once again occupied by misguided adults who mess around with forces they don't understand, and our heroes are forced to navigate their way through a new set of challenges.
While the show has made strides in realizing the Upside Down, its world-building remains hazily defined, particularly when it comes to the mechanics behind Vecna's control over its inhabitants. The "Stranger Things" version of evolution seems to be about using radio waves as an analogy for understanding the realm, rather than delving deeper into its metaphysics.
The show does, however, explore Will Byers' connection to the Upside Down in a way that resonates with his growing emotional life. His bond with Robin, another queer character, is sweet but superficial, and it feels like the writers are relying on tired platitudes rather than genuine character development.
As "Stranger Things" hurtles toward its final showdown with Vecna, the show seems to be resetting the clock rather than riding its momentum. The Duffer brothers' reliance on pastiche and references to their influences is starting to feel like a crutch, rather than an organic part of the narrative.
Ultimately, "Stranger Things" feels like it's trapped in arrested development, growing bigger without going deeper. When you get bigger without adding complexity, you end up stretching thin. The show's final season may be its swan song, and unfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to its potential as a farewell gift for fans of the series.
The real-life gap between individual seasons has grown perilously close to the entire canonical span of "Stranger Things," an issue that highlights the escalating costs on viewers' patience from a medium once defined by consistent output. With eight episodes divided into three chunks and the first dropping on Thanksgiving Eve, the show is facing a challenge in balancing its nostalgic charm with the natural maturation of its talented young cast.
Millie Bobby Brown, who burst onto the scene as Eleven, has grown up significantly since Season 1, but her character development remains surprisingly shallow. The same can be said for the rest of the series leads, whose time between casting and the finale's premiere will encompass more than half their lives. However, this hasn't translated to greater complexity or depth in the show itself.
"Stranger Things" has become an exercise in nostalgia, relying heavily on its 1980s setting to evoke a sense of simplicity that can't be recaptured. While the production values have increased significantly, the show now seems to pine for a bygone era that can't be brought back, no matter how high the budget.
The first four episodes of Season 5, Volume 1, walk back the Season 4 cliffhanger, with Hawkins, Indiana returning to its former state under military quarantine. The town is once again occupied by misguided adults who mess around with forces they don't understand, and our heroes are forced to navigate their way through a new set of challenges.
While the show has made strides in realizing the Upside Down, its world-building remains hazily defined, particularly when it comes to the mechanics behind Vecna's control over its inhabitants. The "Stranger Things" version of evolution seems to be about using radio waves as an analogy for understanding the realm, rather than delving deeper into its metaphysics.
The show does, however, explore Will Byers' connection to the Upside Down in a way that resonates with his growing emotional life. His bond with Robin, another queer character, is sweet but superficial, and it feels like the writers are relying on tired platitudes rather than genuine character development.
As "Stranger Things" hurtles toward its final showdown with Vecna, the show seems to be resetting the clock rather than riding its momentum. The Duffer brothers' reliance on pastiche and references to their influences is starting to feel like a crutch, rather than an organic part of the narrative.
Ultimately, "Stranger Things" feels like it's trapped in arrested development, growing bigger without going deeper. When you get bigger without adding complexity, you end up stretching thin. The show's final season may be its swan song, and unfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to its potential as a farewell gift for fans of the series.
. I mean, what did we expect? It's been three years since Season 4 and they're finally back in Hawkins, but it's like they've forgotten how to make this show feel fresh again 
. The nostalgia thing is just cringeworthy now - who thought it was a good idea to rely on retro vibes instead of actually developing the characters? It's like they took all the excitement from the early seasons and replaced it with "oh look, we're back in 1987!" 
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. I mean, radio waves as an analogy for understanding the realm? Give me a break 
. It's like they're trying to make it up as they go along instead of putting some real thought into it.
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the cast is growing up so fast! It's crazy to think that they're almost half their age when Season 1 started 
. I miss the Eleven we used to know, she was so mysterious and cool 
. The show is trying too hard to be nostalgic now, it's like they're stuck in 1987 and can't move forward 
. Vecna is such a cool villain, but his powers are still kinda weird 
. I love Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, but her character growth has been kinda stunted over the years. And don't even get me started on how much Vecna is just kinda...there 
. The Upside Down world-building still feels a bit hazy and underdeveloped to me 
instead of pushing the story forward and character development 
also feels like theyre forgetting about the kids growing up 
millie bobby brown and other leads are getting older but their chars remain kinda flat 
I love how they're bringing Hawkins back but like what's with all these cliffhangers?! Can we just get some answers already?! 
Also, I feel you on Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven character development 
Same with the rest of the kids 
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We get it, Hawkins is rad from the 80s but let's see more growth and depth in the storylines 
. The Upside Down world-building is still kinda weird to me 
His bond with Robin is SO sweet!!! 
But, yeah, let's ditch the tired platitudes and go for real character development, pls 
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. i mean, radio waves as an analogy? come on! it feels like they're just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks, rather than actually trying to create a coherent mythology.
. the whole show feeling like it's stuck in arrested development is so relatable though... when you get bigger without adding complexity, it's just gonna feel shallow and unsatisfying in the end 
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The Upside Down world-building is still kinda meh and Vecna's powers are still unclear 
I don't get why the writers can't just develop her character more, it feels like they're not trying hard enough 
. At least we've got some cute moments with Will and Robin tho 
It's like the show is trying to recapture that perfect nostalgic vibe, but in doing so, it's lost some of what made it special in the first place 
. I'm worried about what the final season has in store, and whether it'll be able to wrap up the storylines in a satisfying way 
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Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven is still kinda one-dimensional, and I'm not even mad because I know she's still growing up. But seriously, can't they explore more of the Upside Down's magic? 
The way they're handling Vecna's powers feels like it was just plucked from Wikipedia. 
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I'm rooting for the Duffer brothers, but maybe they should've wrapped things up sooner? Still, I'll be tuning in to see how it all goes down 
. The Upside Down world-building is still kinda murky, and don't even get me started on Vecna - I want to know more about what makes him tick! 
. It's like they're stuck in a time warp. The Upside Down world-building still feels a bit fuzzy to me 