The season was darkish and impressive, however generally overly so – episodes appeared longer as a result of they had been, and it wasn’t all the time factor. Leaping between California, Russia, Hawkins, and the Upside Down led to a way of overstuffing and occasional disjointedness, and the visible results generally drowned out the story and characters, leaving some episodes missing substance and straying into music-video territory. Total, it felt extra like a setup for the ultimate season than a standalone story, nevertheless it definitely had some great things to supply alongside the way in which.
2. Season 3
Season 3 appeared like a partial reset for the present, which was properly mirrored in its story. Every thing felt colourful and vibrant as the youngsters frolicked in the brand new Starcourt Mall, labored summer season jobs, and the courting drama kicked off in earnest. The story was nonetheless grounded in Hawkins, regardless of the entire “secret Russian base” state of affairs. There was additionally a strong monster for the gang to group up towards, and its possession and management of Billy dialed up the fear on a really human stage.
The mall was a relatable place that introduced in real 80s nostalgia, whereas the costume design stepped up with a brand new imaginative and prescient for the characters’ appears. These Scoops Ahoy outfits, the jazzy informal put on, and a glowing neon aesthetic actually elevated the present to a brand new stage in season 3, whereas Robin and Steve’s friendship was a strong, considerate spotlight as a substitute of what might have been a lacklustre subplot.
Although this season was maybe a bit of goofier than the others, its lack of seriousness in some areas helped steadiness the present’s tone after the earlier two seasons, when every thing tended to get a bit of too glum.
1. Season 1
A boy named Will Byers mysteriously vanishes after using his bike house from a good friend’s home, and a TV sensation is born. Yep, we reckon the primary season of Stranger Issues continues to be the most effective, nearly six years after it debuted on Netflix and have become a phenomenon that, in the long run, maybe ended up a bit of too large for its small-town roots.
Every thing about Stranger Issues felt recent and fascinating again in 2016, regardless of its rose-tinted nostalgia for the 80s. The Duffers created this new sequence with tight, compelling storytelling. It was well-paced and culminated in a satisfying finale. It had every thing, actually! A small-town America with period-accurate visuals, well-rounded characters (youngsters that weren’t annoying!), and on the coronary heart of the story, the intriguing thriller of Will’s disappearance used basic sci-fi and horror tropes expertly to attract us in. Season 1 was merely a slam dunk.
