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| Image credit: Netflix |
At last! The long-awaited fourth
season of Stranger Things after 3 years have been released on Netflix. Fans
(including me) are making noise around the world in joy to finally get to watch
the next battle after El and company defeated the Mind Flayer at the Starcourt
Mall.
Avid fans’ patience in waiting has
paid off as Stranger Things 4, Volume 1 surprised its audience with its
longer runtime of almost horror and gruesome-themed story wrap up. The Duffer
Brothers thus continue to allure viewers with wonders in every cliffhanger left
at the end of each seven episodes.
The thrill continues to roll at
different settings: Hawkins, California, Russia, and the Upside Down. Dustin
and Mike were left at Hawkins spending their school hours as members of the
Hellfire Club (a Dungeons and Dragons club) led by Eddie Munson. Meanwhile,
Lucas attempts to pace himself up to gain popularity by joining the Hawkins
High Tigers as a basketball bench player while in a romantic conundrum with
Max. Max, on the other hand, has her chief personal issue to overcome – her
brother Billy’s death from the previous summer. Nancy found herself a position
at a small publication in Hawkins while distantly miles separated from her
boyfriend, Jonathan who is relocated to California with his family including
Eleven. Jonathan was friends with a pizza delivery guy, Argyle who somewhat
make sense in advising Jonathan about his relationship with Nancy. Joyce Byers
received a post from Russia and immediately called for Murray’s help to figure
out if Hopper is truly alive according to a letter as she strongly believes he
still is. Hopper is stuck at the Russian prison pit while allegedly working
with a Russian guard, Enzo to escape.
Eleven, with superpowers gone is struggling with her new life in
California to fit in with new people while still missing her father, Hopper.
Vecna, a non-native inhabitant of the Upside Down is playing around targeting and
killing teenagers in Hawkins who happens to be the current threat in Stranger
Things 4.
I am more satisfyingly enthralled than I
have expected. I’m getting more in love with Stranger Things when Season
4 hit Netflix. Having finished all the seven episodes was a total craving for
the hefty last two episodes to be released in July. Stranger Things Season 4, Volume 1
indeed left its viewers with unsettling questions, and I think this brought
them success in making fans want more of the show. We can’t wait for the second
volume, so July 1, please come closer so soon.
Waiting for Stranger Things 4
is worth it and deserves marvelous comments for its beautiful production.
Stranger Things 4 is more than just a Netflix series for me. I saw
beyond the theme of the show and I loved it just like other tv shows that
summed up my favorite tv series/movies list.
Everything I love in Stranger Things 4, Vol. 1:
Nerds Empowerment
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| Photo source: Screen grabbed from Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1)/Netflix |
When in real-life nerds are stereotypically described as boring, shy, and unattractive, Stranger Things 4 even elevated them more in Dustin Henderson’s character. Dustin has this preternatural nerdiness and it has been very helpful in saving his friends in times of critical situations. Nerds in Stranger Things are given emphasis and importance as they play a major role in finding out the causes of and solving mysteries lurking in Hawkins’ other dimension, the Upside Down. I see the series as an opportunity to uplift nerds and give them a voice. Plus, it also hoists up smart ladies to the topmost admirable girls because I can see Suzie (Dustin’s genius girlfriend) trending on social media gaining appreciation posts and praises.
Funny Conversations
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| Photo source: Screen grabbed from Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1)/Netflix |
Sarcasm is timelessly humorous. My favorite bickering moments are with Dustin vs. Steve and Robin vs. Steve – their comical relief adds genuine entertainment to the viewers, and this is what I love about Stranger Things as well. Placing temporary diversion from the tension of a specific dilemma is very amusing making me laugh out loud.
Perfect Team-Ups
Photo source: Screen grabbed from Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1)/Netflix
We all know that in each plot, the characters are grouped in different locations, and they are also responsible for analyzing their predicament. Each member can be either neutralizer, impulsive, smart, or practical. Pairing and groupings are superbly put up together and I can see the characters checking in with their partner or group. They completely mesh with each other and can come up with new ways to work together with varied capabilities. It’s like they catch one another after every fall so that no one will be left behind or killed whether in the Upside Down or the real world. Stranger Things have this ideal team or duo that’s just cool.
The former has this bossy and wary attitude that mixes
up well with the latter’s gleeful character. Although he’s hilarious sometimes,
he always triumphs on dangerous occasions (especially on their way to save
Hopper brutally stuck in a Russian pit)
Nancy and Robin
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| Photo source: Screen grabbed from Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1)/Netflix |
Nancy has this investigative instinct, and she is deliberate which goes well with Robin’s uncontrolled temper to do the talking. Remember what happened at the Pennhurst Mental Hospital when Robin spontaneously did the savage drama about their study to look legitimate psychology students just to convince the hospital director to talk to Victor Creel’s case? It was a rough but smooth move at the same time. I am so much proud of their Girl Power.
Hopper and Enzo
When these two have decided to come up with an
agreement, I wanted them both to survive the Russian pit. In the first place,
Enzo held Hopper’s escape mission as entertainment. Enzo’s strong impression of
Hopper built up when his prisoner managed to get his way out. The Russians
after discovering Enzo’s betrayal, the two worked together to battle the
Demogorgon (but still, with the help of Joyce and Murray eventually)
Dustin, Lucas, and Steve
These boys looked after Max when she was being called
for by Vecna. Their vigilance and quick response to Max allowed her to break
free from the Upside Down. Lucas being there was brilliant because he knew
Max’s favorite song (Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush), Dustin acquired
information from Nancy about how to clear out illusions of Vecna, and Steve as
a good babysitter successfully looked after all these teenagers into safety.
Mike, Will, Jonathan, and Argyle
Their mission is to find the location of Nina project
(where El was sent) with the help of Suzie. Jonathan is responsible for these
boys since he doesn’t know why his mother was out and I think he’s also good at
guiding Mike and Will, including his new friend Argyle who also adds a comical
break to their rushed mission. Mike makes a consequential part in this group
because he seems to know what to do.
El and Peter
They could have been a good pair because of their
super ability but watch out for the latter (I will not give more details).
Teenagers and adult characters went
well with each other, they know how they will contribute, and their respective
scenes always have humor and tension which hooks Netflix viewers tightly that they’ll
never want to leave their seats or bed for short errands.
Genuine Friendships
After all the characters have gone through to survive
the creatures unleashed in the town of terrors (Hawkins), they might
misunderstand each other, but they never give up or leave for the sake of
pride. Their trust, care, and love for one another always prevail and it’s
undoubtedly a squad everyone dreams of a friendship. They never break, they are
frank in a playful way, they have each other’s backs, and they know how to
work together.
Perks and thorns of Growing Up
They’re not kids now as they are experiencing the pitfalls of an intimate relationship. Max and Lucas broke up because the former had to deal with her issues about her brother Billy’s death the previous summer. El and Mike’s long-distance relationship had provoked lies. Stranger Things 4 was directed by underlining the importance of openness, trust, and honesty in a relationship. They did not miss this out.
My favorite annoying new characters
Introducing Jason Carver, the obnoxious superstitious
and motivational speaker of Hawkins, and Angela, the bitch who deserves a hit
of the roller skate in her face.
The Grandfather clock is iconic
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| Photo source: Screen grabbed from Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1)/Netflix |
I can see on Twitter and Facebook some posts about
pictures with empty walls asking their followers or friends if they can also
see and hear the grandfather clock. Everyone will react and comment to play his
or her favorite song to prevent Vecna from getting into their mind and their
limbs from being snapped. I also saw a Stranger Things new dance move on
Tiktok and it was as if the dancer’s bones were cracking. The grandfather was
another remarkable object that signifies Stranger Things 4 moments.
War with the inner demons
Vecna loves to tap into the darkest corner of his
target’s brain where memories of sadness and guilt rooted from mentally
traumatic situations thereby increasing his chances of manipulating them. When
music was discovered to be a remedy to escape Vecna’s hypnotic state, Max was
lucky to recall her happy memories to open the door to the real world. You see,
happy memories through music make a big deal about saving one’s life. We must
let go of the inner demons bothering our progress.
Cute boys
I love Eddie Munson and Steve Harrington. Please don’t
kill any of these two in the coming second volume. Team Steve and Team Eddie
would be hurt if they do so.
Anyway…
Why I love Eddie is because even if he might appear
intense to Hawkins students, he is a good-hearted man and no pretense in his
personality. He is charismatic and I think he’s the person who can cheer
Chrissy up, a popular Hawkins cheerleader who’s been haunted by her distressing
life memories.
Steve is the consistent babysitter and it’s his
signature character that the audience loves about him. He might look as if he
doesn’t like looking after the teenagers, but he’s doing good in it. He’s a
handsome guy, and a good friend and ex-boyfriend.
Additionally, Peter Ballard is a formal yet hot guy.
The way his eyes look at you, you’re gonna smolder.
The plots and holes were excellently crafted
Overall, Stranger Things 4 provided beyond what I anticipated. I critically watched the show, and the unexpected events were like the gifts I always dreamt of receiving. I applaud the whole production team of Stranger Things 4 for organizing its striking scenes magnificently.
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| Photo source: Screen grabbed from Stranger Things (Season 4, Volume 1)/Netflix |
Moreover, the aesthetics of
cinematography is creative. The visuals and tone of the world from the Upside
Down greatly worked out. It was an astounding professional production of Stranger
Things 4 Creative Team. The best example I was fascinated with was the
transition of the characters on bikes from Hawkins then rolled to the other
dimension proportionate to those stuck in the Upside Down (as seen from the
image above). I can see that they advantageously utilized their technology in
filming. All of it was incontestably exquisite including the prosthetics of
Vecna.
…
By the way, good news: according to
the Duffer Brothers’ confirmation through an open letter published via Netflix,
it’s not yet the last season. Stranger Things fans, brace yourselves
because Season 5 is waving!
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