By Shane Hernandez, Staff Writer
Spoiler Free Review
In the summer of 2016, I became unbearably sick after exhausting myself at the San Diego Comic Con. There was nothing to watch, as it was summer and many shows were on break. I was told by my dad that there was a show on Netflix that I’d love. Sure enough he was right. In a single day, I had binged all of “Stranger Things”. The show is more than just one single tone. It’s an accumulation of multiple styles of film in the 1980’s, where adventure blockbusters like “Goonies” meets “Nightmare on Elm Street”.
In recent years, I’ve learned that most people my age don’t like “Stranger Things”. They described it as “unoriginal” and “predictable”. This came as a shock to me as I find it to be one of the most brilliant shows available to watch for our time. As time went on I understood a little more of what they meant by observing the second season of the show. While season 2 of “Stranger Things” is a great piece of television, I do think as a follow up, it may not have been as fulfilling for some people. When this realization came to me, I wasn’t too excited to watch season 3. Most shows get stale once they reach the third season. Except “Stranger Things 3” exceeded my expectations.
Where the previous seasons have had a lot of dark moments, this season knows that the past two leaned toward those. As a result, season 3 has a lot of fun and embraces the vibrant colors as we are now in the heart of the 1980’s. The environment of the mall and fun fair make for a very cinematic retro look that is a little more unseen in the previous installments. Season 3 has improved on all the mistakes of season 2 by giving the newer characters more relevance and developing more comedy with the pairing of characters. The kids aren’t as charming now that they’ve aged into you adults; the foundations have changed but it gives a chance to tell a new story.
Stranger Things had a lot to live up to with Season 2. Season 3 had us doubtful, but The Duffer Brothers found a way to recapture the magic. You’ll fall in love with the show all over again, with an ending that’ll have you tearing up.
Spoiler Review
As stated in the spoiler free section, the new characters are given far more to do than they were in season 2. The main antagonist “Billy” is given more of an explanation for his anger towards his stepsister Max. Max was the best new character introduced in the previous season. Robin is the first LGBTQ character this season and she carries a believable and natural friendship between her and Steve Harrington. Lucas’s sister (Erica) carried a brief role in the previous season, but was only a minor inconvenience for her brother. In this she carries her sassy attitude, but I don’t think she’s very likeable even when they attempt to be funny with her. Murry Bauman, a conspiracy theorist, is given so much more to do. I love the conversations between him and Hopper. The fact that this season was able to make you feel for Alexi, the Russian scientist who is in less than 5 full episodes is just a small demonstration of the shows excellent writing and direction.
The kids may not be as lovable and charming as they used to be, but we really feel like we’ve grown with them. Joyce’s struggle to move on from Bob Newby is emotional but it doesn’t feel like it’s as strong of a presence past the first episode. We were led to believe Eleven would die and Hopper’s arc revolving around the loss of his daughter is fulfilled, making his sacrifice more heartbreaking and meaningful. Hopper may be dead to the gang in Hawkins but in the end credit scene, we are given a hint that he may still be alive. When it cuts to an end credit scene, we end up in Russia where a guard says “No. Not The American.” One theory is that the Russians captured him and faked his death, as a body wasn’t found.
The Duffer Brothers have 4 seasons mapped out so it looks certain that the next season of “Stranger Things” is the last. If that’s the case, season 3 set the bar high. It may not be better than the first season, but “Stranger Things” has a lot to live up to in its final season. The two brothers brought the 80’s back for a new generation and Netflix has proven that the show isn’t over yet.
