Stranger Things is finally back with its fifth and final season. Well, at least the first four episodes. Which is annoying, but that’s the release method Netflix has decided to stick with, especially for its high-profile shows. I suppose that’s one way to build some hype, though I’m not convinced that a show like Stranger Things really needs it. Especially after such an extended period between seasons, but that’s not likely to hurt Stranger Things.
At any rate, these first four episodes have been very much on-brand for Stranger Things and what fans have come to expect from the show. But this is the final season, and the stakes have never been higher. Which means we as viewers need to feel like it’s all heading toward an epic conclusion. Based solely on the third and fourth episodes, titled “The Turnbow Trap” and “Sorcerer” respectively, it’s safe to say the Duffer Brothers understood the assignment.
Worked: Will is finally getting a meaningful character arc
Seriously, this has been one of my biggest gripes
After being frustratingly sidelined in the fourth season, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) finally gets some awesome character moments to work with in episodes three and four. On a character interaction level, his conversations with Robin (Maya Hawke) about accepting who you are resonated deeply with the repressed queer kid I once was. A little heavy-handed, sure, but overall, some truly great moments here.
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But the big moment for Will comes at the conclusion of episode four, when he finally unlocks the sorcerer within. We’ve all known about his connection to Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and the hive mind of monsters and demogorgons. To see him finally accept who he is and take control of the demogorgons to stop them from killing his family and friends is about as epic a moment as any fan could ask for. Looks like Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) isn’t the only one with powers now.
Didn’t work: Jonathan and Nancy’s romance is more stale than ever
As an enjoyer of romance, this is not it
Honestly, this particular plot line was already boring to me in season 4, and it’s really not any better here. I thought that maybe the attack on Nancy’s (Natalia Dyer) family would spark some great moment between her and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), but absolutely nothing has happened on that front other than Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) calling out Jonathan. We know that Jonathan has an engagement ring that he got from Murray (Brett Gelman), but that won’t do much to repair the disappearing chemistry between the real-life couple.
On top of that, this little barely-a-love-triangle between Jonathan, Nancy, and Steve just is not landing. I don’t really see a way out that’s going to be satisfying, either, unless Nancy just chooses neither of them and gets out of Hawkins as soon as everything is set right.
Worked: Max’s return and her exposition-heavy tale
It was clunky, but I was just happy to see her
Credit: Netflix
I had a strong suspicion that Max (Sadie Sink) would appear alongside Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) in Vecna’s little mind palace prison. What followed was a devastating tale of how Max survived, and her journey to return to her body in the real world. A lot of this dialogue is very exposition-filled, which would normally annoy me, but Sink is such a good actor that she really made it work.
I wish we had spent a little more time with her and Holly, especially when it comes to their plan to escape, but I get that Stranger Things is trying to balance a lot of different storylines. I’m willing to be patient for now, because Max is easily one of the best characters in the series.
Didn’t work: The pacing continues to be a problem for this show
Nothing new here
Credit: Netflix
Season 4 of Stranger Things is my second favorite entry, just behind the first season, but one of its biggest issues is pacing. These are long episodes, though not as long as the season 4 finale, and sometimes you can really feel the length. The middle portion of “Sorcerer” was just a little sluggish for me, even though there was technically a lot going on.
But it’s not, overall, a huge issue. I tend to enjoy longer, deliberately paced episodes, but I can absolutely understand if others find Stranger Things to be something of a slog sometimes.
Worked: The spectacle has never been better
That rumored massive budget was put to good use
Credit: Netflix
The ending of “Sorcerer” is likely to go down as one of the most spectacle-fueled sequences ever made for television. The demogorgons attacking, the military futilely fighting back against the onslaught, and our heroes navigating through the death and carnage. But it doesn’t even come close to stopping there. Vecna’s arrival and butchering of the military is truly an outstanding moment, and solidifies him once again as a big bad to be feared.
I also enjoyed the sequences in the Upside Down with Hopper (David Harbour) and Eleven, especially the interactions with Linda Hamilton’s character Dr. Kay. Plus, there’s that big reveal that the military’s prisoner is none other than Kali Prasad (otherwise known as Eight). How will she play into the rest of the season? I can’t wait to find out.
I may be annoyed at the release schedule, but if you’re going to leave fans wanting more, that’s how you do it. I have no idea how Stranger Things plans to top the spectacle found here, but I’m intrigued to see it try. It’s been doing well so far.
Stranger Things has set itself up to stick the landing
We’ve all felt that disappointment of a great show falling short at the finish line. I will never forget the level of psychic damage that Game of Thrones did to me in that final season. But after these first four episodes, I’m inclined to trust the Duffer Brothers to get the job done. Sure, there are some annoyances here and there, but this feels like Stranger Things. It has kept its identity, its characters, and its love of the ’80s intact.
I’m excited to be back in this world, one last time. I think a lot of fans will feel the same way. If you’re looking for ways to keep your mind occupied until the next batch of episodes drops on Christmas Day, check out the recap for the first two episodes of season 5 if you managed to miss it.
Release Date
2016 – 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
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Millie Bobby Brown
Jane ‘Eleven’ Hopper
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Finn Wolfhard
Mike Wheeler
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Gaten Matarazzo
Dustin Henderson
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Caleb McLaughlin
Lucas Sinclair
