Stranger Things (Netflix) TV Show • Page 49

I too did not love episode 7. It felt a bit cheesy, totally took me out of the rest of the story. But I still liked the season overall.

 

This is the biggest question I have and the one I most want answered next season. Why did it take so long for the Upside Down to start manifesting itself in Will and in the ground? Obviously the lab was keeping it at bay, but I want to know specifically how it took an entire year for so much to happen.

 

On ep 7 now, it does feel quite jarring with its context and placement. Doesn't make me hate it at all, but I'm dying to get back to Hawkins and it's all I can think whilst watching/considering Episode 6.

 

Episode 7 was bad, but not season-ruiningly so or anything. I loved the idea of Kali even if the execution wasn't great. The rest of her gang was obviously the bigger issue - they were so tonally off from the rest of the series, which was especially disappointing in a show that nails almost every other homage to 80s character types.

On the positive side, the criticism has been so loud and unanimous that I can't imagine the Duffer brothers will ignore it. Imo, there is definitely room in season 3 for a further exploration of the other lab kid(s) provided it's handled more effectively.

Was happy to see Will get so much to do (and be acted so well to boot), and other new characters were all great additions. Mild disappointment that Billy didn't amount to anything more significant, but I imagine he'll be explored further in the next season. And incredible season for Winona Ryder. Her acting was great in season 1 but the character is written so much more enjoyably this time around and she kills it.

Finished Friday night and can't stop thinking about the end. The dance epilogue was beyond perfect.

 

Episode 7 was bad. Everything about the psychic powers and "mutants" is easily the least interesting part of the show for me. Wish it was just normal kids dealing with weird monsters

 

I’m pretty sure I’m with you on this one. Eleven’s powers are cool but they’re probably the least interesting thing about her. Matilda did it first >:P

 

Billy's scene with Mike's mom was gross. I love the show otherwise.

 

I thought it was hilarious. But he’s probably a minor, so, yea, that’s gross. But still hilarious in how it was presented. I need help.

 

Wondering if Billy might actually be gay. Would be an interesting arc for the character in upcoming seasons.

 

A Stranger Things Wikia pins him at 17. I get the humor; I was kind of laughing at first but quickly became uncomfortable, idk.

 

I don't get why they name all the real monsters after D&D monsters

 

Because they explained the upside down with D&D stuff last year. That’s it.

 

Yeah I just didn't really get why back then even. Not a complaint I just don't get it.

 

As in, not getting it within the story or why the Duffers chose it?

 

I just finished this and definitely have a lot of issues with it but most of them were things I had about season 1 and the season in general

episode 7 is as bad as advertised, the "punk" gang felt like NPCs you hang out with during one mission in an RPG, like their dialogue was borderline in-game cutscene bad. such a weird detour

overall, the main attraction here continues to be the cast. This show is a near masterpiece in the area of casting and I think that's why it resonates so strongly with people (including myself)

the actual mythology of the "upside down" and the monsters and the government is ehhhhhhhhh not quite as interesting

the biggest improvement for me from season 1 imo was Steve's development. They took a character who previously was just an archetype (generic 80s popular guy/jock) and made him a way more complex and likable character. Shouts to Joe Keery.

I have a lot more thoughts on this but I don't want to be too much of a party pooper because in the end this show for the most part is pretty fun.

One last thing though --- they really used "Time after Time" AND "Every Breath You Take" in the final epilogue/snow ball sequence??? Like come on, I feel like if you use one, you shouldn't use the other. Just too on the nose imo, but then again this show has never really been subtle at all

 

The Duffer Bros. have said they wanted to frame it as a D&D game come to life in order for the kids to know how to navigate/fight back

 

I was discussing the show the other night with some people and someone brought this up. "It's obvious this Billy guy is struggling with his sexuality and is a closet homosexual." Like, I honestly didn't see any signs of this. Was it because his Dad showed up and called him a ***got? I didn't interpret it as an attack on his son's sexuality. I think it was more common to throw that word around back in the 80s just to antagonize someone.

 

That doesn't make me any less confused lol

 

Everything with Max's brother was more of a misstep than episode 7. and I'm not hating on ep 7 either.

 

I definitely think that was one piece. Sure, it could have been just an 80s insult, but it could also play into the fact that Billy has no one (particularly his father) that he can come out to, and he takes out those frustrations on others. Also another possible hint was when he went to the Wheeler household and said that Nancy “wasn’t his type.” Again, it could just be reading a little too deep, but it could also make sense and provide a more sympathetic character.

 

That could get pretty problematic if he’s also a racist piece of shit who beats up on little kids because they’re black and also abuses his little sister though right? Like...that’s not a great message...right?

 

I'm as sure as I can be that he's not supposed to be gay. At least it never crossed my mind. He checked out Nancys mom pretty hardcore. That whole little scene was pretty bad.

 

Yep. It’s a really cool framing and exactly what kids of the 80s would probably do. Hah. We did it and had no real monsters.

 

Billy was the quintessential 80s high school villain. (Discussing his sexuality without any real context within the show is weird.)

 

To me they do it because they are kids and they are trying to make sense of a fucked up situation, so they relate it to something they collectively know and understand. So I can understand the why, but what I don’t like is how accurate their interpretations always are. At a certain point it starts to become a little silly when the kids say, “oh this thing is like [ ] from D&D,” and then it behaves exactly like the thing from D&D. I’ve mentioned this already as one of the issues I have. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s noticable to me and I hope in future seasons their reliance on D&D really fucks them over somehow so they can stop depending on it.