Stranger Things
Stranger Things Season 4 is the fourth installment in the scifi-horror series created by the Duffer Brothers for Netflix. The fourth season had a 2 batch release with the first set of seven episodes Vol 1 released on the 27th of May 2022, while the second set of two episodes Vol 2 was released on the 1st of July 2022.
The premise of Stranger Things follows the story of a bunch of nerdy kids from the town of Hawkins who amidst their regular growing pains end up having to save their town from a threat that could easily be a few dice throws out of the pages of a Dungeons and Dragons game set.
Season 4 follows the story 6 months after the events of the last season of Stranger Things… (although they do look much much older considering its been 3 years since the last season, how time flies) The production had a significant budget increase and it shows, especially when you look at the episode length, the season finale is almost as long as a feature film.
*While I refrain from spoilers, continuing beyond this point might inadvertently be spoiler territory.
The Good
If Stephen King’s opinion is anything to go by, this season is better than the other 2 and also the darkest and scariest…
The episodes are significantly longer and they went all out to keep you reverted. When I watched it, had to wait for a month for the last two episodes but now it’s fully available for your bingeing pleasure.
The series has a focal group of characters and the directors manage to enlarge its scope using a divide and conquer approach where key characters are in separate settings and have parallel struggles which gives the plot a 3 pronged front.
Brings back 80s music.
The Bad
Coming out 3 years after the last, do yourself a favour and catch a recap compilation before diving into this one.
Longer episodes also mean that it has pacing issues. Particularly if you watched it as it was being released, then the final 2 episodes would have an unbalanced scrutiny since they come right after major plot points have been revealed and all you are waiting for is the final showdown.
The ending is rather anticlimactic but it sets the stage for the next season which is said will be action-packed right from the first episode gearing towards a final battle.
The Ugly
The main villain is rather freakish to behold… whats up with the nose? … kinda reminds me of Voldemort – is there some subtext on the corrupting nature of evil that makes one lose their nose?… Nobody knows
While the characters undergo story arcs which show their growth, probably as a reflection of how they are maturing and becoming self-aware; they tend to come to these realisations via confessional soliloquy with other characters which then fizzle out, without actually addressing any key issues flagged within. But I guess acknowledging a character flaw is the first step in fixing it.
Final Thoughts
I still binged through it regardless of episode length and I guess one can say there’s more of it to love ^_^ and I have a new song on repeat courtesy of the series Running Up The Hill Kate Bush.
The creators of Stranger Things say the fifth and last season will wrap up everything. Hopefully it wont be another 3 year wait.
~B
Becoming The Muse 
Because I don’t stream Netflix I haven’t been able to see 3 🫤 which really blows
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This thing about content being exclusive to certain services and platforms means one could easily end up having to subscribe to like 10 different things and only to get just one thing from each of those 😂
One platform to rule them all? Oh wait monopoly is bad, I forget the rules of capitalism.
~B
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Yeah, the thing is I get DVDs from Netflix but don’t stream Netflix (we do stream Hulu & Disney+ though), so I saw the first two seasons on DVD via The Platform that produces it.
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I never watch these types of movies, I am into romantic, comedy, and some drama. BUT, a few months ago my son and I were looking for something to watch and he heard good reviews about Stranger Things. I wasn’t quite sure what is was about but I agreed to watch it. I actually really liked it and ended up binge watching it. Not having to wait years in between episodes is definitely the way to watch it lol. I did limit myself to day time watching only because I get nightmares and try not watching shows like this, but like I mentioned, I thought it was really good.
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Its definitely a daytime sort of viewing… Also I think because the main cast were youngsters it gave it an entertaining air like those goosebumps novels which while can have scares they are in a good-natured sort of way, suitable for all ages 😂.
Although I think that the final season might be rather intense, especially with the cast being portrayed as older teens they are going to push the boundaries.
I am not surprised that its currently ranking as the most-watched show on Netflix.
~B
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Howdy B!
I always Love your reviews and this one does not disappoint. I agree with your assessment and we enjoyed Stranger Things immensely and I agree it was a long 3 years to wait. My daughter hated the Russia scenes (all the beatings and stuff) and asked me what I thought that subplot had to do with everything? Which up until the last release on July 1st no one really knew how that was going to tie in and now we know. I was happy to see crazy Yuri have a heart!!! I heard that when the last bit was released it crashed Netflix! Hahaha, quite the following, we watched over the weekend and thankfully had no issues.
I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next season!! 🤩
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Hiya 🐴
You know what I feel like the Russian scenes got dragged out – and I dont think the payoff of that sub plot was worth all that pain and suffering; if maybe they had another gate to the upside down world or something more than just the “dark particles”
I was also not amused by how the government had seemed to make an about turn from their position at the end of Season 3 you would have thought they would have been more proactive in securing the world from threats of the upside world instead they once again had to live the fate of Hawkins to the gang and instead of trying to aid them would rather be arresting or possible kill them.
Yuri was such a riot!!!! You’d never know whether to trust him or to hate him 😂 😂
~B
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Maybe I should give it another try 😊.
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Its only Netflix’s most watched show 😂 but of course you shouldn’t just give something a chance only because many people enjoy it ha!
Honestly though I think its quite a delight, the characters sort of grow on you.
~B
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Stranger things kinda reminds me of Harry Potter.
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You are right, there is definitely something very Harry Potter-esque about it.
The bad guy even looks like could easily be Voldemort too 😂
~B
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They took a thing or two from the film
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Nice review. I have just finished watching 4th season. I have written similarities between stranger things and stephen king books. Do read and share your comments. https://gobookmart.com/connection-of-stranger-things-to-stephen-kings-books/
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Will definitely do
Cheers hey
~B
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I really liked your review and all the points you made on the way the Duffer Brothers released the series. I liked how you talked about how all the different characters experiences intertwine. I also agree with what you had to say about Vecna.
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Thank you ^_^
Glad to be on same page with regards to Stranger Things ☕
Had to reread this to remember what exactly I had said 🤣🤣
~B
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