I just finished with the third season and it was probably the most thrilling to say the least. Let me just say that ‘Stranger Things’ is a true homage to the retro ambience of the early 1980’s American pop culture era, and how? It recreates an excellent template by exploring the styling of that decade so vividly, such as the characterization of the cast, soundtrack which is oh-so 80s no doubt, the environment, cars, and gadgets. The overall design of the series is just plain noteworthy — take a closer look at the poster. Doesn’t it resemble an Indiana Jones flick poster? And now, even the cold-war propaganda has been showcased with all its Soviet savagery in Season 3. Need I say it’s a breathtaking combination of supernatural horror saga that rides over an investigative drama led by a band of ‘nerdy’ kids as its central characters, and paired with the awesome psychokinetic abilities of ‘Eleven’ or “El” they venture around Hawkins to hunt the paranormal. That makes the series a lot more deserving of meritorious attention. Except when El has a gory nose.
On the basis of the last gripping episode of Season 3, “The Battle of Starcourt”, there was a subtle hint of an oncoming Season 4 in the series. Although, before get on to debating that aspect, there’s this scene in the final episode at the end where Eleven discovers through Joyce (Winona Ryder) that a note had been written and addressed to her by Jim Hopper, El’s guardian parent, who wanted to talk to his daughter. That emotional note is written with such profound zest (and narrated by Hopper / David Harbour with such poise) it’s a lesson in ‘existence’ for when someone feels totally depleted and miserable. Words of wisdom that I’d easily visualize every doting father on this planet would like to share with his teenage kids. Needless to say I’m a stickler for such nuances in anything I observe, and it’s easily one of my favourite parts about the series, an evidence of how well-written the script is just like any other Netflix show. You’ll concur with my sentiments after you go over the text and watch the episode too, it’s poignant.
Jesus. The truth is, for so long I’d forgotten what those even were. I’ve been stuck in one place. In a cave, you might say. A deep, dark cave. And then I left some Eggos out in the woods and you came into my life. For the first time in a long time, I started to feel things again. I started to feel happy. But lately, I guess I’ve been feeling distant from you. Like you’re pulling away from me or something. I miss playing board games every night, making triple decker Eggo extravaganzas at sunrise, watching Westerns together before we doze off.
But I know you’re getting older, growing, changing. I guess, if I’m being really honest, that’s what scares me. I don’t want things to change. So I think maybe that’s why I came in here, to try and make stop that change. To turn back the clock. To make things go back to how they were. But I know that’s naive. It’s just not how life works. It’s moving, always moving, whether you like it or not. And yeah, sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s sad. And sometimes, it’s surprising. Happy.
So you know what? Keep on growing up kid. Don’t let me stop you. Make mistakes, learn from ’em. When life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt. The hurt is good. It means you’re out of that cave. But, please, if you don’t mind, for the sake of your poor old dad, keep the door open three inches.
