Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1

Relaxed review. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

HOLY SHIT what an ending was that? OH SHIT BURN. The final scene is absolutely badass. Overall I think the Duffer Brothers, especially this season, delivered their best work. First of all, if there is one thing the Duffer Brothers truly excel at, and you have to give them credit for it, it is character development. The way a character begins and the way they evolve in this story is brilliantly crafted and genuinely satisfying for the viewer. From Steve, who starts as a bully (whether he was justified or not is another conversation) and ends up becoming someone who cares deeply about others, fearless, likable, even a father figure to Dustin, to Will who begins as a low-profile, slightly whiny kid who constantly needs saving, who bottles up every hardship, always scared and fragile at the thought of losing his loved ones, only to later deliver the most badass scene we have seen in the series so far.

Moving on, the entire redemption arc of Dustin is amazing, a true broscar moment in honor of Eddie, whose memory he feels is being disrespected. Same with Lucas standing up for his best friend, showing that when you are friends, brothers, family, you stick together even in the worst moments. And then you think this is wrong, this shouldn’t happen. Incredible bromance scenes that highlight the power of friendship.

And I saved for last the sacrifice and the parent-child dynamic we constantly see in the first part, which is absolutely badass. The scenes with Mrs Wheeler stepping in front to defend her daughter against an overwhelmingly stronger Demogorgon, Joyce throwing herself in harm’s way terrified that Vecna will hurt her son, Hopper’s desperate attempt to save Eleven from Dr Key, all of it is badass. Add to that how the women (Robin-Joyce-NotNancy-Karen) and essentially the mothers are portrayed as strong, dynamic figures compared to how similar roles are depicted today. It is awesome and so wonderfully 80s. Everything tied to the parent-child bond is pure fire. On the downside, the show still drags on the Nancy-Steve-Jonathan love triangle that absolutely no one cares about, adds nothing and goes nowhere. The whole Max storyline both here and in the previous season is filled with convenient coincidences (the Walkman breaking from the basketball player, the song stopping right as she wakes up) which is a plot hole, though you accept it because the story has to move forward somehow.

All things considered, in my view the season was insanely good and absolutely lived up to the hype.