Ok, there are things I do not like about Stranger Things: Season 5 Part 1.  I’m going to get into them in detail, but before I do, I have to say I’ve read a few more reviews than usual before watching the first four episodes.  Frequently I disagree with reviewers, but this time it seems like they’re out to take the popular show down a peg. 

Reviews in the Streaming Age

I’m not trying to turn this into a review of reviews, but more often it seems like critics have lost touch with what audiences are looking for in media, particularly bingeable streaming shows. Netflix and other services changed the delivery model with short seasons released in bursts with large gaps between arcs.  Storytelling and viewer expectations evolved, and how we critique these stories needs to adapt as well. 

All that being said, if a story in whatever format doesn’t work for you, then it doesn’t work. No amount of intellectualization is going to make me enjoy the changes to Dustin’s character and the short amount of time left to resolve them. More on this later. I can understand why exposition is delivered and appreciate the need for breakneck pacing in a final season, all while still not loving every part of the show. 

Critiquing critique is tricky. There is no objective truth about the quality of any art. It can be fair to point out details or discuss a different perspective on a character the reviewer might have missed.

I’m going to harp on that last point for a second, because a common point I have seen in reviews alludes to a lack of character growth and development.  I disagree with this for many of the characters.  A bigger problem might be the number of characters and the desire for equal time given to their storylines.  Or it could be that since there was a bit more time given to a character who was pretty useless in previous seasons, the others looked more stagnant by comparison.  

Where We Left Off

But that’s not what I got out of it. It’s been three years since Stranger Things season four premiered, and I haven’t watched it since then. At the end of that arc, Hawkins was split by a rift between the Upside Down and the “real” world. Max was in a coma, and Vecna was beaten but not killed.  Most importantly after a season of Eleven, the Byers’ and Mike in California, and Hop and Joyce in Russia, everyone else was dealing with Vecna on their own. 

Now, Hawkins is quarantined by the Army. The group searches the Upside Down for Vecna while Eleven evades capture, and everyone adjusts to their new life.  Everyone is given at least one significant emotional beat in the first half. It’s not equal time, there are too many people for that. It does for me feel like enough to let the audience know that everyone is playing a significant role. Unlike previous seasons, no one is deadweight.  Well, almost. 

Before I get to my complaints, I have to say that the show seems to have gone out of its way to address issues from the previous season.  It’s acknowledging in the script that characters were and are in a bad place and behaving badly.  I dig that. There is a lot of open communication between characters. Which makes sense, there is a lot to get through and even with extended episode times, not a lot of time left.  We don’t have time to play miscommunication games.

The Bad

Which is why Dustin is so irritating this season. Every character should know how high the stakes are. Yes, I know he is a teenager with a yet-to-be fully formed brain. I know he is grieving and dealing with an unjust world. He is also facing end-of-the-world-type shit and acting like it’s getting in the way of his high-school drama.  We all miss Eddie. He’s in a better place now, financially anyway.  While I enjoy Steve Harrington dropping truth bombs on everyone, two episodes in, I was already tired of Dustin’s new attitude. Save the day, then deal with your shit, kid. 

The Better

If that sounds overly harsh, it’s probably because the other notable character arc was so much better. Will, who has either been a victim or an anchor for four seasons, finally gets a personality. He’s taking the first steps out of his mother’s well-meaning but over-controlling grip. He’s making new friends and becoming more than the quiet one in the group. Yes, the lesson he learns is presented a bit obviously at the end. It’s an important one and I like the way it’s stated. It resolves in such a creepy and satisfying way.  In four episodes, Will went from my least favorite character to top tier. 

As for my other favorites, Hop and Eleven are learning how to work together while being father and daughter. It’s touching and fun. They have to learn how to trust each other in different ways. I dig it. I also like the resolution of this storyline and the mini-cliffhanger it ends on. Not going to spoil this. I will say that I don’t believe this was always intended. However, I do like that they are wrapping up as much as they can. 

The end of the first half sets up a huge and ultimate confrontation. Much of this seemed to be establishing the pieces on the board, who is important and why.  We’re establishing stakes, personal risk, and consequences. This is all important. Most important, we end with a glimmer of hope. Things are dire but all is not lost. 

Pacing!

It’s good pacing. Yeah, I don’t say that very often. We ended up watching all four episodes in one night. I didn’t intend to, but at a certain point I had to find out what happened next.  By halfway through the fourth episode, H³  and I were exchanging theories and guesses about what would happen next. In short, we had fun watching. What else do you need? 

Stranger Things first premiered in 2016. Now almost 10 years later, it would be impossible for anyone to view the final season impartially. We’ve literally watched these kids grow up. 

Final Thoughts.

The world has changed around the context of Stranger Things.. Covid, writer strikes, politics. ‘80s nostalgia has never seemed more relevant than in the past few years. But just as the kids are aging out of their roles, maybe we are outgrowing our need to cling to what we idealize about the ‘80s. It’s hard to romanticize the past when you are reminded of the consequences of it. This is not the fault of the creators, writers, or directors, but good or bad, timing will always matter.  It remains to be seen how the Duffer brothers will wrap up their now-iconic series, but no matter what, it’s left its mark. . 

Stranger Things Seasons 1-5 part 1 are now streaming on Netflix.

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