Stranger Things

First and foremost, Suzie. Biggest shock of the season, followed up by the funniest thing I’ve seen in a very long time. No tv show has ever made me laugh as much as that. Holy shit.

Damn Duffers trying to make me emotional in the very first episode with that Bob poster. I was skeptical of the Joyce/Hopper romance initially because I was thinking “Don’t forget Bob!”, but by the second-to-last episode I was on board. But no - I guess we’re never gonna let Joyce be happy. Or me for that matter. I’m assuming that Hopper’s still alive - he gave the gateway a look before the machine blew up, and the Russians after the credits talk about “The American”, so maybe he made it out? If the plot of the fourth season is rescuing Hopper then I’d be okay with that. I wasn’t very happy with the way he “died” so that would be a welcome development. Although his ending monologue did bring me to tears so I wouldn't be super upset if he was gone for good.

I liked the groups that they split into for the most part, if a bit disappointed that they didn’t really mix them up much. The Nancy/Jonathan adventure felt familiar and I wished they had other people to talk to. In fact Jonathan overall had very little to do this season. The group dynamic that worked best for me was the one with Dustin, Steve, Robin and Erica. The latter two are great additions, and I was honestly a bit surprised that I liked Robin so much. I really didn’t see that twist coming, but it works well. I’m sad for Steve, but I’m glad that he’s made a really good friend; hopefully she gets more time in the future.

If there’s a criticism I have, it’s the Russians. Like there’s nothing in particular which makes them more evil than the scientists from the first season, but they just seemed evil for evil's sake. The big guy in particular seems to exist only to kill off beloved characters (RIP Alexei: best redemption arc of the show). He was more irritating than intimidating imo. I am guessing/hoping they'll explain them more in the next season, but I'm doubtful. I was also kinda confused about how their role tied in to the main story. They're trying (and succeeding) to open the gate, and if you close the gate the Mind Flayer is destroyed. But if El closed the gate in the last season and the Mind Flayer in Hawkins was the part that came from Will, how is it still alive? I may have missed a bit of dialogue that explains it.

It was obvious last season, but again it’s clear that they read and listen to fan input when writing these. I had my issues in S2, but as I said I got over them. Here though I have no complaints. Erica is a lot of fun, and I found it funny that they try to pull the same stuff with Joyce and Hopper that they did with Nancy and Jonathan last time. I’m guessing they also listened to criticism about Billy since they made him such a focus of this season. Again I was surprised by how sad I was at his death. Kinda saw it coming, but they did a good job at making me care for the character.

If there’s a fourth season and I assume there will be, I’m expecting Mike to be about 6 feet tall.

I do not believe Hopper is dead, he is either the american in the Russian prison or he went into the upside down before the explosion, which would be a very good reason for the gang to risk going there again.

Glad Elle doesn't have her powers, it will be good for her to live as a regular kid for a while. They made it clear how much everyone relies on Elle to fight the monsters, which puts a lot of pressure on her. Let's just hope she doesn't get her powers back in the first episode of season 4 (is not confirmed but I'm positive it will happen, and I think it's likely to be the last one) so they have to fight some monsters with fireworks and baseball bats and whatever they can find.

Don't know how to feel about the Russians becoming the new big evil, I understand the USA army is done with the upside down and, being set in the 80's, the URRS makes sense as a replacement because those two spent the whole Cold War tryint to outdo each other, but this season also sent a very "yay capitalism!" message via Erica and is probably the result of being set in the 80's because that was the ideology America was selling to everyone, but they could have taken a more neutral approach. IDK.

ETA: Props to the Billy actor, he did a great job this season. I still hate the character, he was possesed and I don't blame him at all for what the monster did, but we didn't see him evolve from the abusive asshole he was in season 2. Had he survived he probably would have become nicer, but he never got the chance and even though I'm sorry he was abused, it doesn't take away the abuse he inflicted on Max, Steve and the gang.

I do feel sorry for Max though.

Also love the Max/Elle friendship, glad they listened to the fans and made them friends instead of jealous girls fighting for no reason because they don't even like the same guy.

What I loved: Scoops Troop was the highlight of the season. I think one of my favorite scenes was Robin coming out to Steve and his gentle acceptance of her. I loved that Suzy was real and her and Dustin singing the Neverending Story was hilarious. Erica was a great addition to the show and Dustin & Lucas giving her Will's old D&D games was a nice touch. Steve was a highlight this season as well, Joe Keery really rocks that role.
I did not care for Hopper and Joyce's bickering. I know they were going for Sam/Diane of Cheers dynamic but it was unnecessary.
Hopper's letter to El and Mike was emotional and like everyone else, I don't think he's dead. I think he is either in the Upside Down or is the American. Kind of hoping he's in the Upside Down though.
I also really liked Murray and I hope he's back somehow. Alexi's death hurt. I thought Dacre Montgomery did a wonderful job as Billy and possessed Billy (kind of wonder if he's the American?). I felt sad about Billy's death moreso because Max was sad (and her grief shouldn't be overlooked like it was in the show). Billy did have a shitty childhood and El telling him what she saw of his past was a wonderful scene too...but I don't know it was enough time to fully redeem the character. At the same time, had they fully redeemed him, it would have been Steve's arc as we discover that Steve is still trying to live down being an asshole in high school.
I wish Will had more of role. I like "fuck the patriarchy" Nancy.
I'll be curious how they get the gang all back together.