I was hesitant to even watch season 3 of Netflix’s show, Stranger Things. Season 2 brought nothing new to the show and I feared the same for Season 3; after committing to the new 8 episodes, my broad stroked predictions were pretty accurate.
There were definitely things I enjoyed about the new season (and the show in general), but it is missing key elements and I feel like we are getting a recycled storyline (fight monster, close portal; wash, rinse, repeat).
I’m calling for the Stranger Things’ show runners to reach out for help. Matt and Ross Duffer write and direct the majority of the show’s episodes and they have executed on great treatments and overarching themes, but they lack the capability to effectively establish character development. The lack of character development is extremely detrimental to the show. It’s important to have sub themes inside the overarching theme and Stranger Things fails to do that, because it’s sub themes fall flat.
Especially for Eleven, the viewers need more development. When is Eleven going to realize her origin and her pure potential of her abilities? When is she going to learn to unleash the true power and run shit. Are we forever going to see her being held back by bloody noses and fatigue from overuse? And now the show is teasing her powers have possibly disappeared? I’m not buying it.
There were brief and subtle character development moments; Eleven reading the letter from Hopper at the end and extremely villainizing Billy and then transitioning him fighting off the mind control and holding off the Mind Flayer just long enough to become a martyr were examples of this. But, character development was not stringed through the season/series enough.
In addition to Eleven’s personal growth, what we need more of:
The Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson bromance. Who doesn’t love that? There was too much focus on Steve and the new character Robin, which provided a let down in where that story arc had appeared to be going #justfriends.
Jonathan and Nancy growing as a power couple. Why are they separating at the end of the season? They are both now adults in the work life, why does Jonathan need to follow his Mom to move out of Hawkins?
I don’t even really want to get into the ridiculousness of Mayor Kline’s character…
Give us scenes of Will Byers, where he's not grabbing his neck and trembling in fear
More about Hopper - he just out of the blue wanted to date Joyce? We see he is abrasive, over-protective, compassionate and can put a few drinks down; but, do we really know who Hopper is?
Please, someone correct me if I’m missing something; I am writing this off of one viewing’s recollection, but Season 3’s major plot holes:
Why did it take so long (about ⅓ of the season) for the characters to even begin to think or realize the monsters could potentially be back; that would always be my first thought after living through something like that. Instead, we had to suffer through episodes about magnet tests, power outages, and pre-teen drama.
Why do the Russians want to open the portal to the upside down!?! What benefit is this for them??? Not only was this not explained, there wasn’t even anything alluding to the reasoning.
Also, less important but, what was the plasma sourced from, that powered the machine to open the portal to the upside down?
I wasn’t convinced Hopper was dead, from the jump. There was a scene after the machine to the portal combusted, where Joyce looked out to the walkway and the way the camera keyed in on it as if this is where his ashes/body should be / would have been, gave it away for me. If Hopper isn’t the American in captivity at the end (after the credits), then I’ll be shocked - some of the people in hazmat suits must have saved/captured him. But if this is the case, how the hell would they get back to Russia and escape the US military that stormed the mall??
A few other kind words:
I did like the addition of some characters this season, especially Lucas’ sister, Erica; she brought a blunt, whitty, and intelligent attitude to the group.
Addition of Dustin’s girlfriend from camp, Suzie, was quite hilarious; the singing scene juxtaposed to the monster chasing the kids in the car, was great.
The re-introduction of the conspiracy enthusiast / russsian translator, Murray was great. Someone like him does not need immense character development; he is perfect how he is.
Overall I’m giving this season of Stranger Things a C- (7/10), due to everything mentioned above along with really just watching the same monster plot over again, in a new way. There is a lot of room for improvement and I think if the show runners can really get season 4 right, then they can save the integrity of the show and perhaps make it last a few more seasons; especially with the kid actors getting and looking older rapidly, the Stranger Things’ show runners need not to miss the opportunity to extend the life of the show. Great cinematography, VFX, and epic battle scenes will not save this show.
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