Wow! This was one hell of an intense emotional and psychological ride...and it's not even done yet!!! Season 4 started out a little unsure; as if the story didn't really know where it was going. However, by about the fourth episode (and possibly the best episode in the whole show at this point!) it really began to find its footing and all the puzzle pieces were stating to take shape.
Hawkins, Indiana: Roughly a year after the Russian infiltration of Hawkins, Indiana that brought the subsequent release of the Mindslayer, which warped half of the town and murdered Billy Hargrove, and also causing the sudden death of Sherriff Jim "Hop" Hopper, a new evil has phantomized its way back into the hallways of Hawkins High School. Dead students are found in unexpected places, their bodies warped and twisted, their eyes burnt out and the primary suspect is a social outcast who is now on the run. Dustin, Lucas and Max, with the aid of Steve, Nancy and Robin have the knowledge to discover the truth But time is running out and the world of the Upside Down is becoming more real every second and the only person that can help Hawkins is all the way in California.
California: El Hopper Byers is still grieving the death of her adopted father, but she's determined to go on just as he would have wanted her too. However, with the loss of her powers, the separation from Mike and her friends and the struggle to fit in socially is wearing El down and she begins to sink into a depression of grief, anxiety and fear. After a series of events that has El believing that she's going to be locked up for life, she finds herself once again in the presence of Dr. Martin "Papa" Brenner. Believing the El has the capability to regain her powers to help her former town, Brenner has El undergo the former tests to help her recover lost memories, but what El discovers is a dark truth beyond any comprehension.
Kamchatka, Russia: Believed to be dead by his own town, Jim Hopper is very much alive, but any day could be his last as he struggles to survive in the Kamchatka Gulag. Jim has faces endless beatings and torture due to being an American (who was kidnapped from his own country by the Russians who were illegally in his) and he has only one man to give him aid. A Russian guard has promised Jim a way to escape the gulag, but freedom is a fleeting dream at times. While Jim is captured, he comes face to face with a familiar otherworldly creature that has him and his only friend fighting in every way to survive and make it home.
California/Utah/Russia: Of course it's not all darkness and danger in Stranger Things. What would this show be if there wasn't some squad out there trying to rescue someone? Fortunately this season gave us two. Mike, Will and Jonathan Byers and Jonathan's crazy, but loveable friend all set out to find El when she is taken by the police with no word as to where she's going. The boys have little to rely on, except a few numbers on a scrap of paper and only one girl living in Utah can decipher them.
Meanwhile, Joyce Byers receives a strange gift that alludes to the possibility that Hop is alive...in Russia. Unsure as what to do, Joyce calls on Murray Bauman, the eccentric conspiracy theorist and Russian expert. With little time at their disposal Joyce and Murray attempt a rescue mission so hysterical and insane, it should have merited its own film!
Season 4 packed a lot in terms of storytelling, however, the story was much more connected and by about the 6th episode you could definitely tell what the trajectory was going to be. In terms of characters, new and returning and character development, it was on point! The new characters were amazing and we ended up getting some unexpected heroes as well!
The character development from the kids who are now in high school and certainly have bigger things to worry about than they did a year before. The writing for Max Mayfield who is overcoming the trauma and guilt of her half-brother's death was exceptional and Sadie Sink's performance was phenomenal. Her episode (ep. 4 - Dear Billy) had me breathless afterwards. It was truly a masterpiece episode.
Of course, volume 1 of the show landed on a cliffhanger of which we had to wait an entire month to finish, yet it was worth the wait. I felt with season 4 there were many loose ends that were tied up and questions that were finally answered too. Season 4 was excellent and enjoyable and a good lead up into the finale Season 5.
My sister and I were super pumped for this season and it really surpised me. They threw a few twists which I really liked. There were so many different groups, and yet they all impacted each other. Murray and Argyle really brought some much needed humor. Of the different story lines, Hopper's trip in Russia was unique. They put so many of the characters through the ringer.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree on the Dear Billy episode. I think the writers did a great job showing the aftershocks that come with saving the world. So many of our heros bottle up their emotions and see how negatively that effects them. Saving the world comes with a cost. For some that meant leaning onto others shoulders or revealing a long held secret. I absoltuly loved that Steve stepped in and protected Max. Lossing her brother, she needed a strong male role model. Looking forward to seeing how things end in season 5.
This season was amazing! I loved the new characters, especially Argyle! He was some much needed comic relief. I totally agree about Steve and how he has become her surrogate brother figure to Max. Steve is just a great character all around!
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