Summer is a splash with Stranger Things season 3 on Netflix. Matt and Ross Duffer takes us back to 1985 full of nostalgia like the seasons before.
New to this season’s cast of Stranger Things is Carey Elwes (the Princess Bride) as a narcissistic mayor, Larry Kline, who represents America at that time. In one scene Mayor Kline has his cigar in mouth with a smile as “America the Beautiful” is played in the background. His role is perfectly played out in connection with the Russians. Billy’s (Dacre Montgomery) role expands as the lifeguard eye candy for moms at the local pool. Montgomery had a stand out performance this season providing depth, vulnerability, and sheer evil. He has full control over the pool yet not himself. His character arc was some better writing this season. Caleb’s younger sister Erica (Priah Ferguson) eases into her role feeling like a natural fit in the group. The dynamics between Erica and Dustin shines a light on the nerd community through a show which has made a come back since the mid-80s.
Where this season succeeds over Stranger Things‘ second season is aging the main characters appropriately and without force. The young love and relational dynamics of teens is a constant thread grounding a lot of the emotional responses. The group is coupled up, with the exception of Will, and Hopper shows feelings for someone. The writing and conversations fit within both the story and the character development. Many of the emotional conversations were character-based providing a more rounded script.
As the Cold War is just beginning during this time and nods to movies of the 80s always featuring Russian’s as the villains, this was perfect to have Russians step in as the central antagonist. The plot breaks up the main group into 3 sets of people all having clear goals with one connected storyline. It felt cohesive as a whole combined with their arcs. In the end, each group was given a code name to be used on the walkie-talkies.
Stranger Things would not be the show we have come to love without the creature. This was similar to what we’ve come to know but different in visual representation. It gathered mass from others remains. It was gross yet classic. The creature reminded me of T-1000’s liquid state in “T2: Judgement Day” tying into the film nostalgia I’ve come to love in the show’s foundation. This season must have received a bigger budget allowing the Duffers to license two film properties from 1985: “Back to the Future” & “Day of the Dead”.
Chapter 2 sets the tone with a montage of the Starcourt Mall and then they cut to Scoops Ahoy. This was so dramatic pulling you into the scene. Steve and Dustin see each other for the first time providing with an understanding of their friendship and Steve’s working relationship with Robin. Scoops Ahoy was a setting for many scenes later to come in the show. The use of the mall was almost a character in itself offering a backdrop and central location for a few episodes. Each time the show featured the mall, I was taken back to being the same age as the characters helping me relate in a new way I had not previously in the series.
I came in with hesitations as season 2 was not as impacting as season 1. Previous to the release of season 3, I did a rewatch of season 1 falling back in love with the show. This season offered better pacing than season 2 and more emotional depth. Chapters 4 and 8, the finale, stood out from the rest. I am left with many unanswered questions but my faith has been restored in the Duffers to continue with Stranger Things season 4.
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