Stranger Things

After hearing a certain amount of hype about this show, we decided to check it out. We watched a couple of episodes over a couple of days, then let it lie for a bit. (This gave me an interesting view of “watching a show over time versus the typical binge-sesh”, but that is another blog entry for another day.) Once the creepy-feeling-nervous-nights level intrigue was met, I knew I had to continue in the series. I had too many questions. 

I believe mystery is one of the most sure fire ways to make a show compelling, and this show is built on it. Designed directly from a 1980’s sci-fi mystery novel, (something I admittedly know NOTHING about,) the show strikes every nostalgic and synthesizer chord. Like Netflix does, (IN NETFLIX I PRAY,) the show deftly combines the warm realistic style of the 80’s, science fiction to get even the most jaded viewer enthralled, writing most shows can only dream of achieving, shockingly good acting, and a transcendent, genius level of scoring. Seriously though, I cannot give enough praise to the music on this show. It is next-level good. It is stuff I crave to hear on a daily basis. (Which I actually have been since – it’s from half of the foursome S U R V I V E) It is an excellent example of what perfectly tuned-in directing can do for a show. It’s one of those shows I feel like my words cannot do it justice. To really understand what superb direction can do for a story, you just have to watch it. 

Through the first half of the season I was a bit skeptical, fearing the show was mostly hype. I began to convince myself that the direction is what makes the show (it does, to a degree.) But once I ended the series, I knew there were some truly brilliant show-runners at the helm. As we were watching it I asked myself how the show would be with less talented direction, and it simply would not hold up. The story would feel tired and cheesy. The acting wouldn’t be as emphasized with any other score. The cinematography is keen, simple, yet familiar while beautiful and recognizable. There’s something wistful about the sans sidewalk bicycle laden streets in these leafy neighborhoods plucked from evocative Anytown USA. (I feel like that was the most overly wordy pretentious thing I’ve ever written. But I like it???) 

The story is about small town Indiana preteens whose friend goes missing, then stumble upon a girl with superhuman powers. A monster is involved, (I don’t believe that’s a spoiler,) some government-level scientists are involved, (as they are,) and some bafflingly good adolescent acting is quite involved too. Winona Ryder gives some of the best acting of her life as the missing boy’s mother. I don’t want to give spoilers, but there are some moments where DAMN she is good. (I’m a mom, and, being a mom makes you overly emotional at mom parts in stuff. DON’T JUDGE. It comes with the gig, and it hurts.) The plot arch moves perfectly, the pacing is perfection. This is not a show like Lost, you will get your major questions answered. In fact, maybe a little too much. After seeing a Buzzfeed listicle begging for 368 questions to be answered once the season ended, I set myself up to be disappointed in what gets resolved. Once we finished the show however, I found it to be almost too conclusive. 99% of the story gets wrapped up in a neat little American Storytelling sized bow. The show does have its questionable moments. There are a couple characters that are too cheesy and throwaway, there are actions made by people that don’t seem realistic. But the show makes it crystal-Pepsi-clear you are watching a modern exalted offering of the sacred yet oft-recreated 80’s horror, sci-fi, and thriller genres. (Crystal Pepsi was ’92-’93, I KNOW. I couldn’t resist the pun.) There are almost too many direct nods to the classics, including Alien, E.T., an actual Stephen King novel being read, (-thanks for the note, June!) Stand By Me, The Goonies, and imagery shockingly similar to another recent sci-fi film I’ve seen, (Under the Skin,) leading me to conclude both shots are referencing a third film I’ve never seen. 

The show follows a clear book format, using chapter headings and advertising art akin to an 80’s science fiction thriller. The title card looks like it leapt off a book cover and got processed through a 1984 Apple CGI system akin to the software that created Tron. Which leads me to my next, exhaustive, digressive point…

The moment season one of Stranger Things ended, my husband and I got into a 1am ninety minute civilized yet shouty discussion of the future of the show, where we hoped it would go, and where we believed it would go. Tommy said he was happy with where the season ends, cannot wait to see season two, and trusts the storytellers. He speculates we are seeing merely a swatch of the story, knowing that the creators (The Duffer Brothers) have a much bigger and extensive story set in place to be portrayed over various meticulously crafted seasons. (Correct me if I’m wrong, Thomas.) I, on the other hand, felt so shockingly satisfied by the way the season ended, that I lamented and wished the next season would be a new “book in the series”, so to speak. Why keep on a story that feels so conclusive? Sure, this may only be a peek into the overall story, but I’m so happy with what I’ve seen! I don’t want to see more of these people in this place with this situation! I was distinctly shown this story is a book, wouldn’t the end of the season be the end of the book? Can’t we have another book in the series of Stranger Things, about some other, absurd and intriguing stranger things?? (SPOILER:) Yesterday I saw a headline saying “Stranger Things Creators Have Heard Us, and They’re Promising Justice for Barb.” This is exactly my problem with the world right now. We no longer have trust in the showrunners, but feel like petitions need to be signed and cyber feet stamped to get the stories we are entitled to. Why does Barb need justice?? Why can’t we accept her ending as it was shown, maybe even leaving some theoretical residual action up to our own imaginations? (I know the irony in these two juxtaposing thoughts. To quote a ruthless beloved TV character, “I’m a woman. I can be as contrary as I’d like.” Hrmmph.)

Since I’ve been thinking about this, I’ve seen a few op-eds that agree with me. Stranger Things ended on SUCH a satisfying note, some of us want the show as an Anthology series instead of an overwrought wrung-dry slave to the money making Netflix machine. I mean, I’m just speaking for myself here. Still tho. ICYMI – the show has surpassed Daredevil and Making A Murderer in the most popular Netflix series. 8.2 million viewers in the first 16 days of airing. I MEEEAAANNN…….c’mon. 

Here was my conclusion. Thomas has a very optimistic point of view with how the story will progress. (I don’t think it’ll be bad, season two, no.) I am pessimistic though. Why tamper with a good thing? Why not let it lie? Oh, I know. Because I want TV to be Film. And right now film wants to be TV. The quality of film right now is lacking, and TV is picking up the slack. Major film actors and actresses have jumped a sinking showbiz ship and swam to the idiot box shore. TV is king right now. Where Hollywood won’t take the risk, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon do. And these risks are paying off. I’m not going to delve too far into it now, but we can probably all agree that film is in the shitter while TV thrives. Because of this, I’m craving for my film format fix in a TV setting. I want stories to be conclusive, whole, vignette-y, and satisfying. I want season one of Stranger Things to be its own little story, like a film. Meanwhile, quite absurdly, Hollywood is attempting to emulate television in its episodic format. How many sequels to a snoozey blockbuster do the people have to endure? Did there REALLY need to be a Now You See Me 2? Fast and Furious 39? Or seventy hundred million comic book movies?? Or every Pixar film now getting a sequel or prequel?!? (YOU’RE BETTER THAN THAT, PIXAR. GO TO YOUR ROOM.) It’s absurd, right?? Well, all I can say is, I blame Hollywood for giving me a deserved complex as to what my expectations of the mediums are. And honestly that’s all I have to say about that.