'Stranger Things' Continues Strong Run with Heroes Maturing in Chapter Three

by Alea Jeremiah 
Netflix’s “Stranger Things” is back for it’s third chapter and you better believe the pressure was on for the Duffer Brothers. The show had millions hooked from season one but in my opinion, it’s gained a significant amount of fans throughout the years. Everyone was patiently waiting for season three … about a year longer than it should’ve been released. Having the release date so far from season two definitely had me nervous. But as I sat down to binge the entire thing, I was not disappointed.
 
Unlike the two previous chapters, we are taking place during the summer of 1985. This already means the fashion is great as well as the music. A brand new mall is the focus of the Hawkins locals and it’s as retro as it gets. Throughout the season all of our beloved characters are going through their own separate things. Mike and Elle are dealing with their newfound relationship which isn’t all rainbows. Max and Elle are becoming closer and it’s honestly the cutest friendship you’ll ever see. Dustin is off with Steve and his new coworker Robin, and Joyce and Hopper are in their own sort of emotional limbo. Can’t forget Jonathan and Nancy, they’re off at The Hawkins Post doing internships.
 
This season really shows a big coming of age for the boys. They aren’t little kids anymore, they’re growing up, getting into relationships. This is heartbreaking for Will to experience because of everything he went through the past couple of years. It’s not so easy for him to move on and mature as quickly as the others. He struggles to accept the fact that all four of them aren’t just playing D&D in Mike’s basement like they used to.
 
One major player season three brought in was the Russians. You find out pretty early that the Russians are doing some sort of work on what looks like to be the portal that Elle closed back in season two. And where better for them to do this than right under the brand new mall. Some of this is a lot of information to process and can get kind of confusing but if you’re paying attention you shouldn’t have a problem.
 
The one character that shines out in this season, in an evil way, is Max’s brother Billy. You can see if you watched the trailers that the Mindflayer is back in Hawkins and is using Billy to do his bidding. I thought this was interesting because it kind of gave a human body to the Mindflayer rather than a spider-looking figure. You do learn a whole lot about Billy’s past and why he is the way he is and let me tell you, it is quite heavy.
 
Without going into too many spoilers or minor details, everyone is doing their own thing and each of their paths eventually connect in the end for the biggest battle in the show’s history thus far. When I watched the last two episodes of season two I thought there was no way they could top it. And that is exactly what they did.
 
The performances this season were nothing but excellent, not too surprised given everyone has been incredible the entire run. Like I mentioned before, Dacre Montgomery as Billy was one of the highlights of the show, he was an absolute scene stealer. I also loved the scenes between Dustin, Steve and Robin. Bringing in a new member might’ve been kind of risky but it worked so well. She fit the dynamic and I hope they plan on using her a lot more in future seasons. The visuals were stunning and the soundtrack was really great.
 
Overall, I was not disappointed with this season at all and I don’t think I would change a thing. If you haven’t watched yet, please do so! And bring tissues!

*p.s. stay tuned for an after credit scene during the final episode*

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