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Author Topic: Stranger Things  (Read 3256 times)
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DannyJC13

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« on: 08-12-2016 15:35 »

I'm surprised this hasn't had its own thread yet, since everyone on Earth is talking about it.

So, yeah, who here has watched the show? The score is phenomenal & the 80s vibe is fantastic. Great acting all around. I found myself more interested in the characters than the general plot (the ending was pretty weak, imo).
winna

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« Reply #1 on: 08-12-2016 15:59 »

Tell me all about it and the spoiler stuff too.  That way I can watch the show vicariously through you because I don't have netflix. K thx. :)

Also get Beamer to post about tv too. K thx bai. :)
UnrealLegend

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« Reply #2 on: 08-15-2016 23:32 »

This show is amazing.

They somehow found the only 5 child actors in the world who are actually really fucking good.
cyber_turnip

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« Reply #3 on: 08-23-2016 12:57 »

It plays out exactly as it was obviously going to from the first episode. No twists or turns. Nothing particularly interesting. Dull characters. Fairly boring for the most part. But it feels exactly like it's from the '80s, so I guess it's brilliant.
JoshTheater

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« Reply #4 on: 08-23-2016 22:24 »

Oh my god, you're the first person I've yet heard say what I've wanted to hear someone say since I watched it. Thank you.
UnrealLegend

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« Reply #5 on: 08-23-2016 23:31 »

I was fairly... not born during the 80's, so I doubt nostalgia has anything to do with it.

I suppose it was fairly by-the-books but come on, the girl who played Eleven was phenomenal.
DannyJC13

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« Reply #6 on: 08-24-2016 21:48 »
« Last Edit on: 08-24-2016 21:51 »

I 100% agree that the plot is nothing special.

But dull characters? Bad acting? No way. Winona Ryder is the only one who I thought was kind of "meh". And perhaps Matthew Modine, but he didn't do enough for me to give a full opinion.
Tachyon

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« Reply #7 on: 08-25-2016 05:43 »


Amazingly enough, I watched the first episode today.  I thought Ryder's character was fine.  Some of the group dynamics between the kids seemed a bit forced and unnatural, but overall it was fine.  Not enough to interest me sufficiently to want to seek out additional episodes, though.

cyber_turnip

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« Reply #8 on: 08-25-2016 11:44 »
« Last Edit on: 08-25-2016 11:46 »

Who said anything about bad acting?

There's nothing wrong with the production values in the series. In fact, I'd say the acting is very good, it's shot well and the music is pretty great - at least by TV standards. My issues are purely with the writing, and even then, in a fairly broad sense. The story just isn't very interesting.
winna

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« Reply #9 on: 08-25-2016 23:58 »

So it's basically like 21 Jump Street?
DannyJC13

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« Reply #10 on: 08-31-2016 23:11 »

Get HYPE!

winna

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« Reply #11 on: 09-03-2016 06:18 »

Chris told me it's also another Lost.  Do the writers exist?
Gorky

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« Reply #12 on: 10-28-2017 15:21 »
« Last Edit on: 11-30-2017 04:05 »

[Aw, shit, I meant to quote a part of this post in a whole new post, but instead I somehow just completely deleted the original post like a damn fool. Oh well, it's not like I had anything all that insightful to say about season one that hasn't already been said. #JusticeForBarb or whatever.]
UnrealLegend

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« Reply #13 on: 10-30-2017 12:50 »

Season two spoilers below!

I finished season two yesterday. Apart from that episode with those edgy punks, I thought the season was just as good as the first.

The acting is super good, especially from the actress who plays Joyce. Her desperation and passion during some of the more intense scenes with Will is just phenomenal. Really, the acting overall is pretty much top-notch. I particularly liked Sean Astin's character. I haven't seen him in anything besides Lord of the Rings but he played the lovable regular dude perfectly.

I liked the use of Steve towards the end, with him helping the kids. Nancy and Jonathan weren't standouts but the "How was the pullout?" joke; and Jonathon's subsequent reaction, were just priceless  :laff:

As I mentioned earlier, the episode with those dodgy hooligans wasn't great, mainly because it felt so out-of-place. I understand its purpose in the show; to show the path that Eleven could take if she made poor decisions, but it didn't need an entire episode, and none of the characters except maybe the main Indian girl were any good.

Maxine's brother also seemed like a rather one dimensional character (like the bullies from the first season) but Max herself feels like a good addition to the "party". I was kind of surprised that Mike never ended up accepting her; it seemed like it'd be a natural development but it was just left hanging. I'm sure that'll be resolved next season, though. Speaking of Mike, it felt weird that he wasn't in it much. Last season he was pretty much the main character, but it seems like Will (who is obviously the backbone of the entire plot, just like in season one) and Dustin have taken more screen time.

Season two felt like it was taking a more scary approach (which I like). It's been a while since I saw the first but it also felt bloodier... Bob's death was particularly hard to watch, especially with Joyce's reaction.

Can't wait for season three. I'm kind of surprised about the mixed reactions on PEEL. For me, Stranger Things has some of the best atmosphere and especially acting on the world of television. I have no doubt that at least some of the child actors will go on to be successful.
DannyJC13

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« Reply #14 on: 10-31-2017 21:45 »

Season 2 was fun but definitely weaker than the first season, by a long-shot.

The 8 plot felt super rushed & out-of-place with the rest of the show, it only served as a way of developing 11's character a little. I mean, it's a pretty big deal that there's another test subject out in the world, but its just brushed over like it's nothing. You think 11 would at least tell Hopper (I also have several issues with the Hopper/11 plot/relationship).

I was hyped to see what Billy was gonna be like, but turns out he's just a massive asshole and his storyline (if you could even call it that?) went absolutely nowhere. Again, like 8, he kind of existed just to push another character's development forward (Max). I get it, he has problems with his dad, which no doubt they will explore more in future seasons, but his appearance in season 2 didn't really feel necessary.

Steve is my favourite character but he's sort of in a void right now, not sure where they can take his character. It's nice that he's okay with losing Nancy & he's dropped the jock douche attitude, but man, Nancy was a bitch this season (her & Jonathan getting together felt kind of forced). Also, why did Joyce not give a shit that she hadn't seen Jonathan in days? I know they were dealing with Will, but it's a bit ironic, don't you think?

The presence of the lab felt really weak, it turned into a weird makeshift hospital were the staff/shady government figures were suddenly regular nice guys.

They also held off the reintroduction of 11 with the main boys for waaaaay too long, and I feel like Mike had almost nothing to do this season.

Basically, my main gripe with season 2: LOTS of new stories/lore/characters/mysteries, but almost no exposition or breathing room. Seems like they threw a bunch of ideas in a pot and tried to make it work. But still, I love this show and I look forward to season 3 & 4. :)

UnrealLegend

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« Reply #15 on: 11-05-2017 11:17 »

The 8 plot felt super rushed & out-of-place with the rest of the show, it only served as a way of developing 11's character a little. I mean, it's a pretty big deal that there's another test subject out in the world, but its just brushed over like it's nothing.

I agree with this assessment. Obviously this will be important in the future but the fact that it was an entire episode was a bit of a bore. Hopefully they'll keep Eight but drop the others.

I was hyped to see what Billy was gonna be like, but turns out he's just a massive asshole and his storyline (if you could even call it that?) went absolutely nowhere. Again, like 8, he kind of existed just to push another character's development forward (Max). I get it, he has problems with his dad, which no doubt they will explore more in future seasons, but his appearance in season 2 didn't really feel necessary.

I don't think there's anything wrong with introducing a character early with the intention of developing them later, but yeah as I said above he was kind of one-note. After Maxine's declaration of dominance there might be a really interesting dynamic there.

I had a look at Netflix's Beyond Stranger Things, which is basically a series of interviews with the cast and crew, and Billy was written to be a human antagonist; to be the irredeemable dickhead that tries to forcibly keep Maxine and Lucas apart and compete with Steve to be the high school alpha-male. I'd prefer if they keep Billy as an antagonist, since Steve has already filled the prick-turned-badass role. If his dad becomes a regular character then I think there's some interesting storytelling potential floating around somewhere, as well.

Steve is my favourite character but he's sort of in a void right now, not sure where they can take his character.

I thought they made it quite obvious that he's gonna be the new big brother for Dustin, and maybe be the muscle for the kids when necessary. I loved everything about the dynamic between those two. Another reason I'm glad it's a thing is because it gives a believable reason for Steve to be involved in the story. After his breakup with Nancy I wasn't sure what would be next for him.

Also: aside from said breakup, why exactly was Nancy a bitch this season? Her pursuit of getting the truth about Barb to her parents was pretty selfless as was her sticking with Will when he was having a shadow-monster seizure-exorcism. It's possible I forgot about something.

Also, why did Joyce not give a shit that she hadn't seen Jonathan in days? I know they were dealing with Will, but it's a bit ironic, don't you think?

I thought about this as well. I guess the 80's were a different world. I thought it even stranger that Nancy and Mike's parents didn't seem concerned about them being gone for so long.

The presence of the lab felt really weak, it turned into a weird makeshift hospital were the staff/shady government figures were suddenly regular nice guys.

They always seemed kind of inconsistent to me. In the first season they kill that first guy who finds Eleven for basically no reason, but at the end they don't seem too concerned about all the main characters knowing all their secrets. I did love how they made it seem like the doctor (forgot his name) was trying to direct Bob to his death but was instead genuinely trying to get him out. Oh, Bob. :cry:

They also held off the reintroduction of 11 with the main boys for waaaaay too long, and I feel like Mike had almost nothing to do this season.

I liked that. It made the payoff much more satisfying. Mind you, I'm the kind of guy who loves a slow burn and a gradual pace. And as great as Mike might be, I don't mind that they put him on the sidelines so Dustin and Lucas could get some more focus. I wasn't a huge fan of his rather forced dislike of Maxine though (by the way, I'm not calling her Max. I love the name Maxine too much :D).
Gorky

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« Reply #16 on: 11-30-2017 04:00 »
« Last Edit on: 11-30-2017 04:08 »

Had some technical difficulties--you'd think I haven't been posting on this site for almost 14 years--but now I think I've figured things out. Here goes...

So I just finished up season two, and I think I agree with UrL, for the most part. It's still a solid show, with fantastic performances (Joyce's actress's name is Winona Ryder, by the way, and I agree that she is a wonder to behold), and it's just a whole lot of fun.

Again, I have to say Joyce and Hopper are my favorite characters, though I'm also quite fond of Nancy (Team Jonathan/Nancy FTW). I quite enjoyed El in the first season, but this time around she wasn't especially compelling to me; she's far more interesting when she's interacting with the rest of the Party (though I did love her dynamic with Hopper). And I'm still not sold on Steve, even though the internet has made a meme of Babysitter!Steve or whatever; I can't decide if it's the character himself, or just the actor who rubs me the wrong way. Like, he's fine or whatever, but I don't get the near-unanimous love for the guy that's been blowing up my Facebook feed for a month now.

While Steve's character development left me underwhelmed, I did appreciate the fleshing-out of Lucas and Dustin's characters (oh, and Lucas's little sister is without a doubt my favorite new character of the season: such sass!). Last season I felt like Lucas especially was pretty half-baked--even the mostly-absent Will had a more differentiated personality--but I thought the stuff he was given to do with Max (which tested his loyalty to the Party, which I guess was sort of an extension of his arc, such as it was, in the first season) was cute and fun and nice.

So, yeah, I guess I'm eager to see what happens next season. I'd love for Will to get a story-line where he actually gets to be himself, and not some monster-possessed loony, and it'll be nice if Mike can move back into the spotlight (he was mostly wasted this season, and when he was around I found his pooh-poohing of everything to be real annoying). Oh, and if Joyce and Hopper don't eventually get together (but RIP, Bob--we hardly knew ye), I'll pitch myself a li'l ol' fit.
winna

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« Reply #17 on: 11-30-2017 04:39 »

I liked Winona Ryder in Alien: Resurrection.
UnrealLegend

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« Reply #18 on: 11-30-2017 08:37 »

I'd love for Will to get a story-line where he actually gets to be himself, and not some monster-possessed loony

Oh yeah. I feel so bad for the poor little guy.
UnrealLegend

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« Reply #19 on: 07-05-2019 16:10 »

I just finished season 3, and I forgot how much I love this show! Spoilers ahead:

The first two episodes are kind of weird; Mike, Hopper and Max are kind of annoying to start with and almost feel like Flanderised versions of themselves. But when the teen-drama dies down a bit, things crank up to 11 (pun not intended) and it's excellent all he way until the end.

I appreciate that the characters are kind of changing as they get older. I especially like how Eleven and Max are really close now, since their "rivalry" irked me last season. I wasn't sold on Dustin being separated from the main group for so long at first, but I came to really like Robin and the dynamic she added to the Dustin/Steve scenes. The scene where she and Steve talk in the bathroom was really touching and made me like Steve even more.

Now, let's talk about Billy. He was a pretty one-dimensional character in season 2, and while that's still true for season 3, having him him be the new host for the mind-flayer made it work, and Dacre Montgomery really showed off his acting chops in the sauna scene when the mind-flayer temporarily lost its hold and he was in tears.

Oh and speaking of tears, that ending stung. It does seem implied that Hopper somehow survived but the aftermath was handled so damn well. Eleven reading his speech was so sad. :(

There were a few small things I didn't like, which I'll put in spoiler tags so I don't pollute my post with negativity:

Tweek

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« Reply #20 on: 02-02-2020 16:48 »

I only discovered this series a week and a half ago... I enjoyed it so much I've already watched all three seasons and look forward to the fourth.
UnrealLegend

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« Reply #21 on: 05-29-2022 08:44 »

Reading some of my other posts hear, it's become apparent that this show is in fact, strange. Every time I randomly think about it during the long gaps between seasons I go "Oh yeah, that silly teen-horror show in the 80s. That's pretty fun." And then when there's new episodes, I'm completely at the edge of my seat the entire way through.

Season 4 is no different in that regard. It's still kind of lame at times but when it hits the right notes it fucking nails them. "Dear Billy" was an absolutely incredible episode and Sadie Sink (Max) deserves an award for that last scene alone.

The episodes are really long, and some plotlines feel kind of repetitive and drawn out. Until the last few minutes of episode 7 this was my major complaint, but then I changed my mind when it suddenly collapsed into an amazing plot twist that made everything leading up to it worth it.

Also, how the heck do Will and Eleven suddenly look like they're in their thirties?! This isn't just because the actors got older; those hairstyles are not doing them any favours at all.
Farnsworth38

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« Reply #22 on: 06-04-2022 16:17 »

I don't watch Stranger Things, but I hear Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush is back in the charts due to being featured in the show, so perhaps there will be a new generation of KB fans as a result.
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