Show Review: Stranger Things Season 3 (Spoiler-Free)

This review of the third and most recent season of Netflix’s original series Stranger Things will not contain spoilers, so if you haven’t seen the season yet but want to know my opinion on it as a whole, don’t be afraid to read here!

After what I considered a moderately disappointing sophomore slump following an incredible first season, I was eager to see where the Stranger Things creators, the Duffer Brothers, would take the Hawkins-based story in season 3. The second season left me desiring more of the nostalgia that was so abundant in the first season. The second season’s plot and flanderization of certain characters also left a lot to be desired in my opinion. Luckily, season 3 of Stranger Things was mostly a return to form for this incredibly original story.

Without going into too specific much detail, I will highlight some of my personal favorite elements in the new season. Firstly, I enjoyed the sometimes unconventional pairings of certain characters that enabled more character development than would have been possible if said characters stayed in their usual bubbles. This season’s plot comes off as cheesy or unrealistic at points, but its basic foundation is more similar to season 1 than season 2’s plot was. I also enjoyed the contributions from new characters and actors, specifically what I thought was a very impressive performance from Maya Hawke’s Robin. The delicate balance between tension, drama, and comic relief was achieved throughout the entire season, which made the 8 episodes go by unbelievably quickly. The Duffer Brothers have suggested that season 4 may be the show’s last, and after the finale episode, that makes sense to me.

Some of the season’s downfalls that put it a couple notches below season 1 may be seen as nitpicking, but the Duffer Brothers have set a standard of excellence that I’ve come to expect out of the show. The plot’s scope is a little difficult to suspend my disbelief for, and the scale of the show not simply being contained to Hawkins seems to be getting out of the control of the show’s writers. Throughout the season, some characters become the most exaggerated versions of who they once were, which is unfortunate. There is also some fan service, but that is to be expected in a very self-aware show that is a complete nostalgia play. Some of the season’s finale “boss fights” also left more to be desired, but I thoroughly enjoyed the finale’s emotional final scenes.

Overall, Strangers Things (season) 3 was not a disappointment. I certainly did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed season 1, but I didn’t expect to going into it. I was pleased to find this season more compelling and enjoyable than season 2, and I think that Stranger Things will be remembered as an excellent and very creative, original story if it ends fittingly after season 4. If you’ve already watched season 3 and were hoping for a juicer, more in-depth review then I apologize - maybe one will be coming soon. If not, go dive back into the world of the upside down and enjoy the fireworks that this season of Stranger Things brings, there are plenty to be enjoyed.

SCORE: 7/10

My Hopes Are High For Seasons 2 Of Big Little Lies... So Far So Good

After what many years-long fans considered to be an abomination in Game Of Thrones season 8 (I personally didn’t think it was that bad), HBO finds themselves on the precipice of a new era of dragonless broadcasting. Their other hit series Westworld will not return until 2020, and many are hopeful but cautiously skeptical as to which direction that series is headed after a complicated season 2. Curb Your Enthusiasm and Silicon Valley are likely to end after their next seasons, so I’m hoping that there are new productions that captivate audiences like so many of their series have for years. Another series of HBO’s that is likely to end after the current season wraps is Big Little Lies. Based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same title, Big Little Lies is a captivating story about abuse, family, and as you could guess from the title, keeping secrets from those close to you. I haven’t read the book yet, but from what I’ve read about it, the events in the novel conclude the same way they did in season 1 of the television adaptation. The show, however, is continuing into its second season and is being written in part by Moriarty to extend the original story. I was initially disappointed and extremely skeptical about there being a season 2 of this show just because of how well I felt season 1 ended, but now that the first two episodes have aired, I am completely relieved and excited to see which direction the show goes.

The performances this season are phenomenal so far and we are only two episodes in. My season 1 MVP, Nicole Kidman, is being rivaled by the legendary Meryl Streep who is new to the Big Little Lies universe, and so far is a force to be reckoned with. It’s apparent how seriously the actors involved here are taking their roles when listening to them discuss the process in interviews, such as when Kidman detailed how traumatic and humiliating filming some of the season 1 scenes were for her. Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, and Zoe Kravitz are demonstrating their skills and ranges with these dynamic characters, and the rest of the cast seems fully committed to getting an authentic story to the screen by any means necessary. The soundtrack and editing for this series are superb as well, just as they were in season 1, and the hour that the show takes every week seems to fly by. Every time a new episode comes on, I feel fully immersed by the weight of the dynamics and circumstances in Monterey yet again.

If you haven’t heard of or given Big Little Lies a chance yet, I highly recommend it. I enjoy television shows with strong dialogue, a realistic and compelling story, and production that brings it all together. This series isn’t lacking in any of those departments. Now that I’ve gushed about my interest in this series, I’m going to go sit in a corner and wait until tonight’s new episode.