Let's Talk about Stranger Things Season 4!
Stranger Things Season 4.... Where do we even start?!
After waiting for what felt like forever, we finally have Season 4 of Stranger Things in our lives and we couldn't be happier!
It's already been two weeks since the final two episodes landed on our screens and quite honestly, we're still not emotionally over it.
We're not crying, you're crying.
The gang's back together, but at what cost? If like us, all you want to do is talk about the new season, stay with us as we share with you what we thought about Stranger Things Season 4!
We have to say that though there may be a few spoilers ahead so if you are yet to watch the new season, don't say we didn't warn you...
Now I'm sure we can all agree that Season 4 is more terrifying than previous seasons. It's the perfect blend of horror and sci-fi whilst still allowing for humour.
In case you didn't know...
In the new season we re-join the gang in 1986, just six months after the Battle of Starcourt. The Byers family have moved to California with Eleven and are settling into their new neighbourhood. Jonathan has found a new bestie meanwhile, Will and Eleven are navigating through school being the social outcasts alongside Eleven having to come to terms with losing her powers.
Back in Hawkins, the rest of the crew are tackling the challenges of teenhood and the fallout from the last season. Lucas has joined their new high school's basketball team, while Mike and Dustin are new members of the Hellfire Club, a club dedicated to Dungeons and Dragons led by metalhead Eddie Munson. On the other hand, Max has withdrawn herself from the group as much as possible as she struggles to deal with the trauma of having to watch her stepbrother Billy get devoured by a Demogorgon in the mall.
Season 4 of Stranger Things unveiled quite a few plot holes and unanswered questions. Throughout the nine episodes in the season, we learn that El is still needed to save the world and is working on reviving her powers. In the process, she digs up repressed memories about her childhood. Meanwhile, those in Hawkins discover their classmates are dying in supernatural ways and suspect that something is about to happen.
Characters
The first seven episodes of the season were thrilling but exciting and welcomed back our favourites alongside introducing us to some new characters. Some not so nice. Yes, we're talking about you Vecna.
The performances of the young cast in this season have never been better. For us, Max, Dustin, Lucas and Eddie were stand out characters and offered more than we could ever have expected.
And just when we thought we couldn't love Dustin any more, our love for him grew even stronger in this season. Now we all know that Dustin and Steve's relationship is #friendshipgoals. In the fourth season, Dustin's loyalty and appreciation for people once again shines through when he forms a tight bond with Eddie Munson, the leader of the Hellfire Club. Try watching this scene with Eddie in the final episode and NOT cry. You will fail.
Another character we grew fonder of in this season was Lucas. The love the two have for each other is still very apparent and we were routing for them throughout. The season finale gave us hope that Max and Lucas were destined to come out stronger than ever after all they have been through. But if you've watched Episode 9, you'll know what we mean when we say... heartbroken is not the word.
Over the past few seasons we have been introduced to a series of new characters, but in Season 4 fans seemed to have attached themselves to Eddie Munson and we can totally see why. Hawkins does not deserve Eddie Munson. He deserved better. Yes, he was labelled a bit of a freak and might not have cared too much about getting good grades, but he was loveable, smart, creative and most importantly, he cared.
Despite not being the main focus in this season (or the past few seasons), we're also excited to hear that Will is going to be a big part of the next season after taking a backseat in the last couple of seasons.
SPOILER ALERT!
Will confirms at the end of the season that the monster is hurting but he's not going to stop until he's achieved what he wants. Which means... this isn't going to be the last time we're going to see Vecna - a.k.a One or Henry - whichever name you want to choose.
We're intrigued to see how the characters progress in the next season and what characters they decide to focus on. (Our guesses are Vecna, Will + Steve).
Music
Now we can't talk about the new season of Stranger Things without mentioning the music!
If you have watched all 4 seasons of Stranger Things then you will already know how incredible the music is BUT this latest season seems to have made a massive impact on the charts and people's new favourite songs. So much so, that Netflix is now releasing a Stranger Things Season 4 soundtrack on vinyl!
Artists like Kate Bush, Journey and Metallica have now gained younger fans and it's all down to the show.
Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush has once again become a huge hit after a key scene featuring Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) in episode 4 of the new season and has now seen the classic song top the charts - 37 years after its initial release.
Kate Bush recently said "The new season features the song 'Running Up That Hill' which is being given a whole new lease on life by the young fans who love the show - I love it too!"
Wonder who Kate Bush's favourite character is...
Now, Metallica.
In the final episode of Stranger Things Season 4, Eddie Munson's task, alongside Dustin, was to distract the flock of demobats long enough for Steve, Nancy and Robin to invade the old Creel house to take on Vecna. Eddie's plan: "The most metal concert in the history of the world" and boy, did he deliver!
Everything about this scene was epic. From the evil-looking storm clouds to the lightning burst around him, Eddie Munson is a true rockstar and we love him. #JusticeForEddie
If you're unaware of the song that was played but are now obsessed with it (like we are), well we are here to help you and tell you that the iconic song played by Eddie on the roof of his RV in the Upside Down was in fact 'Master of Puppets' by Metallica. Metalheads would have recognised it instantly of course!
With being set in the 80s, this show puts so much importance on 80s music and we absolutely love it.
For Season 4, Part 2, get ready to set aside four hours for all of the Upside Down madness.
Now 2 hours and 22 minutes for a final episode?! You're probably thinking... are we watching Avengers: Endgame again?! Could the final episode have been a little bit shorter? Maybe BUT then would the various plot lines seem rushed? Most likely.
After watching Part 1 and Part 2 of the new season, the cinematic sequences will have you wishing Netflix released the almost two and a half hour finale on the big screen.
If we HAD to be critical about this season in any way, we'd have to say that the Russian prison sub-plot was one we could have done without. We hold a lot of love for Hopper BUT we didn't need as much time spent in Russia and it all went on a little too long for us.
On the upside, we would have to say that this season sees Stranger Things at its very best.
It's emotional, it's thrilling and takes fans on a rollercoaster ride that is guaranteed to give you everything you want and more.
For the first time in a long time, watching this season made us feel like we could truly lose some of our favourite characters which of course, makes this season a very nerve-wracking watch.
Episode 8 and 9 (9 in particular) felt like big blockbuster movies and not because of the running times. From the effects, stunts and production design, everything about this season and these episodes in particular, just felt BIG. From the deserts of California and Snowy Russia to the slime of the Upside Down, everything simply looks incredible.
Despite the feature length inspired run times, the episodes fly by and are aided by a race against the clock to vanquish Vecna by any means necessary.
The season finale is filled with love, loss and teases for much much more. I'm sure you can agree with us when we say that the final two episodes in particular are the series at its most emotional, action-packed and tension-filled.
For us, Season 4 has proven to be the best in the series thanks to its heart-warming moments and outstanding performances to everyone involved. This season has exceeded expectations and has left us scratching our heads on what could possibly happen in Season 5.
The season's ending opens up the floodgates widely for a very dangerous Season 5. One things for sure, Hawkins certainly will never be the same again.
Despite being an incredible finale, there are still some missed opportunities that we can only hope will be answered in Season 5.
Questions we want answered...
What's going on with Will?
What's going to happen to Max AND Hawkins?
Will Steve and Nancy get back together?
How is Vecna connected to the Mind Flayer?
Is everybody going to make it?
With another season already confirmed and rumoured to feature a time jump to the 90s, we hope the wait won't be too long to see what danger is in store for Hawkins and the people who live there. We can't help but wonder what exactly is next after the cliff-hanger the show left us on.
At least for now we can breathe a sigh of relief given that Eleven has gotten her powers back and the Hawkins gang are finally back together.
BUT if this gang cannot defeat monsters, who can?
All episodes of Season 4 of Stranger Things are currently available to stream on Netflix.
AND if you're a fan of the series and want to continue on the obsession, check out our Stranger Things collection, with more entering the Upside Down very VERY soon!
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