(DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS)
I spent my 4th of July binge watching the new season of Stranger Things. Season 3 is by the far the most intense season. Everything is bigger and better.
Along with threats of the Russians who are attempting to reopen the gate in Hawkins, we also learn that the threat of the mind flayer is still around. I think the mind flayer this season was pretty cool. The idea of it basically possessing people and creating an army which also forms one big monster was awesome.
One of my favorite things this season was Eleven and Max’s friendship. I love that we got to see them go from El disliking Max to them hanging out and having sleepovers. I feel like Max really helped Eleven experience the world outside of the cabin as well as teaching her to have a sense of self and not letting anyone control her.
My favorite characters this season aside from Max was my favorite iconic duo of Steve and Dustin. I love that we got to see them together for the entirety of the season along with the added sass and snark and Erica and Robin. I was surprised by Robin this season. I didn’t expect her to play such a big role in the story but I am so happy she did. She was smart and essential in cracking the Russian code. I loved her personality and her friendship dynamic with Steve. She is one of my all time favorite characters now!
One thing that really bugged me this season was Mike Wheeler. I don’t know why exactly but something about his character bothered me. I didn’t like that he was dismissive of Will, who is supposed to be his best friend, and didn’t take his feelings into consideration. I know that the kids are growing up and their interests will change but Will missed out on being a kids for the last two seasons because of being stuck in the upside down and possessed by the mind flayer. In my opinion, it was a little insensitive for Mike to not take Will’s feelings or wants into consideration. Don’t get me wrong, I love how much he cares for El, but Will is his best friend and deserved to be treated better. I still love Mike but this season he made me wanna smack him over head.
Okay last but not least, let’s talk about the last episode. I was absolutely devastated when Billy died. I know he wasn’t the best brother to Max in the past but this season really made me feel for him. We got to see flashbacks of his childhood and the reason why Billy is the way he is. In the final episode when he sacrifices himself for Eleven, protecting her, I felt my heart break.
My heart broke even more seeing Max’s reaction to Billy’s death. It had me in tears. Max is my favorite female character and it hurt me to see her heartbroken like that, especially when she was shaking Billy to wake up.
Also, I am not 100% sure that Hopper is dead. I know there i a big chance that he got vaporized by the machine BUT we did not see him die. We didn’t see him get vaporized like the Russians who were near the machine. In the past, when a character died we saw them die. We saw Barb die, we saw Bob die, we saw Alexei die( who was a soft baby who deserved better) , we saw Billy die. But we did not see Hopper die so I am not convinced that he is dead. Even Joyce didn’t see him die because she closed her eyes when she turned the keys.
I was pretty sad when the Byers’ moved. I loved that they took El with them, but I didn’t want them to leave Hawkins. They deserve to be happy though, they deserve a break from the place that caused them so much trauma and sadness.
Overall this season of Stranger Things was absolute favorite. We got to saw the kids hanging out and just being kids. We got some very funny/cute moments like Dustin and Suzie’s never ending story duet. We got some serious characters deaths that I will never get over and although they brought back the old threat of the demogorgon (post credit scene) they closed the gate and destroyed the weapon that could open it. So everything is safe for our favs, for now.
Moonchild Mayhem 