Three is the magic number, and Netflix’s beloved nostalgia-thrilled hit series “Stranger Things” is maintaining that magic at top form in its newest season — “Stranger Things 3.”
The Duffer Brothers grabbed everyone’s attention in 2016 with the introduction of Eleven and the gang, providing a show that gave you the nostalgia of the ‘80s in every form.
Over the last three seasons it seems as if this show keeps getting better and better, despite the somewhat sloppy ending to this latest season.
“Stranger Things 3” starts off with summer love within the group, especially the adorable but sometimes cringey couple of Mike and Eleven. The amount of making out between these two in the first episode is pretty crazy, but I guess that’s what ‘80s teenage love is all about.
But, the love wasn’t felt all around, as the gritty but caring Chief Hopper was not keen on the couple’s relationship. He has a difficult time being calm around the teenage couple, while coming to grips with the fact that his daughter is growing up too fast.
Chris Deremer | Argonaut
Dustin returns from summer camp with news to the group that he now has a girlfriend, leaving the rest of the group wondering if she is real or not. That question is given a wonderful and maybe head-scratching answer by the end of the season.
The group has grown up, which means priorities are changing among the puberty-infested teens.
But, nobody is more effected by this than Will, who has a difficult time coming to grips with the change and just wants to play Dungeons and Dragons with his friends like the old days. You know, before teen love and demogorgons?
The season premiere takes time to catch viewers up on the dynamics among all the characters we have learned to love over the past few years, before giving us a non-stop thrill ride that plays to all of “Stranger Things’” strengths.
By the time you finish “Stranger Things 3”, it really feels like you have gone on an eight-hour, ‘80s filled roller coaster inside of a suburban mall.
Speaking of malls, Hawkin’s new Starcourt Mall stars as the new playground for the gang to explore — and it’s beautiful.
The best scene to show of the ‘80s paradise comes when Eleven has a moment of inner exploration after Max (Sadie Sink) takes her to the mall for the first time, giving viewers a glimpse inside the beauty of the dynamic ‘80s dream.
Last but not least, fan favorite Steve Harrington finds himself in a hard place after graduating high school. Steve is working at the Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop along with new character Robin (Maya Hawk.) Throughout the season the dynamic between both Steve and Robin is almost the best in the show.
With such a large cast, the Duffer Brothers do a great job with the groupings throughout the season. Some of the best scenes come from the “Scoops Troop,” composed of Dustin, Steve and newbies Robin and Lucas’ little sister Erica (Priah Ferguson.)
Some of my favorite scenes happened with the Scoop Troop, who maybe helped further the plot more than any of the other groupings, while continuing the fun pairing of Dustin and Steve that fans grew to love throughout the second season.
The adult group is a hilarious treat too, led by Nancy and Hopper. Hopper is at his best in season three going full Magnum P.I. and leaving the cop uniform for a perfect summer outfit — knocking out many evil Russians along the way.
The ‘80s nostalgia stereotype has always been what “Stanger Things” leans on the most and surely led with once again in season three, but has a few shocking surprises that help modernize the themes of today as well.
The Mind Flayer returns to attack our characters in Hawkins, and while there are many moments where the main antagonist is terrifying, there are also moments where they could have done better to their main villain as well as one particular character, Billy.
By the end of this season, it seemed as if Billy might be building toward a redeeming story arc similar to Steve. Unfortunately, the writers take Dacre Montgomery’s character in a very different direction.
The final 30 minutes of “Stanger Things 3” is where I believe things turn for the worse, damaging an almost perfect season.
With the way things end, you could say it’s a nice series finale. But with season four already known and the tease of what’s to come, it made the emotional ending to the season less believable and meaningful.
Overall, this season gives a great conclusion to what I’d call the Hawkins saga, and allows the show to grow more outside the small Indiana town, which to many viewers of the show have some mixed feelings toward.
And while “Stranger Things” does try to add some new elements to the show, it is still the same show with the same problems that have been plaguing the gang for the past few seasons.
If you love “Stranger Things,” you are going to love this season, but if you were hoping to see the show progress and develop more, don’t expect too much.
Building off the mistakes from last season, “Stranger Things” finds itself in almost perfect form to bring an end to the Hawkins saga.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @chris_DEREMER