Recently, the movie streaming company Netflix has expanding their horizons by taking the film industry into their own hands by producing original content. These series and movies as a whole have taken off in popularity, creating some of the most loved and watched shows today.

Today’s look will focus their recent series: Stranger Things.

• Created by: The Duffer Brothers
• Executive Producer: The Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen
• Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Matthew Modine
• Genre: TV Shows, TV Sci-Fi and Fantasy
• Production: 21 Laps Entertainment
• Distributor: Netflix
• Release Date: July 15th, 2016

Synopsis:

“When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl”

Personal Thoughts (Spoilers): 

Stranger Things provides the viewer a gateway back to November 1983 into the small, fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. Unlike a large majority of dated media, the series does not coin itself on being a 1980’s show. Instead, the viewer drifts through the atmosphere created, transporting themselves back into a middle school and high school environment while following the main protagonists. The main characters, a group of middle school outcasts by the names of Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, and Lucas Sinclair, provide an easy and quick relation to not only themselves but the story itself.

After a brief introduction to the main cast of characters through a D&D campaign, the plot begins its launch when Will Byers goes missing; taken by a mysterious, unrecognizable creature. It is through this launch that the understanding of certain characters becomes more noticeable; such as the mother and brother of the missing boy.

The mother, Joyce Byers, gains easy sympathy upon the sudden loss of her son. Characterized by dedication and love for her son, there is no stop to how hard she will try to get him back. I love that despite how different and weird he is from the rest of the family, Joyce does not try to change a thing, instead embracing his differences. By supporting him and his interests, the mother provides a stable ground for Will to walk on, providing a loving support system. Despite her constant need to work to aid the house and family, she takes time to bond with her son. Despite being in middle school, she got him tickets to see Poltergeist; a movie shows interest in. She knows the password to get into his personal space and uses it, respecting his privacy and authority of the area.

When Will Byers goes missing, her dedication and perseverance kick in. Joyce goes on an emotional roller coaster trying to save him from an unknown force. This high-powered emotion becomes her downfall that when she reaches out to anyone for help, they accuse her of being crazy and distraught. Despite this, she is not stopped. Joyce knows what is right and sticks to it, trying her hardest to bring her son back safe and sound. There is something heartbreaking about a misunderstood and mistrusted mother tearing her house apart, trying to get answers about her missing son.

The series does a wonderful job of building suspension without reaching cheesy or campy levels. To fit the mysterious tone, the viewer only discovers clues and aspects at the same time as the characters, creating it to be more inclusive and absorbing. This suspension is built through mystery, light and shadows, and tone. Earthy and deep colors are mainly employed, creating a naturally dark ambiance even if the setting takes place in broad daylight.  I love how through the colors and lack thereof, they manage to make strings of Christmas lights look ominous.

Recently, news has arisen that Stranger Things will return for a second season. Moving on from the original story line, the plot and characters will cycle over as the mysteries of Hawkins, Indiana continue. With season one being such a riveting success, the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, are hoping for a few more seasons to build and expand characters and the lore of the land.

 

 

I do not feel that Stranger Things should get this second season or any more seasons that the producers are hoping for. As a whole, it presents itself as a short series of eight episodes, all pieced together in a fluid and complete story line.  Upon the ending of the last episode, the viewer leaves with a sense of completion; all loose ends wrapped up and accounted for. In no way does that seem like a good or legitimate way to begin up again in the second season. Unless there is a completely new cast following an entirely new story line, the endings of season one would make no sense in comparison to the beginnings of season two. Unfortunately, this is not what the producers are planning.

I feel that this series is much like the Cartoon Network short of Over the Garden Wall. This is mainly due to the short and complete feeling that surrounds both series. The fluidity of the story lives among itself and itself alone, providing no wiggle room for continuation. Given the film industry’s obsession with sequels, this action is no surprise. To have a one-shot series would be a delight, but gaining a season two is definitely not the end of the world. Ultimately, I am looking forward to seeing how the producers can expand upon the world.

–Katherine A