What a treat it has been to see the cast of Stranger Things grow since the show debuted in 2016. The cast made waves in amazing projects outside Hawkins while conveying positive, whimsical, and upbeat personalities as well. What a wild ride these characters have been on. This love letter to the 80s has been jam-packed with thrills, chills, horror, humor, references, heart, friendships, and so much heartbreak.
Season 3 met the heroes of Hawkins with a terrifying threat, but the knowledge there are forces outside the borders of the United States who are willing to harness this Pandora’s box from the Upside Down is quite unsettling. I am eagerly awaiting how our heroes learn to move on from the fallout of the Battle of Starcourt Mall. But I highly doubt that will be possible now that Spring Break approaches. I was excited to watch all the trailers and enjoy Stranger Things Day, and it will be interesting to see what we can expect now that the episode titles are released. There is so much to unpack as the next chapter begins summer of 2022.
It looks like Hopper is in for the survival of his life. I thought Mark Watney, Chuck Noland, Luke Graham, Ryan Stone, and Rapunzel were suspenseful enough, but I think the Duffer Brothers have found a way to top that. I wonder what the Russians are making Hopper work on. I wonder what their plans are for the Upside Down. How will Hopper find a way back to the States and thwart the Russians’ plans? I am rooting for you, Hopper. You were the Red Guardian in another realm, so anything is possible. I heard the sound of a Demogorgon at the end of the first trailer. I hope there isn’t an outbreak.
In the next trailer, it looks like Dr. Brenner plans to make a return this season. We saw him get tackled by Demogorgon, but he did not meet a gory demise thanks to some clever camera work. I am a little excited but worried. It looks like he might be key to giving Eleven’s powers back. The heavy breathing suggests Eleven’s new life will be cut short as she might be arrested and or captured. I saw a game being played telepathically and a token-like object landing on 7. I hope we see who that is. I enjoyed the solo adventure featuring the band of misfits allied with illusionist Kali aka 8. I hope we see her again. All hands on deck. It looks like we might catch how this all started. How did Dr.Brenner want to spark this mission of madness?
It was announced that horror icon Robert Englund joined Stranger Things in Season 4. The casting nods to the 80s keep getting better and better. We see a family move into a new house named Creel House. Englund is playing a man named Creel, and it looks like this new house will be victim to the side effects of the tear in the Upside Down thanks to a mauled bunny. I think Creel will suffer something terrible, and the kids must figure out how this ties into Hawkins and more. Those poor Creel kids. I like that Dustin gets to strut his inner geek with this quote.
The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.
Sherlock Holmes-The Hound of the Baskervilles Ch.3
This story deals with an attempted murder inspired by the legend of a fearsome, diabolical hound of supernatural origin. There is a culprit at the center of this as well. This sounds very season 3, but also, it feels Creel might be connected. I wonder if Max will be emotionally affected by this mystery due to the loss of her brother.
It will be interesting to see how Eleven/Jane tries to live a normal life without her powers and Hawkins Lab on her tail. But I think normal left this dimension. Who is she without her powers? Like Tony Stark in Iron Man 3, when he lost his suits and had to fend for himself, Jane will have to do the same. Do the powers make the woman, or do the woman make the powers? School can be an unpredictable place. Poor Jonathan. He seems lost without Nancy. I am excited for the actor playing the driver of Surfer Boy Pizza. He is a great actor from hits like Booksmart and Queenpins and from the Funny or Die sketch of him at a press conference defending Batman V Superman. I can tell he will bring his comedic chops in this chaotic train ride.
Chases, shootouts, dolls, explosions, oh my.
We are not in Hawkins anymore.
The Duffer Brothers and Executive Producer Shawn Levy has an endgame to this beloved series. I hope this show goes on for at least one more season. The Duffers, along with the makeup team, visual effects team, production design, writers, gaffers, sound designers, costume designers, and many more, have helped bring to life cinematic nostalgia for the next generation. It will be bittersweet when the show ends, but I hope a movie is not out of the question. I am grateful for this experience, and I am in awe of what the Duffer Brothers are capable of doing next. Limitless potential.
All ABOARD!!!!!
Mack's Musings 