Coming Back to Hawkins

Stranger Things had been out of the public consciousness for almost three years. The cast had moved onto other projects. Much like a multitude of other shows, pre-production for season 4 was shut down by the outbreak of COVID-19. Somehow, despite the disruptions and space between seasons, Stranger Things have pulled off a resurgence in popularity, opening with a reintroduction to familiar faces and their more grounded difficulties. Growing apart, fitting in at a new school, and dealing with grief, Season 4 Volume 1 allowed time before bringing the trademark science fiction into the picture. Like earlier seasons, the Duffer Brothers placed a lens on some recent additions. Episode One: The Hellfire Club afforded a lot of screen time to new characters Chrissy Cunningham, comic relief (and suspected Die Hard homage) Argyle, as well as fan favorite newcomer, Eddie Munson. Getting to know Chrissy created shock value and a sense of mystery when she’s killed off by the end of the first episode, while familiarizing audiences with Eddie eliminated suspicion, setting him up as an ally to the Hawkins gang. 

Season 4 has once again highlighted the acting chops of the cast, consisting of experienced pros, while boasting a selection of child actors on par with the Harry Potter series. Back in 2015, an ensemble of young actors were cast, many of which were children. Since then, the cast has been consistent in their capabilities and branched out beyond the world of Hawkins, Indiana. Since the release of season 3, the young cast of Stranger Things have respectively continued their careers in all directions. An indie band, a skincare line, YouTube channel, prank show, Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2021, not to mention the cast’s respective acting performances. 

In particular, Sadie Sink’s stellar appearances in the Fear Street trilogy and Taylor Swift’s All Too Well (The Short Film) prepared audiences for Volume 1’s crowning glory: Dear Billy. The fourth episode sees the highlights of each respective storyline: Hopper’s heartbreaking short-lived escape, Nancy and Robin’s revelation at Pennhurst Asylum, and lets not forget, Max’s escape from Vecna. The Kate Bush needledrop has inspired a return to the Spotify charts and a wave of online trends. In every second TikTok made in the past month, “Running Up That Hill” or “Pass the Dutchie” can be heard. Personally, I thought Baltimore’s “Tarzan Boy” deserved a similar revival, but I’ll take what I can get. As Bush’s original sad girl anthem served as Max’s saviour from Vecna, audiences have been pushed to consider which song would save them from his trance. Dear Billy also treated audiences to the one shot shootout in Lenora. A feat of directing, acting, and coordination, it only takes a look at the behind the scenes footage to see the effort that went into the sequence.

But Volume 1 wasn’t perfect. Despite the eight month time jump, some of the younger cast members have aged out of their characters, no longer convincing as 14-15 year olds. Granted, this is a result of COVID-related delays, plus they remain more realistic than many other ‘teenagers’ in mainstream television. Issues have also been raised with the web of stories running through the season at varied paces in different places, without coming together. For some it was hard to keep up, while others found it easy to grow impatient with all the hopping around. It’s practically a certainty that loose ends will be tied up and we’ll be treated to an Endgame-style reunion in Volume 2, Volume 1 on its own is inconsistent. Mike, Will, Jonathan, and Argyle didn’t even feature in the final episode. Additionally, the antagonists provided outside beyond the upside down often proved one dimensional. While this may be excused as an homage to 80s teen movies, characters like Jason and Angela were obviously unlikeable, but boring and predictable. Compared to the likes of Brenner, Billy, and even a younger Steve, they lack any engaging complexity. These shortcomings were made up for with a stellar main villain: Vecna.

Stranger Things has always been good at scares and emotional investment, but there’s never been a twist like the Henry Creel/001/Vecna reveal. Introducing Vecna as a Upside-Down-dwelling monster on par with the likes of the Demogorgon and the Mindflayer. Aligning with season 4’s strengths in taking inspiration from 80s horror, the reveal of the interconnectedness between the beginning of season 1 and the origins of Vecna created a new dimension to the entirety of Stranger Things.

What’s next? Mrs Kelley has played a small part for such a new character, but has been the connection between Vecna’s victims. Similarly, we’ll hopefully see more from Argyle. Various cast and crew members have teased death and gore in Volume 2. It’s likely that a main character will die, probably in an epic sacrificial moment. Scrolling through the many theories fans have to offer, nobody seems to be off limits. For the series as a whole, the end is in sight. The Duffer brothers have announced that season 5 will be the last, and it’s added traction to what remains. If what we’ve seen of season 4 is anything to base it on, Season 5 could turn in any direction. For now, we have Volume 2 to look forward to.