Stranger Things Season 4’s Rotten Tomatoes score is now out, and it stands at a “fresh” 91%, with over twenty reviews initially submitted (at the time of writing this). While it seems that Stranger Things has suffered a few growing pains (along with its cast, who have all visibly sprouted into adulthood), the core mystery/horror/geeky goodness of the show still seems to be intact. That’s good news for all the fans who have had to literally wait years to get Stranger Things 4, and are ready to make Memorial Day Weekend all about that classic Netflix binge!
Season three of Stranger Things was an improvement over the draggy season 2. (I’ll pause while those of you who disagree yell at your screens.) Still, the fun felt a little faded, and Hopper’s left-turn into toxic masculinity didn’t help. So, when season 4 volume 1 – seven episodes, all but one over 70 minutes long – dropped in my Netflix press account, I’ll admit that excitement was not my first emotion.
What a pleasure it is to be wrong. Fresh locales, appealing new characters, and a rewarding expansion of the mythology give the new season of Stranger Things a jolt of joyful energy, just when the series needed it most.
The first season of Stranger Things – which leaned on the Dungeons & Dragons of it all more so than the following two – exemplified a good, balanced party. The core group of kids played off each other neatly (and their official in-game character sheets certainly highlighted a nicely calibrated party). And no matter how you split up the characters, there was some great chemistry and wonderful character moments. But each successive season of Stranger Things has moved away from the D&D aspect – and also away from that ideal party.
While the Duffer brothers bring back Dungeons & Dragons in Stranger Things 4, the group dynamics are weaker than ever. Even if the terror comes in full swing, the charm of the characters is completely sucked away, replaced by connections that just don’t work well together but are being forced to somehow.
