Stranger Things Season 5 Spoilers!

[Loopytiles]

So excited about this! Can’t bear to watch without spoilers first.

He is extremely creepy! The actor seems charming.

It makes sense for the mind flayer to appear briefly as the main villain, eg since it doesn’t speak.

I’m really enjoying it all.

I like having the new, younger characters, it’s a return and helps with the problem of the ageing of the initially young group of Mike, Will and the gang.

@Godlovesatryer88 ooohhh I love the theory that there is a good Henry stuck and he's trying to rewind time. Although that then potentially runs the risk of there being a 'Bobby Ewing in the shower' moment and it was all a dream which will be awful as we're all so invested in Max, El, Will, Mike, Dustin and Lucas.

Apparently there is going to be a cartoon spin off based around Nancy which will fill in some details between the series.

So I can't see it all being a dream, or the changes being so big that the main characters no longer exist, because it would damage the franchise.

But there has been hints towards time travel so who knows.

To add: I like the idea of Henry being trapped, but I don't think the Henry that just held the séance is the good Henry.

It’s all going to depend on that suitcase. I’m going to have to rewatch before NYE.

Yes, totally agree. I keep finding myself tuning out during the overly long talking scenes and thinking just bloody hurry up and say what you want to say without all the rambling! Feels like they've shoved stuff in as time fillers rather than make a shorter, better episode.
I'm also struggling with the acting from some of the main cast. The younger ones are so much better than some the original "kids" . MBB seems to have just given up.

@TheatricalLife agree, the world is ending, time is of the essence and yet long conversations and hugs dominate.

I loved escape from camazotz, it was so tense! I think the bridge wasn't as good, but it sets up the finale well. I liked Will's speech - slightly concerned for his safety though!

People talking about the deaths, it isn't game of thrones style, the deaths have always been meaningful (of the significant characters I mean)

The quality of acting is good!

I thought it was a really excellent end to Nancy and Jonathan - and her making it clear she's a bad ass single woman!

@HollyGolightly4 I think with the deaths it's partly the duffer bros and the cast that hyped up these last 3 episodes by saying they were going to ruin everybody's Xmas day. They also said there would be 6 deaths in this final season so they were the ones putting it out there. I do get what you're saying, it's not supposed to be brutal but we have a bunch of kids running round fighting beings from another world who are capable of killing armed soldiers, the cast keeps growing, we got 001 killing 10 kids last season and the seasons have always included deaths so there is an expectation.

Oh fair enough @Invisablepanic I missed that!

I missed that too (thankfully!). I’ve just rewatched the most recent 3 episodes & loved them even more. To me, it’s perfection (other than Nell Fisher’s name not being listed in the opening credits!).

Can’t wait for the finale!

I remember that! And how it'll be a dark christmas. I think cause the tension and stakes were there for season 4 whereas this time he doesn't seem as threatening...but hopefully it'll end on a high rather then flat!

For those who have seen the stage show, how long does it last? I’m considering going in the new year as have heard great things about it!

@Daytimetellyqueen I can't quite remember, but it'll tell you the run time on the website! It's amazing, I highly recommend it.

Cant remember maybe under 2 hours? Either way its very very very well done!

Okay not under 2 hours. 2 hours 40 and then 20 mins interval

Thank you @LetsGoFlyAKiteee& @HollyGolightly4- have booked for January! Excited! I’ll be going alone as I know no one in real life who watches ST, which is why it’s taken me so long to go, but season 5 has inspired me! Here’s to an amazing finale!

You can also order your interval snacks to be delivered. Be aware that there’s not many seats to sit down before the show unless you pay for the lounge area. They will also warn you that if you come out other than the interval they might not let you back in until the interval @Daytimetellyqueen

Yayyy enjoy!!! The opening scenes gave me goosebumps it is so well done!

Thank you! How do you pre order? Is that in advance or on the day when you arrive at the theatre?

Excited! Thanks!

Yeah, MBB has been terrible - although she's not helped by 11 and Hopper being stuck in the same holding pattern dynamic for 4 seasons now. It's amazing how little growth the characters have shown since s1 ended - it's tempting to attribute that to the Duffers having to deal with a mixed bag in terms of talent, but it's true of Hopper and Joyce, too.

The writing is just terribly lightweight, and the mammoth runtimes only magnify that.

How I see it:

S1: fantastic.

S2: a worthy sequel, that drew a little criticism for being quite so similar to S1.

S3: they try to freshen it up by going a bit lighter and goofier, with mixed success. Still broadly enjoyable.

S4: a big over-correction, where they ditch the fun and go all-in on the seriousness and making it an "event". Unfortunately, the plot is meandering and the character writing too thin to cover for that. Saved, to some extent, by some incredible high points. I've never loved Max as a character but Sadie Sink (and the excellent use of Kate Bush) saved the season.

S5: continues in the mold of season 4. Lacks the nostalgic charm of s1 and 2, the fun of s3 and the iconic moments of s4.

I rewatched seasons 1-3 so many times but I don't think I'll ever go back to s4 (at least, not in full) and certainly not this season. If they nail the finale and I do feel like a re-watch, I'll be pretending the first 7 episodes of this season don't exist.

Sidelining the Mindflayer and general Lovercraftian vibe for the super generic Vecna was also a big miss-step in terms of the horror elements.

I was disappointed with this last batch of episodes (way too much unnecessary dialogue) but we got tickets to see the finale in the cinema so I'm hoping it's amazing and makes up for it. Either way, looking forward to it.

Yay @Daytimetellyqueen that's amazing!! I also went by myself (first time in a theatre) and I didn't feel awkward at all. 🥰

@sickofsixseven @HollyGolightly4 are you in the USA?

I was under the impression that it's not in cinemas in UK but would be delighted to be wrong!! Would be a fun way to watch-

Edited to say I just popped off and looked and not in cinema here. Bugger.
Although I feel like ppl's terrible cinema etiquette would ruin it for me!

@MrsMitford3 I also wanted to watch it in the cinema.

Good to hear about people going to the theatre on their own, I really want to see it but will have to go on my own. You have made me brave, I shall look at booking it.