pineapple-split replied to your post “STRANGER THINGS 3”
Love your recap! I was a bit disappointed in S3 myself, but its kinda like having vanilla ice cream after a flavor I really like on a super hot day. Still gonna consume the shit out of it. And there were moments (like Steve and Robin in the bathroom) that were GOLD. Precious little screentime for Will Byers though! :( There’s gotta be a middle ground between Kidnap/Torture and Exposition Character for my child.
I keep waiting to not enjoy Stranger Things as much as I always do, but I just, DO, I always do. I’m actually not much of a binger of hour-long shows on the whole, usually prefer those one or two a day, so the fact that I’ve just galloped through every dang season now says a Lot. Watchability, pals!
Steve & Robin On the Bathroom Floor is, I’ll say it, easily the greatest thing this show did in Season 3. It’s the first time they’ve taken their cozy nostalgic warmth (that backing track! right out of the dark sparkle synth childhood joy of the first season!) and wrapped that comforting charm around something progressive. I know a lot of people have long wished Stranger Things would interrogate its ‘80s genre sources more, be more of a commentary, or, a self-aware pastiche, I guess. And I like those things when those are made, but I also so enjoy a pure homage sometimes, which are made with such love that my loving heart just loves right back in echo. And what that moment with Steve & Robin did, was just add more love in. It wasn’t delivered as a ~commentary~ with the air of snark and superiority that can so often come with that, they didn’t step outside their genre to do it, basically, is what I mean, they just folded this on in there. It felt organic, it felt true to the time and to these characters, it didn’t shy away from the reality of what it would mean to be queer in the 80s, but it also didn’t shy away from the fact that queers have always been here, and here they are now in Stranger Things, laughing on the floor of a bathroom stall. I loved it so much.
Meanwhile, oh my god, listen, I keep knowing I’ll want to rewatch Stranger Things 2 this October and continue with my episode recaps I started with the first season, but then I remember that I may COLLAPSE if I do this, because do you remember just how much our darling brave boy Will Byers suffered through in that season??? How will I make it!!
So. If S3 were to have just been more of that for Will, thank GOD they didn’t, he has been through ENOUGH. But I love him so dearly, so after this more restful (RELATIVELY) season of mostly wearing wizard robes and getting goosebumps, I hope he’s got all manner of a big part to play next time. Mark my words: you will know Will Byers is here to play in Stranger Things 4 if he shows up in the promotional materials with a new haircut. Keep a weather eye, gang.