2.0 Stranger Things (1-3)

For Blog 2.0 I've decided to revert away from the upcoming reviews I had planned for the week and instead devote my time to add yet another article to my Television reviews section. As created by Brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, Stranger Things over it's current three season run has drawn widespread critical acclaim for it's characterisation, atmosphere, acting, soundtrack, directing, writing, and homages to 1980s cinema. With the show soon becoming one of Netflix's flagship series', attracting record viewership numbers for the streaming platform. With the respective fourth season getting set to release later this year.

While starring an ensemble cast including Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Matthew Modine, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson and Brett Gelman. The Netflix science fiction, horror drama epic details the lives of the residents in the small, fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. As further produced by the likes of Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen, Stranger Things soon sees Hawkins confronted and plagued by a hostile, alternate dimension known most formatively as the Upside Down. After a nearby National Laboratory opens a gateway between it and the normal world. As shortly after the abduction of Will Byers in the First Season, our unlikely set of young hero's soon embark on a journey to save each other and the very existent of our world. With this current journey gearing up to continue with the release of the fourth season later this year.

With the show over it's current three season run going onto to establish and illustrate the powerhouse that is not only Netflix but rather of streaming in general. As Stranger Things has consistently provided quality direction, writing and originality in an abundance. With the Duffers formulating a show that has incredible depth, power and meaning, something made particularly potent through the show's ability to showcase the meaningful development of characters and relationships. Whether that's spanning from the relationships between the younger kids or the adults, Stranger Things has managed to accomplish and ascertain something very few other shows of our time have managed. With that being to create and bring together a cast and set of characters that all equally have become infused into modern, popular culture. Something very similar to the characters and films the show directly pays homage too throughout, as this collection of original intellectual property stands apart from the otherwise studio monopoly. Although this is only an aspect that one may acknowledge and commended after firstly signifying the incredible range of performances and writing that is showcased throughout.

As the likes of Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Matthew Modine and Sadie Sink have all become particular standouts. With each able to profoundly and soundly illustrate the complexities and intricacies of their roles as well as profound notions and levels of emotional depth and meaning. With Stranger Things written in such a fashion that the show is able to sharply communicate both heartbreaking trauma as well as exciting and comedic satire. Tones that the show switches between and utilises expertly, as Stranger Things acts and contains elements that prove to be as equally horrific as they are sweet and tender. All the while still never losing sight nor focus on the evocative and rich relationships that made the show so endearing to begin with. As each season only builds upon this, by reaffirming and introducing new ways these qualities can seek to excel further, whether that's by introducing new characters or a continuation of it's storylines. With each passing season modelled upon and uniquely conceived around the exact period of time and films the show is directly trying to pay homage to. Something that proves to also be one of the show's greatest feats, as each separate season brings with it, it's very own unique energy and engaging atmospheric tone.

As the Duffers have seemingly created a worldwide sensation that ascertains and has proven to be like nothing else. Whether that's because of or spanning the show's intimate writing, thoughtful direction or profoundly sound and complex relationships and development. Stranger Things has not only infused itself into television folklore but rather into wider pop culture as a whole. With every decision, frame and second being well thought out and most importantly personal. That's why for the first time I give Stranger Things a 5 Stars.