So, how about that ending, eh? I don’t know about the rest of you guys but the cliffhanger ending of Stranger Things Season 4 Vol. 2 had me screaming. I think I speak for the rest of the world when I shriek, “No! It can’t end like that I want more!” but sadly, that’s all we’re getting until Season 5… and then… that’ll be the end… because the Duffer Brothers have said that they plan on stopping the series at the end of Season 5.
But please please please let us talk about what just happened and how emotionally destroyed we are after the end of season four. Because our two truths is that we are completely fulfilled and completely emotionally destroyed at the same time.
Stranger Things S4 Vol. 2 left me flailing!
We have to admit that the first Volume dragged a little bit for us and didn’t pick up until near the end. However, Vol. 2 did not disappoint because in true, Stranger Things fashion, it gripped you by the throat and didn’t let go. After all that build-up we got to see exactly who Vecna/AKA: 01/AKA: “Henry” (Jamie Campbell Bower) was. He is a terrifying villain and completely fitting for Head of the Upside Down… he is kind of head of it, right?
I mean, aside from the demogorgons and weird bats, he seems to be the only person there. At least, the only person who has a sentient mind, that is. The demogorgons are all part of a hive mind, same goes for the bats. What on earth is with that black swirling vortex, though? Anyone who’s watched Supernatural knows that anytime one sees a black, swirling vortex, that’s not good!
Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) were reunited and my shipper heart can now rest a little easier because I know that they at least get to be together for a little while before the world goes all to hell in Season 5. Their scenes were sweet and touching, and felt well-earned, they were not over the top.
Yes, they were romantic, but unlike a lot of on-screen love stories they didn’t take it all off and have each other right there in Russia (though God knows they wanted to), no, this was a love story with priorities and some of us greatly appreciate that. You can’t always make time like some horny teenager, but the effort was there.
Speaking of horny teenagers, another beta couple that was hinted at was Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) and Nancy Wheeler (Natalie Dyer), even though Nancy is supposed to be with Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) and they did reunite at the very end, something about their dynamic has changed. Jonathan lied to Nancy about his acceptance letter not coming yet, and that will probably be a major deal in Season 5, because Nancy wants a good deal out of life, we’re not so sure about Jonathan who it would seem has dedicated his life to purple palm tree delight.
We’re not sure if that’s a good thing, or even something that Nancy would remotely approve of… she still is a little straight-laced, you know. It looks like Steve and Nancy reuniting may be a thing in Season 5, or at least glossed over, especially if we get a timeskip.
Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) finally said the three words, eight letters, that El AKA Jane Hopper (Millie Bobbie Brown) has been longing to hear. He finally said I love you, granted, it was when El was trying to save Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) who was near death herself after her plan to foil Vecna failed, you have to admit it was a clever plan, and we’re glad that she had El there as back-up, but will ever wake-up?
Will she be able to see again? Is Max technically even in there or did Vecna pull a switcharoo and is now running around in Max’s body? I hope it’s not the latter, I will be so disappointed if its the latter.
Can we all have a moment of silence for Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) who, we thought was going to be a minor villain at first, but turned it all around in the end and ended up becoming a hero. We love you too, Eddie… we’re verklempt, talk amongst yourselves!
The “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out” award goes to Jason Carver (Mason Dye), we could understand him being mad about his girlfriend, and maybe even mad at Eddie when he thought he committed the murder, but his attitude towards Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) was completely unforgivable and we applaud the earthquake, bravo! (Honestly, I’ll have to watch that scene again.)
Second Runner Up for the “don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out” award goes to Dr. Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine) AKA “Papa”, it was heart-wrenching to see El have to say goodbye to the man that she considered “Papa” because she had already had to say goodbye to her Mama in the most heartbreaking way in S2, but the thing is that could have been completely preventable – in fact a lot of this could have been prevented – by Dr. Brenner if he had not been out for his own gain… so… when he died, literally no one cried, at least not over him. (We did want to give El a hug, though.)
Shout out to the side characters that make this season, specifically Argyle (Eduardo Franco) and Murray Batman (Brett Gelman) without whose side antics the story would not be complete.
Argyle provides some much needed comic relief and the getaway van for the gang. Murray provides the same for Joyce and Hopper, though, this time he had a little assistance from a Russian pilot named Yuri Ismaylov (Nikola Durincko), the story would not have been complete without him and his virgin helicopter (don’t ask) “KATINKA”.
While we’re shouting out side characters, can we just give one to Dmitri “Enzo” Anotov (Tom Wlaschiha)? Hopper found a surprising, much needed ally with this guy. Even though it came at great cost to him, Enzo chose the right side to be on in the end, we won’t go as far as to call him a hero but he definitely contributed to the cause.
All of that being said, we’re sad that we’re going to have to wait so long on season 5 to drop, but knowing that it will be the last time we visit Hawkins, well, for now we’ll cherish the memories. Stay tuned!!!
