On July 15, 2016, Netflix would launch a show that undeniably and undoubtedly became the definitive show of the streaming service, as well as allowing for subscriptions to increase exponentially: Stranger Things! I remember first sitting down to watch the show without any idea of what it's premise was, and from that first episode, I was immediately enthralled by the symbiosis of supernatural elements and the world of 1980's pop culture, blended with John Hughes style storytelling that helped shape some of the best characters of the 21st century, as well as some of the most iconic. It's a show that made me realize there are still great television programs out there, and having just watched the finale tonight, I can definitively say that it's one of the best shows I've seen. When television is good, you just feel it, and this world and these characters have certainly made me realize that over the course of these nine years.
Everything that's happened over the course of this show has been building to this finale. There was meticulous planning to make sure everything and everybody that's been introduced in the show had a part to play, and with a large ensemble cast that can hit some pitfalls, but for me I truly feel they stuck the landing. Sure, everybody will have nitpicks here and there about how they would prefer things to end, but I think it was as exemplary as it could be. Each volume had it's own focus, but when you go back and look each volume was always building towards something epic, and each little detail was shaped through the characters, writing and overall presentation of the show.
Essentially, the finale was split between both the supernatural and...well, okay, I'll use it the natural elements of the story. One of the things I like the most about this show is when characters split into groups. Each group has a specific task, and each task leads to achieving the ultimate mission of destroying the Upside Down for good. It allows the audience to see how vast the Upside Down really is, and the brilliant manner of which each group is comprised allows for the dramatic elements of those character's story arcs to find a resolution. Each arc deals with two aspects of the story, and it really sells why this show has become the juggernaut it is.
One of the best aspects of these supernatural quests shows how much each character has grown from when we were first introduced, and that's the mark of a truly great show. Finding your inner strength and using that to combat the obstacles in front of you to become the best version of yourself has always been the core message of this show, and it's echoed in both physical and emotional ways here. The idea of control is always a huge part of these scenes. One of my favorite movies of all time is Inception, and these scenes remind me of the different dream levels experienced throughout there. This concept is used brilliantly to demonstrate how expansive Vecna's reach is, but it also shows that despite the looming threat, there is always a luminous path through the bleak and dreary confusion. Watching both the kids and adults work together to save each other, and, by extension Hawkins is fascinating to watch. It just makes you feel good to watch everybody come together, help each other recognize their strengths, and cast out the demons lurking around the corner figuratively...although, in this case literally as well!
If I had to pick my favorite overall part of the action portion of the finale, it would definitely be the final battle. We all knew it was building to this moment where Eleven vs. Vecna and The Mindflayer would battle each other in a massive confrontation to the bitter end. Watching them battle each other in such an violent, yet artistic manner was magnificent. Without a doubt, Eleven will always be my favorite character from the show. Let's face it, though, all the girls on this show are extraordinary! I am a big fan of female characters, and all of them make a huge difference in everything on this show, and especially in this finale. Eleven really is the key to everything, but what is so exciting about this is that everybody found a way to contribute to Vecna & The Mindflayer's demise. Nancy becoming this bad ass warrior akin to Sarah Connor in Terminator 2 or, since we're in the 1980's Ellen Ripley in Aliens just blasting away showing she's not this timid girl next door anymore was awesome. Will Byers finally shaking off all the fear, dread and trauma he's dealt with over the course of the show finally finding his confidence, strength and happiness to break Vecna down to his core is everything, especially if you're a fan of the show since the beginning. Noah Schnapp has been fantastic in this entire final season, and it was great seeing him finally being the one with the power instead of being the one to feel powerless. Now, we can't talk about how great Vecna's demise was without mentioning Joyce. Winona Ryder has always been one of my favorite actresses, and one of the reasons I started watching the show was because she was cast in it. For the entirety of the show, we've always seen Joyce fiercely protective of her children for very good reason, but she's always had a passive approach to everything, but in this finale the moment I've wanted happened, and I enjoyed every damn minute of it. Joyce channeling her inner Jack Torrance treated Vecna like a door at the Overlook Hotel, and it was spectacular to watch. Vecna/Henry is the personification of malevolence, and a truly despicable character. Yes, Henry was ultimately too consumed by the dark, but he chose to stay on that path, and caused so much pain, strife and destruction that his end was inevitable. I thought Jamie Campbell Bower was impressive in the role. I also think Vecna is one of the coolest visual characters, and for the purposes of the story, Vecna should look as intimidating as he does, and he certainly was.
Millie Bobby Brown's performance as Eleven throughout this show has been the heart of the show. Her story was always the one I was most invested in, and the way they approached the demise of the Upside Down as a whole was certainly logical, and story wise made perfect sense. I knew there had to be one major character that would meet their end, because realistically for the fans to appreciate the entire journey, it has to happen. I always had an inkling that this was the only way to balance everything out. Eleven was the only one strong enough to make it work, and her sacrifice is the ultimate act of heroism. Protecting the people that took her in and raised her as friends and family was a beautiful conclusion for the Eleven character. I certainly felt the melancholic feelings of the characters. The natural reactions to what happens echoes the memories the core characters have shared since they found her in the pouring rain.
The epilogue of the finale was really well done. The John Hughes style storytelling was entertaining, as well as emotional. Some of my favorite parts were Gaten Matarazzo's Dustin Henderson's valedictorian speech. What was great about it is how he mirrored what Eddie would have done in that moment. Dustin has always been one of my favorite parts of the whole show, and I thought he was brilliant here being a rebel instead of a conformist. There's nothing wrong with being a little stranger, and doing things along the way that help you stand out, and Dustin exemplified that here. Joyce and Hopper finally finding the moment they've been looking for since Season 3 was recognized, and it was great seeing them in pure bliss. I always liked their romantic subplot, because it's not a conventional romance, but it's something that works, and something I think fans can appreciate. However, the show ending in a similar way to how it began was ultimately the best way to go. Dustin, Mike, Will & Lucas returning to the old Dungeons and Dragons campaigns was a fitting conclusion. No matter what happens, these four will always be friends, and while the game is the familiar, the possibility of what's unfamiliar in the future feels exciting, which is echoed in Mike's storytelling and glimpsing the next generation of the Wheeler family carrying out tradition (how great was Nell Fisher as Holly in Season 5), but in her own, unique way. Mike closing the door on this adventure for the audience was a great parting shot telling us while this story may be over, perhaps there's another one waiting to happen when you open it. There's a world of possibilities, and it's great to think about the ideas of more stories set in this world in years to come.
Nine years in Hawkins, Indiana has been a wild ride, and it's all been such an exciting adventure. Through exceptional characters, an excellent ensemble cast, a scintillating supernatural journey, great dramatic storytelling, and a roll of a dice or two, Stranger Things concludes it's narrative in the best way possible, however, much like Dustin and Suzie I wish this was truly a NeverEnding Story Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah!
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