Have you guys been watching Stranger Things on Netflix? I finished it a couple of weeks ago and I’m already thinking about watching it again, partly so that I can pick up on some things I may have missed. I especially wanted to see it again after reading this E! think piece about the show, which floats fan theories that may or may not be spoilery (warning). Some of them occurred to me as I watching the show, but others I didn’t imagine and I want to revisit it with them in mind. More than that though, I just want to go back to that nostalgic supernatural world, which was a wonderful convergence of the movies of that era and how it felt to actually be there. The soundtrack could be cloying and heavy-handed and while I appreciated all the alternative hits I hope they get someone new to do the music and sound editing. Other than that I have no complaints and am just sitting here waiting to hear when it’s coming back for another season. It seems inevitable given how much buzz it’s been getting, but as Bustle is pointing ut, Netflix hasn’t made an announcement yet. Not to worry, this is typical for the streaming service and Stranger Things is almost certain to get a second season and likely many more:
It’s been just over a month since the eight-episode first season dropped on Netflix on July 15, and there’s still no official word on whether the streaming service plans to bring the series back for more.
Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos actually addressed this delay at the Television Critics Association press tour in late July, as reported by E! Online. At that time, Stranger Things had only been out for two weeks, and people were already jonesing for news about the fate of the show. “We always want to take some time to be thoughtful about the process,” Sarandos told the reporters gathered at TCA. “When we first come out of the gate with something, we usually have a pretty good idea of where it’s going to go, but it’s sensible for us to take a little bit of time and let the show breathe. And with so many really falling in love with Season 1, and people who haven’t really seen episodes of Season 1 just yet, let’s focus on Season 1 right now…”
As excruciating as this delay may feel for Stranger Things fans, it’s actually completely normal for Netflix. Even Marvel’s Jessica Jones and Master Of None, two of the platform’s most critically-acclaimed new series (both took home Peabody Awards this spring), had to wait several months for their renewals.
Bustle goes on to note that every single original Netflix show has been renewed after its first season, so we’re sure to see more Stranger Things. They also mention that Hemlock Grove, another Netflix original horror series, is the only original Netflix show to end so far and that was after it had three seasons. (I tried to watch that show and despite a high tolerance for bad horror I could not get into it.) So Stranger Things will surely get another season, we just don’t know when yet.
Also, we have seen Winona Ryder get a lot of renewed interest and publicity which is understandable given her level of celebrity, but out of all the characters I don’t think she stood out. That’s more a comment on the fact that all the performances were strong, particularly among the young actors and actresses, rather than a dig at her in particular. She was believable and turned in a good performance she was just part of an ensemble.
It will be renewed. For sure. Netflix just takes a long time to make announcements.
For sure. I think they’re just trying to figure out what to do with it. The folks that run it have said the big issue with sequels is that they take the mystery out of the world they’d established. I think they’d be smart to set it in the same universe, but not with the same characters.
This show was everything to me for the 1.5 weeks I binged and digested it. Can’t wait!
Oh my gosh! I watched it all in 24 hours! It was such a good show. I loved it!
Me too. I lost an entire Sunday. TOTALLY WORTH IT.
Yeah. My husband and I sat down to watch one episode while we ate breakfast… and didn’t get up until we’d watched every episode. Seriously.
I managed watched it in 48 hours… my favorite series of the summer, for sure.
Me too!
I have serious love for Eleven. She was just so strong and brave and amazing. I will be heart broken if I don’t get to see the next chapter in her story.
she’s an amazing actress, that one. barely had any lines in the first couple of episodes and conveyed SO MUCH with just her facial expressions.
TIFFANY me too! Bring back Eleven! Wish I could ask you what you think of the end!
Whet?!??!?! I NEEEEEEDDD the soundtrack to Live, im inn earnest Stalking S U R V I V E’s Band Page til hat mess is in my Spotify for my grubby lil fingers
Yeah I LOVE the soundtrack and music!!!
I thought Winona’s performance really stood out on the show. I never really thought of her as a great actress prior to the show, but she was scene-stealing and gripping. The young actors were really talented, too. They reminded me of the movies I watched when I was younger like The Goonies, Sandlot, and The Little Giants – why don’t they make movies like that for kids anymore?! Anyways, I digress… Nancy was the weakest link, I think. The guy who played Steve was really good – **potential spoiler??** – apparently they were going to kill his character off in the first few episodes, but they thought he was so charismatic that they kept him.
I loved how Steve’s character progressed. It wasn’t predictable and he pleasantly surprised me.
Yes! Almost nothing about the show was predictable, which is what made it so good. They hooked you in with the nostalgia, but really it was just a GOOD story!
I also loved how Steve’s character “grew”…he went from being a sorta dude-bro to a stand-up guy.
Is that Jean-Ralphio? I don’t watch but I’ve been meaning to. I need new TV shows. Sad that it didn’t get renewed.
😂 it’s not but the resemblance is uncanny!
The headline caught me for a second. I love the show! I do hope it gets renewed.
It damn well better be back. I have questions that need answers!
Did the teen actress (sister of michael) look painfully thin to anyone? Great actress. It made me nervous for her. Bony and she’s 20.
YOOOO!!! YESSSSSS I thought I was the only one and also Going crazy !
Oh man…YES. I’m sorry I really REALLY hate to body police but she looks SO gaunt.
And in those clothes, which were not at all form-fitting. Her face, even…so thin. Really made me worry, even though I rightfully know that it’s none of my damn biz.
Painfully so, and definitely noticeable, so noticeable I said it out loud a few times while watching.
I’ll leave it at that.
Yep, hand up!! I had the same thoughts through my mind as well. I was actually invisioning some sick, starvation, I wanna be a star thing going on. Yes I know some women are naturally that way however, I could help that my head went there.
Yes, at risk of being body police, it was distracting to be honest…every scene she was in I couldnt stop thinking how sickly she looked
As an anorexic in remission (you never really get over an eating disorder) I have to say that when I saw her I saw some telltale signs. One of the strongest, but weirdest, signs of anorexia is that it shows in your face by making it at once seem sunken and slack, with deep crevices, but stretched so that it makes your lips seem thinner and mouth wider than they are (I’m not sure if I’ve described it well, but you will see “anorexia face” frequently with sufferers. Google it if you want).
When I had active anorexia I would hide behind “Don’t be the body police!” and “Stop shaming me!”, but I did have a problem, and now in remission, i wish that when someone sees someone ill they don’t fear to mention it. Especially if its obvious. This is not being PC it’s wilfully turning a blind eye to a serious illness. Just my two cents worth from a sufferer, and i’m sorry if it’s a little blunt. English is not my first language.
She also reminded me of one of my friend’s who was battling an eating disorder at that age. Not just in her face and boniness but in the way her shoulders slope forward when she stands. Like its an effort to stay up.
I wish you the best as you continue to recover!
@Pikawho Thank you! And kind wishes to you too.
did you notice that she always wore a ballet necklace? My guess is that her size is explained by being a dancer.
Yes, as horrible as it sounds. I actually found it distracting. I hope she is healthy and that this is her natural body type, but I have my doubts.
Yes, I thought she looked painfully thin too and it was very distracting.
Yes and it really bothered me every time she was on screen. It was distracting. I googled photos of her when she was younger and she has not always been like this. The scary thing for me is that the camera adds weight so in real life she must be utterly skeletal. Obviously I don’t know her health status but to me she looks incredibly unhealthy, with that lollipop head look. I also noticed that she has downy hair on her arms which is a strong sign of anorexia. I hope she can get to a healthy happy place.
Yes! And we were supposed to believe she could swing a bat and hurt someone with it? It WAS very distracting how thin she was. She is very beautiful, but she doesn’t look like she has developed physically past the age of about 12. And a thin 12 at that.
Binge watched it, loved it, need more! Quit screwing around Netflix. If they bring it back without Eleven I will cut a bitch!
Omg hope it gets renewed! My son and I binge watched and we have competing theories. My pride is at stake here! Lol!
Dustin was the stand out, in my book. Kid’s going places!
I loved him! The hug at the quarry. So sweet.
<3
Yes-amazing.
Dustin was the MVP. My favorite character, for sure, followed very closely by Chief Hopper.
I really hope it gets renewed – it’s fantastic.
It reminded me so much of Stand by Me and my childhood love of The Goonies (that one doesn’t stand up to adult rewatching IMHO). I loved seeing Winona Ryder again.
When I try and explain the show to people I always tell them it’s like if Lean On Me and the X-files had a baby.
Perfect!
That’s what I was telling people too. I love how much it brought back happy memories of growing up in the 80’s.
Loved this show and definitely going to re watch.
I finally watched it this week and it took me 4 days (I could only muster 2 episodes a day because my heart was going to stop) and I LOVED IT.
Lucas kind of annoyed me but I loved the kids as a group. Their friendship was real to me.
Haven’t we all either had a friend like Lucas, or have been Lucas ourselves? 😉 All their characters were so well developed.
If anyone is a new fan of the brilliant Millie Bobby Brown you can also try checking out a BBC America sci-fi series called Intruders that aired a couple of years back. Although the show was a little patchy, she stole every scene she was in. It also starred John Simm, Mira Sorvino and James Frain, so something for everybody.
I love this show- we watched with the kids & pointed out so much 80s stuff- my sister had a skirt like that, etc.- I do hope it comes back!
“Winona Ryder get a lot of renewed interest and publicity which is understandable given her level of celebrity, but out of all the characters I don’t think she stood out.” I totally agree with this- WR was fine (a bit hammy, but it didn’t take away from the show too much). The kids were awesome*, especially Eleven. I thought the Sheriff was very good as well- my husband recognized him as Elliot from the Newsroom- what a range!
*Most of them also sing- a couple of them have even been on Broadway
Looks like I’m in the minority here, but if they do renew it, I hope it’s somewhere totally different. Maybe in the same place but with adjacent characters, but not continuing the same plot line. To me, the arc is just too good, and trying to extend it would just ruin it.
Then again, I like that I’m left with questions. It gave me all the X-Files chills and to me that’s what makes it so good.
I totally agree. It felt complete and I would like to see it be like a stand alone movie.
Maybe season 2 could explore Matthew Modine at an earlier time and different experiment as I felt he was under utilized.
I completely agree with that. It was a great stand alone story. One thing I read conjectured that the second season [spoiler alert?] might follow the death of Hopper’s daughter and tie it all in with a larger conspiracy. I think I could get behind that.
I agree. They’ve left a lot of unanswered questions and could answer a few of them in S.2 while taking the story in another direction and introducing more mystery.
I totally agree with you all. I loved the performances of the young boys (which reminded me a little of “E.T.” as well as “Stand by Me” and “The Goonies”), and I loved the writing of the teen love triangle (typical 8os stereotype high schoolers.) This season was great!
If the show is renewed, I am interested in watching a season where the characters of the Chief and Eleven are developed. I love the other characters, but I am not so interested in a repeat of “teen love triangle”, nor “kids on an adventure” story line. I wonder how the writing could capture the nostalgia of the 80s without that, though.
Anyway, can’t wait to see if this program is renewed!! Finger crossed!
#JusticeForBarb
Netflix always does this to get buzz. I think S2 is definitely happening.
I hope they get started soon before the kids age up and become unrecognizable.
#JusticeForBarb indeed.
I loved the show and I can’t wait for season two.
Agree, she was strong and believable but was part of an equally strong ensemble. And Millie Brown took the taco in this series.
Although now that I think about it, I wonder if a quite capable unknown actress wouldn’t have fit better with the rest of the ensemble. The inevitable focus-pulling from Ryder kind of seems like a detriment in the casting diorama. Like watching the show, knowing the Winona Ryder brand, seemed to rob it of some authenticity.
She still did well though, IMO.
1) the soundtrack reminded me a little of Grimes. I’m more than ok with that.
2) I want more episodes, and while It takes a lot for me to actively hate or dislike something, I can see where continuing the story of season one could be a mistake. Discussing it with others, who say continuing Eleven’s story would cheapen her sacrifice. On the other hand, we don’t know how telekinesis works, so maybe she didn’t actually sacrifice herself. I personally love this aspect of the show, it’s real and even the fantastical bits are somewhat plausible, but it’s still fantasy, and anything can happen.
3) the whole lab thing really fired up my irrational fear of Glados.
4) hot sheriff. Much Twin Peaks. So donut. All teh damn fine. #eggo
It’s as good as the X-Files was back in its hey day, when the early episodes were superb. But instead of Mulder and Scully, we get the Goonies as the main characters 🙂
I absolutely loved it, wish they made more tv shows (and films for that matter) of such quality!
I agree about Winona, it’s good for her (and I love her) but I wonder what relevance will her character have in the upcoming seasons.. umm..
I strongly recommend a re-watch — Just did that this week and found that at the few points where I got impatient the first time through, I was much more content to let it ride this time, because I knew the pay-off would be worth it!
Everyone was so fantastic, but I agree with some of the posters up-thread that I’d like to see a different plot or setting in the second season. I loved the slight open-endedness, and I think this arc is complete as is.
Finally…Millie Brown is going to be a star. Like a quote in her IMDB profile points out, she has instincts that can not be taught. Amazing!
I tried to watch it but I was bored with the bad acting.
It gets better after the fourth episode. Was bored until that one.
Wouldn’t it awesome if they pulled a Beyoncé and just randomly dropped the second season? We just turn on Netflix tomorrow and BOOM there it is.