We’ve finally gotten our first taste of Stranger Things Season 3 this morning.
The first footage released was a grainy TV ad, dug up from 1985, about the new Starcourt Mall coming to Hawkins, Indiana.
Here’s the official description of the commercial.
“Coming to Hawkins in the Summer of 1985…the Starcourt Mall! Starcourt Mall will be one of the finest shopping facilities in America and beyond with options for the entire family. Including The Gap, Waldenbooks, Sam Goody, Claire’s and more! Don’t forget to cool off at Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream shop. Starcourt Mall has it all!”
While the teaser is chock full of nostalgia and tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, there’s also four big pieces of information we learned about Season 3.
1. The Release Date: Much like Starcourt Mall’s opening, it looks like Stranger Things Season 3 will hit Netflix in the summer of 2019. Yes, that’ll be a whole year away from today, and roughly 20 or so months after Season 2’s release — but taking their time could definitely be a good thing. Let’s not forget how rushing into a sophomore season hurt so many other popular series in the past.
2. The Setting: It’s 1985, so of course we’re going to be at the mall.
3. Steve’s Back: And working at Scoops Ahoy. I’m glad the teaser wasn’t littered with the entire cast. That would’ve been a little too cutesy. However, having Steve in full ice cream parlor regalia was wonderful. And as it’s been reported, we’re getting more of “Dad Steve” this season…so we all win on that one.
4. A New Villain?: So, this might be a stretch…or is it? I don’t think they added “Starcourt is an All-American subsidiary of Starcourt Enterprises, an international enterprise,” at the end of the commercial just for fun. I believe we’ve got some sort of new, shadowy corporation moving into Hawkins. Is this is a new government front like the Department of Energy? Is this something more global? Is the mall a strategic position to be battle/study/exploit/weaponize the Shadow Monster/Mind Flayer?
