The first half of 2016 was, in my many ways, a simpler time. The Chicago Cubs had still not won the World Series in over one hundred years. The Atlanta Falcons had not yet blown a 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Almost no one thought the United Kingdom would vote to leave the European Union. Many of us did not believe Donald Trump would actually become President of the United States. And Stranger Things had not yet become a cultural phenomenon and the most popular original show on Netflix.
When Stranger Things first started streaming in July 2016, the show charmed us with its nostalgic setting and homages to the works of Stephen King and Steven Speilberg. The first season’s period-appropriate soundtrack and references to the pop culture of the 1980s stood out as smart world-building rather than shoehorned winks. The Netflix original was such a hit and so closely linked to its inspirations that I published a recommended watching/reading list for fans that was full of similar books, films, and shows.
Three years later, Stranger Things continues to thrill audiences with its representation of life and pop culture in the 1980s. At the same time, though, the show has demonstrated an understanding that nostalgia and easter eggs have limited mileage and can only fuel interest for so long. Season Two of Stranger Things, while not quite as popular as its first season, was at its best when the show avoided homages and instead delved deeper into its own mythology and more intimately explored its characters. For the series to continue capturing viewers’ attention and sparking conversation, Stranger Things must bring these efforts to the forefront of season three.
At some point, references become lazy, staying true to inspirations becomes claustrophobic, and homages become plagiaristic. Just as the cast of Stranger Things continues to grow through adolescence, so too must the series grow past its roots.
Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) must become more than an amalgamation of the protagonists of Carrie and Firestarter. Joyce (Winona Ryder) needs to be more than a replica of the mother from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and the older teens should break out from their John Hughes love triangles. And Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and his friends have to prove they’re more than stand-ins for the Losers Club from It.
All of these characters have traits that distinguish them from their original counterparts, but the show must continue to investigate and magnify these characteristics to ensure the residents of Hawkins stay compelling and fully realized. Taking the world of Stranger Things in new, unexpected directions will guarantee that the series stands the test of time and remains relevant in the ever-growing streaming landscape. This task is essential for the show’s continued success.
Thankfully, trailers and promotional material suggest season three will embrace that need for change. As Eleven and her friends will hopefully discover, growing up is a difficult and often uncomfortable process, but such growth is needed to truly unlock someone’s (or a show’s) full potential.
Stranger Things Season 3 premieres on Netflix on July 4, 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnHOQ-cHa0
