Stranger Things has a set structure of telling multiple storylines that ultimately wrap come together by the penultimate episode. Last season, this structure did not work effectively. Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) felt like afterthoughts. Eleven’s (Millie Bobbie Brown) sojourn to find her mom, and others like her felt like an unnecessary distraction, and her all too convenient return to save the day, felt awkward.
Season 3 seems to have learned from these mistakes as all storylines are given ample screen time. Even the less than interesting “Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) whine about girls” plot is bolstered by Will’s (Noah Schnapp) resistance to growing up, and his connection to The Mind Flayer.
The storyline that’s been one of the best has been the return of Nancy as an unstoppable force. Last season, as mentioned before, she was sparingly used, and most of her plot revolved around her break-up with Steve and inevitable get together with Jonathan. Yes, she had a nice few moments in the finale, but where was that surprising bad ass we saw in Season One?
Luckily, she’s back, and Natalia Dyer does a phenomenal job of blending legit action chops, with with legit acting chops. Her facial expressions throughout Season 3, particularly when she’s bombarded with patriarchal bullshit from her co-workers, emphasizes real heartbreak, frustration and anger that anyone can connect with. Her scene in Episode 4 with her mom (Cara Buono) might be some of the best acting work of the season.
But in ‘The Flayed’, we get to see her back, taking charging, and literally destroying the patriarchy — who just happened to be possessed by The Mind Flayer. Her work, along with Charlie Heaton’s, accentuate the Dawn of the Dead/Thing storyline, making the suspense near excruciating to watch. And that’s saying something since we’ve been super saturated with zombie/possession horror films for the better part of a decade.
The Terminator meets Midnight Run story arc of Joyce (Winona Ryder), Hopper (David Harbour), Murray (Brett Gelman), and their captive Alexi (Alec Utgoff) is a fun one to watch. The Terminator influences are not subtle in the least from the fact Grigori (Andrey Ivchenko) looks like Schwarzenegger to the music playing pieces of the film’s iconic theme. It should be an eye roll, but somehow it all seems to work.
What isn’t working, is Hopper’s attitude. While, I’ve watched the entire season and know what’s coming, the surliness of Hop, particularly towards Joyce is disappointing. Hop’s a beloved character so to see him take this turn is not fun to watch. However, I would suggest that you stay the course, because I believe this should all pay off in the end.
Of course, we can’t review an episode with out talking about the Four Horsemen of Awesome — Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Steve (Joe Keery), Robin (Maya Hawke), and Erica (Priah Ferguson). Give them their own show. Make it a weekly Scooby Doo-esque mystery series. It’ll be the most watched show of all-time. It’s a chef’s kiss in the air of comedic brilliance.
‘The Flayed’ is the turning point episode of the series. Everything is coming together plotwise. The stakes are raised. The warm, fuzzy feeling of the series is giving way to a taunt action-horror vibe, and it’s both welcomed and appreciated.
Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 5, ‘The Flayed’ is now streaming on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnHOQ-cHa0&t=35s
