Stranger Things 5, Vol 2 was Sloppy

The mechanics of Stranger Things 5 took a nosedive in Vol 2.

**SPOILERS BELOW**

Where to even begin? Stranger Things 5, Volume 2 came out on Christmas, with three episodes being released before the series finale, which will drop on New Year’s Eve on Netflix and select theaters. This season has had no shortage of negative critiques, and these detractors only got louder after the repetitive, bloated, and cheesy Vol 2. 

You Guys!

When in doubt, write a huddle-up scene that culminates with a eureka moment and a practical explanation. This must be ever-present in the minds of the Duffer brothers. We have seen this play out many-a-time in Stranger Things, and at this point it’s a meme. 

Let me paint you a picture. Our group of characters have reached an impasse. Let’s talk it over! Everyone say exactly what they know and what they’re thinking, except one person. That one character will fixate on something seemingly innocuous, but SURPRISE, it isn’t! In fact, it’s the perfect metaphor for the solution that everyone else was too stupid to see on their own. To explain it, our new group leader will need some props. Steve used a slinky. Lucas used popcorn. Robin used a vinyl record. It feels like every episode has a scene like this and I am completely burnt out by them. The apple can’t keep hitting Isaac Newton’s head.  

Writing Issues

The writing has devolved. Sorry. Not just the dialogue, with the lack of humor and the surplus of exposition and dumb zingers (Steve and Dustin’s nonsensical feud gave us tons of these), but the plot as well. The big picture is fine. You want to introduce another dimension and wormholes and stuff? Cool, have at it. But we are certainly tripping over some coffee tables on our way to the show’s conclusion. The little things matter too. 

The plot armor is getting ridiculous. There are simply no stakes in this show anymore. Why was Lucas able to give a half-assed little kick into the mouth of a demodog and knock it on its ass, all while holding Max in his arms? The same demodog that had just devoured trained members of the U.S. military like it was playing with a chew toy. Speaking of the military, why is Nancy suddenly laying waste to the ones guarding the upside down while she sits on top of a truck, completely exposed? Why is Holly able to evade the all-powerful Vecna simply by running away from him out in the open in a straight line? Why are the demogorgons unbeatable when facing the military, but nearly worthless when facing children and their mothers? Did Max pull both her hamstrings while she was stuck in Vecna's mind? RUN DAMNIT! I could go on and on and on.

The reason is because these are the main characters and nothing bad can happen to them. Plot armor. 

It wasn’t always like this. One slip-up could get you killed in the early seasons of Stranger Things. Not anymore. Unless you’re in the armed forces. While this used to be an adult show starring kids, it has become a kids show.

Any Chance?

It all hinges on the New Year’s Eve finale. Eleven seems to have been phased out a bit, with other storylines (that we care less about) getting far more screen time. Here’s hoping she shines again to close out the show. 

Stranger Things is very bloated due to a lack of important deaths and/or characters being written off, as evidenced by the auditorium-sized crowd present for Will’s big confession. If they try to wrap up every storyline in a meaningful way, we as fans are in for a bad time. The Duffer brothers need to keep the main thing the main thing: defeating Vecna. No more group epiphanies with prop explanations. No more kicking demodogs in the face like they’re chihuahuas. Give me stakes and give me a focused story. 

They have two hours and eight minutes to pull it off. 

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