Tag: Stranger Things

The End of the Beginning of the End – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode 9 “The Piggyback”

The last chapter of Stranger Things 4 has one hell of a bitter ending. Episode Nine, titled “The Piggyback”, drops some major bombshells on us as an audience, while also tying up the season’s plot lines before setting up the events of the final season. It’s a case of closing out one story while laying … Continue reading The End of the Beginning of the End – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode 9 “The Piggyback” →

The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode 8 “Papa”

The second half of Stranger Things 4 starts off with a bang with the episode, “Papa”. Everything is leading up to the final plan to kill Vecna/Henry/One and the stakes of the coming fight are laid out plainly that this is not a fight everyone expects to walk away from. In between the more action-packed … Continue reading The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode 8 “Papa” →

Pulling Back the Curtain – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Seven “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”

The finale for the first part of Stranger Things 4 ends with several revelations, none of them good for our heroes. Monsters are fought, freedom is earned for some, and we finally get the story behind the Big Bad of the season, Vecna. While I, like many people, would have preferred all nine episodes be … Continue reading Pulling Back the Curtain – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Seven “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” →

Into the Upside Down – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Six “The Dive”

Storytelling in long form, whether it’s a television series or a novel, is like chess: setting the pieces in place where they can have the most impact. Episode Six of Stranger Things 4, titled “The Dive”, is a great example of the story’s chess pieces being moved into position where they will have the biggest … Continue reading Into the Upside Down – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Six “The Dive” →

Fear and Panic – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Five “The Nina Project”

Moral outrage is a good thing from time to time. Without it, we would become complacent. But behind many acts of moral outrage are two key emotions: Fear and Panic. Episode Five of Stranger Things 4, titled “The Nina Project”, dives into both of those two emotions and how we as people tend to deal … Continue reading Fear and Panic – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Five “The Nina Project” →

Finding Solace with Friends – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Four “Dear Billy”

I have to give credit to the Duffer Brothers: when they commit to an idea, they don’t half-ass it. Whether it’s plumbing the depths of horror or pulling on our heartstrings, Stranger Things 4 manages to evoke powerful emotions with deft ease. The fourth episode, titled “Dear Billy”, deals with impending death, how we face … Continue reading Finding Solace with Friends – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Four “Dear Billy” →

Hidden Monsters – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Three “The Monster and The Superhero”

The third episode of Stranger Things 4, titled “The Monster and The Superhero”, continues the plot threads started in “Vecna’s Curse” while also providing crucial moments where some of the main characters have to make a choice on where they stand. Like most great horror stories, there’s always a break needed after ramping up the … Continue reading Hidden Monsters – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Three “The Monster and The Superhero” →

This Town Is Haunted – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Two “Vecna’s Curse”

One has to wonder why anyone insists on staying in Hawkins, Indiana after the last three years (in the show’s timeline). Hawkins is cursed, as young Dustin points at the end of “Vecna’s Curse”, the second episode of Stranger Things 4. The death of Chrissy Cunningham hangs over the entirety of the episode, fracturing an … Continue reading This Town Is Haunted – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode Two “Vecna’s Curse” →

A Nightmare in Hawkins – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode One “The Hellfire Club”

Poster Art for "Stranger Things 4". Source The first half of Stranger Things Season 4 has dropped on Netflix and for the 80s kid in me, it is a welcome return to some nostalgia and horror. By the end of the first episode, titled “The Hellfire Club”, a terrifying new entity is introduced, evoking parallels … Continue reading A Nightmare in Hawkins – Review of “Stranger Things 4” Episode One “The Hellfire Club” →

D is for Dungeons & Dragons – An ABC’s Essay

Source In case it hasn’t been readily apparent with the posts on this blog, I’m a nerd. One could say I’ve been working on my Ph.D. in geek culture for many years now. The initial introduction to geek culture started with my mother, who introduced me to science fiction and fantasy when I was kid. … Continue reading D is for Dungeons & Dragons – An ABC’s Essay →