Editor’s note: Minor spoilers for “Stranger Things.”
It’s been three long years since the fourth season of “Stranger Things” was released in 2022. Unless you’re a diehard fan, you may want to touch up on characters and plots you haven’t seen for a while. Since Season 5 is confirmed to be the last season of the show, here’s a recap to make sure you dive in with fresh memories.
Season 1, released in 2016, brought audiences into the supernatural world of Hawkins, Indiana
The first time I watched the show, I especially enjoyed the suspense and the dynamics between the tight-knit friend group.
The story is set in 1983 and follows Dungeons and Dragons-loving Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair and Will Byers. Will Byers’ mysterious disappearance drives the plot, as the search for him reveals a parallel dimension called the Upside Down.
Another main character is Eleven, a girl with psychokinetic abilities who escapes from a secretive government lab. Joyce Byers, Will’s mom, and Jim Hopper, the town’s police chief, also play key roles in investigating the strange events. Throughout the season, the mystery around Will’s disappearance is unraveled. It turned out that the culprit was a Demogorgon, a monster from the Upside Down.
The season culminates in an intense confrontation between Eleven and the Demogorgon as she tries to rescue Will. Will returns home, but hints of lingering danger are revealed, setting up the events of Season 2.
The development of the characters in Season 1 kept me engaged the whole time without much filler, which seems to be a trend in the later seasons. The plot twists were unparalleled in their intensities. The season featured a strong science fiction theme along with the strong emphasis on the horror elements. In short, it was a hit on most levels.
Season 2, released in 2017, brought even bigger threats to Hawkins
Yet again, Will Byers finds himself in danger of being pulled back into the Upside Down. Will experiences terrifying visions of the Mind Flayer, a shadowy monster, who eventually takes control over his body and uses him as a spy.
New characters like Max Mayfield and her older brother Billy Hargrove are introduced, as an unexpected friendship develops between Steve Harrington and Dustin, as well as Max and Lucas. In the end, Eleven seals the portal to the Upside Down, which saves Hawkins from the Mind Flayer and rescues Will from its control.
This season features the infamous “Lost Sister” arc introducing Eleven’s “sister” from her childhood. This part of the season often felt jarring and was poorly acted; it broke the first season’s momentum.
Season 2 picked things up after Season 1 and introduced new characters, but it was the weakest season for me. The season started off slow, and I didn’t feel engaged the whole time. It felt like a repeat of the first season.
Season 3, released in 2019, moves readers ahead in the ‘80s
The third season takes place during the summer of 1985 and introduces us to Robin Buckley, who works alongside Steve Harrington at the Starcourt Mall. They discover a secret Soviet base under the mall and work together to decode Russian transmissions, revealing the Soviets’ plan to reopen the gate to the Upside Down.
Soon after, Steve, Dustin, Robin and Erica Sinclair (Lucas’ younger sister) crawl through vents to infiltrate the underground lab.
In addition, the Mind Flayer returns and forms the Flayed, a group of people it has possessed. Billy becomes the main host for the Mind Flayer, but sacrifices himself to protect Eleven during the final fight in the mall, an action I felt redeemed his cruel and antagonistic character.
Season 3 was a standout season. With upbeat vibes and its summer setting, it’s one of my favorites. The story arc about infiltrating the secret Soviet base was really well done and the dynamics between the group were especially fun to watch.
Season 4 delivered the most intense chapters yet
Season 4 introduces the most terrifying monster yet: Vecna, a humanoid with writhing skin. Vecna targets vulnerable teens in Hawkins by invading their minds and tormenting them with their biggest fears before killing them.
The core group consists of Nancy, Dustin, Max, Lucas, Steve, Robin and Eddie. They work together to understand who Vecna is by piecing together clues from Max’s visions and old case files.
As a team, they discover Vecna used to be Henry Creel, the first test subject at Hawkins Lab. In the finale, they travel to the Upside Down’s version of the Creel House to attack Vecna’s body, where they are able to weaken him by setting his body on fire. It was cool to see Vecna for the first time, as he looked different from any of the previous monsters.
There was also a subplot where Joyce Byers and Murray Bauman work to help Jim Hopper escape from a Soviet gulag. I found this plot to be long and pointless because it didn’t impact the main plot in any way; it should have been cut from the season entirely.
Season 4 delved into new characters like Eddie Munson and Vecna, focusing especially on Vecna’s dark past. These additions expanded the main plot by adding new layers of mystery and horror.
Overall, I think the Stranger Things franchise is compelling because of its ability to blend science fiction with horror in a way that feels fresh and unique. It feels like we’re a part of the core friend group, watching how they’ve grown up and developed over the seasons. The series doesn’t have too many episodes or unnecessary filler. It is great to watch because of its combination of compelling characters, mostly intriguing plot lines and action-packed episodes.
