The critics exaggerated: "Strange things" are still exciting, shaky and fascinating

True, the fourth season was very tense and tested the limits of Sufiya's patience.

But the current journey of the beloved series has dared to encompass the history of the saga, to deal sensitively with adolescence, anomalies, parent-child relationships and the horror of everyday life, and to illustrate once again how music can conquer everything.

Season summary

Nadav Menuhin

04/07/2022

Monday, 04 July 2022, 09:13 Updated: 09:42

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"Strange Things" Trailer - Season 4 Part 2 (Netflix)

Opening with a decision: the criticism is a bit excessive.

True, the fourth and penultimate season of "Strange Things" stretched itself fairly.

True, she neglected the emotional development of the young characters, who led the series so far.

And rightly so, there is at least one wing of the plot - the plots of Mike, Will, Jonathan and Argyll in the pizza delivery vehicle - that has clearly been lost.

But along with all this, the current journey of "Strange Things" was also shaky and touching, very fun, and no less - elaborate and ambitious.

This season dared to encompass the history of the saga - it explored on the one hand the sources of Hawkins' horror and on the other hand served as a bridge to the finale on the way - and more importantly: it also managed to sensitively engage with various aspects of adolescence.

In fact, this season has proven beyond doubt: the heart of the series lies outside the upside, in the day-to-day horror of early adolescence, and in friendships that only she can beat.

A shaky journey, in spite of everything.

From "Strange Things 4" (Photo: Netflix)

For example, one of the topics that this season has dealt with intensely is the anomalies of the protagonists - whether it's the assigned freak Eddie, the socially ostracized Elban in the lab and high school, the lonely and sensitive Will, the clumsy Robin, of course Max immersed in her distress and even Lucas struggling to find himself among the athletes The violent, not to mention Henry / One / Acne, but he's from a different story.

The society around them - parents, students, the town - keep waking them up and reminding them in different ways, until some, as one of the characters say, feel like a "mistake", or like a "monster" in the case of Elban.

But they find themselves together, in a kind of alternative family of outcasts, full of compassion and inclusion.

Another central angle comes from within the family.

Admittedly, the world of "Strange Things" protagonists has so far existed with almost no parents, or at least mixed parents - with the exception of Joyce, who this season finds herself on an adventure in the Soviet Union - a great comedic break, with all the criticism - while her children run away from whistling bullets through light drugs.

But the last season has devoted much time to dealing with the issue of fatherhood, especially through Elban's two alternative fathers - Hopper and Dr. Brenner. The latter is an authoritarian, violent and manipulative father; About a confrontation between children and parents as a necessary stage in adolescence, while at the same time Elban is re-dealing in the lab with the complex legacy of "Papa" Brenner - and overcoming it and him.

The real monster is outside.

From "Strange Things 4" (Photo: Netflix)

In parallel with the supernatural labs, strange monsters and enemies invading the head, real violence occurs in schools.

After all, the scariest monsters of the fourth season are Angela and her friends who abuse Elban, or the gang of bully athletes who decide to hunt freaks out of fear, ignorance and burning hatred.

One can also show compassion towards these characters - she is only 12 years old, they have just lost a partner and a teammate - but in fact they are no less terrifying than the upside down.

Along with the loneliness, depression and insecurity, all of which are described in detail last season, "Strange Things" completes a comprehensive engagement with real challenges - even if occasionally cruel bats and hungry demagogues interfere in the middle.

To the credit of the current season, some iconic music moments were also recorded, in a series that already enjoyed a perfect soundtrack.

Everything has already been said about the integration of Kate Bush's song of the great pop culture of the year - and she was joined in the finale as a cherry on Eddie's guitar solo whipping, the latest performance - Metallica's Master of Puffs, in a scene that will once again bring metal back into fashion.

Like every other element in the series, these songs had a plot role and an emotional role - music as a secret and magical weapon that allows one to transcend the greatest threats.

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The focus shifted to the older bunch.

From "Strange Things 4" (Photo: Netflix)

Perhaps what has bothered many viewers this season is the shift in focus from the bunch of kids to the older boys.

It was the season of Nancy, Steve, Robin, the late Eddie and to a lesser extent Jonathan and Argyle - characters who allowed a new scale of emotions and dilemmas. The end of the season calls into question the fate of Max, the deepest and sharpest character in the gang of children, who swings between life and death. And the serenity of the innocent suburb is revealed as hell.It is doubtful whether what has been done can be reversed.

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