Stranger Things S4 Season review Vol 1 & 2

Stranger Things S4 Stranger Things S4 series definitely goes big, as Eleven and the gang finally put a face to the shadow that loom large in the Upside down as adversary to our Hawkings gang . And there are certainly ' Empire Strikes Back' vibes all over the place here in this season. Although much of this season split the group in different directions each with their mission or (quest )in true D&D fashion, it serves it wells. It gives the ever-expanding gang a much-needed change in dynamic, as the stories are split in to stands, weaving together in the end in a showdown. Oddly in this season Eleven and Mike take a bit for a back seat(off to train for the fight ahead for a majority in this season), in her own voyage of rediscovery of her past under the mentorship of 'Papa' the villainous Dr. Martin Brennea (a returning Mathew Modine) , as we follow Max and the others, (still in Hawkins), but left to explore other social circles.However as things from the upside down soon make their presence known , in the shape 'Vecna' a purposeful homage to 'Freddy Krege'r and the slasher genre of the 80's era,and takes centre stage serving as both a great physical foe, as well as psychological menace to our heroes. The result is a stand out mid-season episode is Max Mayfield (a great Sadie Sink) and what feels like a worthy season climax on its own, with great use of a Kate Bush track anthem that makes the rest of the season hard to live up to. Another standout new character is 'Metalhead' Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), a who goes through his own hero arc as the season plays out.It does feel overlong as a season at times , and perhaps the last two episodes could be trimmed, but it helps drive the show into the epic spectacle league. These last episodes laying the ground work for what we assume will be the climactic season 5. Overall a many stranded tale ,but serves character favourites, old and new well, with plenty of horror and action set pieces, making it deservedly the most talked-about show this Summer. Roll on season 5.