Ok, I don't normally do episode by episode reactions, but Stranger Things is a unique animal. This season is especially interesting since they only recently abandoned the plan to release them as two hour long episodes. That would have mad each one of them longer than many of the 1980s movies this show plays homage to. Although they wisely chose to leave the episodes in the hour long format that fits the show more naturally, the first episode was about 70 minutes long and felt like a mini movie.
As always, there will be no spoilers in this but I will share some details that i think might help you to enjoy the show. But before I get to that, let's all remember that this entire series requires some of the most incredible suspension of disbelief ever. You simply can't ask any "why?" questions. If you pull at those threads, the entire series will come apart like a Weezer band Member's sweater. For example, why does anyone still live in Hawkins Indiana? STOP! Don't ask that! But the writers at least threw a little bone and said it is because the entire town is fenced in and they are living in quarantine due to the crazy "natural phenomenon" that occurred in the season four finale.
Another important detail that they don't mention concretely is that it appears to be at least 500 days since the end of the last season (and it is probably a little more). It is also important to remember the writers of Stranger things LOVE the 1980s and the movies made during that unique decade. As a result, there are some serious eye rolling moments that are meant to throw you back to the days of neon, hair scrunchies and malls. One staple of 80s movies is the training montage. And oh yes, there is a training scene in the first episode of season 5. It had sweat pants, headbands, and shorts over those sweats. The only thing missing is Joe Espisito singing "You're The Best Around". I literally caught myself eye rolling and exclaiming "oh my god" before I remembered what I was watching.
And this wasn't the only eye rolling moment. Guys stupidly competing for the girl? Check. A character getting super emo. Check. Characters seemingly being omnipotent and knowing things they never experienced? Check. Little brother/sister characters suddenly becoming important because all the child actors got too old? Check. Obvious reminders that characters are hooked up? Check.
Wait. It is starting to seem like I hated this episode. Nothing could be further from the truth. I loved going back to Hawkins Indiana to see all of our old friends! This show is silly and it knows it. The first episode did a nice job of setting up the story for the big finale season. I know what the characters' goals are. I know who the bad guy is... I think. I know that Hopper is some kind of special forces soldier now... maybe he always was. And Elle is a full on super hero. This is all great.
There was also enough action in the episode to keep me excited. There was a mix of 1980s bullies and monsters. Just like there has always been. As always, the special effects are sensational. Netflix has spared no expense to send this series out on the high note it deserves. There are also the little laughs that I have grown accustomed to. The addition of Robin back in season three is one of teh best moves the series made. Her relationship with Steve is one of my favorite parts of the show. They are very funny together and this episodes features a lot of shared screen time between them.
Long story short... episode one of season five of Stranger Things did exactly what it was supposed to do. It brought me back into the ridiculous world of Hawkins Indiana and got me excited to see how they will conclude this awesome story.