Chapter Eight: Papa

By the end of the episode, you begin to realize: dang, I think I might be living through a historic moment in television with season 4. All the right feelings, at all the right moments, entertaining, great characters.

I'm having to force myself to stop and take a break before I watch the finale because already I'm in that feeling I get when I am so enthralled by a piece of television I can't think about much else.

Spoiler Free Zone!!!

I just have to say WOW. The quality of the series has drastically improved. I was left speechless with my jaw on the floor at the end. The Duffer Brothers have created another masterpiece episode, with all of the characters nailing their performances.

They better give some awards especially to Sadie and Millie because they frickin carried the episode with their amazing acting skills.

This is indeed the beginning of the end.

I'm an old guy, not much for kid actors. I know there are some stereotypes here, but I find this bunch to be so much fun. I thought the story had to be told to get us ready for the finish of the season. With an ensemble cast we need to add meat to the story. They do this so well. If there's a weakness to the whole thing it would be how quickly they determine what they can do to stop this monster. Of course, then you dismiss the show. I'm always amazed at the limited attention spans of some of the viewers. It's as if there has to be a significant scene every few seconds to hold their gaze. I like getting deeper into characters and motivations. I also enjoyed the parallel plot in the USSR. What an amazing contribution to the film world.

Another episode of Stranger Things that is of high quality. I enjoyed Season 2 and then Season 3 even more than that, but I have to admit that the way the writers are using all of the characters in this season has been much more simple long and effective.

011 has has a really good arc this season, and none of her flashbacks or the Nina Project plot outstayed welcome like I thought they might. The last act of this episode felt like it was ripped straight out of an 80s action movie, with so much heart, emotion and thrills. Great pacing, set pieces and acting all around.

The moment between Mike and Will was also extremely well acted and heartbreaking. I genuinely love Will this season. I have no idea what his role will be in the final season, but I've got a feeling it'll probably be very important.

The final moments between 011 and Papa were also really chilling and felt earned. Modine was excellent, but Brown was seriously phenomenal.

A truly cinematic, great addition to the series.

But not calm at all.

Things move forward the most for the Eleven and her boyfriend's plot, but the other plot lines are pretty much where they already were and they're gonna advance those further in the finale.

But I have no problem with that because it's a necessary set-up for the story and it's good that they're taking their time and are not limited by time constraints. Even if we don't consider this a "part 2" opener and look at it as the season's penultimate episode, it is still a necessary episode between the last episode and the finale.

I pretty much liked all the things in this episode, it's a setup for the finale so it's not like it's the best episode of the show or anything, but it's still one of the better ones.

My point still stands that if Vecna doesn't actually kill one of the main characters, he doesn't become the menacing and fearful villain the writers want him to be and this season would be really disappointing to me even though it's already the best season of the show, and all the tension and suspense would be for nothing and Vecna would become another generic villain who couldn't do anything and lost to a song!

So here's hoping for a great finale with actual stakes and not cheap fake-outs and writers being afraid to take risks with their story. So far, this season has been amazing with everything, music, cinematography, direction and editing, and acting for the most part because I feel like Mike and Will's acting this season is really fake and bad, but the only thing holding this show back from greatness is the writing and all the clichés and writers not willing to take risks and give us something new.