Chapter Nine: The Piggyback

Just to quote Dio.

This. Was. Awesome. Please give us more!

Wasn't expecting an ending like this. Keep it up, and keep up the quality writing of this show. This show alone is the reason I keep Netflix.

I had to pause multiple times to wrap my head around all of it. WOW!!! I am so stumped and now I have to wait for more, this is by far one of the best tv shows out there. Acting is phenomenal from everyone, the one that surprised me the most and he's been one of two of my favourites was Gaten. My god he made me an emotional mess. Absolutely amazing ending but damn you Duffer Brothers!! As much as I love LOVE this show we have to wait a couple of years till the 5th season!!

That there's anything to critique in this finale is really just a reflection of how high the team behind this show have set the bar. The performances are fantastic - across the board - sometimes mesmerising. Sadie Sink as Max is just phenomenal here, as she has been the entire season. David Harbour (Hopper) and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) bring their characters to a profound place in this episode too. Whatever's going on behind the scenes to support the cast in this show is a beautiful thing.

But I felt there were too many balls in the air this time. It almost works, and the writer's nearly get the emotional crescendo they were looking for - but the editing seems to deflate the tension. There are weird chronological issues, where the audience (and the unfolding drama) is put on pause for extended periods. The dips to black sometimes ruin the beat of highly dramatic moments. In general the editors needed to be much more liberal with the razor in my opinion. This show generally doesn't talk down to it's audience. We didn't need to be cued to care for the fate of the characters in this finale, or to recognise epic moments as such.

Finally. Why oh why didn't you just give Dustin some crutches?

Truly excellent conclusion to an epic wonderful season. The last few seasons of this show were hit and miss, this one was all hit all the time. Congrats to all involved on making some of the best TV in 2022. I was truly impressed with the heart, character development, acting, cinematography, the heroes and villain - the battles - the suspense - the comedy - just all around wonderful. Some really really great work in this season.

Everything about this episode was awesome. The writing, the cinematography, the soundtrack, the acting, everything. Great and emotional final to a great season. Can't wait for season 5.