photo credit: Anniston Powell
Many people believe ‘Stranger Things’ is simply a show; others differ. It is an adventure of teenagers discovering the unknown and going through treacherous battles to conquer the deafening monsters beneath the small town, Hawkins, Indiana. With four seasons created over the course of around 10 years, there has been recent commotion about the new season and how that could change the overall impact of the characters.
The directors, Matt and Ross Duffer, crafted each season, especially the most recent one, with precision so that the hints and clues scattered throughout earlier seasons eventually connect to the newest one. However, they especially focused on the growth and development of each character and showed their progression through the entirety of the series.
The first volume was recently released on Wednesday, Nov. 26, which screened the first four episodes. The upcoming volumes every “Stranger Things” fan is desperately waiting for are being revealed on Thursday, Dec. 25, with two additional episodes, and the following Wednesday, Dec. 31, with the last two episodes.
The main character, Jane Hopper, also referred to as Eleven, shows much expansion of her characteristics, such as bravery, loyalty and her emotional vulnerability. Her growth is shown through her experiences with relationships and all the difficult challenges she had to face in order to save herself and others.
At the beginning of the show, it is clear she had trust issues and was sensitive to certain things, although she expresses much advancement as the show continues to premiere. Through these moments and character developments, the audience sees how her powers and personal setbacks shape her to be the person she is now.
Moving onto another key character, Max Mayfield displays the importance of independence, toughness and being adventurous. Throughout the show, viewers can see her broaden her horizons in different ways, such as meeting new people and forming new habits.
No matter what people may say about her, she continues to be her lively self and fights off all of her battles on her own. Mayfield’s growth not only helps her navigate challenges more confidently, but also shows her how to manage and strengthen her relationships with friends and provides examples on how to be resilient with her adventurous attitude.
Lastly, arguably the utmost vital character, Will Byers, exhibits sensitivity, imagination and resilience. He shows his emotions through his art and passion for drawing, which leads to the audience’s understanding of his struggles and illustrates the challenges he faces in the alternate universe where all the monsters live, the Upside Down.
Across the seasons, Byers has saved many of his friends’ and families’ lives by containing these traits. Ultimately, by having these traits, he not only saved his life but also strengthened his bonds with each character and showed that even in the lowest points, these traits can make a powerful difference.
All in all, these characters showed immense improvement throughout each season. The opinions continue to arise as the newest season unfolds, but overall, it shows many crucial life lessons and important character traits to possess. If I were to give the show a rating, it would definitely be a 10/10. I would highly recommend it to all supernatural lovers.
