In Stranger Things 3 we head back to our quirky small town of Hawkins, Indiana for the summer of 1985 where we catch up with Eleven and our favourite crew of “nerds” as Erica would say.
Allow me to break down for you some of the best points of this newly released season.
***SPOILER WARNING***
For any of you who have not yet finished Stranger Things 3, we’re about to dive in deep spoiler territory!
1. Character development
Since the first season of Stranger Things, we’ve seen some crazy antics go upside down – see what I did there, huh? – and watched as the Hawkins crew grew up from kids in the basement, lovesick teenagers and helicopter parents to now lovesick teenagers, almost-college kids freaking out about their internships and jobs scooping ice-cream, and parents who are a bit more relaxed than previously.
Each character has grown up a HECK of a lot. Here’s a quick lil summary of our core four plus El and where they’re at this season compared to when we first met them:
Mike Wheeler
Our OG Dungeons & Dragons master was first introduced to us as the inquisitively annoying younger brother of Nancy Wheeler, loved playing D&D with his three best friends and very adorable awkward around girls. But he has stepped up his game in season 3, is tonsil tossing with his best girl, El, and jamming out to ‘Never Surrender’ by Corey Hart but isn’t as shy anymore, if anything he’s a lot cockier.
Will Byers
Ok let’s face facts, Will has been through hell and back in seasons 1 & 2 and many fans were praying he’d catch a break this season and he did…kind of? In season 1, Will is the innocent, D&D loving, enthusiastic pocket rocket of the gang who unfortunately gets trapped in the Upside Down and isn’t seen for much of the remainder of the season. Season 3 is where viewers, fortunately, get to see more of Will, who after spending the first two seasons pretty well out of it, is catching up on life. And whilst his friends have moved on, got girlfriends and are growing up, Will just wants to play D&D with his friends just like old times.
Lucas Sinclair
“God. You are such a nerd.” As his little sister, Erica, would say. And she is not wrong! Lucas is introduced to us as another key member of the core four who avidly plays D&D with his best pals, he’s loyal, headstrong and knows how to weaponise a wristrocket (slingshot) pretty damn well.
We find Lucas in season 3 dating season 2 Hawkins newcomer, Max, and heading toward their six breakup – because asking your girlfriend “is that a new zit?” is definitely not the way to win her over.
Dustin Henderson
The innovative, goofy, confident and overly-trusting Dustin is definitely a fan favourite (and my personal fave too) of the Hawkins AV crew. First seen as a D&D loving kid who enjoys chowing down on chocolate pudding or 3 Musketeers and unsuccessfully flirting with girls – including Mike’s older sister.
Season 3 picks up where season 2 left off, with Dustin continuing to have this big brother/best friend/father-son bond with Steve Harrington. It’s beautiful, well developed and Dusty-Bun now has a girlfriend – just go watch all the seasons because Dustin is honestly one of the best characters throughout, constantly throwing some of the best one-liners!
Eleven/El
After fleeing the dangerous laboratory experimentation of Hawkins Lab, the boys run into El in the woods whilst out looking for Will. A girl with a shaved head, who has telekinetic superpowers, in a hospital gown, scared for her life but the boys take her in and slowly become friends with her.
Cue season 3 and El is capital B-Beautiful n “Bitchin’” as she has learned far more of the English language, is busy locking lips with boyfriend Mike and giving her adopted father, Hop, the sassy attitude we love her for.
Overall plot and scale of the season
The way season 3 is set up is to tell a far more complex store resulting in a combined story with big reveals later on in the season. The split-up of the different groups was really beneficial to the overall plotlines, the character growth and how smoothly this season played out.
This season was far bigger, darker and takes Hawkins to a whole new level. And so many 80s references! From the infamous final Battle of Starcourt Mall to the freaky resemblance of Grigori to Schwarzenegger’s Terminator and the fights with Hopper to the Soviet invasion as discovered by Dustin and Steve that lured them into what probably is the most dangerous and deadly elevator EVER.
But the scale of this season was HUGE and it paid off big time!
Evil Billy
Unlike the other two previous seasons in which our Hawkins crew battle monsters of The Upside Down, we are treated to the Upside Down’s invasion of Hawkins through a host body. And what better body than that of now-resident bad boy Billy Hargrove, right? Billy takes on an even darker side to his bad-boy persona as he is possessed by the Mind Flayer and used as a lackey to recruit more victims in order to fill its dark purpose.
It was such a powerful performance by Australian actor, Dacre Montgomery, and you can tell he truly threw himself into this darker side of Billy, capturing vulnerability, depth, beauty and the utter sinisterness of the Mind Flayer’s possession.
Scoops Troop
A personal favourite – and from what I’ve seen online, that of many others – is, of course, the Scoops Troop! Consisting of father-son duo Steve and Dustin, pocket-rocket Erica and newcomer and Steve’s Scoops Ahoy co-worker, Robin. The Scoops Troop has such a fantastic, fast-paced whilst still hilarious storyline of discovering who the Russians are, the base below Starcourt Mall and the mildly drugged rambles of Robin & Steve.
If anything, this little group alone is more than enough reason to watch season 3 – but also because Steve’s hair is still glorious, duh.
Elmax
We finally got a female friendship full of fun, empowerment, and growth in both Max and El’s characters! It was a delight to see these two pair up, Max teaching El about being a girl in the 80s, going shopping and talking about boys during sleepovers.
Robin & her coming out
WE STAN A LGBTQ+ QUEEN!
This season really was all about acceptance, female empowerment and being who you want to be, not what others want you to be.
I absolutely loved the way they set up Robin’s storyline to have her come out to Steve! And the way the Duffers wrote into the episode and the acceptance by Steve was truly so precious and wholesome. Not to mention she's a total badass who pretty much solved the big mystery behind Dustin's Russian radio interference! I really hope we see more of her and Steve in season 4.
80s Fashion
From El’s new getup, the boys’ SHORT-shorts and long socks, and Nancy’s permed hair to Hopper’s Hawaiian shirt, Mrs. Wheeler’s stunning colour-blocked swimsuit and the classic Terminator look of Grigori.
The 80s fashion in season 3 was PEAK 80s and I loved EVERY SINGLE OUTFIT.
What did you love about Stranger Things 3?
What are your theories for season 4?
Think lovely thoughts xo
