Stranger Things 5x01 Full Reaction!
Added 2025-11-27 21:59:33 +0000 UTC
Comments
Fair viewing strategy. Shows how little I know about this show when I couldn’t shoehorn in the Sweeney Todd reference with Vecna like how you snuck it in, good touch. Little to no solid information about Vecna on my end. He could be the world’s first fully functioning homicidal artist who wants his face on the one-dollar bill, and it’d be news to me. Sounds nice about the location being more self-contained. You and Jess mention the bullies, makes my mind go to Stephen King with that. Be interesting if Eddie went Sissy Spacek. I might have one Eddie reference coming. Had to look up the Carol name, and it made me ask about Murray, “Wait, is he in that show?” See he’s not, though him being in that show sounds good. Recognized Maya as Anxiety from when she was Linda Kasabian. I think Jess has mentioned seeing at least the first two Terminator films. Think Dark Fate was on the poll once. Everyone can skip the fifth one, though that one does have Matt Smith as Skynet and Lee Byung-hun as the T-1000 which are like the only good parts of that godawful movie. I’d actually be more tickled pink if they had references to the old Beauty and the Beast Show with Linda. The romantic lines Hopper has to, presumably, Winona’s character, good though that sounds, I don’t know, hard to top the romantic lines from Gabriel Byrne as Professor Bhaer. First I’m hearing about the forgotten birthday thing. Really, I’m just hoping that Jess and you guys are happy with how this ends. Sure, it’s never surpassing Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen for greatest series finale ever, but nothing ever is. The two within my lifetime that have gotten closest for me have been the finale to Monk, and the three-part finale to the Twelfth Doctor’s run on Doctor Who. Just hoping that you guys have a great time with the ending. And no worries about the spoilers, primarily because I won’t recognize much if any of it. Here’s hoping they stick the landing for you guys.
Thomas Corp
2025-11-28 00:57:55 +0000 UTCFull context, I'm watching one of these episodes a day, so I'm writing this having seen just one ahead. It starts off with a real bang, and I have no idea how they recreated young Noah so convincingly with all the moving around he has to do. Vecna's arrival is some blatant real time retconning, but as long as we're stuck with him shoved into the backstory as much as he is, it's nice to see them make the effort to fit him more into what we'd already seen. And it's certainly quite a striking visual we're left on as he tells Will that there's a hole in the world like a great black pit, and it goes by the name of Hawkins. Right away, what really strikes me is the Duffers seem to have totally given up on giving everyone their own separate stories. It's the end of the show, so we're going to stick with one location and have every character working towards the same goal. And thank god, because it was a bit painful to watch the show stretching more and more to give everyone something to do. The closest thing to another agenda is Dustin dealing with the bullies, and absolutely my most anticipated moment of this reaction was the extremely mixed feelings you were sure to have about his snake prank. Even being as fine with them as I am, seeing one suddenly up close like that would also freak me out just as much. And I was kind of expecting Eddie's hand to jump scare him while cleaning the grave, so this was actually kind of an improvement. Looks like Murray got his deliveries mixed up; the grenades are supposed to go to Carol Sturka, and he forgot the atom bomb. I'm loving everything about this setup at the radio station, especially how so much of Robin's role now just being her voice makes it much easier to recognize Maya as Anxiety. What I'm not so crazy about is the continued love triangle; once the two guys started with it I realized I legit had no memory of which one Nancy was actually with last we saw because it had so long become so tedious. Though for the record, Jonathan's head start up the tower means Steve won by reaching the top at the exact same time. After your lack of noticeable reaction to Linda Hamilton in the credits, I was thinking back to whether you've ever mentioned anything Terminator and might not know her at all, but that face once she appeared dispelled all doubt. And much like the legacy actors on Wednesday, I really appreciate that so far her role seems to not be based at all on us knowing her as Sarah Connor; the show's already had plenty of fun with that kind of thing and it seems to know it can stop now. She even already got to say "I'll be back" in Dark Fate so it's not like that would be much of a pop. Hopper asks how Joyce gets more beautiful every time he sees her; ask Betelgeuse sometime. And he totally stole that "one more look at you" line from A Star Is Born. I cracked up a bit when Joyce is so protective over Will but is super fast to volunteer her other son for the job; maybe they're all just trying to make up for forgetting his birthday last season (I'm disconnected enough from the general fanbase that I had no idea that was a thing until I rewatched to prepare for this season). I've been rather up and down on this show over the years, but the highs of Season 4 were the best it's ever been for me, and so far this ending seems to be taking all the right lessons from the response they got to each season. Very much hoping they can stick the landing and leave me feeling like the whole thing was worth it.
Ryan
2025-11-28 00:12:35 +0000 UTCGoing to say that I quite like that outfit. The flowery print looks very nice, Jess. I’m still behind on this show, so I can’t really share it with you. Only real thing of the show that I have seen was the NeverEnding Story duet, largely because you mentioned it caused a stir, so I pulled up the scene to ascertain what all the fuss was about. Still on your side with that one by the way. Largely pulling up these reactions to see how you’re doing given the tough times you talked about, and I just want to see if you’re happy with how this show ends as I know you do love it so. You say that there is a question of how your mental state will be for the holidays. Mine’s shit. Has been during the holidays for a long time now. You say that this year that your own is dependent on the survival of Lucas, (whoever that is,) and it sounds like you said he’s ok as of this episode, so that’s good. For your sake, I hope that continues. I have no idea either way, so I can’t spoil shit, don’t worry. Even hearing the names doesn’t much trigger any knowledge. I’m serious, people can even talk about the Winona Ryder character, and I won’t have the slightest clue who anybody’s talking about, primarily because I keep expecting people to refer to her as Lydia. Know the name Dustin only because he was half of the NeverEnding Story duet. Striking to hear it in your voice how much you love the guy. You say he brought a snake into this, which sounds rude. I do know who Murray is. You mention his name, and it clicks, “Right, Fleabag dude, check.” What I think I’ve heard about the character tells me I’d like him a lot. Hear he’s got good taste in food, so he gets points for that. Of course, I vaguely know some past spoilers as the internet is loud. For example, I already know about Mikey and/or Rudy and/or Samwise Gamgee was killed off earlier. (No clue as to his name in this.) Great to hear you say that you got some lovely character moments in this premiere. You say that there was good Holly focus. Good to know. So, you made comment about Linda Hamilton. I had heard about her casting in this. She is a big draw for this show if I ever do see it. All in all, it sounds like a (reasonably) tame opener for the final season, and I’m just happy to hear you express the love for it. You mentioned about Rocco, and I have been very sorry to hear that things have been not good there. Hoping things get better. And again, hopefully this show is good for your emotional state for the holidays. Even if I did see this show, I’m still fucked. Bad memories, twelve years of retail, and loved ones that are gone, there’s just no joy with the holidays anymore. Spirit’s dead. No plans for today. None on Christmas. Some on Christmas Eve. New Year’s, I’ll probably be in bed by ten, maybe nine. You spoke of holiday festivities around then, and I figured that some of the Stranger Things reactions would be delayed as the releases schedule was very unkind. Thought of you hearing about said schedule, and I imagine the fandom will be kind and patient with you on that front. You talk about us spending time with you on this Thanksgiving. And I will say that you are very dear and lovely company for the holidays. It may not do anything for the holiday spirit being dead, but it’s just nice to see and hear from you, and when I can, share the shows and films with you. Praise indeed that you say this is one of your favorite fandoms. Hope they’re as happy with this final season as I hope you will be. Nice hearing from you today, Jess, and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and Rocco both.
Thomas Corp
2025-11-27 23:00:53 +0000 UTC
