Stranger Things

     Ah yes, Stranger Things. October 2016 as well as October this year seemed to have a backdrop of Stranger Things aesthetic. Around the release dates, most conversations that the average person has drift to the popular show for at least a few fleeting seconds. The hype surrounding this show is insane. Musicians have merchandise that incorporate scenes and memorable lines into their own lyrics and logos. Twitter, Tumblr, and other social media sites are permeated with reactionary GIF sets of scenes from Stranger Things. When I went and saw 1990’s pop-punk trio blink-182 earlier this year, the Stranger Things intro song played as the middle-aged musicians took their places on stage. Considering all of these things, it’s hard not to see the impact that this Netflix show has had on modern American culture.

    One of the many things to love about this sci-fi is the nostalgia. This factor gives the show an edge that appeals to a more broad span of viewers. For those who are over the age of 30, this provides an opportunity to remember that time with the different pop culture references to things like Ghostbusters, arcades, and the 1984 presidential election. For viewers under the age of 30, it provides insight into a time so different from what we’re used to, and (for me at least), the sheer fascination factors into our viewership.

    Continuing on the topic of age, another cause of mass interest in the show stems from the main actors. In times like these, it’s hard to remember that there are pure and wholesome people and things happening. The kids in the show serve as an example for many viewers. They represent a time in all of our lives where things were more simple, when we had energy to go on adventures and an imagination that hasn’t yet been muddied by the harsh realities of the world. In this way, Stranger Things offers a second form of nostalgia that everyone can relate to.

    Reaching back to an article that appeared on one of our weekly reading lists about how television is dead and so is national bonding, Stranger Things is a perfect example of how that’s somewhat far from the truth. The type of union that this show, as well as other Netflix originals, such as Ozark have brought about are very noteworthy. These shows give us all something to bond over, whether or not someone has seen the show in question and whether or not they even liked it. In a time as divided and war-like as 2017, it’s nice to have something neutral and lighthearted to discuss and engage in.

    These are the reasons why I like this show. While I personally don’t believe that it’s the greatest show ever or the best show that I’ve ever seen or even the best show that I’ve seen this month, I think that it does a spectacular job in not only storytelling, but also in uniting people.