In the fall, I didn’t have much time for my favorite pastime: binge-watching a good show. Still, good things tend to find their way back into our lives. Over break, I finally had enough free time to sit with my dogs and turn on the TV.
The timing could not have been more perfect. Season 5 of “Stranger Things” premiered on the eve of Thanksgiving. Its second volume was released on Christmas, and the show wrapped with its final episode streaming on New Year’s Eve.
I loved every second of the first four episodes in Volume One. Volume Two was less interesting and action-packed, but it still had some funny gems. And although it may be a hot take, I loved the finale. I think it concluded the series perfectly, in line with what the writers always seemed to intend.
If you have never watched “Stranger Things,” I don’t know how you have managed that. Open your Netflix account. The show had everyone in a chokehold over these past three holidays for a reason. It can be heartbreaking, but it’s also very colorful and fun to watch. It’s a quirky delight with Dungeons & Dragons, wizards and outcasts at its center.
There is no main character. You get attached to everyone on screen. The Duffer Brothers, the writers and directors of the series, truly know how to write strong character developments and heartfelt background stories.
At its core, the show is about misfits. Set in the ’80s, fun costumes and hairdos come alongside superpowers and government secrets, but really, it’s a show about embracing our nerdier sides.
Actor David Harbour (Jim Hopper) best captured the show’s spirit in his 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards acceptance speech for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, where he said the show would continue to “repel bullies” and “shelter freaks.”
If you want to let your freak flag fly, turn on “Stranger Things.”
Each season, the show has given us an amazing range of songs that can’t be forgotten. All my favorite characters will be gone now. I won’t see more of their stories, but I will continue to cherish these songs.
“Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash belongs to one of the most “Stranger Things” scenes in the entire show. In season 2, friends and family tried to communicate with Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) using Morse code as this classic played in the background.
“Material Girl” by Madonna in season 3, was “Barbie” of them to include. I wouldn’t say the show is inherently female-centered, but the montage of Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) enjoying their boyfriend-free shopping time with this song gave a lot of women, like me, a fun and largely accurate depiction of female friendship.
In season 4, “Pass The Dutchie” by Musical Youth was the perfect song choice for an action-packed moment with the shocked, confused and stoned Argyle (Eduardo Franco). Argyle has to be one of the most underrated TV characters of all time. His song and carefree attitude added a great complementary tone to the series’ constant mystery, worry and fast pace.
Finally, Season 5 delivered a gut-wrenching scene with “Purple Rain” by Prince. I don’t want to spoil this final season, so I’ll just say that “I never meant to cause you any sorrow” was perfect. This first line from the song started a stream of tears that continued for me until the conclusion of the episode.
The Duffer Brothers long teased an epic needle drop for the finale. They went through extra hurdles to acquire the rights to “Purple Rain” by Prince, the never-before-used-in-a-TV-show song they promised. We have Kate Bush to thank for her assistance in obtaining this more than perfect song that truly elevated the scene it accompanied. Before the finale aired, fans were tirelessly attempting to guess what this song would be, but I think very few of us expected this old gem.
Music was a crucial part of this series. From the first season to the last, characters have deep connections to certain songs. It feels proper for me to end this column with a short list of songs that make up my “in case Vecna gets me” playlist.
See, only songs that remind the characters of meaning, emotions or memories help free them from Vecna’s horrifying mind prison. Music that floods your mind with images of loved ones, clear days, and reminds you of monumental aspects of yourself, is Vecna-freeing. If I were in Max’s shoes, the following pieces would be my equivalent to “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush; I know hearing these would bring me back home. Because I’ve never been good with decisions and in honor of the show concluding with five seasons, here are the five songs I believe could free me from Vecna’s capture.
- “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance
- “Limbo” by Daddy Yankee
- “Animal” by Neon Trees
- “Look at That Woman” by Role Model
- “Hanging by a Moment” by Lifehouse
Play one of my Vecna-saving songs, listen to one of the many powerful needle drops from the show or search and curate your own similar list of songs that maybe you’ve forgotten about but will always flood your mind with memories worth remembering.
Arlette Correa is a Medill sophomore and author of “Rent Free.” She can be contacted at [email protected]. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected]. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.
