Stranger Things #3: “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

As the initial excitement surrounding this series which promises an untold chapter in the Stranger Things mythos fades, this series has unfortunately taken a turn towards dullness. The writing is as sharp as ever as Houser continues to show her mastery over desperation and the narrow line between fear and bravery, but the plot, being constrained by the events of the show, has not delivered anything particularly remarkable nor has it answered any unanswered questions.

There is a sequence in which Will encounters a dying hunter also trapped in the Upside Down which, counter to actually providing new information regarding the UD, actually prompts new questions regarding the scope and range of influence of the UD.

Where the series shines the brightest is in the brief moments that go to great lengths to construct parallels between the tabletop gaming of the boys and Will’s plight. There is a sense of dread built through these narrative interactions but also a sense of hope that, if either side is successful, so too will the other be. This game, be it Dungeons and Dragons or some similarly structured game, seems to play a critical role not only in the formation of character for each of the show’s protagonists, but perhaps plays an even deeper role in the creation of the Upside Down, although whether those connections ever come to light will clearly have to wait, as the show seems to be content with mostly passing references to the game as opposed to Houser’s attempts to centralize it in her story.