X/@PopBase
The release of the fifth and final season of the worldwide hit ‘Stranger Things’ which was eagerly awaited for three years had a great impact on the audience and finally gave the science fiction tale a send-off. The announcement made by Pop Base was like a fuse that triggered the public’s attention and curiosity about the outcome of Hawkins while the series that has been holding the audience’s attention since its debut in 2016 finally demarked its end.
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The reactions could not be instant. One user expressed his/her excitement in such an intense way, as he/she only typed, “I’M SO READY FOR THIS,” and also attached a GIF of celebrating, thus the user’s message perfectly matched the public’s anticipation mood. Another person’s view was, “AND WE ALL WILL BE WATCHING” which hinted at the end of the series being watched together by the loyal fans or the show. The long wait between the seasons was a point brought up by many, one of whom put it, “Finally after years of waiting,” which could easily summarize the relief feelings of many others.
The airing of the first episode escalated the discussions about the way to watch it. Among the hottest topics was the airing method and some fans very openly voiced they were tired of the old way and wanted a change. One fan expressed his/her wish by saying, “Weekly release would have been so cool,” and was supported by another person who said, “Yeahhh imagine talking about every episode release each week with everyone too, pointing out details and trying to predict stuff together.” To give a very strong defense for the past seasons that relied very much on the broadcasting speculation accompanied by hints because of participation in the week-to-week argument rather than the binge-watching it has been quite strong. Among the comments, there was a user who was quite open and straightforward in his or her request, saying, “Release all episodes at once plz.”
The celebration was not the only one to face in the comments. A user raised a question, that may be skeptical, asking, “Who’s ready for how woke this is going to be?” which indicated the presence of a segment of the audience that wants to be able to see the thematic exploration done in an innovative and nuanced way while expecting new content with limitations. Another fan, on the other hand, was to be mixed emotion of being excited and having high expectations, he or she was just kidding saying, “If this season is a flop, I am entering the Upside Down myself to file a complaint. But let them have it,” a claim of humor and demand for quality that exemplifies the tension between the audience and the creators who need to successfully wrap up the ongoing issue.
The passing of time was indeed a major factor that influenced the selection of the fans’ responses. One of the fans posted a picture in which the young kids playing the roles of the main characters in the previous seasons were shown alongside their pictures taken in the recent time and titled it, “The Hawkins team…. then and now..” This picture was one of the strongest reminders that the audience has been with the characters for a very long time during this journey. Another fan’s commentary pointed out that one of the downsides of a long gap between the seasons was the difficulty of keeping the story fresh in the mind, “It’s been 3 years, I don’t remember seasons 1-4, work 65+ hours a week. No time for a rewatch,” which is a feeling that most busy professionals can relate to.
Amidst all the excitement, some comments were made that presented a realistic perspective or joked lightly about the topic. One person on the internet said, “We got S5 of Stranger things before GTA 6,” which was a comment made jokingly and directed to the fact that video game companies are even longer creating waiting times for their releases. Another person invented an original but very personal reason for watching it all at once writing, “I just got fired from my job so now I can binge this😛😛,” thus turning the unfortunate event in his/her life into a reason for being immersed and enjoying the company of the series’ characters.
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The airing of ‘Stranger Things’ last season should not be interpreted as mere delivery of the series’ additional episodes instead this is a cultural phenomenon that has the power to evoke and tell a very large narrative epilogue. The audience responses ranging from wild and unrestrained excitement through moments of nostalgia to disputes about release formats and worries about the direction of storytelling reflect the large, dedicated and diverse fanbase. With the viewers being already committed to a good watch, the most significant challenge will be whether the final episode can fulfill nearly a decade of expectation and deliver an ending that is perfect for the journey from Hawkins to the Upside Down and back again.