I was expecting it to deviate from the Cold War satire of season 3 because they continued having the Soviets as a baddie, but they turned out to be the least sinister problem.
I enjoyed the contrast between Will and Mike’s distant and faltering relationship with Dustin and Steve’s healthy and loving friendship, but I did wish they did a little more with the latter two.
Joyce and Robin are cuties, as usual.
For the most part, I liked how almost everyone had important tasks that contributed to the overall goal. Even when Mike’s crew or Joyce’s crew didn’t get screen time for a long time, I’m still reminded that their jobs are crucial. I wish they had done a little more with Yuri and the prison guard.
Overall, it was alright. If they ever make a season 6, which they probably will because it’s a lucrative franchise, I hope they return to season 1’s conspiracy thriller vibe. Particularly, going back to the 60s and exploring the start of MKULTRA and Paperclip scientists, California cults that dabbled in LSD, and the CIA and FBI meddling of the Black Panthers. It would be funny to see Panthers using Maoist tactics to defeat the monsters.
bruh nuh uh they went full cold war mode in this season and absolutely ruined it
they filmed in an actual fucking nazi concentration camp and called it a 'gulag' liberals know no fucking end to their depravity
also it was a fuckin missed opportunity to not have Dr Brenner be a nazi scientist brought over from paperclip, although conversly would have been a neat bow to tie in the whole 'bad apples not bad tree' excuse shit they started after season 2 to backtrack on all the anti government plot they'd built.
the cast got way too big, they ditched the cool supernatural conspiracy vibe of season 1 and 2, and they spend half the time basically going full reaganite
i used to love this show but all me brings me now is distaste and a broken heart from someone who obsessed over the goddamn thing for wayyy too long