Warning: This article contains spoilers for season 4 of Stranger Things.
Now that fans have the opportunity to talk about volume one of season 4 of Stranger Things, it has become even clearer why the show is such a hit. Fans love it all, from the music to the relationships between major characters to the complicated yet logical plot points. These season 4 episodes have a particular sense of urgency as Joyce Byers vows to find Jim Hopper and the kids try to figure out more about the new villain Vecna.
When reflecting back on the series, fans have many reasons for enjoying the series, and several Redditors are sharing the ways that Stranger Things has impressed them.
The Characters Are Likable
Sometimes mean or unlikable characters can still be fun to watch, especially if the show is a fast-paced drama or thriller. But in most cases, viewers are seeking out people who feel relatable, genuine, and lovable.
Redditor Tizmanthur loves Stranger Things because it's "easy to care for the characters, and invest in them emotionally" because the characters are "well-written and likeable." Everyone from Joyce to the friend group Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Max Mayfield, and Eleven is given their own storylines and strong, clear personalities, which makes the show easy to watch.
It's Heartwarming
The best Stranger Things characters love each other, one another, and would never dream of backing down from a threat or a monster. Fans are drawn to the show because the characters are so kind and helpful.
Redditor JordanLeigh7 believes that what "sets this show apart from others is that it has so much heart" and this is definitely something that keeps viewers coming back each season.
The Overall Mystery
For Redditor Adams41001, "the mystery" is why Stranger Things is such a solid show. The series manages to introduce new villains while maintaining the same thread of how creepy Hawkins can be.
Season 4 does a particularly good job of showing how terrifying Vecna is while also sharing his background and how he came to be such a horrible creature. While the other parts of the show are great, the questions surrounding the mystery make it hard to stop watching.
The Show Includes Different Genres
Redditor JacobLikesFootball likes that the show has a lot of different things going on, like "horror, science fiction, teenagers growing up, deception, and thrill."
Stranger Things has both sweet character-driven moments and scares, and that feels unique, since charming and comforting shows don't usually include science-fiction elements and vice versa.
The 1980s Setting
From the '80s music in Stranger Things to the fashion and hairstyles, the show is a trip down memory lane.
Redditor hydruxo thinks that the "level of detail" so the show "is accurate to the 80's period is excellent." The Starcourt Mall in season 3 is a particularly great location as the series shows how spending time at the mall was a huge part of teenage life in the 1980s, especially during the summertime.
Characters Who Love Playing Dungeons & Dragons
In season 4, Dustin, Lucas, and Mike are part of the Hellfire Club at Hawkins High School, where they play Dungeons & Dragons and meet their leader, Eddie Munson, who is a fun new character.
Redditor Tizmanthur likes seeing "D&D presented in a positive light." The show treats the club with respect and comion and it's entertaining seeing Lucas's sister Erica the game in the first episode of season 4.
Mike And Eleven's Love Story
Mike and Eleven are a favorite Stranger Things couple and Redditor patchymose posted about the romantic moment when they first kiss. The fan wrote that it's amazing seeing Eleven "realizing that someone else likes her for who she is. Not because of her powers."
Mike and Eleven's relationship is not only one of the most popular parts of the show but also realistic, especially when they deal with some growing pains in season 4. Eleven wonders why Mike doesn't write that he loves her when he pens letters to her, and Mike understands that Eleven needs more from him.
The POV Of The Child Characters
Redditor BananaBunnies appreciates the show because it's "refreshing to see a series about children and their perspective. Bit of a Goonies feeling."
While the adult characters have compelling storylines, it's the child characters who are the most richly drawn on the series, and it's also nice seeing the different age groups become friends. There's nothing like the joy of seeing Dustin and Steve Harrington become a huge part of each other's lives or watching Nancy Wheeler team up with the younger characters, no questions asked.
The Sense Of Humor
Fan favorite Stranger Things quotes are often hilarious, and the series excels in dialogue that moves the mystery forward while also making fans laugh.
Redditor micro435 wrote that "The comic relief was great" and "Dustin was especially funny." Every episode of the show has tons of scares but also lots of jokes, and the funny parts definitely balance out the horrifying things that happen in Hawkins and at the lab where Eleven grew up.
Hopper's Development
Redditor micro435 likes the way that Hopper's character has developed, writing that he was "a cop that was on this case but it quickly became very personal for him."
From Hopper's heartfelt love for Eleven to his relationship with Joyce, it's sweet watching Hopper care about the other characters and realize that it's okay to let people in.