On the whole Season 3 was nowhere near as good as Seasons 1 and 2, both of which near consistently ranging between very good and brilliant (floundering only in one episode from Season 2). On the whole, the suspense and tension weren't as strong, the advancement of plotting and characters only came in spurts and some of the writing was surprisingly juvenile. Was honestly a bit apprehensive for "Chapter Four: The Sauna Test", due to being disappointed in the season's first two episodes and also thinking that while a big improvement that the previous episode wasn't to top standard too.
"Chapter Four: The Sauna Test" actually turned out to be 'Stranger Things' back on form after a slow, disappointing start to Season 3 and it was a brilliant episode in its own right. Whether it is one of the best 'Stranger Things' episodes is up for debate but it is a very strong contender for the best episode of Season 3 and one of the few truly great episodes from the season. It is the only episode up to this point of Season 3 to not have any problems and it improves on everything that went wrong in the previous three episodes.
Everything works here in "Chapter Four: The Sauna Test". The visuals are of outstanding quality. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully. Of the uniformly strong acting, the beyond her years work of Millie Bobby Brown is particularly note-worthy and absolutely loved Eleven's character development, which was investable and illuminating.
Writing has lost none of its brains and heart, while there is an ominous creepiness there is some genuinely funny and gentle humour, an affectionate nostalgia and poignancy without any cheese or melodrama. The story is darkly suspenseful with plenty going on (without being too crowded) and the ending leaves one excited for what's to come and unnerves. The mystery has grown a lot in depth and complexity since it first began and it is neither simplistic or convoluted, it's always absorbing too. The character writing is on point, especially for Eleven.
To conclude, brilliant. 10/10.
"Chapter Four: The Sauna Test" actually turned out to be 'Stranger Things' back on form after a slow, disappointing start to Season 3 and it was a brilliant episode in its own right. Whether it is one of the best 'Stranger Things' episodes is up for debate but it is a very strong contender for the best episode of Season 3 and one of the few truly great episodes from the season. It is the only episode up to this point of Season 3 to not have any problems and it improves on everything that went wrong in the previous three episodes.
Everything works here in "Chapter Four: The Sauna Test". The visuals are of outstanding quality. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully. Of the uniformly strong acting, the beyond her years work of Millie Bobby Brown is particularly note-worthy and absolutely loved Eleven's character development, which was investable and illuminating.
Writing has lost none of its brains and heart, while there is an ominous creepiness there is some genuinely funny and gentle humour, an affectionate nostalgia and poignancy without any cheese or melodrama. The story is darkly suspenseful with plenty going on (without being too crowded) and the ending leaves one excited for what's to come and unnerves. The mystery has grown a lot in depth and complexity since it first began and it is neither simplistic or convoluted, it's always absorbing too. The character writing is on point, especially for Eleven.
To conclude, brilliant. 10/10.