scare-theory

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As I think more and more about the episode titles, the finale sticks out to me more and more.

“The Piggyback”

What?

Every other season finale: (The Upside Down, The Gate, and The Battle of Starcourt for reference) have been so final, so major even without the context of the season, but… The Piggyback?

I’m very very excited, but I have to wonder about that one.

Though I think it sets up a heartbreaking flashback double entendre, but that’s another story .

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things theory #st4 #st #stranger things analysis

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I have a lot of thinking to do about the episode titles but honestly, one of them jumps out at me way more than the others.

Papa

Not only because of the connotations with Brenner, but also because it could easily carry multiple meanings. Even though we associate this particular title with one specific father figure, they could have plot points with more than just Brenner that episode.

We could see a reunion between El and Hopper, we could see Lonnie come back, hell we could have a plot point with Victor Creel in addition to what’s going on with Brenner

Just some food for thought.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #st4 #st #st title teaser #papa #martin brenner #stranger things theory

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You guys…..

The reason why the Byers weren’t seen in the first 2 S4 trailers is that they are getting one all to themselves. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #byers family #will byers #st4

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Honest question: How many Stranger Things Characters only exist because their dads were trying to dodge the Vietnam draft?

#stranger things #st #I’m just saying

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Stranger Things 4 marketing campaign? More like:

#I thought he was only missing in one season #where are the Byers #stranger things #stranger things 4 #st4

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Anyone else think the way Victor is standing in the new trailer is a visual reference to the Blair Witch Project?

Like the whole “implied to be possessed character who killed/will very soon kill someone” is a parallel alone but the whole facing away from the camera and their victims is also interesting.

It’s on the VSF board, so it’s a possibility but I��m not sure.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #st4 #video store friday

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So someone proposed to me the idea that the clocks in the teasers might not be referring to time travel, but rather a countdown of some sort.

I need a bit to try and think through what it could mean, but I’m very curious to see anyone’s thoughts on it.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things theory #st4 #st

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This but even louder after the new trailer.

The reason why the Byers weren’t seen in the first 2 S4 trailers is that they are getting one all to themselves. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #byers family #st4

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Thinking about how perfect the song “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John is in reference to the character of Will. Like specifically toward the end of the series, after coming out alive from all of the events.

Not only is it a symbol of survivorship, but the fact that it’s by Elton also feels extremely right to me.

#stranger things #random thought #Will byers #will byers is gay #st

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Stranger Things and “Stranger Danger”

Something fascinating about Stranger Things that I see virtually no one talk about is the societal backdrop of the 1980′s in regard to missing kids. 

For those of you who don't know, the 80s and early 90s saw a major moral panic over child abductions and murders, specifically by people the child did not know. This of course is the reason for childhood lessons of “don’t talk to strangers,” and “don’t help the man find his puppy,” among the many others you’ve likely already heard. Though this panic started with crimes in the 60s, the onset of 24 hour cable news made these horrifying stories much more easily accessible, and therefore, much more prevalent in the minds of worried parents. Even today, the fear instilled during that time has not truly faded, especially with the more recent arrests in cold cases from this time. 

This fear was only compounded by the reactions of the Reagan administration, who were quick to make laws regarding the protection of children from deviant strangers, which fit perfectly with their family first platform. 

It should be fairly obvious what this means in the context of Stranger Things, but here’s the basics anyway:

The year the show is set is fascinating when considering this angle. One of the first major cases to contribute to this panic occurred in 1979, the idea of specializing in and focusing on missing children became mainstream in 1981 (according to researcher Joel Best), and the Missing Children’s Act being passed in 1982. Season one is set in 1983, when the panic was beginning to gather steam, but was still somewhat new. This creates an interesting position, as society would have been especially sensitive to cases like Will’s. 

Will Byers could easily be a household name in the Stranger Things universe, even beyond Hawkins. I think a lot of people forget that, but a missing kid who comes back alive is big news, and would make waves in news circles almost everywhere even without the supernatural elements. HNL would likely try and cover it up, but I doubt they’d keep it all out of the public eye, especially in the time of so much fear surrounding kids going missing.  He might even be seen as a symbol of hope. (It would be interesting if they touched on this in season 4, like with new neighbors or classmates knowing who Will is, but they likely won’t.) 

I find it interesting (and very appropriate) that Karen Wheeler sets the rules she does with her kids in season 1, considering the Wheelers’ canon ties to Reagan.

Frankly, that panic (and honestly a few others in the time) boiled down to the simple concept of fear of the “other.” This could be the USSR, it could be someone involved in counter culture, or it could be some strange man who offers a kid some candy. In a way, what happened to Will is an ultimate manifestation of this fear, as he is not only abducted, but he is taken by something beyond conventional understanding: An extreme other. Like I’ve mentioned before, we don’t really know why the Demogorgon took will (or even if it was truly the creature that did), but it is still a symbol of unusual things connected to Will’s disappearance, and to those concerned with this panic, that’s more than enough to make it evil. 

There’s just a lot to consider here, so I hope this fascinates you. 

#stranger things #stranger things analysis #st #stranger things meta #st meta

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I watched the Babadook and would like to formally commend the Duffer Brothers for creating kid characters that I’m not immensely annoyed by and actually enjoy watching.

#stranger things #st #honestly man

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I have been REALLY fascinated with what happened pre-season 1 of Stranger Things lately. Like yes, I know s4 is a thing but for some reason the concept of a prequel has wormed its way into my brain and won’t get out.

#stranger things #st #i have so many thoughts #jim hopper #jopper #but it’s interesting

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So now I have this headcanon that Joyce was assured that her and her boys were welcome to stay in New York with Jim and Diane if she ever chose to leave Lonnie in secret and it won’t get out of my head.

#stranger things #jim hopper #st #joyce byers #lonnie byers #byers family #headcanon #someone write a fic

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I’m completely ignorant about X-men and comics generally but I know there’s a villain named Victor Creed: do you think Victor Creel could have similarities with him?

I mean, it’s possible. That certainly doesn’t seem to be a coincidence. Admittedly, we don’t know a ton about Creel, but here’s what I have from what we’ve learned. 

The only clear cut similarity I can see between them based on what we know is that both seem to be individuals capable of a lot of brutality. Victor Creed (Sabretooth as I’ll call him) is known for being a ruthless individual, even earning nicknames like the Murder Lord of the Eastern Hemisphere. He has killed several major members of the X-Men, such as Bishop, Beast, and even Mystique. Though we don’t know what exactly Victor Creel did, we have heard it described as “gruesome,” which certainly falls in line with Sabretooth’s MO. 

Above pretty much all else, though, Victor Creel is known as a direct villain to Wolverine, with their powers being virtually identical and their backstories having a lot in common as well. Though this is far from a strange occurrence among comic book heroes and their nemeses, I feel it’s worth noting here considering that it is such a vital part of his character. 

He also, at one point, works for the Hellfire Club in an anti-mutant operation. Though he’s not directly involved in the events of X-Men 134 (which I talked about in depth in my Hellfire Club post), but do with that information what you will. 

Great question! More than happy to answer any more about the comic or other references in ST!

#stranger things #stranger things theories #stranger things analysis #st4 #st

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Joyce may not be included in Hopper’s flashbacks (if there are actual flashbacks) but they could give info about her through exposition separately, in parallel. For Hopper, it probably will be about his life in Nam and Sara and how it traumatized him, but for Joyce, they could finally explain what her "issues" were, and given that this show is all about mind powers/control, maybe connect it to the plot.

FANTASTIC idea, anon.

I honestly don’t have anything to add, frankly I love this a lot.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #analysis

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Re:Joyce. David has basically confirmed we’ll learn about Hop’s past, and notably about his dad. It would be weird if we have this detailed backstory and still not a single thing about Joyce, and even more if they’re endgame, so whatever it is, I think we’ll learn something about her life before S1, maybe her family (I still want to know what happened to Aunt Darlene and how tf she married Lonnie!).

PREACH ANON.

I totally agree, I want to know more about who Joyce was before season one (more specifically, before she had kids.) So much of her character is defined by what she’s willing to risk for the safety of others, I think she deserves a spotlight of her own. If not that, then at least something in the flashbacks.

I want to know about Aunt Darlene. I want to know what the hell she saw in Lonnie. I want to know a lot of things about her.

I have to be honest, though. The only way I can see them not including Joyce backstory in the flashback(s) is if the events are almost exclusively taking place in New York or Vietnam. Considering that we’re getting some sort of major secret reveal (according to another interview) from Hop’s past, there’s a real chance it could center around something he did in Vietnam, or perhaps around his daughter. Though both of these would still likely include several mentions of Hawkins, we might not get as much Joyce as we think. I still firmly believe she needs a mention at MINIMUM, but I digress.

As badly as I want more info on her, just how much we get in the flashback is gonna depend on what the secret is.

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things theory #analysis #jim hopper #joyce byers

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Hear Me Out

So at this point we all associate Peter Gabriel’s cover of Heroes with fake death in Stranger Things

So what would you assume it meant if the original was played instead?

Maybe that could be a subtle way to tell us that it’s permanent, that whoever just bit the dust is staying dead

#stranger things #stranger things 4 #stranger things theory #analysis #st4