The American (Stranger Things 3)

We've got to talk about Stranger Things Season 3! It came out on Thursday, 4th of July; a stark contrast to the darker previous seasons all based in autumn. This season focuses on summer and the aesthetics of being a teenager - sneaking into horror films, kissing (not that I ever experienced that myself), and the usual wackiness that happens when a monster starts to go Body Snatchers on the small town Hawkins.

But this isn't for the one's who've yet to see series 3 - no - it's for the nerds (like me) who binged the whole goddamn thing and are now sitting in ennui with conspiracy theories. 

So, for the ones who've yet to sit down with it. Go see it, it's fun and colourful and really funny, besides mixing up the dynamics somewhat spectacularly. New additional characters add more fun and just the throwbacks and homages are stellar. 10/10 - sit on your butt and watch the shit out of that.

SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT

So, Hopper died. That's a thing that happened. Not to say that Billy's death didn't get me as well, but I remembered him as being a complete knob-head last season (sorry to the ones who love Billy). Seeing him redeemed was wonderful, yet so extremely sad.

He was one of the characters I actually expected to see stick around, and hopefully become a sort of Steve in a way. Besides Alexei who I was kind of convinced from the get-go would go - let's be real - super sweet Russian scientist who just wants to experience American culture, loves cartoons and is general softie - was a goner! Nice guys and gals seem to have a slim survival rate in Stranger Things, like Barb and Bob. Thankfully his name didn't start with a B.

Also was I the only one who thought that he kinda looked like Taron Egerton playing Elton John?

Back to Hopper dying (oh god), like, he's been a favourite of mine since - well - the start. I have a soft spot for the rad-dad-sad-dad trope, and basically any gruff character with a moustache who kicks butt and takes heart. The internet (tumblr) is abuzz with the idea that he might have survived - because we didn't see him turn into blood sausage like the other scientists, but who's to say he did? The Duffer brothers might have just thought that him smiling, just knowing of the sacrifice that he'd have to make was a better send-off then seeing him split into atoms? Maybe? Possibly? Do not want.

But then the end-credit scene with the whole The American happened.

I love to believe the theory of him having survived and being stored into that little cell in Russia. Like he's just sat there, but he goes all Uncle Iroh and just starts working out like crazy. You know - a girl can dream, can't she? I'm also hopeful because it would make El's physic powers having trouble even more of an issue. She'd not be able to find him, because her own powers aren't working. So, she would have to take it on face value that he did indeed die. Like the rest of us should, but not until season 4 is out, baby! Denial is a blessing in disguise.

The fact that the same version of Heroes started playing at the end of the season - when the last time it played was when they found the fake body to Will is a thing to ponder... They're dropping all of these massive hints, which suggests that it might be an actual thing. We saw Bob get torn up, we saw Barb's corpse, we've seen Billy die, we saw Alexei get an undeserved death, but the only one we didn't see - the one thing that would keep Joyce in Hawkins was - Hopper.

Here's to hoping he'll make a joyous return, but how in the hell did he survive?

Will it turn out that the upside down are like portals? You can pass through them, and that's how he's in Russia? We still don't know what the hell the Russians were actually up to. They were attempting to open up the gate, but they also seem to have demogorgons lined up - so they're not entirely ignorant of whatever's beyond. There were cages in the underground base, which Erica spotted, clearly they knew what they'd find. But to what end? Is this a Jurassic World situation where they're keen on using them as weapons? Though they obviously haven't fully grasped the danger they're putting themselves in even using these creatures?

Also, how much time will pass before season 4? If Hopper's alive - how long will he be there for? IF and only if he is the American they spoke of? He's such a beloved character, which makes it hard for me to believe he's truly gone, especially when they drop this shit in the end. Might as well had someone standing weeping by his grave and have him pop up in the end, ala Sherlock.

Hopefully the wait for season 4 won't be so devastatingly long. The kids can't stay teens forever, they're growing up fast, and we're on the sidelines waiting for whatever's to come.