Stranger Things. Season 5.

[HappyGilmore]

Episodes 1-4 of Season 5 dropped on Netflix last night. I stayed up til almost 2 this morning watching. Belted out a few profanities.

Linda Hamilton joins the series this time around. Presumably has a bigger role in the back half, because it's an epic fail casting her to not have a sizable role.

Series Finale on New Year's Eve, and I think it's the first time I'm actively staying in to specifically watch a show instead of going to a party or bar. 

[M.10rda]

So what'd you think of the "back half", so to speak?

[HappyGilmore]

I didn't hate it. The final fight should've gone longer. Leaving it kind of ambiguous with 11 was a bad idea.

Should be dead. But I suppose they'll want a reunion down the line.

Not a perfect season. Holly was a great addition as a main character.

[M.10rda]

The 11 "resolution" is lifted directly from Frank Miller's DAREDEVIL Issue #190. Ah well, steal from the best.

I agree that the action undelivered but oddly the final 25 minutes of sentimental goodbyes was my favorite part of the season. I'm not a big fan of lengthy, laborious "sentimental goodbyes" at the end of high-conflict fantasy/action/adventure et al, but somehow the Duffers handled it well. (I wasn't going to be at all happy if Steve or Dustin or Max sacrificed themselves so I can't complain about their lengthy send-offs.)

A recreation of a conversation with my brother-in-law:

BRENT: It just went on forever. Just everyone being sad and saying goodbye to each other. Way too long.

ME: I get your point... similar issue to the end of the last LORD OF THE RINGS movie... forty-five minutes of unnecessary tearful homoerotic gazing...

BRENT: (Baffled look.) What are you talking about? That was awesome!