#anyhow i love jim hopper and i love joyce byers

[littlewitchhazels-blog]

some unspoken thing

I know I know I know I should be writing a million things right now, but Stranger Things (and, by extension, Jopper) is the only thing keeping me sane amidst persisting wrist injuries, a never-ending tide of work, terrible writer’s block, etc etc...

They never really needed words, just the acknowledgement of each other’s presence when things seemed rough. The silence, and maybe a smouldering cigarette passed between two hands, was enough. Things felt simpler like that.

And things had always been just that between the two of them. Simple, but bearing of far more depth than one may realise on face value. Even way back when their biggest concerns were sneaking out of class to slip out to the steps, when the hounding teachers sent them into bursts of laughter as they dashed down the paths and hallways to get away. Just a jab or two at each other before they melted into that comfortable silence together. Yes, comfortable. That’s what it was.

In the midst of all the turbulence, it was these moments that were steady. He was… Steady. Hopper was a constant in an ever-changing world. And never in Joyce’s life did she ever expected him to be back there again, sitting across from her once more; both a little older, a little wiser, a little more broken inside. Once upon a time, even he was one of those shifting variables that ebbed and flowed throughout the events of her life; now it seemed that fate had once again brought them together. Strange how things turn out in the end.

It felt almost foreign, and yet so natural, to exchange worries and small comforts between them — punctuated by warm smiles and plumes of smoke escaping from parted lips. Quiet words and hushed double meanings, but never an ill-willed word uttered between them.

Through the stagnant and almost-happy year he was there, even when she suspected it hurt him most with those biting pangs of jealousy that nip at the corners of your mind when watching happiness you could only ever dream of. When everything went to hell and back all over again, there he was still there. Then when the pain of loss and longing gnawed at her heart and twisted her thoughts, there he stayed.

So, so much patience; a quality that seemingly never existed in her life before. She was always wrong, wrong, wrong. It was always too this, too that, just relax, don’t be a bitch, and this is why every goddamn thing goes wrong in your life. Compared to this, his solemn silence with its gentle push and pull: “Joyce you were right, you were right this whole time.” God, how amazing, how breathtaking, it was to hear those words. 

Even now, as she wept in shuddering breaths and soft mourning and he sat as a silent sentry across from her, she simply couldn’t find the words in her to utter the most genuine of thanks towards his patient kindness and soothing silence. Maybe it just was, and always would be, some unspoken thing between them.

[deliciouslyunabashedstarlight]

Bigger Monsters, Higher Expectations

Stranger Things 2

Put up those Christmas lights and stock up on Eggos - Stranger Things has finally returned!

I can relate to fans of Stranger Things on a very personal level. I have merchandise from the show all over my room, I’ve binged the first season likely over twenty times, and I’ve even met three of the young stars of the show. But like most fans, I was nervous about what would become of the sequel of this captivating show. Would it make sense? Would it answer some of the burning questions that the first season had left me with? Would I even like it? The answer to all of the above is yes. Good work, Duffer Brothers. 

We pick up around October of 1984, almost a year after everything had become stranger in the town of Hawkins, Indiana. It seems that things have gone back to normal now that the craziness is behind everyone. However, it seems that some of the events that plagued Hawkins have left permanent scars on a number of its victims. We catch up with the characters just days before Halloween, or as Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) calls it, “the best night of the year.” Speaking of Mike, it is highly upsetting to see that his heart is still broken now that his love interest, the telekinetic Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) has quite literally vanished into thin air. When we catch up with the town Sheriff Jim Hopper (David Harbour) he appears to be keeping secrets about something... or someone. The mother of “the boy who came back to life”, Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) is trying to focus on herself now that her son is safe and sound. She has a new boyfriend Bob (Sean Astin), who she had known back in High School, though it is clearly implied that Joyce was very popular in her teen years and had not even known Bob’s name. Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer), and Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), are, as the final episode of season one sneakily revealed, still a couple even after the violent altercation between Steve and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton), the shy, mysterious older son of Joyce who is also in love with Nancy. However, it seems that Steve’s days of being top dog at Hawkins High School may be coming to an end, as he has finally met his match. Billy (Dacre Montgomery) has just moved to town. He’s the intimidating stepbrother of Maxine (Sadie Sink), another new character who is quick to make friends with Mike, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin). 

The first thing that stood out to me about this season is the killer new soundtrack. An eerie mood is set in almost every scene through the use of chilling drums and synthesizers. At any moment in time, our feelings about what is happening can jump from gloomy to cheerful. Well, as cheerful as a show about monsters from another dimension can possibly get. Anyhow, it is safe to say that where there is an important moment in an episode, viewers are sure to find a fitting song to accompany the story on its path. Matt and Ross Duffer even threw in a few fun tunes, such as the Ghostbusters theme featured in the Halloween episode. 

The most notable element of the entire series (and the reason why it draws audiences of almost all ages) has to be its ability to capture the nostalgia of the '80s. There are shots of the boys riding iconic Raleigh chopper bikes (shots similar to those found in classic films like E.T.), appropriate television programs and commercials of this era, along with spot-on costume choices. 

It is a well-known fact that sequels often do not live up to their predecessors. The plot of Stranger Things 2 is not quite as fresh, rich, and fast-paced as the show’s debut, but this does not mean that it is not worth watching. Most of the action and intensity picks up at around episode 5 (by far my favourite of the season) with a slight decline around episode 7. But fear not, it is the lovable characters that continue to keep us hooked, and I promise that there is a satisfying ending. On the contrary, the character development seen this season is absolutely phenomenal. A certain character (I won’t spoil, you’ll just have to watch!) who was often left in the background last season is built up as a hero in an extraordinary way. I’ll also give a solid A grade for the overall cinematography this season. I either found myself leaning in closer to the action, or away from it during some of the more chilling moments. The stunning visual effects are a fantastic addition to the series, making our encounters with the various monsters nothing less than a thrilling experience. 

As a super-fan, my verdict is that season 2 is a must-watch for people who love the show as much as I do. Though the plot progresses at a slower-pace, is slightly less gripping and does not leave viewers with as many important questions as the last season did, The Duffer Brothers have done fantastic work in creating a satisfying sequel to one of the most hyped-up shows on Netflix. On top of all of this, the Halloween release date is pure genius, I applaud the creators for that alone. By the end of the season, we are still left with a large conflict that I look forward to exploring once season 3 rolls around. 

For those who have not watched the first season yet, I highly recommend that you get caught up as quickly as possible! And if you have already binged the series, Netflix has also put out a behind-the-scenes feature titled “Beyond Stranger Things”. Enjoy!