Is ‘Stranger Things’ changing the traditional OTT show format?

"Stranger Things" returned this May after a three-year hiatus, and the new season is significantly more expansive in terms of its premise on trauma and loss. What was particularly interesting about the show this time around, was its new format—where it split the final season into two different volumes.

Season 4, Volume 1 consisted of a total of 7 episodes, with much longer runtimes than the traditional "Stranger Things" format. The split can almost be likened to that of a video game with multiple levels, where each new level puts forth a greater level of intensity and difficulty for our favourite characters.

Volleying back and forth between different settings: Hawkins, California, Russia, and the Upside Down, it's evident that the writers took a daring and creative approach to the content right out of the gate.

While every character amongst the group of protagonists is on a different journey, they all share a common enemy that brings the ragtag group of teenage heroes together. The creators of the show really came out all guns blazing, putting forth the most heinous and visceral villain to date—Vecna.

Villains in previous seasons were mindless monsters that loathe Eleven, however, the backstory of Vecna really gave this new villain a level of depth, and this is definitely the hallmark of this season.

At the same time, these young actors we've watched for almost six years now have really matured and become stars of the show. Even though they are just teenagers, their plight is filled with adult themes which the actors handle with admirable grace and ingenuity.

We are finally able to see Nancy and Robin balance out each other's conflicting personalities. Nancy's serious and investigative instinct starts to pair up well with Robin's talkative nature and comedic timing. The duo of Hopper and Enzo was also surprisingly remarkable, especially during their ruthless battle against the Demogorgon.

Watching an episode of Stranger Things promptly turns back the clock, primarily due to the large array of 80s motifs and easter eggs sprinkled across each episode. The new season gives a nod to the original master of horror, Stephen King, while also paying homage to several thriller and horror classics such as "Minority Report", "Nightmare on Elm Street", and "The Silence of the Lambs."

With its increased runtime, 22 characters, and a multitude of plot points, the show till the end of Volume 1 gives rise to many questions for viewers. For instance, an argument between Mike and Eleven fizzled out before they could resolve the issue. It would have been a cathartic payoff to watch them come to terms with their situation, given that we've seen these two characters develop emotionally across the seasons. But maybe that is what the showrunners wanted to leave for Volume 2.  

Regardless, the show continues to be a polished production and undoubtedly among the best series Netflix has released to date. While the characters act as vessels to unravel the plot, the combination of the cinematography and soundtrack holds a magnifying glass to the overarching theme of terror and mystery. Considering the thought and effort that went behind this season, it's essentially a multi-part movie at this point.

Although we briefly see Joyce and Hopper reunite, the show will simply be left upside down if Hopper does not find his way back to Eleven by the time Volume 2 is out.

Volume 2 was released on July 1. And this is why it might just be the right time to start binging Volume 1, particularly for those of you who have been holding off from starting season 4 till the last two episodes were released.