moonb

I assume Glenda is the Cassandra of the Cassandra truth trope, where she is trying to warn the cops repeatedly about Dahmer and everyone disregards her.

I had the same thoughts about that pizza van full of teenagers after the "2 days later" jump. Particularly since they all seem to like multiple layers of clothing.

I think plausible deniability is the key re: coming out issues in the 1980s or before. A cousin of mine from my mother's generation lived with her "friend" of 40 years - and even in her obituary was still described as a friend and caregiver.....but, she was born in 1939. One of my old bosses referred to his significant other of 25 years as a "friend of his" and to himself as a bachelor, which was certainly legally true at least, circa 1999-2000. When coworkers asked or hinted, he maintained he didn't know what they were talking about....though eventually he dropped that, but it took until the 2010s to do it. He is in his 50s. So....a lot of it was maybe a case of politely Not Asking Questions, if your family works that way. If nobody says gay, then gay can be compartmentalized into a limited number of people. On the other hand, I graduated HS in the mid 90s and several of my peers didn't come out until their 20s or 30s. Since I'm a crusty old middle aged person, unrequited romantic feelings just aren't the worst thing to me. Yes, they're painful and extra awkward in Will's case, but almost everyone goes through that experience at some point. I'd be a little more concerned with Mike and El being in love from their early teens to their 30s. But...the show is part sci fi fairy tale, so One True Love is a part of that. Yes! I did like the blood filled balloons popping at the Snow Ball, nice shout out.

Nine extra long episodes and we still don't know how El recognized Will way back in season one. Maybe we'll finally get an answer in season five.

Was Lucas reading "The Talisman" to Max in the hospital, where Jack Sawyer flips back and forth between the real world and the Territories? How appropriate. Loved the scene at the Wheelers where the pizza van shows up and everyone's reaction to seeing the California group. Also got pretty teary at Karen hugging Mike and telling him he was never leaving home again...and of course Hopper and El seeing each other again. And Mike and Hopper's "you've grown. You've shrunk." Aw. Max's scene with Lucas where she says she doesn't want to die - completely wrenching. Great job Sadie and Caleb.

Ymmv, but I think Will's being gay matters as far as the show is a coming of age story about growing up, and a lot of our signs of maturity are pretty heterosexual and not exactly available to someone gay in the 1980s (dating in public in lots of places, marrying and having families, and so on). I don't think it matters to the plot at all, but outcasts are a big theme of the show between the kids in the lab, the Party, Max's family situation....it makes sense that sexual identity would be part of that. El feels like she doesn't belong anywhere, and Will might have similar feelings for very different reasons.

Joyce, you are supposed to be a bit scattered and anxious, not completely oblivious to what's going on with Jonathan (and apparently, lacking a sense of smell too, lol). Then again, she has tended to treat Jonathan as another adult instead of her teenage son, so maybe not.

I too am old enough to remember X-Files shipping discussions, and with season 4 coming I made the mistake of reading some of the promotional stuff, and yeah....it's funny that fandom is so furiously arguing over whether 14 or 15-year-olds will marry their 8th grade boyfriend/girlfriend, lol. That said, I really liked Mike and Eleven's storylines especially in seasons 1 and 2. Almost fairy tale-like.

I'm hoping Will gets a little character development in season 4 as far as allowing his friends to walk all over him less. I know it's part of his character that he's people pleasing and a peacemaker, but avoidance ultimately won't help him much (which I think fed into his fight with Mike in season 3). I sympathize Will, but you can't be that way forever! Maybe some physical distance from Hawkins and the Party will help.

I love Father Hubley in the later seasons episode about Ray and Debra first having sex, and Marie drags him along in the hopes that he'll talk them out of it. "I was told there would be a lasagna." "Wait a minute! You mean there's no lasagna HERE!?" He's so indignant, I laugh every time.

I'm about Becky's age and grew up in the rust belt, and in my anecdotal experience only, early to mid 20s was a pretty typical age to be having children in the 1970s. In fact in our neighborhood my parents were definitely the "old" parents for having me in their mid 30s, whereas my friends' parents had them at 20, 23, 25, etc....and with a high school diploma and maybe a year of college or associates degree for the most part. I'm not sure there would have been systemic signs of economic uncertainty for at least another 10- 15 years.

Upholstery?

No strong feelings about Jennifer Lawrence, but her dress brings "solid gold dancer" to mind.

It seems early to me, but that may be my wine talking.

No, but I love Copland, so I'll have to track it down. More classic figure skating to watch, lol.